A Gift of Hope: Igniting A Child’s Passion for Learning

Every Saturday, 5-year-old Levon Sim eagerly steps into TOUCH Young Arrows (TYA) Bukit Panjang Club, where she is warmly greeted by volunteers whom she affectionately calls jie jies and kor kors. Despite coming from a background fraught with challenges and being the only child at home, Levon is a chatty and imaginative girl. She beams with joy when chatting with her friends at TYA, and dreams of becoming a doctor.   

Back home, Levon shares a close bond with her grandmother, Judy, who is her primary caregiver. Judy juggles between her job as a retail assistant and caring for Levon by relying on her own mother to help with Levon’s pre-school drop-offs and pickups.  

Caption: Levon together with her grandmother, Judy.  

“I’ve been caring for Levon since she was born. She is like my own daughter and we are very close,” says Judy. With Levon’s father working overseas, Judy is the pillar of support and love in her granddaughter’s life. 

When Levon was four, her social worker noticed that she was not hitting the language milestones for her age. Her speech was inaccurate and she had trouble reading the alphabet. Judy knew that Levon would need increased attention and learning support, but she could not afford it financially and her hands were tied. She was then encouraged to enrol Levon in TYA.  

Transformative Learning and Growth

At TYA, Levon participates in the Reading Odyssey programme, where she receives personalised support to build her reading skills and cultivate a love for books. She also has simple math lessons, learning to count and subtract with enthusiasm. 

Caption: Levon together with Cai Qi, a TYA volunteer who has been guiding Levon during club time weekly.  

TYA volunteer, Cai Qi, recounts, “When Levon first joined, she couldn’t recognise the alphabet. Coming from a Chinese-speaking background, English was challenging for her. But at TYA, she has blossomed, and is now able to read and explain storybooks with confidence.” 

Levon excitedly shares, “I love coming to TYA! The games are fun, and the jie jies and kor kors are kind to me.” 

Caption: Levon reading and participating in activities to help improve her working memory. 

Judy is equally thrilled with Levon’s progress: “Levon has learnt a lot through TYA. She can speak so well now, and I can tell that Levon looks forward to learning each week.”   

Besides academic coaching, Levon engages in values-driven activities at TYA. The latter refers to team games and reflective debriefs which teach values such as patience, kindness and respect. Cai Qi notes, “As the youngest in the club, Levon receives so much love from all of us. She may insist on having her way sometimes but over time, she has learnt how to share with her friends and say, ‘thank you’.”  

Caption: Levon enjoying herself during the values-driven activities.  

Expanding Horizons Through Enrichment  

During the school holidays, TYA offers a range of enrichment: sports, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and creative arts. Through these immersive learning experiences, children can discover their interests and talents while sharpening 21st century skills such as critical thinking.  

Through the STEM enrichment, Levon embarked on hands-on experiments and mission-based activities with her friends to explore physics, chemistry and engineering.  

Caption: Levon having fun during the STEM workshops. 

A Beacon of Hope  

Judy has spread the word about TYA to friends in similar situations. “I hope others, who are struggling financially and are alone in caring for their children, will know that there is help,” she says.  “I never imagined that Levon will get closer to her dream of becoming a doctor at her age. TYA has given us this hope, by building a strong foundation in her learning and character, and bringing good enrichment opportunities that help her think and look further. She is now more curious and confident in her learning, and cares more about helping others.”   

Judy adds with a smile, “I hope to volunteer with TYA once I retire. If Levon tells me she wants to volunteer when she’s older, I will fully support her to give back!”  

Caption: Levon and Cai Qi enjoying each other’s company during Club time. 

Join Us in Making a Difference  

Levon’s journey with TYA is a testament to the transformative power of community support and dedicated mentorship. Your donation can help us continue providing invaluable opportunities for children like Levon to learn, grow, and dream big. Support TYA today and be a part of their story of success and hope.  

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TOUCH Young Arrows (TYA) believes every child can be nurtured and sharpened like arrows to make a positive impact and be future community leaders. TYA conducts weekly Saturday programmes for some 500 children at 24 clubs nationwide to meet children's social, emotional and educational needs to bring out the best of their potential.   

Story published in 2024.