The company from NLS made the event especially meaningful as we took the opportunity to showcase the “Dream & Achieve” programme – Mensa Singapore’s community outreach initiative at NLS which had ended in May 2009. The programme is a three-part lecture series delivered by four prominent speakers. It seeks to engage, inspire and motivate 40 graduating students from NLS, encouraging them to have the confidence to have dreams about their future as well as the resoluteness to see them through.

The programme was well-received by the students. Mr. Albertt Chua, the teacher in charge of NLS’s curriculum, also commented that the key points highlighted by the speakers have reinforced what the school had been teaching the students.

In his speech, Mensa Singapore president Mr. Patrick Khoo noted the club’s history of working with external organisations such as the Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home and the YMCA of Singapore in serving the needs of the community. Even as the club has been constantly evolving through the years, Patrick expressed his hope that we will continue to grow into a more mature and outward-looking organisation, especially now that we can no longer call ourselves a “teenager”.

Mrs. Chua-Lim Yen Ching, principal of NLS, also gave a speech, sharing the mission and cause of the school with heart-warming stories of how the lives of the students have been changed through various school programmes.

During the evening, our guests were treated to two enthralling performances by NLS students. The first one was a dance item by 12 NLS girls. These girls came up with the dance with the help of a counsellor. They practiced the dance on their own and had to revise their steps at the last minute to suit the dimensions of the stage.

The next performance consisted of two songs rendered by Lydia Ang, a student who joined NLS in 2008. Lydia has a medical condition, but always remains cheerful nonetheless. She has a talent in singing. When asked by the principal what her wish was, she replied that she had two – the first one was to work part-time in the school to earn some money for her family, and the second one was to perform in front of a crowd. On that very evening, our guests witnessed the fulfillment of her second wish. Thoroughly delighted by her almost angelic voice, they promptly accorded her a rapturous ovation at the end of her performance.

After the two performances, our guests were invited to view exquisite batik art pieces and some bottle art created by NLS students that were on display in the room. It was not long before most of the art pieces were sold. The contributions received that evening would go to the school’s students’ assistance fund which provides meal coupons, transport allowances and school uniforms to needy students.

The night ended with a series of group photo taking to mark yet another significant milestone in the history of Mensa Singapore. These photos would be useful when it is time for us to celebrate our 30th anniversary, gently reminding us of the good work that we have done in 2009 and how we would proceed from here.

A highlight of Mensa Singapore’s 20th anniversary Gala Dinner is its community outreach programme. Mensa Singapore is working with NorthLight School (NLS) which takes in students who have repeatedly failed their PSLE and prepares them for lifelong learning and employability so the students can make positive contributions to the community.

You have to read this introductory post on NorthLight School by Daniel to know more about the school and its mission.

I have heard heart-warming stories about the teachers and students in this school from several acquaintances. Even Education Minister Ng Eng Hen gushes over this school at an Education forum I attended.

He praised the good leadership of Principal Mrs Chua Yen Ching and her dedicated teachers and staff, and spoke with pride on the long waiting list of teachers wanting to teach in NorthLight School.

NorthLight School needs our support. Without it, I cannot imagine what would happen to the lives of the hundreds of students it is now helping. The students are learning skills which would help them to be independent and be useful citizens to the society.

Underprivileged students formed the bulk of the intake each year. Many students stay far from the school. One student lives in Kota Tinggi and every day, he travels for 4 hours each way to attend school.

Meals and transport costs are the main expenses of these students.

Each needy student needs an average of S$400 per year in assistance.

Contribute to the students’ assistance fund. Your contribution will go into providing the meal coupons, transport allowance and school uniform to the needy students.

Buy an art piece by NLS students or send your donations to :

NorthLight School
2 Dunman Road
Singapore 439188
Tel: 6580 6490

Donors are eligible for a tax-deductible receipt.

MN09/001 - MN09/010 (Poster size, with frame ) - S$200 each

MN09/011 - MN09/020 (A4 size, with frame ) - S$60 each

MN09/021 - MN09/026 (Postcard size, with frame ) - S$25 each

Please contact community {at} mensa.org(.)sg if you would like to be a donor.