SINGAPORE: Two students of the National University of Singapore (NUS) are the first recipients of the new Prime Minister's Social Service Award.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday that it takes passion and resilience to work in the social service sector and is happy that the inaugural award, each worth S$10,000, will help them pursue their vocation in social service.
Mohamed Fareez Mohd Fahmy, 31, is pursuing a Master of Social Sciences (Social Work) at NUS.
Mr Lee noted that he came from a low-income single parent family, and was inspired to work in social services by his mother, who raised her two children single-handedly.
He hopes to find ways to better support low-income families who face multiple issues.
The other recipient, Sarah Pyne Pennefather, is passionate about working with children, noted Mr Lee.
She was a volunteer with the Children's Aid Society and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts & Social Sciences (Social Work) at NUS.
Mr Lee donated S$100,000 this year to create the award to encourage more Singaporeans to pursue careers in the social service sector.
Mr Lee also congratulated the National Council of Social Service on its 20th anniversary, highlighting its role in helping disadvantaged Singaporeans, raising funds, working with voluntary welfare organisations and investing in human capital to build a strong social service sector.
- CNA/cc
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday that it takes passion and resilience to work in the social service sector and is happy that the inaugural award, each worth S$10,000, will help them pursue their vocation in social service.
Mohamed Fareez Mohd Fahmy, 31, is pursuing a Master of Social Sciences (Social Work) at NUS.
Mr Lee noted that he came from a low-income single parent family, and was inspired to work in social services by his mother, who raised her two children single-handedly.
He hopes to find ways to better support low-income families who face multiple issues.
The other recipient, Sarah Pyne Pennefather, is passionate about working with children, noted Mr Lee.
She was a volunteer with the Children's Aid Society and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts & Social Sciences (Social Work) at NUS.
Mr Lee donated S$100,000 this year to create the award to encourage more Singaporeans to pursue careers in the social service sector.
Mr Lee also congratulated the National Council of Social Service on its 20th anniversary, highlighting its role in helping disadvantaged Singaporeans, raising funds, working with voluntary welfare organisations and investing in human capital to build a strong social service sector.
- CNA/cc
