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A push for social
integration with help from TP
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Young
adults from DSA Adult Enhancement Programme helped
in the fabrication of “Cart 21”.
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WITH some assistance from TP, a group of young adults
with Down Syndrome began a journey towards social integration
and financial independence in April. A special retail
cart manned by these young adults made its way to Tampines
Mall, stocked to sell handicrafts produced by VillageWorks,
an organisation that provides for women in need.
The retail cart is part of TP’s involvement with
the Down Syndrome Association (DSA), a charity adopted
by the Polytechnic in celebration of its 15th Anniversary.
TP’s Engineering students worked on customising
and fabricating the cart, called “Cart 21”,
while Design students designed and produced the aprons
worn by the youths as they work.
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President
S.R. Nathan officially handed over “Cart
21” to Chairperson of DSA, Ms Kristin Van
Burm (left). Looking on is Chairman of TP’s
Board of Governors, Mr Liew Mun Leong.
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Meanwhile, officials from the DSA were prepared to
guide and support the young entrepreneurs by attending
classes conducted by TP’s Entrepreneurship Centre.
TP also helped in the development of the business plan,
marketing strategies and the sourcing of merchandise
and rent-free locations for this retail business. To
better prepare the youth with DS to handle money arising
from their sales, an interactive CD-ROM on Money Skills
was created by TP’s Information Technology students.
TP’s involvement did not stop there. To promote
greater awareness of the DSA, Temasek Business School’s
Communications & Media Management students also
produced a corporate video for the DSA. The Polytechnic
will also be involved in various other DSA projects
lined up in 2005.
For student Shawn Monteiro, working with the youths
from DSA was a mind-opening experience. He said: “Our
friends from the DSA were enthusiastic, warm, and every
bit like us. We had great fun working together.”
“Cart 21” was officially handed over to
the Chairperson of DSA Singapore, Ms Kristin Van Burm,
by President S.R. Nathan on behalf of TP during the
launch of TP’s 15th Anniversary celebrations on
4 February. The event kicked off a year-long anniversary
celebration, themed “It’s All About People”,
which pays tribute to the fact that core to all that
TP does is towards the growth and development of people.
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