WGS Jaguar Scout Group - MINDS

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Interview with Mrs Jaya Mohideen Mrs Jaya Mohideen led MINDS as President from 2003 to 2009. She established key policies and frameworks that not only put MINDS in the forefront of social services, but also safeguarded MINDS from governance failures and the impact of the global economic downturn. Besides MINDS, Mrs Mohideen also helped to influence directions that shaped the services and well being of persons with intellectual disability in Singapore through the MCYS Enabling Masterplan. Mrs Mohideen is Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Finland, a business woman and a mother of two. Among her many laurels are the prestigious Singapore National Day awards - Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat) and Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat). She was made a commandeur of the Order of Orange - Nassall by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands in 1993. Mrs Mohideen is also the first woman Non Resident Ambassador in Singapore. MINDS is very fortunate to have her continue as Advisor to MINDS. MINDSpeak: How did you first hear of MINDS and what motivated you to become involved with the organisation? Mrs M: I was approached by Prof Tan Ser Kiat to succeed him as President of MINDS. MINDSpeak: Do you recall what came to your mind when you first visited MINDS schools/centres/homes? What has changed since then? Mrs M: My first visit to Tampines Home in 2003 was an eye-opener. The Home was housed in an old school with multiple and undulating levels. It was most unsuitable for persons with intellectual and physical disabilities. This reinforced my full support for MINDS to have all purpose-built schools and institutions, which programme had already been initiated by Prof Tan. We have now completed our building programme to achieve this objective. The more important observation during that visit was that MINDS was then operating in three silos: schools, homes, and employment/training centres. For MINDs to move forward, it had to be transformed into a seamless organisation with integrated, cohesive and holistic policies and programmes. We have also completed this exercise. MINDSpeak: MINDS President, Mr Conrad Campos, attributed MINDS’ sound corporate governance to your leadership even before all spotlight was on charities in recent years. What caused you to pay such high level of attention on corporate governance since years ago? Mrs M: In any organisation, good corporate governance is the cornerstone of that organisation’s success and continuity. No organisation should be run as a personal empire as it would surely fail. I am familiar with organisational change and re-engineering of organisations and processes. 03 mindspeak: the heartvoice of special people As the Exco and I were ultimately accountable, I had to build checks and balances to safeguard public funds, focus on staff and career development, training, and deployment. Several committees were established to deal with specific subjects and new young professionals were inducted into MINDS. MINDS is now an open and transparent organisation. MINDSpeak: What is the toughest part of your work or the biggest challenge that you faced over the years with MINDS? Mrs M: My toughest challenge was to sell my views to my colleagues in the Exco and later to the staff of MINDS. I am deeply grateful to my fellow Exco colleagues as they were equally involved and committed to our causes. What MINDS has achieved is a collective effort by Exco and our sterling staff. I may have been the initiator but the actual delivery is the collective work of many in MINDS. MINDSpeak: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work with MINDS? Mrs M: I am still committed to MINDS and am still a MINDS volunteer. It is rewarding to see how policies and programmes directly impact on and benefit our clients and staff. Front row, left to right: Mr Conrad Campos, President of MINDS; Dr Aline Wong, Vice-Patron of MINDS; and Mrs Jaya Mohideen, Advisor of MINDS. Back row, left to right: Mr Keh Eng Song, CEO of MINDS; and Mr Jeffery Tan, Honorary Secretary of MINDS.
Even while posing for a group photograph, our client was too eager to add more folded hearts to the largest origami national flag. NATIONAL DAY HEARTLAND CELEBRATIONS @ SOUTH WEST DISTRICT Text by Mdm Shafiyah Ahmad Sarwan Photos by Shah Rizan and MINDS HQ In celebrating Singapore’s 45th year of nationhood, the South West District was proud to ‘fly’ the Largest Origami National Flag at the celebrations at Chua Chu Kang. Measuring 28ft by 18ft, the National Flag was made with a record 45,000 origami hearts folded from recycled materials. More than 10,000 residents from the district have been involved in folding the origami hearts. To do their bit for the community, staff and trainees from MINDS-Clementi TDC were engaged in the folding of these origami hearts on the 27 July 2010 at the void deck of Blk 303, Clementi Ave 4. They were joined by Dr Amy Khor, South West District’s Mayor; Mr Gabriel Lim, Vice-President of MINDS; Mr Keh Eng Song, CEO of MINDS; Ms Koh Gee May, Director of Residential, Training and Development Services; and more than 130 residents. Students from ITE Clementi College West and Pei Tong Primary School were also present to help mentor and work with the MINDS clients and other participating senior citizens on folding the origami hearts. “This is a fun and meaningful way for South West District to celebrate National Day, bond and do its part for Singapore and our environment.” said South West District’s Mayor, Dr Amy Khor. South West District’s Mayor, Dr Amy Khor and a student volunteer patiently guided our client on folding the origami heart. mindspeak: the heartvoice of special people 04
Page 2 and 3: MINDS’ Vision To be a world-class
Page 6 and 7: The Flame within our Youths Text an
Page 8 and 9: WGS Jaguar Scout Group Bagged Silve
Page 10 and 11: Fun Fit @ FGS Text by Quek Yan Ying
Page 12 and 13: HSBC Helped to Improve the Lives of
Page 14 and 15: A Cut above the Rest: Enhancing a C
Page 16 and 17: Being Able Text by Salinah Kader Ph
Page 18 and 19: Occupational Therapy in MINDS EDCs
Page 20: About MINDS MINDS stands for Moveme

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