More than $850K raised for Singapore Children's Society in annual walk
SINGAPORE - The Singapore Children's Society raised more than $850,000 from its annual fundraiser walk and family day, which drew 4,200 people to the National Stadium on Aug 17.
The event this year , called Walk for Our Children, was organised to spur young families to get active and to educate parents to help their teenage children strengthen their emotional well-being and resilience.
Throughout the 2km route along the stadium and Geylang River, placards and boards provided information on how to help young people , using a framework for developmental relationships.
The framework comprises five elements: expressing care to young people, supporting them, stretching their growth, giving young people a say in matters, and expanding their worldview and connections.
Since 2022, the society's four youth centres have been working with teenagers using this framework .
'In day-to-day interactions, the centre's staff will utilise the developmental relationships approach to challenge growth by pushing the youths to do better in their academics or personal interests, hold them accountable for their actions, and guide them on reflecting on their mistakes,' said Mr Taufiq Salehoodin, assistant director and head of youth centre The Fort @ Children's Society in Radin Mas.
Mastering developmental relationships have been linked to improved academic performance, better emotional regulation and stronger interpersonal skills, said the society in its biannual report published in March.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore I want to divorce my husband and be a single mother: More victims speaking up on emotional abuse
World Trump drops Ukraine ceasefire demand after Putin summit
Singapore Buying hope: Inside S'pore's love affair with the lottery
Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey
Life These cats may have disabilities, but they are resilient and capable of being affectionate
Singapore PM Wong's National Day Rally speech to begin at 6.45pm on Aug 17
Singapore Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle collision on TPE
Opinion Confessions of a born-again Singaporean
Of the five elements, teenagers struggled most with the 'challenge growth' pillar which involves stretching their limits and helping the students deal with mistakes and setbacks, a recent survey by the four youth centres found.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung attended the Aug 17 event, which also included a 5km run and carnival activities.
Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung flagging off the Walk For Our Children 2025 at the Singapore Sports Hub Aug 17, 2025.
The Straits Times
Proceeds raised through ticket sales, donations and sponsorships will go towards supporting the programmes and services run by the Singapore Children's Society.
Apart from Radin Mas, the other three youth centres are located in Toa Payoh, Jurong and Chai Chee. These centres are not just for at-risk youths but any teen looking for a space after school where they can spend time, added Mr Taufiq.
The four centres, of which the oldest in Toa Payoh is 25 years old, have different ways of engaging youth. For example, students at Mr Taufiq's centre are usually busy with leading community programmes and running a podcast, while the centre at Chai Chee helps students through digital platforms and games.
Mr Tian Enqi, 36, his wife and their two toddlers were among the 4,200 people who attended the fund-raising event.
'The event and leisurely walk was fun for the kids, who are of the right age to join and play,' said the senior manufacturing manager.
The Singapore Children's Society event was part of Singapore Pools' SG60 weekend event – called Weekend with A Heart – which featured futsal and e-sports matches, alongside other family activities.
In a charity football match on Aug 16, several MPs and ministers played against past national footballers including Fandi Ahmad, Baihakki Khaizan and Jeremy Chiang.
The politicians in the parliamentary team included Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, and Minister of State for Education and Digital Development and Information Jasmin Lau.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Aid groups say shelter materials are still not entering Gaza
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, August 13, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File photo GENEVA - International aid groups say they have not yet been able to deliver shelter materials to Gaza despite Israeli authorities saying they have lifted restrictions on such supplies, and warn that further delays could cause more Palestinian deaths. Aid organisations say Israel had in effect been blocking the delivery of materials for shelters for nearly six months, with tent poles previously listed among items Israeli authorities considered could have a military as well as civilian use. With international concern over the plight of Palestinians mounting as the war in Gaza continues, Israel announced measures last month to let more aid into Gaza and said on Saturday that it would start allowing shelter materials in from the next day. But officials from five aid groups, including U.N. agencies, told Reuters that shelter materials needed by large numbers of displaced Palestinians were still not reaching Gaza and blamed Israeli bureaucratic hurdles. "The United Nations and our partners been able to bring in shelter materials following the Israeli announcement," the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), spokesperson Jens Laerke said. "There's a set of impediments that still needs to be addressed, including Israeli customs clearance." CARE International, ShelterBox and the Norwegian Refugee Council also said they had not yet received any authorisation to deliver shelter materials. Another international NGO, which declined to be identified, said it had been unable to deliver such supplies but was trying to get clearance. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Singapore Woman trapped between train doors: Judge rules SBS Transit '100% responsible' Singapore Religion growing in importance for S'poreans: IPS study Life 'Loss that's irreplaceable': Local film-makers mourn closure of Singapore indie cinema The Projector Singapore COE premiums up in all categories except motorcycles; Cat A price climbs 2.5% to $104,524 Singapore Nearly 2 years' jail, caning for man caught with at least 100 sexually explicit videos of children Singapore MyRepublic's policy of not imposing download speed limits to stay after takeover: StarHub Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch Over 1.3 million Gazans lack tents, the United Nations said this month, and more people are expected to be displaced by an Israeli operation to seize Gaza City. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, did not immediately respond to Reuters questions. It has previously said it invests considerable efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza and has denied restricting supplies. After nearly two years of war, many displaced Palestinians are living in the rubble of their homes or in tents. "Life in the tent is no life at no proper bathroom, not even a decent place to sit. We end up sitting in the street, suffocating in the heat," 55-year-old Ibrahim Tabassi said in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. He shares his cramped tent, made from tarpaulin sheets and scrap metal, with nine other family members. Clothes and pots hang inside. Another Gaza resident, Sanaa Abu Jamous, said that she, like many other Gazans, had been using the same tattered tent throughout the war. "My tent is extremely worn out," she said. DELIVERIES VIA KEREM SHALOM CROSSING Israel said on Saturday that deliveries of materials for shelters would be allowed via the Kerem Shalom Crossing with Israel but would have to undergo security inspections. The Red Cross told Reuters it had received permission from COGAT to bring in shelter materials from what is known as the Jordanian corridor to Kerem Shalom, but that many challenges remain. CARE International said it had received no confirmation that the change in policy had been enacted. The Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian organisation, said it had applied for permission to deliver 3,000 tents across Gaza, including the north, but had not yet received a reply. Many aid groups are resisting Israeli demands - under measures imposed in March - to register because it means disclosing personal information about Palestinian staff. COGAT says the mechanism is a security screening intended to ensure aid goes directly to the population rather than to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. ShelterBox's regional director, Haroon Altaf, said granting permission to only a select number of aid groups would not meet demand for shelter materials. "If it's only a handful of organisations that can bring shelter aid in, it doesn't really change much and it's deeply concerning. People are going to die because of it," he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Straits Times
Dog abandoned inside train in India stokes outrage amid crackdown on strays
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A dog was found abandoned inside a train at Raxaul city in India's eastern state of Bihar. A dog was found abandoned inside a train at Raxaul city in India's eastern state of Bihar, reigniting public outrage sparked by a Supreme Court order to round up tens of thousands of stray dogs in New Delhi. A video that has been seen over 200,000 times on one Instagram account shows a white dog sitting alone inside a train that had just stopped at the Raxaul junction, panting, its chain leash tied to a seat. A report on said the dog was intentionally left behind by someone who boarded the train at a previous station early on Aug 16. Passengers boarding the train at Raxaul were surprised to see the dog that news reports described as 'clearly distressed and frightened'. They tried to unleash the dog, but it was by then already a nervous wreck. It was behaving aggressively. It kept barking and growling, and tried to bite those who got near. The train was held at the station for about 30 minutes. Station officials decided to let the dog stay inside the coach alone and let the train move on to the next station. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Emergency broadcast system to alert S'pore public of disasters on their mobile phones: Edwin Tong Singapore New annual course will groom future leaders of Singapore's Chinese community Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch Singapore Singapore indie cinema The Projector owes over $1.2m to creditors Life Five things to do at Singapore Night Festival – from kampung chilling to spotting luminous crabs Asia Calls to cut ties: Malaysia flag furore tests PH-BN relations Singapore Proposals sought to develop Changi East Urban District next to T5 Business New CDC job-matching drive may bring overlooked front-line roles closer to applicants: Experts The dog was eventually safely removed from the train and turned over to the Animal Welfare Board. The video of the dog sitting alone and abandoned on the train set off a lot of hand-wringing on social media, mostly directed at the dog's erstwhile owner. 'Karma is watching and waiting,' commented one user on Instagram. Another chimed in: 'You can't escape your bad deeds.' 'Where is the Supreme Court?' one asked, referring to an issue that has riled animal rights advocates across India in recent weeks. 'Where's the Supreme Court' India's Supreme Court on Aug 11 ordered the removal of tens of thousands of stray dogs from the capital, citing public safety concerns after a surge in dog bites. India is home to millions of stray dogs, and deadly attacks – particularly on children and the elderly – are regularly reported by local media. At least 60,000 stray dogs live on the streets of Delhi, according to India's Livestock Census of 2012, the most recent data available. The court asked the city authorities to set up dog shelters within eight weeks, and maintain daily records of the canines captured. The order naturally led to an outcry among animal rights activists who staged rallies and lobbied politicians to get it rescinded. Many of Delhi's strays are beloved in middle class neighbourhoods, where they are even clothed in special canine jackets to keep them warm during winter. But these strays are also a hazard to humans , with the Indian media regularly reporting on the mauling of young children by aggressive dog packs. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in a social media post described the court's order as a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. Several Bollywood actors also joined the debate. 'Yes, there are problems – bites, safety concerns – but caging an entire community of animals is not a solution. It's an erasure,' posted actress Janhvi Kapoor. Peta India said in a statement that 'displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has NEVER worked'. The chief justice of India's top court said on Aug 13 he would re-examine the order handed.
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
City girls snub traditional Hindu face tattoos in Pakistan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Artist Guddi Manthar drawing an indigenous tattoo on seven-year-old Champa's face at the Jogi Colony in Umerkot. UMERKOT, Pakistan - Grinding charcoal with a few drops of goat's milk, 60-year-old Basran Jogi peers at the faces of two small Pakistani sisters preparing for their first tattoos. The practice of elder women needling delicate shapes onto the faces, hands and arms of younger generations stretches back centuries in the Hindu villages that dot the southern border with India. 'First, draw two straight lines between the eyebrows,' Ms Jogi instructs her friend poised with a sewing needle. 'Now insert the needle along the lines – but slowly, until it bleeds.' Six-year-old Pooja barely winces as dotted circles and triangles are tattooed onto her chin and forehead. On the outskirts of the rural town of Umerkot in Sindh province, her seven-year-old sister Champa declares eagerly beside her that 'I am ready too'. In recent years, however, as rural Hindu communities in Muslim-majority Pakistan become more connected to nearby cities, many young women have opted out of the 'old ways'. 'These signs set us apart from others,' said 20-year-old Durga Prem, a computer science student who grew up in the nearby city of Badin. 'Our generation doesn't like them anymore. In the age of social media, young girls avoid facial tattoos because they think these marks will make them look different or unattractive.' Her sister Mumta has also refused to accept the tattoos that mark their mother and grandmothers. 'But if we were still in the village, we might have had these marks on our faces or arms,' she reflects. Ward off evil spirits Just 2 per cent of Pakistan's 240 million people are Hindu, and the majority live in rural areas of southern Sindh province. Discrimination against minorities runs deep and Hindu activist Mukesh Meghwar, a prominent voice for religious harmony, believes younger generations do not want to be instantly identified as Hindu in public. Many Muslims believe tattoos are not permissible in Islam, and even those who have them rarely display them in public. 'We can't force our girls to continue this practice,' Mr Meghwar told AFP. 'It's their choice. But unfortunately, we may be the last generation to see tattoos on our women's faces, necks, hands, and arms,' he said. Few Hindus that AFP spoke with recalled the meaning behind the practice of tattoos or when it began, but anthropologists believe it has been part of their cultural heritage for hundreds of years. 'These symbols are part of the culture of people who trace their roots to the Indus civilisation,' anthropologist Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro told AFP, referring to a Bronze Age period that pre-dates modern religion. 'These 'marks' were traditionally used to identify members of a community' and to 'ward off evil spirits', he adds. Admiring the work on the grinning faces of the two little sisters, elder Jogi agreed that it was an ancestral tradition that enhanced the beauty of women. 'We don't make them for any specific reason – it's a practice that has continued for years. This is our passion,' she told AFP. The marks that begin dark black quickly fade to a deep green colour, but last a lifetime. 'They belong to us,' said Ms Jamna Kolhi, who received her first tattoos as a young girl alongside Ms Jogi. 'These were drawn by my childhood friend – she passed away a few years ago,' 40-year-old Jamna Kolhi told AFP. 'Whenever I see these tattoos, I remember her and those old days. It's a lifelong remembrance.' AFP
