This One’s for the Children
Helping students put their best foot forward in their educational journey – the North East Educational Development@ Schools (NEEDS) scheme is set up to do just that.
By Michelle Bong. (Living in the North East – SPRING magazine, Nov / Dec 09)
Three years on since it started in December 2006, the North East Educational Development @ Schools (NEEDS) scheme (a North East ComCare Network initiative) is still going strong with its aim to aid school-going children from low-income families. This programme was designed to equip them with today's school necessities as part of the North East CDC's efforts to reach out to various segments of the community.
Recommendations of families who could benefit from the programme are open throughout the year, and nominations are made by social workers and staff of Family Service Centres (FSCs) and Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), given their existing relationships with families in need. Currently, there are 14 organisations making referrals — eight are FCSs such as Hougang Sheng Hong FCS and Serangoon Moral FSC and six are VWOs including Riverlife Community Services and Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home.
To be eligible for a nomination, an applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore and reside within the North East district; the total monthly household income of the, applicant is $1,500 (gross) or $500 per capita income (gross), whichever is lower; and the applicant's children are to be Primary School students schooling within the North East district.
An Hougang resident and father of five reveals, "My monthly income is so small and my children's learning materials alone cost almost $1,000, while school shoes cost nearly $20 per pair." His children have been supported by NEEDS for three years, and he credits the Hougang Sheng Hong FSC staff for this.
DOING GOOD WELL
To date, some 2,213 students — and counting — have benefited from the programme. There were 569 case approvals in FY07/08 and 936 case approvals in FY08/09. And in June 2009 alone, there were 708 case approvals.
Chairman of the CARE Committee and Comcare Local Network (CLN), Alvin Lim, says that the committee constantly reviews current schemes in order to contribute something different from identifying social gaps from the ground.
"We want to discover other gaps in education, and take things to the next level. We have identified that computers are a growing need, so we are discussing with potential corporate sponsors."
Mr Lim also wishes for more sponsors to come forward. At press time, Everfirst Pte Ltd had donated 500 school bags. "Everfirst is proud to be part of this initiative. We strongly believe that all children, regardless of family backgrounds, should be able to go to school with basic necessities provided," says Everfirst's sales director, Mdm Tan Lay Keow.
"We don't need particular brands. Similarly, if anyone wants to contribute food vouchers or other forms of aid, it would be appreciated," says Mr Lim, "I would also like the community to provide feedback on any gaps we can fill to improve on our current programmes."
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