EMPOWERING EURASIAN WOMEN 2021 — the Year of Celebrating SG Women
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NThe ew Eurasian APRIL – JUNE 2021 www.eurasians.org.sg EMPOWERING EURASIAN WOMEN 2021 — the Year of Celebrating SG Women A Eurasian's learning journey in London Dialogues to connect with youth Sehbak recipe that rocks CONTENTS 1 IN TOUCH 2 HIGHLIGHTS A Hearty Celebration; New Trustees Of The EA; A Minister’s Visit To The Eurasian Association; Annual General Meeting 2021 3 4 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Chingay 2021; Discussion On Successful Ageing 5 SUPPORTING EURASIANS Season’s Goodwill In 2020; Better Homes For A Better Future 5 8 COVER STORY 12 EURASIAN YOUTH Empowering Eurasian Women Youth Dialogue With DPM On Moving Singapore Ahead Post-Covid 19; Youth Focus On Race And Religion 17 LEARNING JOURNEYS Life Of A Eurasian Student Abroad 19 CULTURE & HERITAGE 8 Happenings @ The Eurasian Heritage Gallery 21 ACTIVITY Test Your Knowledge: Eurasian Heritage 22 OUR PEOPLE Ties That Bind 24 RECIPE 24 Savoury and Spicy Sehbak NThe ew Eurasian Magazine of the Eurasian Association, Singapore The New Eurasian is published quarterly and read by more than 17,000 Eurasians in Singapore. It is circulated to senior government offices, ministries, statutory boards, community organisations and self-help groups. Advertising Rates Series Discounts Prime positions (full colour) Twice a year: 5% discount Bleed size: 216mm x 303mm; Type area: 192mm x 279mm Four times a year: 10% discount • Inside Front Cover: $1,200 • Inside Back Cover: $1,200 To place your ad, call the EA at 6447 1578 • Outside Back Cover: $1,500 or email [email protected] • Loose Inserts: $1,500 Inside (Colour) • Full Page: $1,000 Copy must be submitted two weeks before publication date. • Half Page: $600 Publication dates: 15 Jan, 15 Apr, 15 Jul, 15 Oct* • Quarter Page: $300 * Dates may change No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. 27175448 IN TOUCH PATRONS Dear fellow members of the EA, Herman Hochstadt George Yeo I hope you are staying safe during this difficult period, under on-going TRUSTEES Carla Barker Covid-19 conditions. The EA will always be here to support and enrich the Bennett Theseira Eurasian community, and to contribute to the betterment of Singapore. Justice Judith Prakash Edward D’Silva During the EA’s recent Annual General Meeting, our members resolved AUDIT COMMITTEE to continue helping Eurasians and the Singapore society through these Helen Lee (Chair) difficult times. Lim Yih Chyi In this aspect, the EA has the Empathy Package which is designed Ruby Cheah to help Eurasians affected by the pandemic. If you need help, or know LEGAL ADVISORY BOARD someone who does, please contact the EA immediately. Carla Barker (Chair) William da Silva The EA is supporting the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE move to dedicate 2021 as the Year of Celebrating SG Women. In this President issue of The New Eurasian, we are proud to feature Ms Rachel Raeburn, Alexius Pereira 1st Vice-President Ms Natalie Lazaroo and Ms Cheryl Marie Codeiro, who have bravely Vincent Schoon followed their dreams and passion to become successful in their own 2nd Vice-President fields. We hope their stories inspire not just other women, but everyone Yvonne Pereira Honorary Secretary else as well. Angelina Fernandez Honorary Treasurer In the past quarter, we were honoured to receive Minister for Sandra Theseira Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong at the EA. He was introduced Committee Members to Eurasian cuisine and taken on a tour of the Eurasian Heritage Gallery. Martin Marini Christopher Gordon We are happy to call him a friend of the Association and he is welcome to Melanie Smith visit us again anytime. Danni Danis Edmund Rodrigues The Youth Sub-committee organised several online dialogues on racial Percival Shepherdson and religious issues in Singapore. The last session held on April 27 was Ion Danker attended by Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development SECRETARIAT General Manager Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. He was encouraged that Lester Low we had this discussion involving youth from various self-help groups and Senior Accountant came up with recommendations to make improvements in Singapore. Bernadette Soh Manager (Heritage & Culture) Lastly, it appears that the pandemic may not go away soon. So I do Jacqueline Peeris Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications) urge everyone to stay safe and follow government guidelines. Together, Natasha Darwood all of us can bring normalcy back to Singapore. Manager (Casework, FSS) J. Ramakrishnan Assistant Manager (Admin) Bridget Basnayake Programme Executive (Education) Ariel De Silva Dr Alexius Pereira Operations / Youth Executive President Desmond Shen Events Executive Hazel Soe Senior Accounts Assistant Albert Pok Operations Support Officers Michael Ann Iman Shamira Wheeler Bt Mohd Sani CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS SUB COMMITTEE Ion Danker (Chair), Natasha Darwood, Hana Schoon, Andre Brinstan Frois, Sheena Conceicao, Suzanne Walker, Noel Longue 1 HIGHLIGHTS A Hearty Celebration The Self Help Groups Student Care Limited celebrated its fifth anniversary with the opening of its 30th Big Heart Student Care at Zhangde Primary School on February 18. In attendance representing the Eurasian Association (EA) were President, Dr Alexius Pereira, and First Vice-President and Education Chairperson, Mr Vincent Schoon. During the walkabout, they met Ethan Sarig, a Eurasian student, as well as sisters Stephanie and Stacey Sanchez, who work at Big Heart. You can read more about the Eurasian sisters in the next issue. Big Heart Student Care centres cater to students of all races and they currently have 4,200 students enrolled at these centres which were set up five years ago to help children from less-privileged backgrounds. Run by self- help groups, they are located in various primary schools to provide educational and developmental support to students. To date, close to 1,400 students are receiving financial help from these centres. Visit bigheartstudentcare.com for more information. New Trustees Of The EA The EA held its trustees appointment ceremony with EA Patron, Mr George Yeo as guest-of- honour on January 30. The EA expressed appreciation and gratitude to four retiring trustees, Mr Barry Desker, Mr Gerard De Silva, Mr Timothy de Souza and Mr Gerald Minjoot for their commitment in the past years. It also welcomed new trustees, Ms Carla Barker and Mr Benett Theseira. Justice Judith Prakash and Mr Edward D’Silva remain on the Board of Trustees. (From top left) Ms Carla Barker, Mr Edward D’Silva, EA Patron Mr George Yeo, EA President Dr Alexius Pereira, Justice Judith Prakash and Mr Benett Theseira. (From bottom left) Mr Gerald Minjoot, Mr Barry Desker, Mr Timothy de Souza and Mr Gerard De Silva. *Individuals featured removed their masks briefly for photography. 2 HIGHLIGHTS A Minister’s Visit To The Eurasian Association The EA’s President Dr Alexius Pereira hosted Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong for an informal lunch at Quentin’s Singapore on April 15. Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law, toured the Eurasian Heritage Gallery and shared his thoughts on rediscovering the Eurasian heritage in the Gallery's guest book. “Thank you for hosting me to such a lovely visit, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am so glad to learn about the Eurasian history and heritage, to see how much the Eurasian Community has given to so many facets of Singapore society. You must be very proud of all the achievements. Please continue to protect and promote Eurasian culture and heritage, and remain a strong pillar of society in Singapore!" Edwin Tong 15 April 2021 Annual General Meeting 2021 Enriching Our Legacy During the EA’s 2021 Annual General Meeting on April 24, its President, Advancing Dr Alexius Pereira reviewed key events over the past year, highlighting Our Community the introduction of the Empathy Package which was initiated to support Eurasians affected by the pandemic. He also shared how the EA adapted to the pandemic by ensuring the Youth, Community Development and Heritage committees continued to engage members via different virtual programmes and activities. He concluded the AGM by thanking the dedicated patrons, trustees, management committee members, secretariat, donors and volunteers for their unwavering dedication and support. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 3 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Chingay 2021 he Eurasian community was out in full force at the annual Chingay on February 20. The event’s live broadcast online and on television enabled viewers to be treated to Ta full suite of Eurasian culture and traditions. Chingay mini-series hosts Auntie Rose and Naomi Yeo visited the EA to learn more about the Eurasian culture and dance from Florabelle and her son, Rio Some of the participants included: Beins-Au. *Individuals featured removed their masks briefly for photography. • Trevor and Jared Martens Wong, who submitted a video of their performance of their own song “I found • Shanice Hedger, Camille Lesslar and Trevor Nerva, my heart (Hoopla)”. The song, which was released on who submitted videos of themselves singing along October 29, 2019, is about overcoming hardships and to the Chingay 2021 theme song “As I Believe”. finding one’s self again. Trevor played a guitar which he made from a teh tarik powder can which he found • Saskia Ong-Webb, who is seven years old, was from a coffee shop near their home. part of the filming for the theme song, along with President Halimah Yacob and Mr Mohammed • Florabelle Beins and Rio Beins-Au, who were featured Abdullah Alhabshee. in a mini-series. The mother-and-son duo showcased the dance steps to a folk dance called Jinkli-Nona, The EA would like to thank and acknowledge these followed by an explanation of its traditions. individuals for their contributions. Discussion On Successful Ageing he Ministry of Health facilitated a focus group session on February 26 to discuss its “Successful Ageing” action plan.