MSF and Esplanade colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1 A very good evening! I am happy and very honoured to be here to attend the seventh edition of Songwriting for Hope. I was just talking with colleagues earlier before the event started. Seventh time lucky – we are so blessed to be able to use the premises here, at the very prestigious world-class venue of the Esplanade. So very much thankful to Yvonne and her team, a big round of applause for them, please.
2 First of all it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling every single song to hear the residents of Singapore Girls’ Home (SGH) express your innermost thoughts and feelings through the original songs that they have composed. Songwriting for Hope provides an outlet for these teenage youths to express their feelings, hopes, and dreams during their formative years. Over the past eight years, MSF has been collaborating with Esplanade on this project, and they have benefitted more than 100 residents.
Believing in our Youths’ Potential
3 Now every youth really has the potential to grow, as well as to heal from past challenges. And our goal – and I say this on behalf of our caseworkers, Youth Guidance Officers, teachers – our goal really is to support and guide those who are determined to move beyond their past. And the journey of healing is not only for their own benefit, but also for the well-being of their family members and the broader community and I thank also our residents, all the girls, for your courage in expressing yourselves and your commitment to becoming the best versions of yourselves in the future. A big round of applause for you all.
4 There were many songs that touched me but I remember one very vividly - Kelly (not her real name), your song "Cause you're my light" to your mother conveys your deep love for her and your lyrics really touched me a lot – “Just know you are the only one I choose”. I think it’s a very bold and powerful statement and I think I really want to say thank you to you as well for penning these very beautiful lyrics and to all the other girls as well. No matter who you are writing the songs for, no matter who you are penning the lyrics for, I think we can all agree in this hall today that there has been so much love going around. So much love for our family members in many cases. Family members, you are so essential in supporting our young youths in their healing and reintegration journey. And I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all the family members and also the extended families, our community partners, colleagues, for your support.
Supporting Youth’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration efforts
5 Additionally, I want to take this chance to express my heartfelt thanks to Esplanade staff Koh Yun Jing (Programme Lead), Kristal Chua (Assistant Lead), and Crystal Goh (Diamonds On The Street) for supporting our youths and nurturing their dreams. I also want to acknowledge J’s Salon – thank you, June Ng (Director) and your team, for stepping in to style our residents’ hair for today’s event.
6 This year, MSF has designated 2024 as the Year of Celebrating Volunteers, to honour and recognise the efforts of our volunteers in the social service sector and beyond. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers in the house today who have supported our youths in various capacities. One of these volunteers is Ming Wei, who attended all ten sessions without fail, rain or shine. Ming Wei is an educator and a musician, and she tapped on her talents to teach the youths skills in music and storytelling, empowering them to draw strengths from their past and craft narratives for their future.
7 We also have Marise, who has been volunteering with this project for the second year running! Besides being an Esplanade volunteer, she has also contributed her time to other Homes, including mentoring one of the SGH residents over the past year. It really takes a village to raise each child, and I really want to thank all of you for your belief and your action in helping our youths. Thank you very much for your unwavering support to help our youth realise their potential, nurture their growth, and make a lasting impact in their lives through songwriting.
8 To all parents and family members, all of you are the safe harbour of love for our young ones. Please continue to be actively involved, to be present, and support your loved ones on their journey in life. Your encouragement will give them the courage and strength to overcome challenges and to do well in life, both as individuals and also as a family unit.
9 To our youths, today you have shown us the incredible potential that you have in each of you. I encourage all of you to embrace hope and to pursue your dreams with tenacity. We are all cheering you on, and I wish you nothing but the very best in your future endeavours. I want to thank all the girls this evening for blessing all of us with your incredibly generous sharing from the innermost chambers of your heart.
10 On that note, I really want to thank all of you for being here this evening for allowing me in the past two and a half hours, three hours to have had a very magical evening. I must say that I have had a long day and thank you for the blessings that you have given me and for allowing me to also share in the love that has really filled and overwhelmed this hall this evening. Thank you very much everybody.