Singaporeans took to the parks and their daily commute to raise funds for Metta Welfare Association’s beneficiaries in a successful collaboration with title sponsor, Singapore Pools. A new virtual format of fundraiser in place of traditional physical fundraising events, the Singapore Pools x Metta Virtual Race 2020 saw a whopping 700 over participants islandwide signing up for the charity fitness virtual run whilst keeping in mind safe social distancing measures.
In the virtual format, Race’s participants are able to run anywhere at their own comfortable pace, familiar route and at their own time. In addition, our runners have also shared their participation with their family and friends through their social media accounts that have garnered many uplifting encouragement and support.
A total of 30,690km in mileage was clocked by our supportive runners who are determined to hit the 30,000km target mileage. Together with a dollar to distance matching grant by Singapore Pools in support of Metta Welfare Association, over $100,000 was raised of which will go into the funding of Metta’s programmes and services to over 1,250 beneficiaries. We like to thank our runners, donors and supporters for making this virtual event a resounding success!
Testimonials from some of our Virtual Race runners on why they joined the Singapore Pools x Metta Virtual Race 2020
Able to do some healthy exercise and same time able to help charity.
Allan Ang
To help out those in need and keeping fit at the same time.
Li Hao
Just doing a small part to help raise funds but a taking a big step to fitness. (sic)
Neo
I would like to be part of the runners who helps in the charity contribution by Singapore Pools and run for good cause. (sic)
William Tan
METTA ENEWSLETTER VOL. 24 ISSUE 6 NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020
Sunny skies and excellent weather greeted Metta Charity Golf Tournament 2020’s golfers on 30 October in the 21st sporting fundraiser event. Held at the Keppel Club, the event saw 120 golfers coming together for a good game of golf and camaraderie in support of development and enrichment of our welfare programmes and activities of Metta’s beneficiaries. Through corporate sponsorships, individual giving and sale of flights, the event raised over $200,000 nett.
Refreshments of tasty finger food snacks and drinks complimentary of Phuture Foods and Win Sin Pte Ltd refreshed the golfers during their game as scorching sun rays pelted down on everyone by mid noon. Additionally, the “KK Teoh Memorial Challenge Shield” was displayed at the event reception in memory of Metta Charity Golf’s ex-Chairman, the late Mr KK Teoh, to mark the annual tradition for all Metta Charity Golf champions’ name to be recognised from 2019.
The golf game stretched till dusk as everyone also got to participate in a lucky draw that came with attractive prizes to end the day. In a different game changer, the golfers are given dining vouchers at the Club’s food hall with a one-month validity in place of the annual evening gala dinner owing to the strict large gathering restrictions.
Metta would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors for their strong support. We look forward to a continuous successful Charity Golf Tournament in 2021 and we hope to see you there!
Catch a quick peek at the Metta Charity Golf Tournament 2020
METTA ENEWSLETTER VOL. 24 ISSUE 6 NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020
Sentiments for 2020 have been less than rosy with the economy contracting substantially as a result of the global pandemic. Yet despite that, I am heartened to see many corporates and individuals, donors and volunteers coming forward in their selfless and giving spirit to continue making that difference to our society. The past months have seen Metta diligently continuing its work whilst keeping in mind measures in line with the ministerial advisories as we continue our work to bring joy and smiles to our beneficiaries and their caregivers. Together with the generous support of the community, the lives of our beneficiaries have improved over the years.
As we reflect on 2020, it is timely to rejoice on our achievements and to look forward to what we still need to accomplish, ready to make the most of things in the coming new year. The best of Christmas gifts we can offer is our love and compassion towards those around us.
As we close this year chapter and welcome a new year of possibilities, I like to thank our supporters, donors, volunteers, and staff who have put in their best efforts for Metta throughout the past year. We can look ahead into the new year with confidence, hope and resilience through the provision of the right resources by the community to meet those challenges. I take this opportunity to offer my sincerest gratitude to all who have made a difference to Metta in all possible ways. Thank you for all your hard work. May year 2021 be wholesome and holistic one for all.
Triple Gems Blessings
Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhao BBM President Metta Welfare Association
Nothing is impossible to those who will try. To cater to the growing demand for special education (SPED) schools, Metta takes it upon itself to expand its welfare services through the development of Maitri School that will be ready in 2024. We look forward to serving children and youths with Mild Intellectual Disabilities (MID) and moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). People with disabilities have abilities too and this is what this endeavour is all about, making sure that those abilities blossom so that the dreams they have can come true.
There is, however, a lot more we can do to embrace people with special needs. Public perception of people with intellectual disabilities can be intimidating. There are still employers who are apprehensive to hire people with intellectual disabilities who would love to work for them and do a good job of it. It is through our centres such as Metta Alumni and Metta School to not only match jobs for our youths, but also train them for the jobs and life skills necessary for independence and assimilating to society. Likewise, our Disability Care services train and enable our adult clients with intellectual disability to gain independence for self-care to lead a fulfilling life. Among the training involves practical day to day functions such as money management and even ordering their own meals from a stall. The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away.
It is with the dedication and compassion of our donors, sponsors, volunteers and staff that supported the cause of Metta in providing these services to the less privileged whom we serve. I would like to thank all of you, whom have come together over the years to share our passion in engendering a compassionate and inclusive society.
Triple Gems Blessings Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhao (BBM) President of Metta Welfare Association
After over two months of the national circuit breaker spanning April to June, clients from Metta Day Activity Centre for the Intellectually Disabled (IDAC) was in for a real treat when regular Metta supporter, Mr Govind Bommi brought them out to the Singapore Sciecne Centre for a fun-filled excursion on 7 August. Together with a staff from IDAC and three clients, Mr Bommi guided his charges around the Centre and butterfly park, whilst getting them involved actively in the science experiments on display. The butterfly park visit was an enriching experience for the clients who also learned about the life cycles and species of the many various butterflies. It was IDAC’s first outdoor excursion after the circuit breaker ended and that added to more enthusiasm in the clients. The day excursion ended with a lunch treat by Mr Bommi at the Science Centre cafeteria to which the clients got to pick their preferred choice of meal. It was such an exciting and memorable day trip for the clients that they couldn’t stop sharing about their experience with everyone back at IDAC.
The Joys of Childhood
Staff from Deloitte Singapore gave a memorable Children’s Day experience to over 150 Metta School students when they held a virtual celebration with the children. Through activities such as digital story-telling, a sing and dance segment and an arts and craft colouring activity, the students were eagerly engaged in the series of programs that surprised them.
Deloitte’s staff took great efforts in creating the impressive digital visual content for the story-telling segment to entertain the children while getting them groove to the popular local Children’s Day song, “Semoga Bahagia”. The fun ended with a catered MacDonald’s Happy Meal set to warm the tummies and hearts of the children.
With new norms in the community since the nation entered Phase 2 of the circuit breaker, Deloitte’s corporate social responsibility proves that nothing can stop us from bringing cheer and joy to the less fortunate in our society whilst we maintain safe distancing protocols for the safety to everyone.
METTA ENEWSLETTER VOL. 24 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
35-year-old client, Ng Cheong Huat was born with spastic diplegia, otherwise known as cerebral palsy. The condition severely limits his fine and gross motor skills such as moving around on his own, toileting, self-care and mental capacity.
Given the high level of care that Cheong Huat requires, Metta Home Day Activity Centre takes him in and care for his wellbeing and daily needs so as to alleviate the caregiving stress of his working parents.
What is Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects muscle movement. *The prevalence of CP, which is a high-prevalence, low-severity disorder, has been reported to be around 1–3 cases per 1,000 live birth.
In addition, many children and adults with cerebral palsy are at increased risk of abuse and neglect. Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability, yet around the globe, there’s a broad lack of knowledge of what it is and how it’s caused, even in the medical field.
As the nation remains in Phase 2 of the Circuit Breaker since July, many services have resumed normalcy with additional precautionary measures taken to keep community cases of COVID-19 low. Some of Metta’s clients who could finally continue their programmes and services at our centres are elated to see their Training Officers once again. We track Metta’s Children Care and Medical Care facilities to note how our clients and staff cope with the new norms.
Metta Day Rehabilitation Centre for the Elderly
Instead of being able to spend the entire afternoon at Metta Day Rehabilitation Centre for the Elderly like they used to, all clients of MDRCE can only stay for an hour of therapy and training. This is also done every alternate hour as in between each batch of client that’s leaves the premises after their therapies, MDRCE staff would wipe down and sanitise all machines and equipment after every use.
A Blessing in Disguise With a limited number of clients being able to come for their rehabilitation upon schedule, not surprisingly that many other clients such as Mdm Chong Ah Fong, actually welcome the new move towards crowd control. The 82-yearold elderly lady suffers from a compression fracture of her spine and regularly requires the aid of the HUR machines to train her mobility and regain her strength. With staggered timing and schedule for the clients, Mdm Chong is glad that she need not have to wait a long time before she gets to use the HUR machine, a popular fitness equipment among our seniors.
With a lower patient to staff ratio, staff are able to provide a much more comprehensive therapeutic experience for their clients during their therapy sessions. 90-year old Mdm Heng Kim Jong, a client of MDRCE and who is recovering from a stroke relishes in the additional personal care by MDRCE staff as a result of the lower client headcount per therapy session.
Safety Comes First Among the many safety measures put in place to safeguard the health and welfare of our staff and clients includes the practise of wearing their face mask at all times possible, hand sanitising, maintain safe distancing, temperature taking twice a day and even wiping down and sanitising the exercise equipment and HUR machines after every use. Staff also work on weekly rotational shifts to minimise intermingling among staff. All vendors and visitors to MDRCE are required to complete the mandatory SafeEntry check-in and health and travel declaration prior to entry into our premises.
Getting Accustomed Face masks, washing and sanitising our hands, as well as the practise of safe distancing measures are here to stay, at least, for a long while until the world succeed in battling COVID-19. Many of our elderly clients have had the habit to don their face masks and practise better hand hygiene when they are outdoors. Some other clients would, however, still yearn for the old days when they are able to come by MDRCE and stay for the full day with longer therapy sessions.
Metta PreSchool @Punggol
Educational institutions from tertiary to childcare centres opened their doors to their students from 1 July 2020 when Phase 2 was announced. What used to be big group gatherings for intervention activities and mini celebrations such as a student’s birthday, has now been downsized into groups no more than 5 pax including the teaching staff. Outdoor class excursions are also a thing of the past due to the new guidelines that require most intervention activities to be held in the classroom to reduce intermingling as part of the safe management measures.
Safety Comes First Similarly like staff at MDRCE, SafeEntry checkins, safe distancing and hand hygiene is much practised in Metta Preschool @Punggol. Staff are also advised to work from home where possible. For operational teaching staff, this translate to them reporting physically to work in Metta Preschool only when there is an in-person intervention. Split-team arrangements between staff are also scheduled to avoid over mingling between staff present for duty in the centre.
Getting Accustomed Many of Metta PreSchool’s children spent two months at home for their home-based learning since early April. The sudden routine to head back to a classroom setting and physical interaction with their teachers and peers took some students a little longer than usual to settle down to a new routine. Given the guidance and care by Metta Preschool’s teachers and therapists, the students eventually settled in seamlessly.
METTA ENEWSLETTER VOL. 24 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
Students from the vocational programme of Metta School recently contributed to the development of the new Maitri School through their culinary skills at Metta School’s V Café. V Café was first set up in March 2018 to provide more authentic learning experiences for our students pursuing ISC in Hospitality Services, so that they can be better prepared for work upon graduation. Training for two modules – Food & Beverage and Customer Service come alive as students apply what they learn in the classroom to the café every Monday when they are faced with “real” customers consisting of school staff and students.
This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our final year students were not able to complete their On-the-Job Training (OJT) in the industry as per their usual practice. Hence, our Trainers and Job Coaches collaborated to turn V-Café into a 5-day service café serving piping hot meals, desserts and beverages prepared by our students. This is especially meaningful as the students not only get to complete their required ISC module, but also raise funds for the new Maitri School to benefit future students.
V Café operations ran daily for over 2½ months from 15 June. During this period, students had the opportunity to blend knowledge from various areas of training and apply them critically and creatively to real-life situations. This sharpened their organizational and research skills as they gained confidence to communicate more effectively. In addition, the students raised $5,000 and they were eager to donate the funds to the Maitri School to demonstrate their appreciation for what Metta has done for them.
METTA ENEWSLETTER VOL. 24 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
Living with disability can make things that able-bodied people take for granted very hard to achieve. The ease of daily functions and use causes us to overlook the physical struggles that many people with disability face every day.
Such is the case of Md Taufik Bin Kenali, a 29-yearold adult born with moderate intellectual disability. Growing up wasn’t easy for Taufik and his parents who are also the main caregivers to their child’s condition. With intellectual disability impeding his gross motor skills, Taufik’s development was many years behind his peers. As an adult, simple chores such as washing his plate, wiping the table and helping out around the house are non-existent for the young man whose peers are out busy working and having a social life. For Taufik, his friends are his parents, trainers and fellow clients at Metta Home Day Activity Centre (MHDAC).
It wasn’t an easy job for his mother, who had to give up her job to care for Taufik previously as her husband was the solebread winner to the family. Much as she wanted to supplement the household income, she was unable to do so due to caring for Taufik, her only son. It was a huge relieve for Mdm Hawa Bte Ahmad, when Taufik was transferred to MHDAC which cater longer hours to their clients to learn independent skills. At MHDAC, Taufik was taught to clean up after himself and perform basic housework, a chore that he was not able to handle appropriately before. The additional help within the house was a relieve off the shoulders of Taufik’s ageing parents who are glad that it was a good choice to have their son enrolled in MHDAC.
Metta Welfare Association (Metta), a local charity that serves the vulnerable in society, is taking its annual Metta Charity Run to a new level. Titled as Singapore Pools x Metta Virtual Race 2020, the race would be held virtually to replace the traditional Run to allow runners to participate safely while contributing to charity. Participation to the Virtual Race will be held between the period of 28 September to 31 October. This year’s Metta Virtual Race will also see its first Title Sponsor for the event. Singapore Pools, in its continuous philanthropic journey to make the community a better place, is supporting the event as the Title Sponsor. Since the inception of our Metta Charity Run in 2010, it has been our annual flagship fundraising event growing from 800 runners in 2010 to 1800 runners in 2019.
“During these unprecedented and challenging times, it takes more from all of us as we leverage on each other’s strength to better serve the community. Metta Welfare Association is thankful for the immense support of Singapore Pools towards the Virtual Race. Community fundraisers such as the Singapore Pools x Metta Virtual Race 2020 helps to support our clients’ journey to independence possible.” Ms Felicia Wee, Deputy Executive Director of Metta Welfare Association
Singapore Pools will be providing a Dollar to Distance matching by making a donation for the corresponding distance covered by the runners with a donation, up to a cap of $60,000. The community are encouraged to register in the Individual category of 20Km or a Team category of 200km for a group of 2 to 5 persons.
Says Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, Mr Lam Chee Weng, “As a long-time supporter of the annual Charity Run by Metta Welfare Association, Singapore Pools is pleased to continue our support as the title sponsor of this year’s event. We hope that our sponsorship will enable Metta to continue providing essential services to its beneficiaries.”
Participants to the Singapore Pools x Metta Virtual Race 2020, can track their accumulated distance of mileage that has been completed. Better yet, participants can be our Top Fundraiser on Metta’s leaderboard when they pool their family and friends to support them in their run for Metta’s needy and vulnerable beneficiaries. There’s nothing more fulfilling by having the encouragement of loved ones as you run for a meaningful cause. Similarly, some of Metta’s clients with special needs are making a statement by also partaking in the virtual race to show their support for their fellow peers and the public that inclusivity is worth every effort. Run to good health when you run for charity in challenging times like these. Join us as we stand united in the face of adversity, because with our collective efforts, we can all reach for the rainbow.
Masks have become a daily essential and their proper storage is especially critical in this new normal. One cannot leave home without a mask nowadays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has become a way of life. Arising from this need, CapitaLand and its philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, initiated the #CareKitWithLove project. #CareKitWithLove is a community initiative to promote collaboration across sectors and rally the community to support the vulnerable groups in the community, especially during this unprecedented time due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Working in partnership with social service agencies such as Arts@Metta, our artists with special needs will specially design and paint batik prints for each mask pouch. Each print is unique. In addition, the pouch design is reversible, making it versatile depending on users’ preference. It is washable and reusable, which encourages users to maintain good personal hygiene and be environmentally conscious, especially during this challenging period.
The concept for the limited edition mask pouch is to encourage the public to have proper storage of their masks but at the same time, own an accessory that is modern, fashionable and yet practical, suitable for people of all ages as part of their new lifestyle. Virtual art lessons are also conducted by CapitaLand’s volunteers to work with the beneficiaries to personalise their pouches in July 2020. There is also a co-sewing space for volunteers who have signed up for the initiative to sew at Metta Welfare Association and BERNINA@Funan. Over 200 people including CapitaLand’s staff have volunteered for the initiative since it was launched on 17 September 2020, contributing more than 3,000 volunteering hours.
On 14 October, President Halimah Yacob, joined by Mr Lee Chee Koon, CapitaLand Group Chief Executive Officer and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation and Mr James Koh, Director, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, met with volunteers at Metta Welfare Association and participated in a virtual art session with artists from Metta School. President and guests also try lending their artistic talents to design beautiful #CareKitWithLove pouches.
Among the community initiative’s many components is the #iShop4Good. The 2,000 limited edition mask pouches by artists with special needs in collaboration with a local designer is produced by Arts@ Metta for sale on CapitaLand’s curated digital mall (ecapitamall.com). Sales proceeds will go to Metta Welfare Association and CapitaLand Hope Foundation will donate to President’s Challenge for each item sold. Get your hands on these #CareKitWithLove pouches at https://www.ecapitamall.com/productlist/brand/arts-metta or scan the QR code.
METTA ENEWSLETTER VOL. 24 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
Metta Welfare Association 