Made with love – a tribute to fifty-rrific years of nationhood

50 years of the Singapore story told in 50 scrapbooks made by children aged 3 to 12

In celebrating Singapore’s Golden Jubilee this year, a year-long national education project was conceptualised and started in August 2014 by the YMCA Education Services for children in its YMCA Student Care and Child Development Centres culminated in a showcase of 50 scrapbooks created by the children to tell the Singapore story.

Involving over 1,400 children from 16 YMCA Student Care Centres and YMCA Child Development Centres islandwide, the scrapbooks were made using recycled items and surplus arts and craft material. With the guidance of their teachers, the young scrapbook artists aged 3 to 12 years drew, coloured and assembled photo collages revolving topics that included our founding fathers, national service, national campaigns, water conservation, economic development, Singapore’s transformation from a swampland into a beautiful garden city and more. The children also penned their wishes for Singapore in one of the books.  

Commenting on the project, Mr Lo Chee Wen, General Secretary, YMCA of Singapore said, “We aim to instil a sense of belonging and emotional rootedness to Singapore among our children today. At the same time, we will want them to learn about saving the earth and caring for others. This is in line with the YMCA of Singapore’s efforts in developing the “heartware” for Singapore through our programme and service infrastructure, building a resilient and caring society through sustainable community engagement programmes to impact lives and nurture socially responsible community champions.”

Mr Lo added, “Through this project, we also wanted the children to better appreciate the history of Singapore, what we were before and what we have become, to learn to be thankful and not take anything for granted.”

The YMCA Education Services is a social enterprise of the YMCA of Singapore. Surpluses from its operations are channelled to support the YMCA of Singapore’s various community service programmes.

Members of the public are welcome to view the display at YMCA of Singapore (level 4), 1 Orchard Road.

The scrapbooks will remain on display till 14 August 2015.