Along with the North East Neighborhood Improvement Council (NE CDC), Singaporean businessman Kiat Lim launched the Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award right now (November 20).
Lim has dedicated S$1 million over the subsequent 5 years to assist for this award, following the success of the first North East HeARTS Award earlier in April.
Shaping Hearts is an inclusive arts pageant that’s held yearly that goals to assist individuals with disabilities (PWDs) by way of artwork. The unique HeARTS Award supplied 20 bursaries and 10 scholarships this 12 months to PWDs, aiming to assist their pursuit of upper training in the arts.
Lim’s donation will enable them to offer extra monetary assist and develop their attain and influence on the neighborhood, as the variety of beneficiaries has tripled from 30 to as much as 110 recipients yearly.
Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of the North East District, and Dr Deibby Mamahit, who’s a useful well being practioner and a mom of two kids with Autism, have been additionally current at the launch occasion.
In a hearth chat, Mr Choo expressed his ardour for serving to PWDs be uncovered to greater alternatives by way of Shaping Hearts and expressed his gratitude to Lim for his contribution to the trigger.
The Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award furthers our mission to interrupt down obstacles and be sure that individuals with disabilities have equal entry to pursue their creative passions, no matter their monetary background.
We’re happy to work with like-minded supporters like Kiat, whose involvement goes past financial contribution to strategic planning. Together with his ardour for the particular wants neighborhood and entry to the artistic industries, we are able to create new alternatives and bigger platforms for our gifted artists.
Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of the North East District in Singapore
All you’ll want to find out about the award
The launch occasion additionally featured the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), concurrently opening the name for entries for the award in 2025 and welcoming PWDs to submit their purposes by January 31, 2025.
The Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award consists of three award classes: the Encouraging Award, the Shining Award, and a brand new class for kids below 7—the Budding Award, through which award recipients will obtain a grant of S$1,000 every.
This is the first award that Lim has personally funded, persevering with the Lim household’s philanthropic efforts courting again greater than 15 years. Lim shared his aspirations for the programme, including that artwork is “a universal language that transcends barriers and fosters connection.”
By means of the Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award, we empower kids with disabilities to specific their distinctive views, obtain private development, and construct significant ties with the wider neighborhood by way of their creative abilities. By supporting their artistic journeys, we’re not simply nurturing particular person potential but in addition championing a extra inclusive society—one the place various abilities are celebrated and each voice finds a platform to be heard.”
Kiat Lim, Singaporean businessman and Shaping Hearts patron
Study extra about Shaping Hearts right here.
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Featured Picture Credit score: Kiat Lim – Shaping Hearts Awards