SBNoD companies volunteering at Singtel Carnival 2018

On 10 October 2018, about 100 volunteers from SBNoD group of companies - AIG, BAML and Barclays – joined 1,700 Singtel volunteers at the Singapore Expo for the 6th Singtel Carnival, which was attended by more than 1,400 students from 14 special education (SPED) schools, including beneficiaries of the Singtel Touching Lives Fund (STLF). Singapore President Halimah Yacob graced the event as Guest-of-Honour.

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chairman of STLF and CEO Consumer Singapore at Singtel, said, "Now in its sixth year, the Singtel Carnival is part of ongoing efforts to work together with our beneficiaries and the community to develop these students outside of their school curricula. We see ourselves playing a part by creating a day of interaction and fun for them in a safe and nurturing environment. In return, the children teach us to be inclusive and empathetic, inspiring us to keep paying it forward. We are honoured to have President Halimah Yacob join us for the carnival. I'm also very heartened by the strong spirit of volunteerism among our employees who have turned out in large numbers to give back to the community. We are very supportive of that and we want to encourage more to volunteer their time."

The students aged between 7 to 18 years old enjoyed a day away from the classroom at the mega carnival organised by a team of over 1,700 Singtel staff volunteers, who set up 50 food and game stalls, as well as stage entertainment for their special guests. The students watched performances, and participated in games and activities such as shoot the hoop and a flying carpet ride, in the company of Singtel and SBNoD staff volunteer chaperones.

To match the carnival's space theme, talented staff balloonists made balloon sculptures of spaceships that students could wear on their wrists. Staff volunteers also dressed up as astronauts and various characters from Star Wars. 

Mrs Koh-Lim Ai Lay, Principal of Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School, said, "Singtel has been a very committed and generous partner. Every year, Singtel staff come together to raise funds for our school so that we can provide more holistic programmes to our students with moderate to severe disabilities. These programmes include skill-based training for our students preparing for work, curriculum programmes that build their level of independence and self-esteem. Outings and learning journeys help students gain greater exposure beyond their classrooms. We are very appreciative of the hard work of each and every staff from Singtel in their efforts to build a more inclusive society in Singapore."