being intentional
TRANSCRIPT
BEING INTENTIONAL One heart, one mind for GEM
What are your ongoing challengesand rewards in running GEM forthe last 5 years?
CK It’s in having to ensure we havesufficient funds to sustain the operationsand that mean I have to be ‘thick-skinned’ to appeal for financial support.Over the ensuing years, friendships andconnections that I never imagined wouldhave been possible were forged, whichI’m deeply honoured and grateful for. Allthese would not have been possiblewithout the hands of God who pulls thestring for like-minded ones to cometogether in reaching out to women-in-need (WIN).
Despite the challenges, seeing thegirls being transformed from day 1 to theday they graduated from the program ismy greatest reward.
What keeps you going despiteyour busy schedule of having tojuggle between being a businesswoman and family life?
CK I used 2 words to summarise, that is‘HEART’ and ‘INTENTIONAL’.
Each time I witnessed the WIN doingwell in their jobs and having goodrelationships with their families, itencourages me. It is the love I have forthe WIN that keeps me going.
Caroline Kwan, President of GEM shared her journey withGEM since the day she started the women’s outreachtogether with her sister, Lilian Tng.
Also to me, I treasure the thingsthat matters to God and for God. Aboveall, I drew strength from my loving &supportive husband who releases mewith his blessings to head this women’sministry.
In today’s fast-paced society,having to keep up with workcommitments and family life can leaveus feeling time-crunched andoverwhelmed. I learnt that it isimportant to be intentional about howwe use our time, otherwise we can geteasily distracted by life’s realities.Hence, I am purposeful in setting timefor work, ministry with the WIN &church, for family and last but not least,time for self-care.
What are your plans in the next 5years?
CK In the coming year, I would like tostart a transitional home to provide asafe dwelling place for the WIN whilethey undergo the program. Wherevocational training is concerned, I amlooking at expanding beauty skillsbeyond just nail care and make-up toinclude other aspects of beauty industrylike hair-styling or even skin care.
“It is the love I have for the WIN that
keeps me going.”
olunteers are of huge value to a non-profit organisation and serve askey pillars because they help to build organisational strength. Especially so forGEM, where we work with limited resources. They not only bring their expertiseor experiences to the organisation but most importantly, they shared our visionand passion in this work. Looking back, this work would not have been possiblewithout their selfless spirit and pair of committed hands extended to GEM and theWINs.
There is never enough words to express our gratitude to these unsungheroines. Hence we want to pay tribute to them who have been instrumental inmaking a great difference in the lives of the WIN.
We trust that you will be blessed and inspired in your faithful journeywith us.
Paying tribute toour UNSUNG Heroines
2
Doreen LimCentre Manager
GEM New Start Centre Limited is
registered as a charity under Charities
Act with effect from 20 June 2016!
UEN : 201314600E
In-side Out Beauty Program @The Turning Point
A group of 15 joined the 1st
training session at Turning Point in April2016.
Bringing with her a wealth ofexperiences in teaching and ministryworks, Dianna, GEM’s part-time trainerdelivered her lessons to the residents ininteresting and engaging ways. Besidessharing her personal life experiences, shereinforced the learning objectives usingobjects and illustrations. Everyone lookedforward to these object lessons becauseto them, it’s like a magical moment wherethe truth ignites their heart.
There were also small groupsharing and discussion at the end of eachsession. The residents were very open insharing their problems and struggles andit’s during such times of sharing that wehave the opportunities to minister to theindividual needs of each one.
As part of GEM Inside-Out BeautyProgram, the residents were also taughtbasic pedicure beauty skills by our beautytrainer, Jean Marie. Though not all ofthem express an interest in nail painting,we motivate them through groupparticipation and challenge them to learna new skill.
At the end of the 8 weeks, we wereencouraged to receive feedbacks fromthe residents that they have learnt usefulskills like communication and conflictresolution, which help them to changetheir mind-sets and to be better equippedto build good relationships with people.They thoroughly enjoyed the programand looked forward to have us back toshare more with them.
Lim Yan YanTrainer
On every 2nd Saturday of the month, both the volunteers and residentsalways look forward to come together for a time of learning, fun and bondingover lunch.
To journey with the girls is never easy and it takes more than justcommitment. Commitment without love is just accomplishing a taskwithout an end goal in mind. Margaret, who has been serving faithfully as abefriender for 4 years recalled that when she first started volunteering, it was achallenge for her to step out of her comfort zone as she learned to relate withthe girls. Today, she finds it to be a soul satisfying and spirit fulfilling experiencethat she deems precious and priceless. I had the opportunity to share on thetopic “New Purpose” with the residents and incorporated my sharing with mypersonal life changing encounters. I never expected my sharing to actuallyencourage the girls to share on their own struggles and determination to live apurposeful life. I am thankful to be given the privilege to be of encouragementto them.
Befriender Program @The Turning Point
To the volunteers, thanks for being a part of thisteam to bring hope and blessings to the women-in-need.
4
“I count it a privilege that I can play a small but significant part in their lives. ”
Julie GanCommittee Member & Volunteer
I came to know about GEM program while I am in AG Home. Idecided to join GEM for a simple reason – I want to be a betterperson and to learn a skill.
It is challenging for me to wake up early and comes in ontime for class everyday but I did it. I enjoyed coming to GEMbecause I feel accepted and loved by the staff. Though I am just 2months into the program, I have learnt the virtue of humility andwhat it meant to say ‘Sorry’ and ‘Thank You’. To me, I wouldn’t wantto ‘lose face’ by saying ‘sorry’ as it also make me look like aweakling. But through GEM, they taught me that saying ‘Sorry’ istaking responsibility for the wrong things that I have done and thevalue of showing respect to others when I hurt their feelings. Today,I am glad that I am making small progress and I am looking forwardto a better me.
WIN - JW
WIN’s Testimony
Girls’ Seminar 2014
Gem Beauty Outlet Opening 2012
Community Project at SCWOC 2015
Highlights Of
YearsJourney
Come 26 August 2016, we are all excitedly looking forward to celebrate GEMNew Start Centre’s 5th Anniversary with 300 friends, supporters, partners, staffsand volunteers at the Charity Dinner to be held in Holiday Inn Hotel. It is nocoincidence that GEM started on 9 August 2011 which is also Singapore’s NationalDay.
The work of GEM is not just about a few ladies coming together to reachout to girls in crisis. The big picture is about raising a generation of holistic healthyyoung girls who confidently know their identity and destiny not only as anindividual, but also as a citizen of this nation; being able to contribute to thecommunity to build a safe and healthy environment and to have a positive impactand influence to families and peers. We do not celebrate just because we aresuccessful as success is an on-going journey.
In these last 5 years, we celebrate:
Each girl for their willingness to step out from their mistake and shameand having the guts to admit that they need help. This in itself open thedoor for them to see hope and to start a new journey to their successfuldestiny.
Every person who share our vision and passion and who have beenfaithfully supporting and journeying with us through ups and downs in ourwork by stretching out theirs hands to touch the hurting hearts and givinggenerously to meet the needs of this work and praying for us unceasingly.
Our faithful and committed staffs, volunteers, board members n workingcommittees for their time and effort put into the planning and dailyoperation of the centre to make things happen, whether it’s a small or bigjob.
Above all, we celebrate God’s Love which never fail!
Cheers to all. To God be the glory.
6
C lebratingYears Founder of GEM, Lilian
and husband, Richard
Career Guidance for young students
For the second consecutive year, GEM was invited to do a presentation at thecareer fair organised by North Vista Primary School. Jean Marie, our beauty trainer,shared with the group of about 40 students in two separate sessions. She introducedthe students to the various sectors under the beauty industry but focused on our coreforte; the nail care industry. More than just sharing about the required skills to be amanicurist, Jean Marie also shared with them the importance of having goodattitude in particular, perseverance which is the key to success in anyprofession.
Like any other talks, the most exciting segment is the ‘live’ demonstration andneedless to say, they were eager to ‘have a taste’ of what it is like to be a manicuristand to paint on each other’s nails.
We were privileged to be able to contribute to their learning journey andhelped them to gain a deeper understanding as well as to widen their perspectives onthe numerous job opportunities awaiting them when they grow up.
Community Partnership
I recognise that when wevolunteer and make sacrifices, itentails our time, energy, efforts andeven our finances. BUT all these aretangible investments that will makea difference in someone’s life.
Till today, I firmly uphold thebelief that God can use ordinarypeople like me and you to be hisagents of love to strengthen andencourage those in need.
As a volunteer, my soulenriches through the joy andfulfilment I received through mygiving.
I was motivated to partnerwith GEM President, Mrs CarolineKwan who has a burning passion torally compassionate ladies to touchand mentor younger girls to becomepeople of good influence in oursociety as well as to becomeambassadors of love to others.
VOLUNTEERExper ence
“It’s my honour that I can play a role in the healing journey of the WIN!”
Dianna Koh
I was encouraged that I canbe a part in bringing healing andencouragement to those who are intheir transition toward experiencingnew beginning in their new foundjourney.
Indeed, being a volunteerdemands from us “TIME” and theneed to prioritise our schedules sothat we can avail ourselves. Oftentimes, unforeseen needs or eventsmay quickly squeeze out of thosetimes.
8
A Day out Training Program@AG Home
We have been runningprogram with AG home since 2015.Organising outdoor activities is anintegral part of GEM program where webelieve it can be a powerful stimulus forlearning to the young ones.
23 May 2016 was not anordinary day for the group of younggirls from AG Home as they took a rareglimpse into the living conditionsexperienced by the early pioneers inthe 1950s, at the revamped ChinatownHeritage Centre.
More than just an educationaltour, through this visit, we hope to instilin them a sense of gratitude andappreciation for the hard work put in bythe Pioneers generation, which help usto be where we are today. Many ofthem were grateful that they do nothave to squeeze into an eight feet byeight feet space area supported by thinwooden planks which serves as ahousing cubicle and their home of thosedays.
One girl was astonished to seehow a family of eight could actuallyeat, sleep and play within the smallcubicle and is thankful that the HDBflat that she stays in is more spaciousand comfortable. The tour at thecentre also gave the girls an overviewof the physical transformation ofChinatown in the olden days to themodern Chinatown of today.
Right after the tour, we broughtthe girls to Breakthrough Café, which isa social enterprise run by the residentsof Breakthrough Mission, who wereformer offenders. We used the lifetransformation of these residents asexamples to share with the girls thattheir past do not form their identityand they can be responsible andcontributing citizens of the nation justas what these residents are today. It isour hope that they will findencouragement to persevere and worktowards their dreams.
“ It is full of rich heritage and culture.”What do you think makes Chinatown unique?
VISIONTo help teenage girls and women with adysfunctional past to become a woman ofdestiny and live life to its fullness.
MISSIONWe are committed to bring restoration to thewomen in need and help them to re-discoverthe value of womanhood so as to have a newstart in life.
HOW TO REACH US
www.gemnsc.com
GEM New Start Centre Limited8 Burn Road#07-14 Trivex BuildingSingapore 369977
Please make cheque payable to GEM New Start Centre Limited Sign up as a GIRO Donor by filling up the form
(Form can be downloaded from www.gemnsc.com) Bank Transfer
OCBC corporate account : 6477 4355 8001 Swift Code : OCBCSGSGBank Number : 7339Branch Code : 647
GEM.NSC/
You can partner with us to be part of the life-changing mission by donating today!
Thank you for your giving!UEN & CHARITY REG.NO : 201314600E© 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THEPRIOR AND WRITTEN PERMISSION OF GEM NEW START CENTRE LIMITED.