Projects

The HGEF Education Awards serve as a reward and beacon of hope for children whose parents are in prison or are former drug offenders, motivating them to stay in school and pursue a brighter future. As a recognition of their resilience, the cash awards help our beneficiaries overcome daily challenges and build confidence. More than just financial help, this award instills a sense of hope, that these children can rebuild their lives through education.

Through these projects, former beneficiaries of HGEF have forged friendships, supporting each other with comfort and advice in times of turbulence and stress. Sharing similar backgrounds, they have the potential to be excellent mentors and role models for the younger beneficiaries. HGEF will develop an alumni programme to strengthen bonds, encourage peer mentorship, develop leadership and encourage volunteering to support younger HGEF beneficiaries.

HGEF organised several art therapy workshops to not only discover new artistic talents but also to provide opportunities for emotional healing. For example Project RINDU was guided by Visual Arts students from SOTA and sponsored by AAB Studio. Each handcrafted piece breathes more than just art. It is a manifestation of the child’s deepest feelings of love and yearning.

Working with Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Prisons Service, and supported by Central Narcotics Bureau's anti drug campaign Dadah itu Haram, this initiative encourages prison inmates to write to their children just before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Pelita, meaning torch in Malay is the light that shines hope for this bonding. With this, HGEF hopes that the children can put their heart and mind at ease knowing that their incarcerated parents still care about them.

This exhibition showcased 65 ceramic artworks created by HGEF beneficiaries and extended family. Each piece reflects personal narratives of longing (rindu), resilience, and hope, capturing the transformative journey of the artists. Through this exhibition, HGEF not only celebrates creative expression but also strengthens the bonds of community, providing a platform for creativity, healing, and connection.

HGEF helps the children at a broader and deeper socio-emotional level beyond just studies. HGEF was called to act when our volunteers noticed children coming in with missing buttons on their school uniform. Teaching our children simple skills like threading the needle, stitching and sewing buttons enable them to help themselves and not to depend on others. Looking smart gives them the confidence to attend school.

This project is more than just a creative activity—it is a powerful lesson in giving. Many of our children, may have unconsciously adopted a ‘victim’ mentality. HGEF seeks to change that by showing them that serving others is not a burden but a source of strength. Our children learn that small acts of kindness can help them shift from a mindset of dependency to one of service and contribution. This Yellow Ribbon project culminated with a record for the largest patchwork blanket.

HGEF was delighted to partner with SATS Experiential Centre at The Arts House who brought in 12 professional chefs and shared their knowledge and passion for baking traditional Raya cookies with the children. HGEF hopes to foster selflessness and altruism in our children by educating and empowering them to bake cookies not just for themselves but for other low income families of drug offenders. The children delivered the cookies personally, driven by volunteers from Classic Cars SG.

Jointly organised by HGEF and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), this event equipped our children with essential lifesaving skills, such as performing CPR, proper use of fire extinguisher and Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Through demonstrations and expert guidance by SCDF officers, the event seeks to raise awareness about the importance of first responders within the community and encourage active participation in saving lives. The children also brought home fire extinguishers and a first aid box sponsored by our kind donors.

Kamal Arts provided the perfect venue and expertise for this batik painting project. Our beneficiaries learned the art as a form of therapy, promoting emotional healing. Through this creative process, participants expressed their emotions, reduced stress, and built a sense of accomplishment, all while learning a traditional craft. The project also fosters a supportive community where children can connect and find joy through artistic expression.