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Straits Times
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
The Chic Home: Lawyers' luxe semi-detached house
The lawyers who own this home wanted a style that exudes luxury and elegance. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA SINGAPORE – When lawyers Wilbur Lim and Hazell Ng bought this semi-detached home, they knew they wanted a luxurious style in neutral hues for a classic look. 'We took inspiration from hotels we have visited in different places, such as The Peninsula in Shanghai and Tokyo, and boutique hotels like Hotel Sacher Salzburg and The Hotel Maria, Helsinki,' says Ms Ng. As the property was in good condition and the family wanted to move in quickly, they decided to retain the existing structure and renovate, instead of demolishing and rebuilding the house. The couple, who are in their 30s and have two daughters aged seven and five, decided to work with Lemonfridge Studio based on a friend's referral and the positive reviews they had read online. They adopted a hands-on approach for the design and renovation, and were closely involved with the selection of materials and fittings. They viewed and selected the marble slabs for every part of the house. 'We chose a huge slab of Calacatta Viola Italian marble and engaged a third party to fabricate a dining table from it. The dining table, including its legs and base, was carved from the same slab. It is extremely heavy and required about eight workers to lift,' says Mr Lim. A display niche with an arch and mirrored backdrop beside the dining table reflects the home's modern French style. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA A display niche with an arch and mirrored backdrop beside the dining table reflects the modern French style of the home interior. The pantry area incorporates concealed storage behind walls with French mouldings. The European theme is also evident in the living room, with Venus White marble complemented by mouldings, cornices, black fluted panels and gold trims. The master bedroom is a cosy and inviting space designed for rest and relaxation. A settee has been integrated with the bay window, along with built-in shelving at one end for the couple's books and collectibles. The master bedroom's television set is embedded in a freestanding divider in the middle of the room. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The centrepiece of the room is a freestanding divider. The side facing the bed houses a television set, while the other side showcases a Hermes scarf from the owners' extensive collection of scarves. The walk-in wardrobe has plenty of room for clothes, handbags and accessories. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Access to the walk-in wardrobe is through a pair of arched French doors on one side of the master bedroom. The walls are lined with expansive closets, drawers and shelves. As fans of Labubu, Space Molly and Royal Molly – all creations of Chinese toy brand Pop Mart – the couple also wanted space to display their prized collection. As fans of Labubu, Space Molly and Royal Molly, the couple wanted space to display their prized collection. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Another set of French doors leads to the attached master bathroom through an arched portal. The couple removed the walls to expand the master bathroom to about three times its original size. The master bathroom has a set of French doors. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA 'The children love a good soak in the bathtub after a swim in our pool, so we wanted sufficient space for that. It is also important for us to have large vanity areas on both sides of the bathroom,' says Ms Ng. The selection of laminates and the placement of French mouldings on each wall and door reveal just how exacting the couple were when it came to the carpentry. The couple wanted large vanity areas on both sides of their bathroom. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA For the master bathroom's vanity, they selected handles with a dark marble finish for the drawers to complement the Volakas and White Portoro marble. The girls' bedroom is whimsical yet timeless, with soft cream and pink hues for a touch of femininity. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The girls share a bedroom with bunk beds. The arch motif ties in with the rest of the home and a soft, L-shaped headboard in blush pink adds princess-like femininity. A series of outdoor features and spaces complement the interior of the home. The swimming pool shimmers with its white, iridescent Ezarri Diamond mosaic tiles imported from Spain. There is also a sky terrace in the attic inspired by the Shakusui-en, an 800-year-old pond garden in the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto. The couple's version features a Japanese Zen garden with mood lighting that sets the perfect ambience for outdoor dining or hosting. The couple say the renovation took a few months to complete and they moved into the home in December 2023. The cost of renovating the interiors, which included removing the walls and replacing the existing flooring with marble, came up to about $500,000. An additional $350,000 was spent on the reconstruction of the pool, as well as the fittings and materials. This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. Go to for more beautiful homes, space-saving ideas and interior inspiration. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Haven's songwriting secret: A phone full of midnight voice memos and raw emotion
BRANDED CONTENT Haven's songwriting secret: A phone full of midnight voice memos and raw emotion The 21-year-old musician opens up about her music, self-expression and how the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge helps her bring spontaneous ideas to life Rising R&B singer-songwriter Haven is known for baring her soul through music – and in person, she is just as candid. Catching her reflection in the mirror, the 21-year-old local artist behind the chart-topping 2025 eponymous album Haven fiddles with her hair mid-conversation and laughs about her latest impromptu trim. 'I had enough changes in my life, so I was like, you know what? New chapter, new me!' she says. That sense of change runs deep. While Haven's career continues its upward climb, her songs often reflect a more introspective side – one that does not shy away from uncertainty, heartbreak or healing. 'It's actually kind of nice when someone like me just takes it easy. I feel like I'm not anyone at all, and I don't like it when people say I'm being humble,' she adds. 'Realistically, I'm not famous. The world doesn't know who I am. If I stop doing music, nothing changes!' The young artist, whose real name is Ms Teo Cher Win, is both a performer who commands the stage and a 20-something still navigating what it means to grow up in the public eye. But Haven has always been down-to-earth about love, mining its messiness with a precision that has made her music feel disarmingly relatable. The song Ride Or Die confronts the tension of a situation, while Find My Way maps the uncertain path back to someone, regardless of how or why. Here, she shares more about songwriting and why music will always be her most honest form of expression. Whether on stage or off-duty, Haven brings the same energy: unfiltered, grounded and ready to create. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Q: What inspires your songwriting the most? I would have to say the experiences that I grew up with, as I have never been good at expressing my emotions growing up. I always found that writing music helps me because I tend to psychoanalyse how I am feeling through my writing. That gives me clarification as I slowly figure out what and how I felt during a moment, which becomes both an inspiration and an epiphany that I use in my music. Q: Which one of your songs do you think has an edge over your other songs? I would have to say Future Somebody which came straight from the heart and became the starting point for everything I have written since. I wrote it about three years ago, and it was my first time co-producing a song with one of my best friends in the world. I had no idea what I was doing. We spent a month going back and forth, playing with sample beats, horror-movie screams, whale sounds and even trumpets. It felt like a science experiment, and then, bam, it became a song. It was also the first time I connected with the artist side of myself, figuring out what I wanted or did not want in a track. It meant so much to me that I even got the title tattooed on the back of my neck, to remind myself that no matter what, it is about staying true to who you are, even if it means experimenting and failing. Q: Have you ever written a song based on a voice memo? All my songs came to life that way, I will hum a tune in the middle of the night when I am feeling inspired out of nowhere. I pick up my phone, press record and that is it. I end up with a whole library of melodies, hums or even random lyrics, which I will jot down in my Notes app. When I am creating a song, I will go through those voice memos to see what fits. When you first hear them, it is all super raw, just mumbo-jumbo, but once you start writing lyrics and building the production around it, it turns into a real song. So, honestly, do not underestimate a voice recording. Q: What does showing your edge mean for you? Showing my edge means being completely, unapologetically myself even when it's uncomfortable or scary. Being a singer means everything to me, and I truly believe it is my life's purpose. Without it, my world would feel dark. I've never been good at expressing emotions, and I used to lash out a lot growing up. Songwriting became my therapy, and eventually, my whole world. More than anything, it also gives me the chance to help others. If someone relates to my music or finds inspiration in it, that means everything. It's also where I get to be the most authentic version of myself. Back when I was a student, I always had to follow rules like what teachers or my parents expected. But in a recording room, writing music, I'm just me. No one can take that away. There are no rules. I'm limitless. And that can be terrifying, because if I fail, it's on me. But it also gave me a sense of power and with that, the responsibility to care for it, like nurturing a baby. That is what music is for me. It's where I'm most myself. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge serves as a portable studio for Haven, helping her capture inspiration as it comes. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Q: Do you have any upcoming projects or goals you are excited about? I just released an album in February and have three more features coming up soon, all of which I worked on in just two weeks while also fixing up my home. I told myself: 'You've got this!' I recorded two of them in two days, and the third is a feature of a song I've already released. I'm especially excited for these collabs because it's my first time working with a local artist, and it sounds good. As for my own future projects, I am excited too. My last album took two years, and it felt like it came from the old me. Now, I want to show that I am a whole different person. This new album will reflect more on my 20s and everything that has changed since then. Not to toot my own horn, but I do think I have matured, especially in how I think. I am much calmer now, which makes songwriting a lot easier. Back then, my lyrics were all over the place because that is how I was emotionally. It is really interesting to write again. I still crash out sometimes, but now there is a sense of peace that balances the chaos, and it does not feel like the chaos is in control anymore. Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a musician? I think that answer has changed for me over the years. Right now, my biggest accomplishment is simply being able to do music. I am truly grateful to be in this position where I can share my songs and have amazing listeners who genuinely love and relate to them. That, to me, is my greatest achievement. Sometimes it leaves me speechless. I still cannot believe there are so many people who love what I do and continue to support me. As an artist, that is really all I could ever ask for. Q: How do you connect with your audience during a show? My songs mean everything to me as they are a part of who I am, inside and out. Performing is one of the main ways I connect with my audience, because you really get to know me through my singing. I am fully myself on stage; it feels like home. When I perform, it is like opening a door and inviting people into my world to just enjoy and relax. I also love hearing my listeners' stories, like how they found a song or connected with it. A lot of them tell me they had just gone through a break-up and that the song helped them. I always feel so lucky and grateful because I wrote it when I was heartbroken, too. To know it is part of someone else's healing, or that they feel my anger when they are angry, that is all I could ever ask for. Q: You've spoken about embracing your edge through music and self-expression – how does a tool like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge support that creative freedom in your life? There are many features I personally love, but here are my top three. First is, of course, its super slim feature. I have actually compared its thickness to a piece of linguine and a French fry, and it is the same width, which honestly blows my mind. I have always had thicker phones and would usually leave them on a table, and thus, would tend to lose them often. The Galaxy S25 Edge is so slim and lightweight that sometimes I forget it is even there, but trust me, it is. That is one of my favourite features. Another favourite? The Audio Eraser, powered by Galaxy AI (artificial intelligence). What it does is that it filters out background noise and fine-tunes audio by balancing voices, music, wind and more, so your videos sound as good as they look. Last but definitely not least, is the Galaxy S25 Edge's advanced camera system. It features a powerful 200MP rear lens, with AI fine-tuning colour and detail even in low light. Close-ups are sharper and more refined with the AI Zoom feature. It is, hands down, the most treasured feature in my phone. This article first appeared on Her World. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Your S'pore Story: ‘I tap childhood memories to show children every connection matters'
Kid-lit author Rachelyn Gordon with her book Curly, which touches on self-identity and staying true to oneself. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Your S'pore Story: 'I tap childhood memories to show children every connection matters' She was called a boy for her short hair, but this author now draws on moments like these to inspire her stories Ms Rachelyn Gordon still remembers the look of surprise on her students' faces when she unwrapped her breakfast packed in brown food wrap paper. Many of them – international school students who had lived in Singapore for years – had never eaten their food this way. Some had never even stepped into a hawker centre. That was when the 36-year-old realised the Singapore she had grown up with was not the one her students knew. Watch her video here. Today, the former educator is a full-time author, and draws on personal memories to shape her stories. She writes picture books that spotlight everyday Singapore culture, showing children that even the smallest connections can be meaningful. Whether it is a girl learning to embrace her short hair or a spider helping a grieving couple find joy again, her stories invite young readers to see the wonder in the world around them. Ms Gordon with her son Samuel, whose everyday antics have been giving her inspiration for new stories. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA 'When I was growing up, the only books I had were those by Enid Blyton about willow trees and scones with butter and jam. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I was bored and wrote Rosie and The Mamak Shop, a picture book about the mamak shop uncle who would keep curry puffs for me 30 years ago when I was a child. He was my first best friend and a trusted adult who even wanted to adopt me! I wanted a very Singaporean story and it became a really nice, important way to encapsulate Singapore tradition. I never thought that it would be possible to become a children's author in Singapore. It's such a wild concept! I'm also self-published, which I'm told is career suicide. But self-publishing has given me a clearer path because I hold the creative rights and it's been powerful for me. I am now focusing on creative writing and I talk about writing and reading in schools to parents and students. It's been a meaningful and fulfilling journey so far. I tap a lot on my childhood memories to show children how every connection is important and I want to show them that you don't have to write about sitting under a willow tree and eating scones – you can also write a great story about eating char kway teow. My second book, Curly, is about me again. I've always had short hair and I would get a lot of comments about me being a boy in primary school. I want to educate young girls on how there are different ideas of beauty and that they can have short hair too. There is also a part that touches on bullying in the story which my readers use as a conversation starter with their parents. My third book titled Frank (pre-order here) will be published in August. It's about a spider named Frank living in my home. After I lost my first pregnancy, I was vacuuming when I saw a little spider running for its life. It made me laugh when I really needed to most. In the story, the spider cheers up the couple who returns home one day without a baby. It's most powerful when you write about things that happened to you and it makes your story unique. This is why I wrote Frank that features a failed pregnancy because it's something that happened in real life. I now have a 10-month-old son, Samuel, who's such a funny, expressive little boy and he's already given me ideas for future stories. My ultimate dream is to launch a creative writing business that gives children opportunities to write about issues they are passionate about.' For generations, The Straits Times has told The Singapore Story. To celebrate our 180th anniversary, we're putting the spotlight on our communities – for you to tell us yours, from all around Singapore. Discover the stories from your neighbourhood as the series continues at Your Singapore Story.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
The Chic Home: Japan-inspired HDB maisonette for a family of four
Retro window grilles, an original feature of the unit, lend this family's HDB maisonette an old-school charm. PHOTO: HAPPE DESIGN ATELIER The Chic Home: Japan-inspired HDB maisonette for a family of four SINGAPORE – When devising the brief for their home, the owners of this four-room HDB maisonette had just returned from a trip to Japan. Their designer, Mr Jacob Low of Happe Design Atelier, was heading to the Land of the Rising Sun the following week. Unsurprisingly , the couple, who are in their late 30s and early 40s , decided to adopt a Japanese-inspired theme for the 1,593 sq ft unit in Lorong Ah Soo. The husband and wife – he works in sales, she is an office manager – originally wanted a minimalist, wabi-sabi style. However, as parents to two young daughters aged three and six , they realised the look would be difficult to pull off with the girls' hotchpotch of toys and books. So, they settled for a Japanese style with neutral white walls, wood elements and a touch of retro inspired by some of the home's existing features. Mr Low says: 'The home owners emphasised the importance of creating a spacious communal area that would serve as a central hub for gathering and socialising, as well as a highly functional kitchen that meets their everyday needs. 'Additionally, they expressed a strong desire for a design that would leave a lasting impression on guests.' Left vacant for a while, the unit was derelict and overrun with pests. It underwent an extensive overhaul to the tune of about $150,000 for the renovation works, and $50,000 for the furniture and furnishings. Neutral white walls and wood elements are key elements of the design. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Inspired by the genkan, a traditional entrance vestibule in a Japanese home, the entrance foyer sets a welcoming tone with its dark tiles in deliberate contrast with the adjoining spaces. A built-in shoe-cum-display cabinet showcases the couple's collection of toys and memorabilia from their travels, offering not just storage, but also a glimpse of their personalities. A built-in shoe-cum-display cabinet showcases toys and travel memorabilia. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The entrance foyer transitions into a front-facing kitchen. As passionate bakers, the couple needed a kitchen that could accommodate simultaneous cooking and baking, says Mr Low. The entrance foyer transitions into a front-facing kitchen. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The spacious layout and expansive countertops provide ample room to manoeuvre and prepare food. Gold cabinet handles and a marble-like quartz backsplash complement the dark wood laminate to give the kitchen an aura of sophistication . The expansive kitchen can accommodate simultaneous cooking and baking. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Located right beside the kitchen is the dining space, the heart of the home. As avid hosts, the couple requested a versatile dining table that can cater to both large gatherings and intimate family dinners. They eventually found a convertible dining table from Castlery, which they paired with a wooden settee with rounded corners. These are juxtaposed against a backdrop of retro window grilles, an original feature of the unit, which lend the space an old-school charm. A vintage red slatted door opens up to reveal the powder room. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA One of the items on the couple's wish list was a visually striking powder room. The guest bathroom has a vintage red slatted door with old-school ventilation blocks above. The room's modest size belies the rich detailing , which transports its users to Japan. The powder room is reminiscent of traditional Japanese architecture. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA 'The carpentry integrates Japanese design principles, showcasing vertical lines reminiscent of traditional architecture. Thoughtfully designed niches offer practical storage solutions, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetic appeal,' says Mr Low. The couple also converted the balcony into a dedicated play area for their daughters, where the whole family can enjoy the peace and serenity of the space . The master bedroom has two distinct zones: one for sleeping and one for the walk-in wardrobe. As the couple are light sleepers, this separation ensures that their rest is undisturbed , while addressing their needs for ample storage. The sleeping zone in the master suite. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA By integrating the bathroom vanity with the walk-in wardrobe, Mr Low freed up space within the master bathroom to accommodate a small, standalone bathtub. With the vanity now part of the walk-in wardrobe, the couple has more space in the en-suite bathroom. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The family moved into their new home in December 2023 after a four-month renovation. This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. Go to for more beautiful homes, space-saving ideas and interior inspiration. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Ground-up initiatives in Singapore tap partners to help more in need
(Clockwise from top) Mdm Sarimah Amat, Ms P Keerthana and Mdm Joyce Lye have each turned simple ideas into lasting initiatives by rallying partners and communities. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA AND COURTESY OF P KEERTHANA BRANDED CONTENT You can make a difference too: Community heroes show that joining forces helps more S'poreans in need From reaching more low-income families to helping seniors age with dignity, these changemakers prove you can grow a ground-up idea into something enduring with the right partners beside you It was a rainy, humid afternoon in March during the fasting month of Ramadan, but neither the downpour nor the lingering heat dampened Mdm Sarimah Amat's resolve. At Block 749 in Yishun, the 58-year-old homemaker moved swiftly – directing volunteers as they unloaded groceries from a truck and prepared them for distribution under the void deck, overseeing the process down to the last detail. A few essential items like bread and milk may not seem like much, but to the 120 beneficiary families, Mdm Sarimah knows they make all the difference. Mdm Sarimah, founder of Project Pencil, recently organised a Ramadan grocery distribution for 120 families in Yishun – one of the many community efforts made possible through her ground-up initiative. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Once, she rang an elderly neighbour to inform her about an upcoming grocery distribution. 'She didn't hang the phone up properly, and I overheard her husband sounding relieved as they had only $10 left in the bank,' she says. 'You never know when help comes at the right time.' That help, Mdm Sarimah points out, is only possible because she does not work alone. Alongside a team of 30 regular volunteers, she leans on the strength of a wider community of support – from neighbours and residents to local merchants and public agencies. For instance, the March distribution event was made possible with support from the Yishun Central Merchant Association, which sponsored the groceries, and a Community Volunteer grant from the People's Association, which helped fund the event. It is just one example of how partnerships have enabled Mdm Sarimah and her grassroots initiative, Project Pencil, to grow their impact. Seven-year-old Arsyad Fakhri Mohamad Zaki is part of the Champs programme run by Project Pencil, which supports over 50 children with tuition classes, and sports and recreational activities. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA At Nee Soon Central Community Club (CC), she runs the Champs programme, which offers free weekly tuition sessions for more than 50 children with the help of volunteers from Malay/Muslim self-help group Yayasan Mendaki. These were initially run under the void deck. The CC also provides space for the programme's silat training – a meaningful way that keeps children active and grounded outside school. 'If I didn't have help from these agencies, I don't think I could reach so many children,' she says. 'My tuition classes would probably still be under the void deck, without proper desks or chairs for the children to use.' Mdm Sarimah has been delivering help for over a decade. It all began as a simple act of kindness when a friend approached her in 2014 to help collect pencils for 30 children living in a Thai orphanage. This one-time donation soon grew into Project Pencil Singapore, a ground-up initiative providing stationery and learning materials to children in orphanages overseas. It later evolved to incorporate Yishun Seventy One, a community initiative started by Yishun Street 71 residents to support their neighbours' needs and social well-being. Watch the video to find out how you can turn your concerns for the community into social good. As a lifelong Yishun resident, Mdm Sarimah understands the community's needs, including for good role models who use what they have to help others. 'I was just the makcik at the void deck. For me, it started with sharing and giving to my neighbours, and then I just became 'infected' with kindness,' she laughs. Youths building intergenerational relationships Unlike Mdm Sarimah, a homemaker, Ms P Keerthana balances full-time work as an educator with her community engagement. Since 2021, the 30-year-old's non-profit ground-up organisation GenLab Collective has been bridging generation gaps, particularly strengthening senior-youth connections. Together with a core team of seven youths in their 20s and 30s, she designs and runs intergenerational programmes – from guided storytelling sessions to dialogue-based workshops – that create space for conversations, understanding and shared experiences. 'What we see through our programmes is that seniors are very interested in connecting with the youth, but they claim that young people usually don't have time to talk to them,' she says. Ms Keerthana (centre) founded GenLab Collective to help mobilise youths to cultivate intergenerational bonds and foster mutual understanding with seniors. PHOTO: COURTESY OF P KEERTHANA To bridge that gap, GenLab works with organisations that help create opportunities for seniors and youths to come together despite their busy lives. Since 2023, it has worked with 15 to 20 organisations to expand its reach – its earliest being NTUC Health through a storytelling initiative, GenNarrates, one of its core programmes. Working with students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Ms Keerthana and her team engaged female seniors and youths in guided sessions. Participants co-created written narratives based on the seniors' life stories – preserving personal histories while helping young people practise empathy and communication skills. Most recently, in March this year, the National Library Board (NLB) invited them to hold GenDate at the National Library Building. GenDate connects people across different age groups for shared activities designed to spark meaningful conversations based on the workshop's theme. At the NLB session, participants engaged in conversations about technology – how it connects, challenges and shapes their lives. To build on this effort, GenLab has since collaborated with NLB to run a quarterly GenDate series, with the library providing venue space and marketing support. Such partnerships will allow GenLab to scale up efforts and create more impactful conversations across age groups, Ms Keerthana says. One of GenLab's core programmes, GenDate brings people from different age groups together through guided activities designed to encourage dialogue and understanding. PHOTO: COURTESY OF P KEERTHANA These programmes grew from GenLab's very first initiative, GenChat Series, launched in March 2022. The online event comprised three segments, and brought together 45 seniors and youths. They heard from expert speakers how different generations can better connect, and share skills and experiences with one another across different topics. The idea to spark such conversations had come from home. Ms Keerthana was personally attuned to seniors' needs, having seen the challenges her grandmother faced while living with dementia before her passing in 2020. The pandemic further highlighted to her the importance of helping older adults living alone age with dignity. Inspired to take action, she participated in the National Youth Council's Youth Action Challenge in 2021, where she pitched a concept to build an online skills marketplace for seniors. However, with feedback from seniors in the community, she realised many would need significant help to navigate digital platforms. Watch the video to find out how you can turn your concerns for the community into social good. At the same time, there was growing interest among community organisations to pilot innovative activities involving both youths and seniors. Together, these factors led her to change course and focus on intergenerational connections. 'From a youth's perspective, we need to raise awareness among the younger generations of building strong relationships with our seniors,' says Ms Keerthana. Encouraged by the positive responses and increasing demand for its programmes, the GenLab team is seeking more suitable partners to scale up its activities. It is currently looking to collaborate with active ageing centres with the help of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Starting on a strong foundation While Ms Keerthana's GenLab Collective is still a nascent set-up, Kampung Senang is on the other end of the social organisation spectrum. The brainchild of former banker Joyce Lye, Kampung Senang was registered as a society in 1999, and earned the Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status in 2004. Organisations with an IPC status are allowed by law to collect tax-deductible donations. When Mdm Lye (third from left) founded Kampung Senang in 1999, organic farming was still niche; today, its three gardens grow produce used to cook meals for those in need. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA For the past 26 years, its programmes have benefited around 60,000 people, notes the 73-year-old. Much of its impact is made possible through long-standing partnerships with other organisations, which have helped Kampung Senang pool resources and reach a broader base of volunteers. For instance, it has been delivering courses for active seniors – under the National Silver Academy – since 2019. In 2017, it partnered with the Agency for Integrated Care to train seniors in basic wheelchair repair. This enabled Kampung Senang to expand its Mobility Aids Services and Training Centre – first set up in Tampines in 2006 – with a second facility at Jurong East in 2020. Volunteers and staff at Kampung Senang's Mobility Aids Services and Training Centres repair wheelchairs and other mobility aids for regular users and ageing seniors with limited mobility. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Today, staff and volunteers from various age groups at both centres repair various mobility aids for individuals who rely on them daily. The team also refurbishes old ones to donate to those in need. Since its establishment, the charity has also received support from the town council to grow local vegetables and herbs. These are used to prepare free vegetarian meals for children and seniors under its care. It also delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to its beneficiaries – including the underprivileged, the elderly and those with serious medical conditions. The scale of its work today stands in contrast to its quiet beginnings. Mdm Lye left her banking job in 1999 to focus completely on community work. Together with 10 like-minded friends, she set up the first Kampung Senang centre – a modest senior activity space tucked under a block at Tampines Street 82. At that time, organic urban farming and holistic health and wellness were still niche concepts. Setting up its first organic farm in 2000 proved to be a challenge. 'We had to go door-to-door to consult residents, securing more than 80 per cent support, before we appealed to and convinced the town council,' Mdm Lye recalls the arduous process then. Watch the video to find out how you can turn your concerns for the community into social good. Today, Kampung Senang operates with a team of 49 staff, supported by a pool of around 300 active volunteers who help drive its various programmes. 'We now have three inclusive community gardens and four centres, with each centre running different activities, so we are very busy,' Mdm Lye proudly shares. Typical activities across the centres include creative sewing, meditation, and weekly fitness sessions, such as Nordic walking – a full-body exercise using specialised poles – and chair Zumba classes. The charity also conducts workshops on plant-based nutrition, as well as classes on wellness kitchen management. The latter teaches participants how to read nutritional labels on food items, and prepare healthy meals at home using nutritious ingredients, select oils, and minimal sugar or additives. It also runs at least four fundraising events each year, and these can range from charity concerts and gala dinners to yoga workshops. 'We are very grateful for the collaboration opportunities, and hope to continue working with partners to reach more seniors across the four communities we serve,' says Mdm Lye. As of January 2024, Kampung Senang transitioned to a company limited by guarantee, a move that allows it to operate with greater governance and efficiency while continuing its charitable work. Held weekly at Kampung Senang's Aljunied Centre, Gold Zumba sessions keep seniors active through low-impact, seated dance workouts. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The formula for impactful community work is simple, according to the three changemakers: The impetus may come from one person, but it takes like-hearted teammates and partners to make it all work. Although officially retired from the charity, Mdm Lye remains involved. 'You ask me what my inspiration is? It's teamwork. One can't do it all,' she says. 'I can come up with the idea, but it takes a team of volunteers and partners to put everything together.' Mdm Sarimah agrees: 'If I were to do it alone, I can only do so much, but together, we can do more.' What is the Singapore Government Partnerships Office? Set up in 2024, the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO) was established with one goal – to encourage more Singaporeans to step forward, partner the government and make a difference. Whether you are an individual with a fresh idea to drive positive change, part of a community group, or just want to start giving back somewhere, somehow, SGPO can support your aspirations. The office will connect you with the right partners, including government agencies and funding opportunities, so you can create greater impact. This way, Singaporeans can play a bigger role in building a better Singapore together – one partnership at a time. Take the first step to contribute to our nation in SG60 and beyond. In partnership with the Singapore Government Partnerships Office Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
