1. SPOTLIGHT
By Christine Ng
I wanted to be a Prison Of cer. I was curious Though our heart-strings are tugged by media
about a human’s instincts, behaviour and images of the unfortunate, many of us are still
nature. I wanted to know why criminals commit reluctant to step out of our comfort zone. A hero
crimes; I wanted to tell them they are not is not someone with super powers. A hero is
condemned so long as they turn over a new leaf. someone who sees the need of the moment and
When I told my friends and family what I wanted steps forward. Like how I saw a Malay boy MICA (P) 170/02/2009 ISSN 1793-8562 ISSUE 03 / OCT 2009
to be, they were surprised. They asked if I am chasing after a snatch-thief in Geylang when no
sure that is the career path I wanted; they told one else did. A hero is someone who is willing
me “horror stories” of a job they themselves to take the risk to help another in need. Acting
didn’t even know about. My parents never did heroically doesn’t take a fortune; neither does it
stop me from pursuing what I wanted, but the take a lot of time and effort. When you do a
idea of being a Prison Of cer faded in the minds service that requires the simple skills that you
of a ckle teenager. already possess, it can be enjoyable rather than
a chore.
Find your Each of us has a hero within; some are just more
shy than others and need to be coaxed.
Inner Hero There are many voices calling out for help.
Whether it is next door, or across the globe. We
are all being called; we all are able to answer the
call to serve. Stay still and listen to your inner
For three years after graduation, I enjoyed the voice. What stirs your passion and your heart?
perks of being with a corporate organization. Identify something that you care about. You
Being in the fashion and then media industry, I need not join the social service if that’s what you
would say I walked a glamorous career path. think. You could volunteer your time or skills.
Our Volunteers,
However, there was a nagging feeling, an You can give a donation or adopt a cause.
emptiness that told me I could do more. Soon
after, I started questioning my purpose in life
and asking what de nes job satisfaction. I
I urge you to take the plunge. You will be
surprised with how you’ll feel. Our True Heroes
Because a Hero
realized that life is so short that I don’t want to
leave this world without making a difference. So Find your Inner Hero
I took the plunge and joined the social service. lies in You. You don’t have to wear a costume
Not a Professional Artist
Yellow Ribbon Creative Festival 2009
An Interview with the DJ
Rosalyn Lee tells us her secrets
HERO Wanted State of Play
An astounding success
Help
Ex-offenders
Reach
Out
Be a SACA VOLUNTEER and make a positive di erence
in an ex-o ender’s life. Email us at volunteer@saca.org.sg
for more details now!
DONATE to SACA
Your every dollar goes a long way. Help ex-o enders
and their families get back on their feet by funding our A publication of Singapore After-Care Association
ve dedicated welfare and rehabilitation programmes. Helping ex-offenders and their families get back on their feet
10 Email donate@saca.org.sg to request for your donation
form OR donate online through www.donation.org.sg.

2. SPOTLIGHT
CONTENTS
Out And About
6 State of Play
7 YRP Art Competition at KBC
8 Dealing with Stress
Spotlight
3 Why I Volunteered
Name: Tee Kai Peng
4 An Interview with the DJ
Age: 38
10 Find your Inner Hero
Occupation: Human Resources Executive
Years with SACA: 4 years
EDITORIAL TEAM A Simple Life
MANAGING EDITOR 8 Dessert in 10 Mins “Kai Peng is a civic-minded person who is always
CHRISTINE NG 9 Jokes only a Superhero ready to help his friends”. This was what my
can Understand secondary school teacher had written on my
DEPUTY EDITORS
NOOR HASLINDA BTE leaving testimonial. The idea of helping people
MOHD SO`OD has always been in me since young.
DON HUBER
CONTRIBUTORS My friend who is a volunteer with SACA brought
TEE KAI PENG me into volunteering. I was thankful for the
SUJATA introduction because it allowed me to do what I
PHOTOGRAPHER like to do, despite not being able to ful ll my
SARASWATHI RAJA KRISHNAN dream of being a social worker.
DESIGNER
AGNES LIM
 97 84 84 02
 agnes@rainingfavor.com
PRINTER
Why I Volunteered
GAN OFFSET When my friends question my
endurance in volunteering, I smile and
tell them that my passion for the cause
COVER PAGE exists. I enjoy exchanging life
experiences with the inmates during
the Community Reintegration
Programme session. Upon release, I
maintain contact with them and we
share about our work life and discuss
future plans.
I was never tired of these roles; in fact
I wished I could do more. My friends
were also curious how I coped with my
sessions with inmates and ex-offenders when I am
going through personal bad experiences. I can
Mailbox Contribute a
story, opinio
ich Maker,
n, feedback
con dently say that once I step into our meeting
SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE te your views! you a Sandw
We appreciamentary. Your entry may win to: sparks@saca.org.sg, room, I leave my problems and moods behind.
or even a co
m ions
The world is full of temptation and ur contribut ciation, 81
IRA! Email yo ter-Care Asso
co urtesy of AK : Singapore Af
danger. No one can escape from box; or post it to
subject: Mail 209408. There is a personal mantra I like to share with
the sins they have committed. , Singapore
Dunlop Street
There is so much evil tempting us in inmates during our sessions, that is, MAKE IT
the world nowadays. However, we HAPPEN and not “try”.
should give a chance to those who
have fallen but want to change for Volunteering has improved my personality and I
the better. I was once lost and weak SPARKS is published thrice yearly by the Singapore After-Care Association.
made many new friends who are like-minded. You,
but was given a second chance by All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form in whole or part, in English or any other
my friends, family and society. With languages is prohibited. The views and opinions expressed or implied in SPARKS are those can MAKE IT HAPPEN.
their support, I can now stand up of the contributors or readers and do not necessarily re ect those of the publisher. MICA (P)
170/02/2009. Singapore After-Care Association, 81 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209408.
again and lead a new life and give a Telephone: +65 6294 2350 / +65 6294 2763. Fax: +65 6295 0095
second chance to others who are Website: www.saca.org.sg Email: enquiries@saca.org.sg.
weak and lost. – KBC YRP Art If you are interested to receive or advertise in SPARKS, please email enquiries@saca.org.sg,
Competition Finalist with the subject: Subscribe / Advertise. 3

3. SPOTLIGHT
By Christine Ng 5 If you were a superhero, what will be
98.7 FM deejay Rosalyn Lee, better known as Rozz struck me as an intimidating lady due to her cool your superpower and cause?
mean exterior that consists of many tattoos, dark eyeliner and a stature that towers over me. I was a
Rozz : I would love to be able to read people's minds - no doubt
bundle of nerves as I waited for her arrival. The rst-time jitters! I had to speci cally tell her what I was
it would be super noisy to hear so many thoughts at one
wearing and how I looked. After all, I wasn’t the celebrity whom everybody would recognise.
go, and I’d lose the element of surprise if my boyfriend
wants to propose to me. However, I can save lives and
Just because I was early for our appointment, Rozz texted me to keep myself busy by checking out the
pre-empt possible sticky situations.
fashion store upstairs where she can get huge discounts at. I was quite stunned that she is actually
sharing her shopping secrets with someone she hasn’t met yet! That made me even MORE nervous in
meeting her. Because I knew, I was going to end up liking her affable character very much. What do you know
6
about keeping SECRETS?
An Interview with the DJ Rozz : I know that if you don’t want the world to nd out, the
ONLY way is to KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. Tell no one
about your secret - not even your most trusted friend.
1
What made you volunteer with SACA? 7
How do you deal with anger?
Rozz : I’ve always believed in the concept of second, third and fourth
Rozz : I’m still working on it. I haven’t been successful and I
chances... Having been granted so many of those as I was growing am seeking professional help on
anger management. Lest u think I’m psychotic (don’t we all have issues),
up, I appreciated the people who didn’t fail to stick by me. That made I just want to
stop hurting my closest ones from experiencing my angst.
me a better person and possibly also pushed me to where I am today.
I wanted to volunteer for an organisation that believes in the same
things that I do. How do you get
over sadness? 8
2
How was your
experience with SACA?
Rozz : I’m a SUPER EMO person by
nature. I need to mope, wallow
Rozz : At rst, I felt rather ashamed that in the year I’ve been with SACA, I’ve only managed to and hide under my blanket in
see one person. But we're dealing with people here, not inanimate objects and people total darkness. Also listening to
Rozz n GAGA.
require undivided attention. The rst client I met through SACA, was an awesome, bright emo music (like Schadenfreude)
and hopeful teen. Uncannily, he has also given me strength and inspired me in more ways helps as well. Somehow listening
than one. I’d say the process of befriending him was a successful one in many ways. to something sadder makes me
feel slightly happier. I know this
method of mine sounds extreme
3 but I’d go at this for a maximum
How did you become a DJ? of two days and snap out of it
after.
Rozz : The only thing I plan in life is what out t to wear the following day
- everything else happens pretty much on a go-with-the- ow I’m pretty strong-willed but I
basis. I fell into DJ work after the GM of a radio station offered to believe we all grieve in our own
train me after noticing me as an emcee/dancer at the SAF MDC. ways and I wouldn’t recommend
my method to anyone.
There are no DJ start-up tips because it’s really the same thing
with ANY job you undertake. To succeed, you need to be
onal story
HUNGRY and have PASSION.
4 9 Do you have a pers chances?
to share about seco
nd
Who do you look up to?
Rozz : I once got onto the wrong side of the law
Rozz : I admire my deceased mum for her when I was much younger but I was given
strength and street smartness a second chance by the Judge to live my
Mother and daughter.
life honestly and purposefully - something
4 I’ve been doing ever since. 5

4. OUT AND ABOUT OUT AND ABOUT
By: Ms Sujatha, YRP Secretariat
By Christine Ng
OUR ANNUAL CHARITY lm premiere For most of us, art represents something beautiful or interesting to look at but
Photographer: was held on the third of June this year for others, art symbolises an avenue for re-starting their lives. In this year’s
and we saw 620 movie-goers despite
Saraswathi Raja Krishnan
the economic gloom and u outbreak.
Yellow Ribbon Creative Festival 2009, the Art Competition held at Kaki Bukit
Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell Centre (Prison School), represented this and more to the inmate participants.
was the initial lm for the premiere.
However, due to the lm not being The art pieces vying for the prizes at the Art works that symbolised the inmates’ and ex-offenders’
able to arrive on our sunny shores in Competition were not just con ned to the hope. One painting titled “Shattered” depicted
time, we had to screen another title. auditorium at KBC. They spilled out of and into picking oneself up and moving on. That one should
the corridors. The Yellow Ribbon Art not dwell on pity or despair but to ll the empty
State of Play, a political thriller starring Competition is an annual event under the spaces with hope and determination.
Russell Crowe and Ben Af eck certainly Yellow Ribbon Project, which was graced this
“put journalism and politics in a different year by Guest-of-honour, Ms Jane Ittogi, Chair After prize giving, a Family Art
perspective”, our guest-of-honor Mr. Movie of the Singapore Art Museum on 1 July 2009 at Workshop was conducted for the
Lim Boon Heng (minister, Prime Goers the Rhapsody Performance Hall at KBC. nalists and their family members.
check
98.7FM DJS Rozz and Shan were present. Minister’s of ce) disclosed in the lift on out The inmates together with their
his way out of Cathay Cineleisure after goodie Depicting the theme in this year’s Art family members painted on small
bags.
enjoying the movie. Competition, Vision of Hope, inmates and plastic sheets which were then
ex-offenders expressed their hope and transferred onto a bigger sheet
Mr. Jeffrey Beh, chairman of SACA commitment to their families and nation through spanning across many tables.
The goodie bags and beverages that
highlighted in his speech that, “due to their artworks based on the acronym ACORN. This collage created by the
night were kindly sponsored by the
the troubled times the economy is inmates and their families will
Yellow Ribbon Project and Coca-cola A- Art,
currently facing, voluntary welfare be displayed at the Singapore
respectively. United Pictures International C- Communication,
organisations are painfully feeling its Art Museum in September. Creating works of art with
and Singapore Polytechnic were much O- Opportunity,
effects. There is nothing to do other their families allowed the inmates to share their passion
valued working partners for the event. A R - Resilience and
than to accept the challenge placed and talent with them, helping to build the rst of many
tea-pot hand-made by a student in the N- New beginning
before us and to strive to do our best to bridges between them and their families. These
pottery workshop at Kaki Bukit Prison
meet the ever growing needs of those Like the small acorn seed that grows into a big oak artworks are available for sale and proceeds will be
School was presented to our
Our guest of honour with our chairman.
who require some assistance to get by.” guest-of-honour. tree, inmates and ex-offenders have the potential contributed to the Yellow Ribbon Fund and a
to grow into contributing members of society. designated charitable organisation.
We lovingly named it, our Pot of Hope.
STATE OF PLAY In this year’s competition, there
were three categories of art – Fine
art which depicts Opportunities
Yellow Ribbon Project
SACA’s Annual Charity Film Premiere
hits a new record!
and Resilience, Recycled Art;
which depicts Communication
and New beginning and the last
ART COMPETITION at Kaki Bukit Centre
category, Trans-Art.
However, as the movie date loomed,
we were delighted to discover that This year there were 19 Distinction
supporters had gone against the poor and 35 Merit winners in the
economic sentiment and helped us competition. Inmates showed
raise $111,400. We would like to thank their creativity using materials
our corporate donors and foundations such as noodle containers, straw
namely Super Galvanising Pte Ltd, Lee mats and copper wire in the
Foundation, Totalisator Board & Recycled art category. Their
S’pore Pools, Tan Ean Kiam Everybody does
versatile artistic capabilities were
the victory sign.
Foundation, NTUC Foodfare Charity Film also shown by producing various
Cooperative Ltd, S’pore Co-operation Premiere 2009,
mediums of art, from pyrograph
a success!
of Rehabilitative Enterprises, Hong Because of YOU. and acrylic paint on wood, oil
Leong Foundation, Scanbuilt, North paint on canvas, pen on paper,
East CDC and NTUC Fairprice acrylic on canvas to colour on
Foundation. We also want to thank the paper. The art works were
personal donors who responded to appropriately named according to
our call and came forward to purchase the Vision of Hope theme. “I wish
tickets. The effects of any economic I could rewind”, “Second chance
downturn amplify cries for help from @ life” to “Window of
marginalized sections of society. opportunity” were some of the art
6 7

5. OUT AND ABOUT
By Don, Batch 17
Get Fantastic Savings Today!   
NOW THAT I have your attention, let’s talk
about…Stress.
We all need certain levels of stress and some stress
can be positive. Positive effects of stress can
 
motivate us to accomplish something good,

On June 27, SACA volunteers attended a including making necessary changes in our lives.
presentation on Stress Management by Ms Positive stress can help us take a new job or
Saraswathi Raja Krishnan at the SACA facility on remove ourselves from a traumatic situation.
Dunlop Street, where we not only discussed
recognizing and acknowledging the contributors Positive stress is similar to what athletes feel when
of stress, but also a few ways to deal with competing and when they nish. You push yourself
everyday tensions, strains and anxieties. to complete a job as the result of excitement and
achievement that comes from the chemicals your
We all have stressors which we encounter body produces from positive stress.
everyday whether we are aware of it or not. We
A SIM
associate negative stress with fear, pain, anxiety, Ways to prevent stress overload may be to PLE LI
anger, and tension. Despite the negative effects exercise regularly and to eat balanced meals FE
of bad stress it can still have the bene t of (occasionally with a special treat) and eight hours
providing survival instincts in a time of danger. sleep every night. Avoiding procrastination and
scheduling your time so you can manage it more
Are there tensions on the job? Deadlines to effectively. Avoid being a perfectionist and ask for
meet? Do you have health problems? Do you stay help and accept it when it’s offered. Talk to
at work rather than deal with problems at home? someone you trust.
Are you worried over your nances? Do you have
insomnia or is your diet simply out the window? Take time for personal interests and hobbies and
listen to your body. Look after your needs and
Recognizing and dealing with our stress assists us learn to say No. Mentally list your physical,
in mitigating its impact. Understanding and spiritual, and emotional strengths and how you can
identifying the sources of your stress and how it use them to deal with the stressors in your life.
affects you helps to prevent a stress overload.
Unfortunately short and long-term stress can lead Stress is not always bad; it’s a balance of the
to most likely preventable acute and chronic positives and the negatives.
health problems.
A SI M PL E LI FE
Red dates with White fungus
g recip e.
Try Euni ce To’s simp le but nour ishin
A mus t in our hum id wea ther !
Ingr edien ts:
NTUC or Sheng Siong)
1 palm-sized Dried White fungus (buy from
8-10 pieces Fresh water chest nut (peeled)
2 pieces Red dates (without seeds)
Rock sugar (to taste)
2 liters of water
Meth od:
soft and expanded. Cut off
1. Soak white fungus in clean water until
stub, rinse and cut to small pieces.
in white fungus, water
2. Boil a pot of water over high heat. Add
chestnuts, red dates & rock sugar.
minutes. Serve warm, or chilled.
3. Reduce to low fire and simmer for 20
Source: http://www.ocls.info & http://www.jokes4us.com
8 9