ESM Goh, SG Enable and Mediacorp launch fund to recognise people with disabilities for their achievements and help them realise their potential
Singapore, 21 November 2018 – Mediacorp and SG Enable today announced Mediacorp Enable Fund (MEF), a charity fund for people with disabilities, with Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong as its patron. The fund aims to help build a society where people with disabilities are recognised for their abilities and lead full, socially integrated lives. SG Enable, an agency dedicated to enabling persons with disabilities, administers the fund.
ESM Goh said: “Through MEF, I hope that people with disabilities are given the opportunity to maximise their potential through early intervention beyond the financial reach of their families. I also hope that Singaporeans are more aware of this group of people and pay more attention to their achievements and abilities rather than their disabilities. Thank you for joining me in building a kinder, gentler Singapore.”
MEF has its roots in Today Enable Fund (TEF), which ESM Goh had initiated in 2016. TODAY is a Mediacorp digital news provider which became the first major Singapore newspaper to make a full mobile-first transition. TEF converts into MEF after raising over S$1 million within two years.
Ms Tham Loke Kheng, CEO, Mediacorp said: “The TODAY team has done a phenomenal job of raising awareness of disability issues and working with SG Enable on programmes that build greater empathy for people with disabilities. With Mediacorp Enable Fund, we are taking our efforts to an organisation-wide level. We will use our creative capabilities, journalistic resources, staff and star power and the reach of our platforms to help build a society where citizens of all abilities have a place and a role to play. At our core, Mediacorp serves everyone and reflects the diversity of people in Singapore.”
Over the last two years, Mediacorp and SG Enable have worked together to support close to 8,000 beneficiaries, including fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of persons with disabilities. It provides financial assistance to meet their last mile needs and better integrate them into society. One such community integration effort is Story Carnival by Story Connection Ltd, which features storytelling, concerts and interactive workshops for children of all abilities. MEF also supports efforts that enhance education and employment prospects of persons with disabilities.
Ms Ku Geok Boon, CEO, SG Enable, said, “Inclusive society, enabled lives – that is SG Enable’s vision for Singapore. We are very happy that MEF is galvanising organisations and people from all walks of lives to provide resources and opportunities for our fellow Singaporeans with disabilities. People with disabilities have talents and aspirations, and the generosity of Singaporeans will give them a much needed boost to fulfil their potential. We are pleased to partner Mediacorp in reaching out to Singaporeans with our message of inclusiveness. The collaboration has been excellent thus far, and I am confident that together, we will raise greater awareness and more funds to touch more lives.”
The fund serves a broad segment, covering persons with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, physical impairment, hearing impairment and visual impairment. The prevalence rate of people with disabilities in Singapore, as reported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, is as follows:
Population Group |
Approximate Prevalence Rate |
---|---|
Student population |
2.1% of student population |
18-49 years |
3.4% of resident population |
50 years and above |
13.3% of resident population |
To kickstart the fundraising effort, ESM Goh will be donating the proceeds of signed copies and royalties of the recently launched biography Tall Order – The Goh Chok Tong Story by writer Peh Shing Huei. Other fundraising activities in the pipeline include a charity golf event to be held on 23 February 2019 at the official opening of Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines), where ESM Goh is the Club Patron.
Members of the public can find out more about MEF at www.mediacorp.sg/mediacorp-enable-fund and are invited to contribute to Mediacorp Enable Fund through the following avenues:
- By Online Donation at www.giving.sg/mediacorpenablefund
- By Bank Transfer to “SG Enable Ltd – Mediacorp Enable Fund” bank account:
Bank Account No.: 0105872563
Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited
Bank Code/Branch Code: 7144/001 - By cheque to “SG Enable Ltd – Mediacorp Enable Fund”; mail to SG Enable Ltd, 20 Lengkok Bahru #02-06, Singapore 159053
For enquiries, please call 1800 8585 885 or email enquiries@mediacorpenablefund.sg.
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Names and titles in Chinese
Goh Chok Tong |
吴作栋 |
---|---|
Tham Loke Kheng |
谭乐琼 |
Ku Geok Boon |
邱玉雯 |
SG Enable |
新加坡协助残障人自立局(简称新协立) |
Mediacorp Enable Fund |
新传媒协立慈善基金 |
About Mediacorp
Mediacorp is Singapore’s largest content creator and transmedia platform, operating seven TV channels, 11 radio stations and multiple digital platforms including Channel NewsAsia (CNA), Singapore's most used news app, and Toggle, its digital video platform. Its mission is to engage, entertain and enrich audiences by harnessing the power of creativity.
Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with radio broadcast in 1936 and television broadcast in 1963. Today, it reaches 99% of Singaporeans in all four languages, and has a growing Asian audience base through CNA and its entertainment content that is distributed across markets in the region.
Mediacorp’s investments include stakes in Reebonz, one of the region’s fastest growing luxury online retailers, and Vietnam television’s International Media Corporation. The Mediacorp Partner Network brings Mediacorp together with industry-leading brands like ESPN and 99.co to deliver rich content for consumers and effective solutions for advertisers.
About SG Enable
Set up by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in July 2013, SG Enable is an agency dedicated to enabling persons with disabilities and building an inclusive society. It seeks to support persons with disabilities across different life stages. For more information, please visit www.sgenable.sg.
For media queries, please contact:
Mark Tan
Communications Specialist
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
+65 6357 4863 | mark.tan@mediacorp.com.sg
Charlene Ho
Senior Account Manager
Ninemer Public Relations
+65 6534 9909 | charleneho@ninemer.com
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