Singtel Touching Lives Fund helps charities for underprivileged children and youth
Singapore, 31 August 2007 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) has announced its commitment to raise at least $2.3 million for Singtel Touching Lives Fund (TLF) in 2007.
TLF is Singtel’s philanthropy vehicle in Singapore and the main thrust of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. The Fund raises donations for underprivileged children and young people by engaging Singtel’s associates, employees and the general public.
Now in its sixth year, TLF in 2007 will support charity organisations under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). They are:
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APSN Tanglin School
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Autism Resource Centre – WeCan
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Fei Yue Community Services – eGen
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Singapore Children’s Society – Tinkle Friend
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Student Care Services
Collectively, these charities reach out to about 30,000 children and youths, age between 2 and 25, with programmes such as training and special education to meet the needs of those who are intellectually challenged; school social work and counselling programmes that help youth from families facing problems or those with learning difficulties; and counselling services through telephone or the Internet.
Mr Allen Lew, Singtel’s CEO Singapore and Chairman of TLF, said: “We believe children and youths are our future. For this reason, we are dedicated to helping those who are less privileged or who struggle because of unfavourable circumstances through TLF.
“This year, we will continue to back charity organisations we supported last year. I hope this will send a strong signal that TLF is committed to these worthy causes for the long haul.”
He added: “We appeal to the generosity of our partners, customers, employees and members of the public to help meet the needs of the less privileged in Singapore.”
Ms Ang Bee Lian, Chief Executive Officer of NCSS, said: “Since its inception in 2002, Singtel Touching Lives Fund has been unwavering in its support for charity organisations under the auspices of NCSS. Through the Fund, Singtel has underscored its long-term commitment to be a responsible corporate citizen. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all Singtel partners, employees and the general public for their generous donations to Singtel Touching Lives Fund.”
Charity Golf raises more than $680,000
Kicking off this year’s TLF campaign is Singtel Golf Charity 2007, which was held today at Laguna National Golf & Country Club.
The annual event attracted more than 120 Singtel business partners and associates who sponsored 42 flights of golf.
Alcatel, DBS, Ericcson Telecommunications, Huawei and Nokia Siemens Networks were among the companies that put in bids to tee-off with Singtel’s senior executives headed by Group CEO Chua Sock Koong
As with previous years, Singtel employees will continue to play a significant role in the fund-raising efforts for TLF this year. A donation link will be set up in Singtel’s Intranet for staff to make one-off donation, which will be deducted through payroll. Singtel will give $2 for every S$1 donated via the online link.
Singtel will also organise a fund-raising Charity Walk in November 2007.
1) Donation hotlines – Donation hotlines (1900 112 8811 and *8111) will be open from September to December for the public to make donations to TLF. Each call is a $5 donation. Singtel will waive the $0.20 charge and no GST will be levied so that the full donation will go to charity. It will also match the $5 donation dollar for dollar.
2) Singtel Fold-a-Heart – Fold an origami heart using a special red advertisement in Today newspaper and drop the folded hearts into any postbox islandwide. Singtel will donate a dollar for every folded heart received.
3) Crossed cheque donations can be made payable to ‘Singtel Touching Lives Fund’ and mailed to: 31 Exeter Road, #19-00 Comcentre, Singapore 239732
These outright donations will enjoy double-tax deduction and Singtel will match dollar-for-dollar the amounted donated.
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The Singtel Touching Lives Fund is Singtel’s annual corporate philanthropy programme to help the less privileged children and young people in Singapore. It was launched in 2002 to consolidate the Group’s community support activities. Since TLF’slaunch, S$10.3 million has been raised for various children charities under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service.
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Beneficiaries ofSingtel Touching Lives Fund 2007
Tanglin School, managed and run by the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN), provides special education for children and youths with mild intellectual disabilities. Its training programme aims to equip them with the necessary skills, attitude and personality to lead independent lives in adulthood.
The School runs the BEST (Basic Education for Skills Training) Programme for English and Mathematics with an emphasis on computer literacy. The School also provides co-curricular activities in the form of a choir, dancing, guitar club, scouting and sports for pupils with special interests and abilities.
This special School serves 462 beneficiaries aged between 13 and 16 years.
Website: www.apsn.org.sg/sch_spec.htm#tss
The WeCan Early Intervention Programme, offered by the Autism Resource Centre, provides a curriculum that is geared towards preparing young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for mainstream schools.
The programme is targeted at children with ASD, aged 2 to 6 years old. It also offers training for the caregivers of these children.
The WeCan Early Intervention Programme serves the needs of 134 children and their caregivers.
Website: www.autism-we-can.com/HTML/index.html
eGen uses an integrated blog and e-counselling facility as well as a forum for youths to tackle issues such as family problems, boy-girl relationships, suicidal thoughts and difficulties in schools.
eGen is the first local blog community with an in-built online counseling facility for youths and young adults in Singapore. The site was started by Project180 (Youth Services under the umbrella of Fei Yue Community Services) as an alternative platform to encourage expressions of different life issues among youths.
The service targets youths aged 13 to 25 years old.
Website: www.fycs.org/index.cfm?GPID=50
The Tinkle Friend Helpline is a toll-free helpline operated by Singapore Children’s Society for primary school pupils to call when they feel distressed, lonely or afraid and need to talk to someone. The Helpline received more than 4,400 calls in 2006.
The Tinkle Friend Programme also organises talks and distributes newsletters to reach out to primary schools to promote awareness of the Tinkle Friend Helpline. In 2006, Tinkle Friend Programme reached out to 63,880 children through 50 schools.
Other outreach activities include the Tinkle Friend Camp which aims to provide children with opportunities for character development and the constructive use of time.
Website: www.childrensociety.org.sg/social.html
Students Care Service is a community-based social service agency. There are two services run by the Students Care Service that are funded by NCSS, namely the School Social Work and Educational Psychological Service.
School Social Work helps students who face difficulties in their developmental process, socio-emotional development or in adjusting to school life.
Educational Psychological Service is a learning support programme for mainstream school students who have learning difficulties and/or have special needs. The programme focuses on diagnosis and intervention for these students.
Students Care Service operates from three service centres in Clementi, Yishun and Hougang.
It serves the needs of 20,676 children and young people aged 5 to 18 years old.
Website: www.students.org.sg
