Mr Patrick Lau, Chairman,
Mr Mohamed Fareez, Chief Executive,
Allkin Singapore, distinguished guests, donors, community partners, students and family members.
Introduction
1 Good morning to everyone. I am delighted to be here today at the annual Allkin ElevatED! Presentation Ceremony.
2 Last week, we just celebrated Youth Day, and the spirit of our youth. Today, we're thrilled to recognise 47 remarkable youth recipients of the Allkin ElevatED! Grant, who embody this spirit through their resilience and determination.
Education as an Enabler
3 Education is a powerful enabler of social mobility. It equips young people with the knowledge and skills they need and the confidence to shape their own future. When our youths find success, they create ripples of progress that strengthen families and communities alike.
4 But the road to success isn't always easy. Some of them walk this path and face challenges like financial difficulties or shoulder heavier responsibilities than their peers by taking on caregiving duties. Therefore, we must have various avenues of support to help them achieve their aspirations.
Impact of Allkin ElevatED!
5 Community support like Allkin ElevatED! gives every youth we have in the community the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Beyond financial aid and support in their schoolwork, recipients are given leadership opportunities and encouraged to volunteer and contribute to community projects. This helps them to develop their life skills and character to be better equipped to navigate their adulthood.
6 You have heard Richie’s very inspiring story earlier. I’m heartened that he is now contributing back to the community, bringing joy to vulnerable seniors through Allkin’s Project Giveback. With Project Giveback, Richie gained new perspectives about people from different walks of life — from listening to the stories of hope and resilience of the seniors he befriended, to understanding the experiences of vulnerable households supported by the home improvement project he was involved in. He also honed his skills in project management and foster better teamwork and made new friends along the way.
7 It is therefore heartening that Allkin is looking to expand volunteering opportunities and create mentorship programmes and learning journeys with corporate partners. In this year of 2025, we have dedicated this year as the Year of Celebrating Social Service Professionals. I would like to thank everyone at Allkin, who has journeyed together with our youths to make Allkin ElevatED! a success. Every young person has the potential to rise above their challenges, and a supportive community that rallies behind them can help them move forward and further. When we invest in our youth, we are investing in a stronger, more resilient society. Together, let’s continue working together to help our youth discover their potential and achieve their aspirations.
Closing
8 I want to say a heartfelt thank you also to all donors and partners who are here today for your commitment and contributions to this collective effort. Your efforts help to build an ecosystem where youths have opportunities to pursue their aspirations.
9 Last but not least, please join me in congratulating our youths today on receiving the grant. I wish each and every one of you the very best in life. Keep believing, keep striving, and remember that you have a whole community standing alongside and behind you. Thank you.