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Speech BY Mr Hawazi Daipi Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower and MP for Sembawang GRC At Food Goodie Bag Adoption Day ON 22 May 2006AT 10.10amAT EvergreenPrimary School

Good morning,

Mr Tan Kah Teo, Principal of Evergreen Primary School,

Mr. Keith Michael Perkins, CEO of Aviva Limited,

Mr Henry Laimer and Mrs Christine Laimer, Founders of FFTH,

Members of the media,

Teachers and students.

          I am pleased to be here today to witness the adoption of 114  families from Evergreen Primary School to be the recipients of the Monthly Food Goodie Bag provided by AVIVA Limited. This is a meaningful initiative which reflects a progressive society with external communities coming together to build a better future for our children.

          Since its founding in February 2003, Food from the Heart has begun and developed a range of meaningful and innovative programmes to reach out to the needy in our community. I believe that the “Adopt a Needy Family” Programme, an offshoot from Food from the Heart’s core initiative, the Food Goodie Bag Programme, will continue to bring great tidings to students who need our utmost care and concern to overcome difficult circumstances at home.

          I am heartened by the strong corporate spirit of giving as exemplified by AVIVA Limited. Being the pioneer supporter of this programme, they raise the bar with their generosity. I hope more corporations will take the lead set by AVIVA Limited and together, we can all play a part in helping the less privileged around us.

I would like to commend Evergreen Primary School for its commitment towards helping their needy students. Not only are they actively collaborating with Food from the Heart, they are the brainchild of their very own “Biscuit Programme” and are also participating in the “Breakfast Programme” by the Ministry of Education.

          Students, I hope you will bear in mind that there are friends around you who may not be as fortunate as you, who can’t afford the latest books or toys to hit town. Sometimes they go hungry because there is simply no food on the table. Always spare a thought for them and a kind gesture from you goes a long way to brighten up their day in school.

          I would like to conclude with a few words of heartfelt encouragement for Food from the Heart, Aviva Limited and Evergreen Primary School. Through the “Adopt a Needy Family” Programme and other community welfare projects, you are all making invaluable contributions to our society. Keep up the wonderful work, and here’s to the success of this programme!

          Thank you.