TLF is Singtel’s philanthropy vehicle in Singapore and one of the main thrusts of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.  The Fund raises donations for less privileged children and young people by engaging Singtel’s associates, employees and the general public.

 

Now in its seventh year,  TLF 2008 will support the same five beneficiaries as the last two years, which are under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).  Besides APSN Tanglin School, Autism Resource Centre – WeCan, Fei Yue Community Services – eGen, Singapore Children’s Society – Tinkle Friend and Student Care Services,  TLF 2008  has added a sixth beneficiary – MILK (Mainly I Love Kids).

 

Collectively, these charities reach out to about 30,000 children and youths, aged between       2 and 25, with programmes such as training and special education to meet the needs of those who are intellectually or physically 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: "The youth of Singapore is our country's future.   Singtel Touching Lives Fund focuses on helping the less privileged children in our society.  

 

"I would like to appeal to all partners, customers, employees and members of the public to play a significant role by assisting Singtel in developing the full potential of this segment of our population."

 

Kicking off Singtel’s  TLF 2008 campaign is Singtel Charity Golf held today at the Sentosa GolfClub.  The annual event attracted more than 120 Singtel business partners and associates who sponsored 38 flights of golf, raising $660,000 for the Fund.  Companies including DBS, Ericsson Telecommunications and Nokia Siemens Networks teed-off together with Singtel’s senior executives, led by Group CEO Ms Chua Sock Koong and      Mr Lew.

 

Contributions from Singtel employees

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 $1 donated via the online link.

 

Other fund-raising activities

 

These outright donations will enjoy tax deduction and Singtel will match dollar-for-dollar the amount donated.

 

About Singtel's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives

Singtel is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen. 

 

Its involvement in the local community began in the 1990s with an annual grant to the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).   The Singtel Touching Lives Fund, launched in 2002, is Singtel's flagship philanthrophy programme. It is an annual commitment to help the less privileged children and young people in Singapore. The Fund has since raised S$12.7 million for 18 charities under the auspices of the NCSS. Singtel also supports various community projects and events such as the National Day Parade. 

 

At the workplace, the company has policies to encourage employee engagement, work-life balance and learning.   In conducting its business, Singtel has introduced initiatives to protect the environment, conserve resources and minimise or eliminate adverse environmental impacts and risks. Singtel is also a recognised leader in Corporate Governance and reports its CSR programme and activities in its annual report and on its website.

 

Beyond Singapore, Optus, Singtel's wholly owned subsidiary in Australia, has a comprehensive CSR programme which is reported on its website as well as in a Community and Environment Report.   

 

At the Group level, Singtel sponsors community projects and contributes to disaster relief efforts. It works closely with stakeholders to enhance its CSR efforts in Singapore and regional markets where it has a significant presence.     

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Beneficiaries of Singtel Touching Lives Fund 2008

 

APSN Tanglin School

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

 

 

Autism Resource Centre – WeCan

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.wecaneip.com/arc/web/

 

 

Fei Yue Community Services – eGen

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/

 

 

Milk Fund

MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund is a charity organisation, which reaches out to disadvantaged children in the hope of developing them into contributing members of society. These children come from troubled or low-income families, suffer from chronic illnesses, physically challenged and often caught in a downward cycle that their circumstances destine them to. 

Registered in June 2004, MILK Fund is a charity organisation that was set up to reach out and help disadvantaged children who “fall through the cracks” of our social safety net. MILK works alongside mainstream programmes, through our partners, to plug the gaps and provide a holistic approach that guide these disadvantaged children back to mainstream society. 

MILK helps disadvantaged children and youth, both Singapore and overseas. These children come from troubled families or impoverished communities, suffer from chronic illnesses or are physically challenged. We support them in their education, care and guidance, vocational and livelihood development, medical treatment or other special needs so as to help them break out of the disadvantaged circumstances they were born into.

 

Website:  www.milk.org.sg/milk/index.php

 

Singapore  Children’s Society - Tinkle Friend

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

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