MY PERFECT WORLD

Our society friends, who are longtime torchbearers of causes spanning music to higher education to rehabilitation of ex-offenders, tell us about their hopes and dreams of those they're rooting for.

REFORMED OFFENDERS

SERENE CHUA

The challenges of parenthood especially resonate deeply with this private banker, entrepreneur and mother of three; what more the trials and tribulations of current inmates and ex-offenders who are doing their best to turn their lives around? Since 2020, Serene has been serving as a board member of NeuGen Fund, as well as the vice-chairman of the IPC charity's fundraising committee. The goal: supporting children and families of reformed offenders to prevent intergenerational offending.

"Children from low-income backgrounds, who are subject to erratic parental behaviour, often demonstrate poor academic performance when their parents are behind bars. My work involves supporting and empowering them so as to prevent them from falling into the same downward spiral as their parents.

In an affluent society like Singapore, this is definitely a lesser-known and even overlooked issue that carries a level of social stigma. Nevertheless, it is crucial to care for these children and youths who have much potential to flourish if they are given equal opportunities. More importantly, intergenerational offending is something that we believe should be addressed when the kids are young. It's important to empower them and build resilience in them so that they do not engender the same familial behaviour and fall into a lifestyle of crime.

I envision a community that provides empowerment and support for these children to chart their own path and future. I hope for a caring and inclusive society where the young have the opportunity to rebuild their lives to be self-reliant and productive.