Children for Children 2021

SINGAPORE, 8 October 2021 – Annual community fundraiser, Children for Children (CFC) 2021 marks Children Day with a triple treat: enabling 1,000 underserved children to visit Adventure Cove Waterpark at Resorts World Sentosa; the launch of a new video production and book; the announcement of a new initiative, the development of a community string orchestra.

First launched in 2008, CFC has impacted the lives of more than 13,000 children with memorable experience at iconic attractions. These include the Singapore Flyer, Singapore Zoo, Underwater World, Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, and KidZania Singapore. CFC is also a fundraiser for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF), a fund that believes in the importance of the arts and its benefits in encouraging the development of creativity, resilience and confidence in children and youth from ages six to 19.

Jointly organised by not-for-profit arts organisation TRCL, CHIJ Kellock, The Business Times and Resorts World Sentosa, CFC 2021 will see 1000 children receiving a pair of tickets each to enjoy Adventure Cove Waterpark at their own time during the year-end school holidays. Each child will also be given a goodie bag filled with exciting treats like food vouchers and traditional game sets to add to their day of fun.

Ms Nanami Kasasaki, Chief Corporate Officer of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) says: “RWS has been a part of CFC for many years because we strongly believe in giving back to the community. As we adapt to living with Covid-19 in the new normal, RWS hopes to bring some cheer to our young friends on Children’s Day. We look forward to welcoming them to explore Adventure Cove Waterpark with a parent or guardian, where they can bond and create fond memories together in the park.”

CFC 2021 aims to encourage children to remain resilient and care for one another through a special 20- minute online video written and performed by students from Kellock CHIJ (Primary) with original music by beneficiaries of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) titled “Love Triumphs.” The video talks about the importance of peer support and acts of extending a helping hand to those in need to overcome adversity.

This is the second consecutive year that an online video production has been produced in lieu of a concert usually staged by Kellock CHIJ (Primary) for the beneficiaries of CFC.

This video features talents from CHIJ Kellock and beneficiaries of the BT BAF, and will be launched via the TRCL YouTube channel on Friday, 8 October at 10 am. The video will also see Mr Eric Chua, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Social and Family Development, deliver opening remarks.

Says Mrs Shanthi Suraj Nair, Principal of CHIJ Kellock (Primary): “At CHIJ Kellock, we believe in bringing out the best in our girls. In addition to co-producing the online video, we have also published a special book similarly titled “Love Triumphs” which will be given to all the children. Through CFC, our students have been able to learn and understand what it truly means to care for one another and show love to one another despite their differences. We hope the children will enjoy the online video and the book, and also pick up the values shared in the story.”

Mr Wong Wei Kong, Editor of The Business Times, adds: “CFC is a unique platform through which we as a community can let the underserved children know we are thinking of them. Especially during this current situation where the course of the pandemic remains uncertain, we are thankful that the CHIJ Kellock students and our BT BAF beneficiaries have found creative means to connect with the underserved children through the online video and book.

I am glad they are able to use this Children’s Day meaningfully to give back to their peers. We would also like to extend a big thank you to all our partners and donors for their generous and continued support for CFC, especially during trying times such as these.”

Another musical element which furthers the building of community spirit will be introduced into CFC’s format for next year.

Says Mr Phan Ming Yen, Chief Operating Officer, TRCL, of the new community initiative that will be supported by CFC: “Since its inception, one of the key tenets of Children for Children is that of building a communal spirit among the young, of one supporting another in a reciprocal way. The formation of a community string orchestra is an embodiment of that. This orchestra aims to provide an opportunity for children from disadvantaged families to be part of a group, to nurture their talent, to make new friends and to engage in music making, the process which engenders the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.

“In this, TRCL would be working with Wolfgang Music Studio under the guidance of well-known violinist and educator Lee Huei Min to develop this orchestra. We will be sharing more details of this orchestra in the months to come with the aim that by CFC 2022, this orchestra would be able to contribute a performance.”

To date, CFC has raised around $180,000. Donors include the Hong Leong Group of Companies (comprising Hong Leong Foundation, City Development Limited, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Hong Leong Holdings Limited, Hong Leong Finance Limited, Hong Leong Asia Limited), Certis Group, ERA Singapore, CWT Limited, Eagle Brand, McDonald’s Singapore, SPH Foundation, V3 Group Limited, Yanua International Private Limited, Hyper Island Singapore and Perennial Real Estate Holdings Limited.

Resorts World Sentosa

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort, is located on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, RWS is home to world-class attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Complementing the adventure and adrenaline of its theme parks and attractions are six unique luxury hotels, the world-class Resorts World Convention Centre and a casino. RWS offers award-winning dining experiences and exciting cuisines from around the world across its many renowned celebrity chef restaurants, establishing itself as a key player in Singapore’s vibrant and diverse dining scene and a leading gourmet destination in Asia for epicureans. The integrated resort also offers world-class entertainment, from original resident productions to concerts and public shows. RWS has been named “Best Integrated Resort” since 2011 for nine consecutive years at the TTG Travel Awards which recognises the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry. RWS is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group. For more information, please visit www.rwsentosa.com.

The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF)

Initiated in 2004 and adopted by The Business Times in 2005, BT BAF originated from a conviction that no child with the strong interest and potential in the arts should be denied the opportunity to develop his or her talents due to a lack of financial resources. Since 2005, BT BAF has reached out to more than 20,000 financially- disadvantaged children and youth, between the ages of six to 19 years old, through a variety of programmes including a structured arts training programme, arts camps, workshops and signature events. BT BAF supports arts training centres, The Little Arts Academy and 10 Square @ Orchard Central, and is managed by TRCL. baf.sg