#CareKitWithLove

Today, masks have become a daily essential and their proper storage is especially critical.

#CareKitWithLove is a community initiative by CapitaLand and CapitaLand Hope Foundation in support of President's Challenge. Together with like-minded key partners, Metta Welfare Association, Heartware Network, BERNINA (Singapore) and Funan, the initiative rallied the community to sew mask pouches for children and youths with special needs and frontline staff from special education schools. Virtual arts lessons were conducted for students with special needs, giving the community an opportunity to engage and teach them how to personalise their mask pouches. It was also a platform to showcase the talents and abilities of persons with special needs through the sale of limited-edition mask pouches.

CapitaLand Hope Foundation donated a total of S$200,000 to President's Challenge in support of this initiative.

Watch the video below or click into the tabs to find out more about this initiative.

Find out more and get involved today!

Sales of Batik Mask Pouches

Wearing masks have become a way of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These limited edition mask pouches aims to encourage the community to have proper storage of their masks while at the same time, own an accessory that is modern, fashionable and yet practical and suitable for all ages as part of their new lifestyle.

Working in partnership with Arts@Metta, each mask pouch is designed by a local fashion designer with batik prints specially designed and painted by artists with special needs. Each print is unique. In addition, the pouch design is reversible, making it versatile depending on users’ preference. It is washable and reusable, which encourages users to maintain good personal hygiene and be environmentally conscious, especially during this challenging period. The pouches come in two sizes - compact and purse sizes. Visit eCapitaMall for more details and make your purchase now! Whilst stocks last!

For every pouch sold, sales proceeds will go to Arts@Metta and CapitaLand Hope Foundation will donate S$20 to President's Challenge. 

CapitaLand supports Retail for Good, a collaborative initiative by NVPC's Company of Good that aims to bring stakeholders in the retail and e-commerce space together to make doing good a part of daily encounters. Visit https://www.companyofgood.sg/collaborate to find out more today!

Update: Thank you for your support! The mask pouches have been sold out on eCapitaMall.

Meet The Designers and Artists!

Liz Thng, previously the Head of School of Fashion & Design at MDIS, has always been in the world of fashion with a career that spans decades in design, retail and education. However, the greatest calling for this “Fashion Dream Designer” is to turn aspiring designers into tomorrow’s fashion creative talents. Having spent most of her life in fashion, Liz’ answer is simply: “I don’t design clothes anymore. I design dreams. I hope to help our students to believe that Fashion is the Future and To Think like a Designer, not a student learning about fashion!”

Liz’ first job after she graduated from Sugino Fashion College, Tokyo in 1980 was teaching technical dressmaking skills to expat and local women in Singapore. She established Sugino Dressmaking Institute to allow expat women to pursue their clothes making interest and help local women who wanted to carve a career in fashion.

After 9 years of teaching, Liz found her opportunity in the fashion industry. During her years in the fashion business, Liz created her own fashion label “Lizabelle” in collaboration with world renowned Japanese fashion designer Junko Koshino and was selected by then Trade Development Board, Singapore as the country’s fashionpreneur delegates at trade shows in Paris, London and Los Angeles. She went into uniform designs thereafter when it was still an uncommon trend in the industry. Her business venture also gained her massive exposure to fashion weeks and events in top fashion capitals of the 90s.

Armed with both teaching and business experiences, Liz went back to fashion education in 2003 at Raffles Design Institute in Guangzhou as Programme Director. Two years later, she was offered the same post in the Raffles Design Institute in Shanghai due to her outstanding performance. She organised and directed graduates show at Shanghai Fashion Week 2010. She was also responsible for setting up a fashion retail outlet in Shanghai Xintiandi featuring graduates’ work. Multiple students under her mentorship went on to win international fashion designing competitions, such as China Cup 2010, Hempel International Design Competition 2011, Eco Chic Design Competition, HK and Star Creation Design International Competition 2011 - 2014.

Liz also joined KelKel Fashion in Shanghai as Chief Creative Director in 2014. She helped the company to establish a new team in its creative department, start up a new concept store, and produce new marketing collaterals, such as look books and brand videos – all of which gave a much-needed boost to its outdated brand image.

Donavan has a lovable personality. In times of need, he will be there to help. He also often shows concern to his colleagues and greets everyone he sees. Don loves to watch TV in his free time.

Fadhil is a quiet observer and takes instructions carefully. He is passionate about Manga and you can often find him drawing Manga characters during his free time. Fadhil is a very patient and detailed Artist.

Jozie has a sociable personality and helps her colleagues in time of need. She is also a fan of Mandarin oldies! Jozie also experiments different form of art. You can spot her signature bright and bold colours from her Art pieces.

Brenda gets inspired to sketch food that she sees in her daily life. She likes to explore different colours and shapes. Brenda adopts quirky art style that can be reflected in her art work.

Chee Meng also known as the big brother among his colleagues. He is also reliable and independent. Chee Meng is very motivated to master every possible painting technique he can.

Namira has a keen eye for patterns and it can be often found in her art pieces. She is able to take in instructions carefully and someone you can depend on.

Qiao Qi is friendly and humorous by nature. Her bright personality are often reflected in her art pieces. Qiao Qi has a strong passion for dance as well!

Yan Min's art work is always teeming with bright and vibrant illustrations. She is passionate about dance as well! In her free time, Yan Min enjoys enjoys drawing and experimenting different form of art.

Get Involved!

From now till 31 October 2020, the #CareKitWithLove initiative aims to sew 8,000 mask pouches for children and youth with special needs and frontline staff from special education schools. Join us on this meaningful project through the following ways.

Update: Thank you for your interest to be part of this meaningful initiative. Please note that the volunteer slots are now closed.

1. Let's Design Together!

Join us from 14 October 2020 to 20 November 2020 to conduct virtual engagement for children and youth with special needs! Teach them how to design and personalise their mask pouches.

  • The virtual engagement will be conducted in batches, from October - November. 
  • Volunteers are required to attend a compulsory training session by Heartware Network before conducting any virtual engagement.

*As the virtual engagement dates draw closer, more information on this event will be posted on Youthbank and an email will be sent to individuals who have indicated interest.

2. Let's Sew Together!

Join us from now till 31 October 2020 to sew mask pouches for the children and youth with special needs and frontline staff from special education schools!*

  1. [Registration closed due to overwhelming response] If you have a sewing machine at home, register for a sewing pack containing the following: 
    • Materials for 50 mask pouches
    • Sewing guide here 
    • Instructional video here
  2. [Slots still available!] If you do not have a sewing machine at home, book a slot at a co-sewing space at BERNINA Funan or Metta Welfare Association to use their sewing machines on-site. Materials and guide will be provided there.

CapitaLand Hope Foundation will pledge S$20** to President's Challenge for every mask pouch sewn.

*Sewing Experience required.

**Capped at a total of S$200,000.

Sewing Pack Collection Points
(After Registration and Confirmation)

METTA CAFE @ METTA WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Address: 32 Simei St 1, Metta Building, Singapore 529950 

Time: Mon - Fri, 10am to 12pm & 1pm - 3pm

CLICK + COLLECT @ FUNAN

Address: 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105, Basement 2 (Opp. Bizen Okayama Wagyu Steakhouse)

Time: 10am to 10pm (with 24/7 drive-through self-service kiosk, collection details will be sent via an SMS notification)

Mask Pouch Return Points
(After Completion of Masks)

METTA CAFE @ METTA WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Address: 32 Simei St 1, Metta Building, Singapore 529950 

Time: Mon - Fri, 10am to 12pm & 1pm - 3pm

FUNAN CONCIERGE

Address: 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105, Basement 2 (Near to Lift Lobby C) 

Time: 11am - 9pm

Co-Sewing Spaces

METTA GALLERY @ METTA WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Address: 32 Simei St 1, Level 4, Metta Building, Singapore 529950

Time: Mon - Fri, 10am to 12pm & 1pm - 3pm

BERNINA @ FUNAN

Address: Funan, #03-K03, 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105

Time: 11am - 8pm

3. Let's Pack Together!
[Registration is closed due to overwhelming response]

Join us from now till 30 September 2020 to prepare materials for the sewing packs!

  • Help prepare materials in the sewing packs for interested individuals who would like to sew. No sewing experience needed! 
  • Volunteers will have to be comfortable with using sharp scissors to cut cloth, velcro, etc.
  • Materials preparation will be done at Metta Welfare Association (32 Simei Street 1, Singapore 529950). 
  • There are two sessions available on weekdays (10am - 12pm) or (1pm - 3pm).

METTA CAFE @ METTA WELFARE ASSOCIATION

Address: 32 Simei St 1, Metta Building, Singapore 529950 

Time: Mon - Fri, 10am to 12pm & 1pm - 3pm

Pilot Initiative

The mask pouch was co-created by CapitaLand's volunter and teachers from Rainbow Centre Singapore. Ten volunteer inmates helped to sew over 1,400 mack pouches for students from Rainbow Centre Singapore. CapitaLand volunteers also conducted a virtual art lesson to guide the students on how to decorate and personalise their own pouches.

Hear from those involved in the video below!

Partners

About CapitaLand Limited

CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand) is one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it owns and manages a global portfolio worth about S$134.7 billion as at 30 June 2020. CapitaLand’s portfolio spans across diversified real estate classes which includes commercial, retail; business park, industrial and logistics; integrated development, urban development; as well as lodging and residential. With a presence across more than 220 cities in over 30 countries, the Group focuses on Singapore and China as its core markets, while it continues to expand in markets such as India, Vietnam, Australia, Europe and the USA.

CapitaLand has one of the largest real estate investment management businesses globally. It manages seven listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and business trusts as well as over 20 private funds. Since it pioneered REITs in Singapore with the listing of CapitaLand Mall Trust in 2002, CapitaLand’s REITs and business trusts have expanded to include Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust, Ascendas India Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust.  

About CapitaLand Hope Foundation

CapitaLand Hope Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand, was established in 2005 to further CapitaLand’s community development commitment to ‘Building People. Building Communities.’, by recognising that the long-term success of the company’s business is closely intertwined with the health and prosperity of the communities in which it operates.

Every year, CapitaLand allocates up to 0.5% of its net operating profit to CapitaLand Hope Foundation. The Foundation is a registered charity in Singapore which promotes the social growth and development of vulnerable children with respect to their education, healthcare and shelter needs. The Foundation also strives to improve the quality of life for the vulnerable elderly through healthcare, deeper social integration and better living conditions.

Going beyond donations associated with charitable giving, the Foundation also focuses on giving time and attention to its beneficiaries through advocating volunteerism. The strong commitment of volunteers embodies CapitaLand’s mission to care for and contribute to the economic, environmental and social development of communities.

Click here for CapitaLand's privacy policy.

About Metta Welfare Association and Arts@Metta

Metta Welfare Association (Metta) was founded in 1992 by Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhao BBM, Abbot of the Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple.  He is President of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.  Metta aims to provide welfare services for the community, regardless of race or religion.  Metta is dedicated to working closely with its clients, donors, partners, suppliers and community organisations to provide welfare services to meet the needs of the community at its centres.

Initiated by Metta in 2007, Arts@Metta seeks to equip special needs alumni from the Metta School with life skills that promote employment and independence.  Arts@Metta’s programmes enable these youths to overcome their disabilities through mastery of the arts.  Their artistry has since gained recognition through corporate commissions and social responsibility projects.  Turning personalised gift ideas into attractive lifestyle items through quality design and production, Arts@Metta helps businesses align and enhance their corporate branding with a social mission.  More information: www.metta.org.sg

Click here for Metta Welfare Association's privacy policy.

About BERNINA (Singapore)

BERNINA is a 127-year-old family-owned Swiss international company, founded in 1893 in Switzerland.  Swiss precision is at the heart of every sewing and embroidery machine that the company creates.  In 2017, BERNINA (Singapore) was established as the hub for Asia Pacific, led by Katharina Ueltschi. 

Located at Funan, BERNINA (Singapore) aims to develop new customer experiences for those who want to take up sewing or embroidery as a hobby, set up a business or explore a form of creative expression.  Their goal is to inspire people across all age groups and to support them and be part of their creative lifestyle.  They offer workshops and masterclasses, coach and encourage their customers to become creative themselves.  More information: www.bernina.com.sg

Please click here for BERNINA's privacy policy.

About Funan

With a total gross floor area of approximately 887,000 sq ft, the Funan integrated development comprises a retail component, two office blocks and lyf Funan Singapore – the Singapore flagship of The Ascott Limited’s lyf coliving serviced residence that is designed by millennials for millennials. Funan is located right in the heart of the Civic District with excellent connectivity, including a direct underpass linking to City Hall MRT interchange station. As a new paradigm for live, work and play in Singapore’s city centre, Funan offers a synergistic combination of retail, office and serviced residence components that is designed to appeal to savvy consumers pursuing quality of life in a socially-conscious and creative environment. 

Please click here for CapitaLand's privacy policy.

About Heartware Network

Established in 2000, Heartware Network is a registered Society with the Registry of Societies, and a registered Charity with the Institution of Public Character status under Commissioner of Charities, under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.  Heartware Network seeks to instil positive values and build strong character in youth between ages 14 and 35 and engages the young to be resilient, innovative in serving others, and to be entrepreneurs rooted to Singapore as their home.  Heartware Network is committed to transforming the lives of under-served children and youth by empowering them with greater confidence in their abilities for a brighter future.  More information: www.heartware.org

Please click here for Heartware Network's privacy policy.
Please click here for Youthbank's privacy policy.

About President's Challenge

Started in 2000, the President’s Challenge is an annual community outreach and fund-raising campaign for beneficiaries selected yearly by the President’s Office.  The Challenge represents a coming together of people from all walks of life, under the President’s patronage, to help the less fortunate.  It serves as a call to all Singaporeans to do their part to build a more caring and inclusive society by giving of their time, skills and enterprise.

In 2012, former president Dr Tony Tan expanded the areas of focus to include Volunteerism and Social Enterprise.  In 2018, President Halimah Yacob refocused the effort of President’s Challenge towards the empowerment of vulnerable groups with skills and employability.  An Empowering for Life Fund was set up to support programmes in skills upgrading, capacity building and employment of vulnerable groups.  President’s Challenge aims to raise S$10 million for the Empowering for Life Fund over the next five years and the Government will match dollar-for-dollar.  More information: www.presidentschallenge.gov.sg

FAQs

General

1. What is #CareKitWithLove?

#CareKitWithLove is a community project initiated by CapitaLand and CapitaLand Hope Foundation to provide children and youth with special needs, and frontline staff from special education schools with mask pouches to store their clean and used masks. This project aims to sew 8,000 masks for them.

 

2. Who can be involved?

Anyone can be involved as long as you are at least 17 years old! If you have sewing experience, join us to sew the mask pouches at home or at our co-sewing spaces. If you do not have sewing experience, help us to prepare the sewing packs or conduct virtual art lessons for students with special needs to personalise their mask pouches!

For details on how you can be involved, refer to the GET INVOLVED! tab.

 

3. How can I be involved?

You can be involved by signing up to prepare the sewing packs, sewing the mask pouches at home or at the co-sewing spaces, or join us to conduct virtual art lessons for the students with special needs to personalise their mask pouches!

Refer to the GET INVOLVED! tab for more details on how you can be involved, or sign up via the links below:

 

4. Who will the mask pouches be given to?

The mask pouches will be given to children and youth with special needs, and frontline staff from special education schools recommended by President's Challenge:

 

Let's Sew Together!

5. How many sewing packs can I request for?

Each volunteer is entitled to register for only one sewing pack with materials sufficient to sew 50 mask pouches. You may wish to request for another sewing pack after you have finished and returned your first set of completed mask pouches.

 

6. If I register for a sewing pack, must I finish sewing all 50 mask pouches?

Yes, you should finish sewing all 50 mask pouches in your sewing pack and return them to our drop-off points by 31 October 2020. Each mask pouch you sew will go to a child or youth with special needs, or frontline staff from special education schools. 

 

7. What if I cut some of the materials in the sewing pack wrongly and they are no longer usable?

If some pieces of material were cut wrongly and no longer usable, please return them to us together with the completed mask pouches. You are encouraged to look through the sewing guide or watch the instructional video for assistance.

*For special circumstances, you may email Arts@Metta at alumni@metta.org.sg.

 

8. Can I use my own cloth to sew the mask pouches?

The cloth provided for the mask pouches were carefully selected in consultation with special needs educators and experts, and are suitable for the needs of children and youth with special needs. Please do not use your own materials for the mask pouches.

 

9. What do I do if I have extra cloth?

Please pack the extra cloth in the bag when you return your completed mask pouches.

 

10. What do I do if I did not receive enough materials for 50 mask pouches, or if some of the materials are defective? Can I use my own cloth?

Please do not use your own materials as the materials provided have been specially selected for the recipients. Please email Arts@Metta at alumni@metta.org.sg to obtain more materials/ replace the defective material.

 

11. What if I cannot finish sewing the required pouches within 2 weeks?

If you are unable to finish sewing the required pouches within 2 weeks, please inform Arts@Metta at alumni@metta.org.sg and try to finish it by 31 October 2020.

 

12. How do I return the completed mask pouches?

Please place the completed mask pouches into the sewing pack together with the leaflet containing the serial number and head down to any of the following locations to return it.

  • Metta Cafe @ Metta Welfare Association, 32 Simei St 1, Metta Building, Singapore 529950 (Mon - Fri, 10am to 12pm & 1pm - 3pm)
  • Funan Concierge, 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105, Basement 2 (Near to Lift Lobby C) (11am - 9pm)

 

13. Must I return the completed mask pouches to the same location where I collected the sewing pack? (i.e. If I collect my sewing pack from Metta Welfare Association, can I return at Funan Concierge? If I collect my sewing pack from Funan, can I return at Metta Welfare Association?)

Yes, you may return your completed mask pouches to either of the following locations regardless of where you collected your sewing pack.

  • Metta Cafe @ Metta Welfare Association, 32 Simei St 1, Metta Building, Singapore 529950 (Mon - Fri, 10am to 12pm & 1pm - 3pm)
  • Funan Concierge, 107 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179105, Basement 2 (Near to Lift Lobby C) (11am - 9pm)

 

14. Can my friend help me to return my completed mask pouches?

Yes, your friend may return your completed mask pouches on your behalf. Please tell them to quote your name during the return.

 

15. How many mask pouches must I sew at the co-sewing spaces?

There is no minimum requirement for the number of mask pouches each volunteer has to sew at the co-sewing spaces. You may sew as many as you wish within your two-hour slot.

 

16. Is it safe to be at the co-sewing spaces for prolonged periods of time?

Our partners have put in place the following measures to ensure your safety while sewing at the co-sewing spaces. This includes:

  1. SafeEntry
    • All volunteers are required to scan the SafeEntry QR code check in at Metta Welfare Association or BERNINA for contact tracing purposes.
  2. Temperature Taking
    • All volunteers would have their temperature taken before entering, and would only be allowed entry if their temperature is below 37.5°C
  3. Safe Distancing
    • All volunteers will be allocated sewing spaces which are at least 1m apart from each other.
  4. Volunteer conduct
    • All volunteers are to wear their masks at all times.
    • All volunteers are not allowed to have unnecessary conversations.

 

11. Can I keep a mask pouch for myself?

Each mask pouch will be given to a child or youth with special needs, or a frontline staff from special education schools. If you wish to have a mask pouch, do look out for updates on the sale of limited edition mask pouches on eCapitaMall.

 

Let's Design Together

12. I do not have experience conducting a virtual art lesson. Will training be provided?

Do not worry if you do not have experience conducting virtual art lessons. All volunteers are required to attend a compulsory training session by Heartware Network before conducting any virtual engagement.

The virtual engagement will be conducted in batches, from October - November.

More information on this event will be posted on Youthbank as the virtual engagement dates draw closer. An email will be sent to individuals who indicated interest in the event once information and sign-up for the activity is posted on Youthbank.