Mr Chng Hwee Hong, Chairman, ISCOS Board of Trustees,
Mr Desmond Chin, Commissioner of Prisons,
Mr Daniel Teo, Chairman, ISCOS Board of Directors,
Mr Alex Yeo, Chairman, ISCOS ReGen Fund Management,
Ladies and Gentlemen
- Thank you very much. I am very happy to be here.
- I am very happy to see the good work that you have done here. The last time I was here, I remember hearing about the very good programmes that you have - the Fairy Godparent Programme which has touched lives, the bursaries that were given out. I think these programmes really make an impact in people’s lives, the children in particular. Also the Titans Programme - I remember sitting in some of your support group sessions.
- On my way here, I read about Jabez’s (one of the Titans) inspirational story about how he has overcome his long prison stint of 20 years. Now, he is leading a good life. He has devoted himself to the community and church. He has two young daughters. Congratulations!
- I think in large part, programmes like the Titans Programme play a very, very important role. I like what the Chairman has said about monitoring and seeing how we can actually do better and extend our outreach, given the impact.
- I am also very happy with the new launch of this iCosy Hub. I like the name… initially I was thinking, why iCosy? I thought it was OSIM-inspired. Now I get it. It is very ISCOS-y. It is a very good name. It also performs a very useful function where people can come together in a cozy place and eat, talk, and get help for various issues - from appointments to speaking to each other to bonding. I think that is really important.
- ISCOS gets about 800 to 1,000 new members each year and hundreds more come here to get support. It is really wonderful to see all of us here constantly trying to see what else we can do, and bringing in partners and organisations. Many organisations are here today. Thank you very much. Many of you have done very good work and I am very inspired by your work.
- The work that we do is sometimes quite tiring. Sometimes, after a long day and I look at my calendar (and think), “Wah, another long day.” But you know, each time when you feel tired, you look at the bright faces here and there is really no time to feel tired. When you look at the people who benefit from your services, and you think about the value that you bring, and the important work that you do, I think these are only little sacrifices that we make. Stories like Jabez’s and many more which have not been uncovered yet, tells us that it is worth it. It is very worth it.
- Let us continue working hard. Let us get more people involved in this and let us do more. Thank you very much. You have got a friend in me as well.
