When Serene (not her real name) was 17, she was caught for unlicensed moneylending and placed on a 24 months probation order. While on probation, she learnt from her mistakes, served 200 hours of community service, and found ways to overcome challenges through the support of her Probation Officer. Watch as she shares her story here.

Video credit: @Mothershipsg

Mums, we love you 💖

Join us in “Homemade for Mums”, a nationwide Mother’s Day celebration at 8pm tomorrow on Families for Life’s Facebook page and watch your favourite artistes belt out some of Mum’s favourite classics for a night to remember!

You can also tell your mum how much you love her by posting a dedication today with a photo or video and hashtag #FFLMothersDay to win attractive dining and shopping vouchers! Find out more here: go.gov.sg/fflhomemadeformums

On Mother’s Day today, #LetsMeet Dr Kang Ying Qi, who takes care of young children, especially those with special needs, in her job as a Consultant in the Child Development Unit at National University Hospital.

“Mothers love their children wholeheartedly and can sacrifice a lot for their children. The mothers that I have met in our clinics demonstrate amazing strength in caring for their children, and are determined to help them overcome challenges by pursuing different therapies.

I have experienced a mother’s sacrifice too. My mum visited me while I was training in the US recently. When COVID-19 hit the state that we were in, I asked my mum to return to Singapore first, for her own safety, but she insisted to stay behind together with me. This showed me that my mum is someone I know I can always rely on.

This Mother’s Day, I would like to tell my mum how much I love her and appreciate everything that she has done for me.

Here’s wishing all mothers a wonderful Mother’s Day!”

Employees who have had their monthly salary cut by 30% or more for 3 consecutive months (due to COVID-19 after 23 Jan) can apply for the COVID-19 Support Grant from today at go.gov.sg/CSG with their SingPass.

Do forward these explainer videos to your family and friends who may need assistance: go.gov.sg/covid19supportgrant-videos

“I learnt that the National CARE Hotline (NCH) needed volunteers who spoke Mother Tongue languages, and stepped up since I speak Tamil. This role is special because during this time of uncertainty, many people are struggling. I’m glad I can lend a hand.”

#LetsMeet Noor Aaqilah Abdul Latiff, 42, social worker and centre manager at PPIS Oasis Centre for Fostering, who is a volunteer with the NCH. If you are feeling down or distressed, you can call the National CARE Hotline at 1800-202-6868.

Catch Minister Desmond Lee's interview with CNA as he shares more about the support for Singaporeans during this challenging period.

Watch the interview here.

Find out how our MSF officers use technology to keep vulnerable groups safe in their homes during this circuit breaker period.
 
Tune in to Channel 5’s Talking Point on MeWatch now.

Mary (not her real name) was only 3 months old when she was placed in a foster family, and grew up with more brothers and sisters than she could count. Despite this, she never felt any less loved as her foster parents had showered all of them with undivided love and attention.

She recalls accompanying her foster mother to bid her foster siblings farewell when it was time for them to return to their natural families. Her foster mother would cry each time, but her tears turned into joy when a new foster child showed up in their home a few weeks later.

Now, almost 35 years later, Mary is a successful individual in the finance industry. She continues to keep in touch with her foster family, and hopes that more families will step forward to offer their homes to vulnerable children.

If you are interested to find out more about MSF’s Fostering Scheme, visit www.msf.gov.sg/fostering or get in touch with us at 96458231.

Feeling down this Friday? Call the National CARE hotline to talk to someone about it.
 
#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether

Get your kids to help keep the house clean. Here are some tips for you to breeze through spring cleaning together: https://kidzmatters.com/article/spring-cleaning-with-kids

📢 From 2 June, preschools and early intervention (EI) centres will reopen in phases, with enhanced safe management measures, aka “COVID-Safe ABCs” to minimise the risk of transmission.
 
- A for safe Access: we will continue to restrict entry of individuals who may pose a higher risk of transmission (e.g. casual visitors, children whose family members are on HQO or SHN, or who don’t pass temperature and health checks)
 
- B for safe Behaviours: all staff and children aged over 2 will have to wear a mask or face shield within the centre, group sizes will be kept small, and cleaning and disinfection efforts will be stepped up
 
- C for safe Classrooms: we will minimise physical interaction between children and staff from different classes and pre-schools, so as to reduce the risk of cross-transmission

Children in K1 and K2 can return to school from 2 June, N1 and N2 children from 8 June and Infant care as well as Playgroup children from 10 June.
 
Let’s play our part by practising these ABCs, and work together to keep our preschool and EI community safe and healthy. Find out more at: http://go.gov.sg/reopeningofpreschoolsandeicentres
 
#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether