Digital skills programme helps low-income families manage cyber wellness
SINGAPORE - With two teenaged daughters who were always glued to their digital devices, Mr Mohamad Roslan Palil, 54, struggled daily to ensure they did their homework on time and got enough sleep. When he took part in a pilot programme by Touch Community Services, Mr Roslan learnt how to use digital platforms and cyber wellness tips and was able to better understand and communicate with his daughters - and ultimately get them to adopt better habits when using their devices. As part of the Digitally Ready Families programme - aimed at teaching digital skills to low-income families - Mr Roslan and his wife learnt parenting strategies and how to have honest conversations with their teen daughters - aged 14 and 13 - about their use of electronic devices. They also have a six-year-old son. With the skills they have learnt, the family is now closer, and his daughters have become more disciplined in their device use and lead better and healthier lifestyles, said Mr Roslan, who is looking for a job. He said: "The communication skills I've learnt have helped me to better manage my daughters' device use. I have also learnt how to navigate websites and do some research to get more information...
4,600 public rental-flat families became HDB home owners over the past five years
SINGAPORE - About 4,600 families in public rental homes have become owners of Housing Board (HDB) flats over the past five years through various housing schemes and grants. By 2023, around 1,000 families will be offered help by HDB to do the same. Among the 4,600 households, three in four bought a flat directly from the HDB while the remaining bought a resale flat on the open market, said the HDB on Sunday (Feb 7). More than half of these households bought a three-room flat while a quarter bought four-room flats, it added. About two-thirds of the rental households that bought a flat had tapped housing grants such as the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), which was introduced in September 2019 and dispenses up to $80,000 in grants to eligible buyers. Others had also tapped the previous Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG), which gave up to $40,000 in grants each. These two grants are now replaced by the EHG. Families with at least one child below the age of 18 who live in public rental flats, and who had previously bought a subsidised flat, can also buy a two-room flexi flat through the Fresh Start housing scheme. Close to 100 families have been plac...
Government will start conversation series with young families, says Minister Indranee Rajah
SINGAPORE - A new series of conversations aimed at young families will explore whether working from home, which became the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, should be here to stay. Announcing the plan for the conversations on Friday (Jan 1), Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah said the past year has been tough for young couples, with some deferring marriage plans and others putting off having kids, and the Government wants to hear from them about their post-pandemic hopes and needs. Ms Indranee, who oversees the National Population and Talent Division, said the ultimate aim is to better support families, to encourage parenthood. One thing she hopes the conversations will shed light on is how families feel about working from home, forced upon the world by the pandemic. She noted that some couples appreciate the flexibility it brings, while there are also those who find it stressful. "Prior to Covid many employers, and many employees as well, felt working from home was difficult to do," she said. "But... many companies have adapted, many people have also adapted, and what was previously thought not possible has been found to be possible. What is very clear is it c...
ST+ news with benefits
Millennium Hotels and Resorts launches Otter Family Adventure staycation for a good cause Taking inspiration from Singaporeans' fascination with the much-loved otter families, Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has launched an Otter Family Christmas Adventure in the newly decorated family-themed rooms at Orchard Hotel. For every package purchased this festive season, $20 will go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF), a charity devoted to helping needy kids and youth. For packages purchased after Christmas, $10 will go to the yearlong charity programme. Retrace their otterly adventurous footsteps and you might be otterly delighted to spot them in various states of happiness at Millennium Hotels and Resorts. Participate in Find-an-Otter around the hotel, share your photos or videos of these collectibles on Instagram or Facebook with #OrchardOtters and be rewarded with an Otter keychain! You otter bring your kids here! These whimsical themed rooms are ideal for families with young children as each comes equipped with colourful kids’ amenities and an organic cotton handcrafted teepee. The Otter Family Adventure staycation package starts from $368 per night (worth $882...
800 low-income families to receive healthy food and resources on nutrition
SINGAPORE - A new initiative was launched on Friday (Nov 6) to help about 800 families better prepare meals for their children. The families will each receive a care pack of healthy food items, including food for babies and for children of pre-school age, such as multigrain baby puffs, multivitamins and milk. The initiative, called Healthy with KidStart, is a collaboration between insurer Prudential Singapore and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Of the 800 families, 120 had also been supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables in October and will continue to receive these in November and December. Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Education Sun Xueling, who attended the launch at Prudential's office at Marina One, took part in a cook-off with Prudential Singapore chief executive officer Dennis Tan. Ms Sun made a cucumber and egg pita pocket, while Mr Tan made a vegetable and tuna sandwich. The 800 families are under ECDA's KidStart programme, which provides child development, health and social support for low-income families with children below the age of seven. Prudential is one of the community partners that ECDA works with to provide additional s...