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Book on Tourette Syndrome now an educational resource in schools

Book on Tourette Syndrome by a pre-school child advocating for inclusion is now an educational resource in schools across Singapore.
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Tourette Syndrome and Me by six-year-old Zachary with Tourette syndrome and published by the EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF), is based on a heart-to-heart talk between Zachary and his principal, Ms. Josephyne Ho from EtonHouse Pre-School. The interactive read-along book comes with augmented reality (AR) features and will be distributed to 800 primary schools, kindergartens, and pre-schools around Singapore. It will also be available at public libraries and Molly, the Mobile Library operated by National Library Board to serve special needs students.

 

Tourette Syndrome and Me was first published digitally on social media in October 2020. It quickly caught attention from parents, teachers, and education leaders, expressing how meaningful the book was for children.

 

Very soon, ECF started receiving requests for this book to be shared with their school communities. To further its cause and enable more children to access this book, ECF raised funds to produce it in an interactive, physical format as an educational resource for pre-school and primary schools.

 

This book gives an authentic glimpse into Zachary’s fears and anxieties. “I didn’t want to go to school because I didn’t want my friends to see my twitching. I was worried that my friends would laugh at me.” When he realised that his friends’ reactions were because they did not understand Tourette Syndrome, he set out to create awareness amongst them about it. Encouraged by his principal and supported by ECF, he co-created this book, a process that has made him more confident and less fearful of the reactions from his peers. Through this book, he wanted to help others understand that there is nothing wrong with being different.

Click here to read more on Straits Times.

This book aims to:

Help children develop empathy to build warm, kind, and respectful connections with others

Raise awareness about different abilities and celebrate diversity

Create opportunities for adults to have sensitive and healing conversations with children

Empower children to inspire others

Ms. Josehyne Ho, Senior Principal of EtonHouse Pre-School 223 Mountbatten, who initiated this book, says, “I hope that more people can understand the potentially difficult social struggles and stigma, real or imagined, that children with Tourette Syndrome have to endure. I also wish for this book to offer parents with children who are in similar situations a platform to start conversations about how they can overcome their fears and talk about them with confidence.”

 

The book is being retailed at S$25 per copy for fundraising. All proceeds from the sales of the book will go to activities for underprivileged children. Get your copy here.

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Media coverage News Event Press release Programmes

ECF launches Teacher Everywhere™

ECF has launched Teacher Everywhere™, the first teacher training volunteer programme in Singapore to support disadvantaged children.

The EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF) has launched Teacher Everywhere™, an innovative programme to train ‘Volunteer Teachers’ for free to enable them to work with and teach children from disadvantaged backgrounds.


Recruitment of volunteers started in October 2020, and within three weeks, ECF received an overwhelming response from more than 200 volunteers stepping forward to express interest to be a part of Teacher Everywhere™. They come from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and professions, from homemakers, scientists to doctors. Many of them are parents, while some secondary and high school students have also signed up to volunteer.


EtonHouse educators and trainers have been hired to train the volunteers.

The key highlights of the programme are

The course will be delivered over 6 sessions and includes 2 practicums.

Volunteers are not required to have a prior background or experience in teaching.

The course content will include child development, classroom management, communication with children, managing challenging behavior, positive guidance, strategies for leading effective story-telling and learning experiences.

The course including all materials are free of charge and will be delivered by highly experienced and trained early childhood leaders and facilitators from EtonHouse.

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On the successful completion of the course, the volunteers will be certified to facilitate Joyful Learning, an exclusive programme created for children 4-6 years old. Based on 40 classic storybooks, the year-long programme delivered every week to children from disadvantaged families will cover literacy, numeracy, creative expression and fine motor skills. Volunteers will also engage parents during these sessions, supporting them with practical tips to extend their children’s learning at home.

No child should be left behind. Through Teacher Everywhere and our Joyful Learning programme, ECF hopes to increase our outreach and improve the lives of underprivileged children by equipping them with skills and knowledge to be successful in school and beyond.

Mrs. Ng Gim Choo, Founder and Director of EtonHouse Community Fund

The programme was inspired by a ground-up initiative in 2019 which saw EtonHouse teachers providing weekly English enrichment classes to 3-4-year-old children at Henderson WeLL Centre. Says Ms. Josephyne Ho, Principal of EtonHouse at Mountbatten who led her team on the year-long volunteering journey and has now joined as a Teacher Everywhere™ mentor, “As many of my teammates are teachers with young families, it took a lot to give up their family time during weekends.

I am extremely grateful to have a team of like-minded teachers who understand the value of literacy skills especially for children who are at risk. The children picked up literacy skills and experienced the joy of learning and reading. To see them attend the sessions with enthusiasm and learn to read was extremely rewarding.”

Mrs. Ng Gim Choo, Founder of the EtonHouse International Group and EtonHouse Community Fund, who initiated the thinking behind Teacher Everywhere™ says “No child should be left behind. Through Teacher Everywhere™ and our Joyful Learning programme, ECF hopes to increase our outreach and improve the lives of vulnerable children by equipping them with skills and knowledge to be successful in school and beyond.”

Upon completion of training, Teacher Everywhere™ volunteers will partner with various community groups to work directly with children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. To sign up as a volunteer or partner, connect with ECF at enquiry@ehcommunityfund.org.sg

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Events Programmes

Record number of donors and beneficiaries for Box of Joy 2020

Way to go! This year, we gifted a record high of 2,450 Boxes of Joy to beneficiaries from 13 different homes and organisations.

A huge thank you to all who have contributed to our annual Box of Joy, and a shout-out to our volunteers who have worked #behindthescenes, giving their time distributing, packing, wrapping and delivering Boxes of Joy to beneficiaries from 13 different Homes and organisations.

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This year, we received overwhelming support and gifted a record high of 2,450 Boxes of Joy to vulnerable children from 3Pumpkins, Tasek Jurong, Morning Star Community Services, MSF SSO @ Geylang Serai/Bedok, SSO @ Boon Lay/Taman Jurong, Children's Wishing Well, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, E-Bridge Pre-School, Anglican Family Centre, Prison Fellowship Care Club, MacPherson Sheng Hong Childcare Centre, Hougang Sheng Hong Family Service Centre and Hougang Sheng Hong Student Care Centre.

 

Here's to the joy of giving, and a festive season that is beautiful and meaningful!

 

#givingback #christmas2020 #boxofjoy

Event details

Event:

Box of Joy 2020

Venue:

13 participating homes and organisations

Thanks to partners:

EtonHouse International Education Group

Participating beneficiaries:
  • 3Pumpkins
  • Tasek Jurong
  • Morning Star Community Services
  • MSF SSO @ Geylang Serai/Bedok
  • SSO @ Boon Lay/Taman Jurong
  • Children's Wishing Well
  • KK Women's & Children's Hospital
  • E-Bridge Pre-School
  • Anglican Women Shelter
  • Prison Fellowship Care Club
  • MacPherson Sheng Hong Childcare Centre
  • Hougang Sheng Hong Family Service Centre
  • Hougang Sheng Hong Student Care Centre
Categories
Accolades

Honoured to receive Certification of Appreciation from President Halimah Yacob

In recognition of our efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, we received a Certification of Appreciation from President Halimah Yacob.

We are honoured to receive a Certification of Appreciation from President Halimah Yacob for our efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is heartwarming to be nominated for the President’s Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards 2020 Special Edition.

 

In addition to creating original e-books to teach children about the pandemic, we supported families in need by sponsoring school fees and other resources to support home-based learning.

 

Organised annually by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, the President’s Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards recognises individuals, organisations and leaders that have achieved excellence in giving.

 

Congratulations to all winners and nominees! What an inspiration to see our caring Singapore spirit shine through in these times of adversity.

Categories
Publications

ECF publishes The Magic of Manners

ECF published an illustrative storybook that teaches the magic of manners to children through a fictional character named Manners.
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The Magic of Manners is a charming children’s book about manners, written by Renee Sim and edited by Ng Yi-Sheng for 1-5 year olds. At every turn, this book reveals the magic of words like Please, Thank You and Sorry.

The key features of the book are:

Magical words of manners that should be a part of every child’s vocabulary

Bright, bold artwork illustrated by children of 223 Mountbatton

The fun and gentle narrative is perfect for reading aloud and a must for every child’s bookshelf. Chuckle along with your child, or encourage your young reader to read this book independently!

 

Each copy is S$25, including shipping. All proceeds go towards Teacher Everywhere, a programme that directly impacts underprivileged children.

 

Get a copy by filling up the form here.

Categories
Media coverage Programmes

Launch of CDA Top-Up programme featured by CNA

About 1,300 pre-school children from low income families to receive more financial aid.
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We have partnered with the Ministry of Education, Singapore and the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) on a Child Development Account (CDA) top-up programme to benefit about 1,300 pre-schoolers from 57 pre-schools.

ECF and CFS will contribute nearly S$1 million to top-up CDA accounts of eligible children over the next three years, and the Government will provide dollar-for-dollar matching contributions for the top-ups.

Dr. Maliki Osman, Second Minister for Ministry of Education, Singapore and Chairman of UPLIFT, Ms. Catherine Loh, CEO of Community Foundation of Singapore and our Founder Mrs. Ng Gim Choo visited E-Bridge Pre-School Punggol Large Child Care Centre to mark the launch of the CDA Top-Up Programme.​

I am hopeful that the CDA top-up programme will encourage more lower-income families to send their children to pre-school. We welcome the partnership with ECF and CFS, who have stepped forward to contribute to this initiative, especially during this trying period of economic uncertainty and job losses which have impacted many families.

Dr. Maliki Osman, Second Minister for MOE, Singapore and Chariman of UPLIFT

 

Access the full CNA news report here.

Categories
Publications

ECF publishes Tourette Syndrome and Me

ECF published a heartwarming story about a boy diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and his pre-school principal.

This book is based on a heart-to-heart conversation between Zachary, a pre-schooler diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and his principal Miss Jo. TS causes involuntary and sudden twitches or sounds. The book offers a glimpse into Zachary's fears and initial anxiety. "I didn't want to come to school because I didn't want my friends to see my twitching. I am worried that my friends will laugh at me." Through the process of creating this book, Zachary has become more confident; he hopes this little book will help children all over the world understand TS and talk about it too.

 

This Children's Day, let us remember that no matter our differences, every child should be seen, heard and respected. And every child, like Zachary, can become an inspiration to the next.

 

Purchase your copy here.

Categories
Accolades

Minister Mr. Desmond Lee thanks ECF for Covid efforts

He commended ECF for supporting children and youth in need of rehabilitation and protection during the Circuit Breaker.

Community support is vital in building a resilient society. During the Circuit Breaker period, our community partners have banded together to support families in need and our children and youth requiring rehabilitation and protection.

 

When the Circuit Breaker measures were announced, EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF) quickly stepped forward to provide more than 50 laptops and 42 Wi-Fi devices for children and youths for their home-based learning (HBL). ECF also donated more than 50,000 surgical masks to our Voluntary Children’s Homes and the Singapore Boy’s Home.

 

Octava Foundation, together with Foodbank, provided more than 80 families with hot meals and dry rations, and Moove Media provided cardboard tables as a temporary measure for children who needed conducive study spaces while on HBL.

 

As schools are set to re-open, the contributions from our partners will continue to be useful for our young ones in their learning needs and well-being. Every effort matters in building a resilient and caring society. To our supportive partners, we appreciate and thank you for your contributions!

 

#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether

Categories
Media coverage Publications

Three free Covid-19 e-books developed by ECF

Our three Covid-19 children’s books earned a mention in a report about books inspired by the pandemic by the Straits Times.
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EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF) has developed three free e-books and was mentioned in the Straits Times. The first book, A New Virus Has Arrived, was first released in January and has since been translated into 10 languages, including Chinese, Malay, Tamil and Hindi. The next two books talk about the acts of kindness and Singapore's contact-tracing team.

 

The key features of A New Virus Has Arrived are:

A very special book for children of all ages, even parents and grandparents

Beautiful illustrations that explain the facts about the virus, how it affects you, and how you can protect yourself

Printable activity sheets

Also available in Spanish, Greek, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese and Vietnamese

They were all written and illustrated by EtonHouse creative an operations manager Amanda Cho, 35, who used rhyme schemes and drawings of familiar places like Housing Board playgrounds and neighbourhood supermarkets. All three E-books were written to explain the Novel Coronavarius 2019 (COVID-19) in a sensitive and meaningful way. In hope that these books open up opportunities for dialogue and learning, for both children and adults and build an understanding of the virus and its implications in our community.

 

Get A New Virus Has Arrived e-book by filling up the form here.

 

Access the full ST news article here.

Categories
Accolades Programmes

Minister Mr. Desmond Lee thanks KidSTART partners on Facebook

Continuing to give every child a good start through COVID-19.

During the Circuit Breaker, the KidSTART team is working hard to continue supporting KidSTART families. They have been finding new ways to stay in touch with parents and providing them with practical tips to meaningfully engage their children at home. Our KidSTART colleagues are also working closely with corporate partners to help our KidSTART families stay connected.

 

I would like to thank our Growing Together with KidSTART partners – including Prudential Singapore, Singtel, EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF) and the Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) – who have been providing resources to our KidSTART families since April. For about 100 KidSTART families who needed IT and Wi-Fi support to stay connected with the KidSTART team, Prudential Singapore sponsored tablets, while Singtel and ECF provided mobile routers and free data plans. AECES also raised over $40,000 which was distributed as grocery vouchers to about 500 KidSTART families.

 

Previously, the team would visit the families’ homes or run playgroup sessions in the community. With the safe distancing measures and circuit breaker rules, the support from our Growing Together with KidSTART partners have enabled our programmes to keep running in new and creative ways so that we can ensure the health and well-being of our families and team.

 

I am encouraged that we are looking out for one another in these exceptional times, especially in our support to families who may need more help. If you would like to contribute, you can find out how to do so through Growing Together with KidSTART: https://www.comchest.sg/growingtogether.

 

#SGUnited #SingaporeTogether #GrowingTogetherWithKidSTART