SINGAPORE — Free health screenings, haircuts, movie screenings and gift vouchers are some of the perks that 6,000 needy families received at the 12th Ready for School carnival at Nanyang Junior College today (Dec 6).

Organised by the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), the one-day carnival was targeted at lower-income families with school-going children. Each family received one S$140 family pack — comprising grocery and transport vouchers — and up to three S$80 school-ready packs, filled with vouchers to prepare children for the coming school year.

Besides the two goodie bags, a special Jubilee Pack — consisting S$100 worth of grocery vouchers and a CDAC SG50 umbrella — was also given to each family.

Speaking to reporters after distributing the packs, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng had high praise for the Ready for School project. “Over the many years, (the CDAC has) reached out to many families and kids. This year alone, 12,000 children will benefit from the good work that they’re doing,” said Mr Ng. “The vouchers range from transport, groceries, to even more day-to-day things like stationery for the kids, books and school uniforms. All these will go to different degrees of helping kids concentrate on school without having to worry about this and that.”

Father-of-two Tan Ah Chye brought his sons to the carnival for a day of family bonding. Mr Tan, a carpenter, and his wife earn about S$1,800 each month. Since October, the family has been receiving grocery vouchers and grants for utility and service and conservancy charges from the CDAC.

“The vouchers (collected at the carnival) help with the finances at home. The children can also use them to buy new pencil cases,” said Mr Tan, 50.

During the carnival, about 700 volunteers came together to help out — snipping shaggy hairdos into neat, manageable styles for the new school year, leading families through heart-thumping mass work-outs and teaching young children craftwork. The project has come a long way since it started 11 years ago in 2004 when 120 volunteers reached out to 250 families.

Noting that the sheer number of volunteers was “heartening”, Mr Ng said that this was a “shining example” of Singaporeans coming forward to help each other, and would go towards promoting a more gracious society.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Manpower and the Prime Minister’s Office Sam Tan and Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling — all of whom are on the CDAC’s board of directors — also attended the carnival today.