A Message From Our Chairman

Dear Rotarians, 

I am deeply honoured and very happy to be appointed as Chairman of Foundation of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Limited. I am fortunate to have the benefit of a strong team and vibrant programmes that have been put together by the preceding Chairman, PDG Kenneth Chew.

I aim to continue our work with the grassroots to expand our outreach. Partnering community-based organisations will allow Rotary to better understand the landscape and respond appropriately to the needs of the people. The motto of Rotary is Service Above Self.

Last year was another challenging and equally rewarding one for the Foundation of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Limited as we started the financial year with many families trying to get by on smaller incomes – a result of the earlier recession.

I am very happy to say that despite the difficult times, Rotarians continued with their strong support and we persevered through. We managed to work with many of these families to tide over the difficult period and in the process built our stature as a caring agency.

Many families in the Clementi-West Coast area continue to benefit from our various programmes and it is heartening to know that our efforts are helping many in need.

This year, I look forward to carrying on our existing programmes and introducing new ones that will benefit our community. 2011 looks set to be an exciting and fulfilling year ahead and I welcome the opportunity for us to make a difference.

Sincerely,

David Tong

Welcoming Our New Members

New members to Foundation BOD
On 24 February 2011 the Foundation board welcomed two new Directors - PP Goh Kim Seng from Rotary Club of Singapore North and Rtn Dr Carol Tan Yean Eng from Rotary Club of Jurong Town. PP Goh Kim Seng and Rtn Dr Carol Tan Yean Eng were both nominated by their respective clubs and they will take the place of PP Philip Kee and PP Dr Stephen Lee, after both retired recently.

PDG David Tong and members of the Board wish to say a big “Thank You” to the retired members for their dedication and contribution during their tenure with the Foundation Board. They would also like to extend a very warm welcome to the new Directors.

New members to Foundation
We are pleased to extend our warmest welcome to the following three new members:

1. PP Chew Phak Heng from Rotary Club of Garden City
2. PP Getty Goh Te-Win from Rotary Club of Queenstown
3. Rtn Dr Carol Tan Yean Eng from Rotary Club of Jurong Town

Back to School Festival

Rounding off the festivities in 2010 was Rotary FSC’s first-ever Back to School Festival. Held on 27 November, the event aimed to enhance collaborative efforts amongst schools in the Clementi-West Coast area, thus enabling needy students to tap on community resources for their education.

The festival was a huge success and saw 200 students from lower income families receiving school bags, along with vouchers for essential school items.

Presented by Guest-of-Honour Mr Arthur Fong, Member of Parliament for West Coast Group Representative Constituency, the students were all smiles as they received their well-deserved gifts.

“It is heartening to see so many students and their families here today. The Back to School Festival was enjoyed by all who attended and successfully reached out to members of our community,” said Mr Fong.

One of the day’s celebrated recipients was Mr Mohd Haziq bin Abdul Halim from Clementi Woods Secondary School. The 14 year-old student scored exceptionally good grades and was promoted from the Normal Technical to Normal Academic stream.

“I felt very excited when I received the school bag on stage from Mr Fong. I usually only see him on television and cannot believe that I met him in person and shook his hand,” said the newly appointed student leader.

Giving thanks as well was Mr Mohd Haziq’s mother, Mdm Iswani bte Margono. “I appreciate the Back to School Festival as it helps those who are in need. Through the event, I got to know more about the Rotary Family Service Centre and the caring staff working there.”

In addition to prize giveaways, children also participated in various fun-filled activities while enrichment workshops on Family Life were held for parents.

Rotary Club of Singapore West was the key sponsor for the inaugural Back to School Festival.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

The Year of the Rabbit started on a happy note for some 150 families as Rotary FSC gave away baskets of New Year goodies containing crackers, love letters, chicken, fresh vegetables as well as traditional mandarin oranges.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Changi, many families feedback they appreciated the assistance distribution of food rations during the Lunar New Year period. The beneficiaries also received market trolleys, making it more convenient to bring the food rations back. Interactors from Peccai Secondary School and ACS (I) also made personal deliveries to a few families who were unable to pick up their goodies and wished them a prosperous year ahead.

Launch of NTUC Rotary Silver Circle (Marsiling)

The Foundation of Rotary Clubs has joined hands with NTUC Eldercare to provide greater community-based eldercare services to seniors in the Woodlands community. The launch of NTUC Rotary Silver Circle (Marsiling) marks the first in a series of new initiatives by Rotary “Community Services” that cater to the ever-changing needs of the ageing population here.

“Loneliness is an issue that the elderly face and we can help in that area,” said Mr David Tong How Heng, chairman, Foundation of Rotary Clubs. "Through our network of Rotarians, we can do a schedule — (for instance) every month we come here — and also, some activities which we can organise to make a difference to the lives of these elderly people,” he added.

With the new Centre, seniors can now look forward to free medical consultation as well as more day care activities with their peers. In addition to volunteering its services, the Foundation of Rotary Clubs will also be donating up to S$120,000 per annum to support the day care programmes at NTUC Rotary Silver Circle (Marsiling).