25<strong>TOUCH</strong> Report 2008<strong>TOUCH</strong> Diabetes SupportIn Singapore, 8.2% or approximately 330,000 people have diabetes. Diabetes is a serious chronic disease whichcan give rise to complications such as heart attack, kidney failure and blindness. <strong>TOUCH</strong> Diabetes Support (TDS)meets the needs of the diabetes community by offering a community of care and support made up of peopleliving with diabetes, volunteer healthcare professionals and many who have a heart for this community.In the year under review, TDS continued to be the advocate and voice for the diabetes community in Singaporethrough its holistic range of programmes. In 2008, the number of clients jumped 15% – from 756 to 872compared to the previous year. Although TDS focuses primarily on individuals with Type 1 diabetes, the year sawa 40% increase in those with Type 2 diabetes becoming members, accounting for half of its total membership.Continuous learning to improve diabetes careTDS rolled out its first Certificate in Basic Diabetes Education in the first quarter of 2008. Conducted by thespecialists in various fields, 9 members and 2 staff were taught essential information on diabetes care andmanagement. They were also able to put into practice what they have learnt by completing their practicum asfacilitators at TDS’ talks and workshops - TDS Connect. Response was good with many signing up as volunteers– doubling the total number of regular volunteers.2008 also saw TDS ramping up its awareness efforts through TDS Connect to cater to strong demand for healthtalks by professionals. For example, in September and October, TDS Connect experienced good turnout with itshighest recorded attendance of 84 clients and 25 service users.Connecting with the young through <strong>Community</strong> ScoutingOne of the key highlights for the year also included the launch of <strong>Community</strong> Scouting for children with thesupport from St. Andrew’s STAR Scout Group. On 22 Nov, in conjunction with World Diabetes Day, TDS organiseda TDS Fun Day to launch TDS STARS – a community scouting adventure programme, which combines the outdoors,sports and fun, with diabetes education and support, to give children and youths the tools they need to cope wellwith diabetes and enjoy healthy and balanced lives. A total of 16 children and youths attended the event, whichincluded blood checks and confidence building activities.Building resilience and confidence2008 was also an adventurous year for TDS with its first ever Coast to Coast Adventure Trek as part of ProjectDiscovery 6. In June, 22 participants with diabetes together with 21 buddies successfully completed the physicallychallenging 100 km walk over three days, passing through parks and nature sites. Supported by the SingaporeSports Council with the National Parks Board as the event partner, the closing celebration was graced by renownedophthalmologist, Professor Arthur Lim Siew Ming who presented the medals to the participants.In August, four youths from TDS who are graduates of Project SMILE (Sharing Magic In Love Everywhere), wereinvited to put up a magic performance at the official launch of the New National DOT (Delivery On Target)programme. Officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, the event was attended bya 300-strong audience comprising general practitioners and healthcare professionals.Looking ahead, TDS will continue to run its Certificate in Basic Diabetes Education to promote greater diabetescare. In conjunction with World Diabetes Day celebrations worldwide, it will also organise Walk with Diabetes inNovember 2009, a fun walk which promotes diabetes awareness, community support and exercise.
<strong>TOUCH</strong> Report 2008 26Serving theInternational<strong>Community</strong>Love beyond borders…Rebuilding lives<strong>TOUCH</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Services</strong>International<strong>TOUCH</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Services</strong> International (TCSI) was set up in 1999to facilitate the delivery of crisis relief and community developmentservices to communities outside of Singapore. TCSI partners closelywith local authorities and organisations of various countries inthe areas of child adoption, volunteer engagement, communitydevelopment and humanitarian and crisis relief. It has initiatedseveral crisis relief initiatives in countries including Afghanistan,Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,Timor-Leste, Turkey and Pakistan and continues to work in someof these countries today. It is also actively engaged in severalcommunity development and capacity building projects in variousparts of China.In 2008, TCSI reached out to 500 clients. The number of serviceusers stood at 100 due to the postponement of Thousand LinkingHands or 千 牵 手 from 2008 to 2009 through 2011, which will see1,000 youths from Singapore and China being trained.Humanitarian Aid for Sichuan Earthquake victimsIn the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck Sichuan inMay which devastated the lives of thousands of families in China,TCSI was quick to mobilise its resources and volunteers to respond toaffected victims. A week after the earthquake struck, TCSI deployedan assessment team to the disaster zone to assess the needs. Inresponse to the Government of China’s request for internationalassistance, <strong>TOUCH</strong> shipped 300 emergency tents, medicine, cleanwater, 2,000 “Cheer Kits” and 15,000 “School Kits” for childrenand other relief supplies to meet the immediate needs of theaffected individuals through its local partners, Chengdu DisabledPerson’s Federation and the Chengdu Communist Youth LeagueCommittee. In addition, counsellors from TCSI also conducted Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder training for 21 local Sichuan social workersand counsellors to support people with special needs traumatisedby the disaster. Working in partnership with a local winter wearmanufacturer, Winter Time, 9,000 pieces of winter clothing werealso sent to the earthquake victims.
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