WWLegal.com :: Speech by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the official opening of MINDSville@Napiri

Speech by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the official opening of MINDSville@Napiri
Posted on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 03:00 PM

Speech by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, at the official opening of MINDSville@Napiri, 14 April 2007, 10.00 am at No.7 Lorong Napiri.

The text of the speech is as follows:

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1. I am delighted to join you this morning to celebrate the official opening of MINDSville@Napiri.

Mindsville@Napiri – Many Helping Hands, One Caring Heart

2. This new six-storey building is a combined service centre for several of MINDS’ programmes. It is a testimony to what many helping hands with caring hearts can achieve. The government contributed about $12 million of the total building cost of $13.2 million. However, it is the software and heart-ware that is more important than a physical building. Today we salute the many volunteers, staff, caregivers, professionals, supporters and organisations whose hard work, courage, determination and passion over the years, have brought MINDS to where it is today.

3. This multi-service facility currently serves 160 residents. It will eventually accommodate up to 310 children and adults with intellectual disability and other conditions, and offers programmes that focus on maximising the potential of these individuals and reintegrating them into the community.

The Continuing Story…

4. The first training programme in Singapore for intellectually disabled children started over 45 years ago with a significant donation of $10,000 from Rotary Club West. The Government provided a large bungalow house at Ah Hood Road for just $1 a month and it was named Chin Pu Centre (进步), which means “to progress step by step” in Mandarin.

5. And step by step, MINDS has grown. In addition to MINDSville@Napiri, it is now managing five special education schools, three Employment Development Centres that offer sheltered employment to higher functioning clients, and three Training and Development Centres that take care of those with higher support needs. In all, MINDS is serving some 2,400 persons with intellectual disability at 11 locations all over Singapore.

6. It has evolved from offering custodial and babysitting services in the early days to a continuum of holistic training programmes that start in the special schools.

7. Two years ago, MINDS also set up a Medicare Centre. This centre is tasked with looking after the medical and dental health of the client population in MINDS. Working with SATA, it achieved one of its first year goals of having the entire adult sector vaccinated against hepatitis B and conducted a critical health screening exercise, with the view of eventually setting up Disability Health programmes that will further enhance the general health and well being of the intellectually disabled.

Going Forward…

8. I am glad that MINDS will continue to work towards meeting the changing needs of those entrusted to its care, and their families.

9. Some developmental programmes that MINDS is working on include:
a. Enabling 300 clients to use assistive PDA devices in their daily living and in the community,
b. Establishing a social enterprise network of thrift shops, car wash and catering outfits,
c. Training and deploying an increasing number of clients into open employment,
d. Collaborating with Family Service Centres, Self Help Groups and other organisations to reach out to dysfunctional families of its clients; and
e. MINDS Trusteeship Scheme

10. I believe, MINDS with its network of schools, centres and its varied programmes is a good role model of Many Helping Hands in the real world.

Conclusion

11. In closing, let me congratulate the Board and staff of MINDS for a job well done. I thank you for your tireless effort, unceasing compassion for our disabled fellow citizens and your resourcefulness to enable and empower them.

12. It is now my pleasure to declare MINDSville@Napiri officially opened.

Thank you.

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