Dr Brian Shegar (right), President of the UAESBC, presenting the cheque to Mr Kelvin Koh (left), CEO of MINDS as the UAESBC’s Patron, the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Omar Balfaqeeh (middle), looks on.
The United Arab Emirates Singapore Business Council (UAESBC) raised close to SGD$47,000 for MINDS at their charity dinner and silent auction on 23rd August 2019. On Thursday, Dr Brian Shegar, President of the UAESBC, presented cheques of a total of SGD$46,941 to Mr Kelvin Koh, CEO of MINDS, at the MINDS Raintree Special Student Care Centre. Among those present at the cheque presentation were the UAESBC Executive Committee members and their Patron, the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Omar Balfaqeeh.
Dr Shegar said: “We are delighted that the UAESBC has been able to raise a substantial sum for MINDS, a most deserving Singapore charity, through the generosity of our members and other well-wishers, marking the first anniversary of the council’s formation.”
The money will go towards the care of special needs students at MINDS Raintree, the first before-and-after-school student care centre for special needs students in Singapore. MINDS Raintree provides a before-and-after school care for special needs children aged seven to 18 who are diagnosed with the following: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability and/or Physical Disability. As these children are unable to enrol at regular after-school care centres, MINDS Raintree was set up to provide greater support for caregivers who required such a service.
The donation from UAESBC will go towards supporting tailored programmes and activities for children with intellectual disabilities who are enrolled in MINDS Raintree. This consists of activities such as cooking, sensory play, and sports.
“We thank UAESBC for their strong support in advancing the cause of persons with intellectual disabilities. This donation in particular will greatly support caregivers who require specialised supervision of their children as they work or face caregiving challenges,” said Ms Koh Gee May, Deputy CEO of MINDS.