PAP Community Foundation to commit $1.1M towards the launch of the Give, Support and Take Bazaar programme

The programme comes as a new addition under the PCF Enhanced Headstart Fund (EHSF) and is expected to benefit 6,000 children from underprivileged families

Singapore, 18 December 2022 – The PAP Community Foundation (PCF) announced today the launch of the Give, Support, and Take Bazaar programme – a new component under the Enhanced Headstart Fund (EHSF) by PCF. The programme seeks to provide a bazaar “shopping” experience for selected children under the EHSF programme to inculcate decision-making skills and defray the cost of back-to-school essentials. It is expected to benefit around 6,000 PCF Sparkletots children who are eligible for the EHSF programme and will be rolled out across various PCF branches in 2023. As part of the launch, PCF will commit $1.1 million to fund the programme, The fund will be utilised to organise similar bazaar shopping experience for the children under the EHSF programme.

Themed ‘Back to School’, the inaugural bazaar featured eight booths, providing schooling necessities and daily essentials for children and their families at no cost. 88 PCF Sparkletots students from the following divisions – Whampoa, Kampong Glam, Kreta Ayer – Kim Seng, Kolam Ayer and Moulmein – Cairnhill, were recipients for the first edition of the bazaar. Together with their family members, the bazaar was attended by 260 guests to “shop” for essentials such as school bags, water bottles, colour pencils and LEGO sets in preparation for the new academic year. Items at the bazaar were sponsored by donors including parents of PCF Sparkletots children, Ban Nee Chen Garden Centre, MARIGOLD, Whampoa and Kolam Ayer Community Development and Welfare Fund (CDWF), and the PCF Charity Division.

The bazaar was launched by the MPs for Jalan Besar GRC at Geylang West CC. Mrs Josephine Teo, Council Chairman of PCF and Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs, together with Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State for Defense, Ms Denise Phua, Mayor for Central Singapore District and Dr Wan Rizal, Chairman of Jalan Besar Town Council, graced the launch event.

Speaking at the launch of the inaugural bazaar, Council Chairman of PCF Mrs Josephine Teo, said “The mission of PCF has always been to enhance the well-being of the community and to support every child with a safe and well-equipped learning environment. Together with the other advisers of the Jalan Besar constituency, we wanted to find a way to encourage preschool children in their growth and learning and give every child a good start in life.” 

PCF Chief Executive Officer, Mr Victor Bay shared, “We are extremely excited by the launch of the Give, Support and Take Bazaar programme as part of our EHSF. This will mean PCF will be able to extend its reach and further benefit and enhance the learning experience of our PCF Sparkletots students with the schooling essentials that they need. In addition, this will provide opportunities for the children to hone their interaction skills and boost their confidence, as they engage in real-life scenarios to develop practical decision-making skills and foster positive social cohesion with their peers”.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Victoria Mak
victoria.mak@redhill.asia
+65 9173 3801

Sng Jorge
jorge.sng@redhill.asia
+65 8288 6124

About PAP Community Foundation

PAP Community Foundation (PCF), a charitable foundation founded by the People’s Action Party (PAP) in 1986, runs social, educational and welfare programmes and activities for the community. PCF is committed to nurturing a multi-racial, fair, just and inclusive society by providing educational, welfare and community services island-wide. PCF is also recognised as a Great Place to Work® and a Great Place to Learn™ by the Great Place to Work Institute. In 2021, it clinched first place in Asia’s Best Workplaces™ in the category of ‘Large’ workplaces. It provides preschool services through PCF Sparkletots, which is the largest preschool operator in Singapore with almost 360 preschools and an enrolment of over 40,000 children. It also operates senior care centres through PCF Sparkle Care.