There is a lack of awareness about the needs of children from less privileged and underserved families, says Damon Goh. This obliviousness is exacerbated by the misconception that these families are supported in some way or another. “Many of them actually fall through the cracks for various reasons and do not benefit from support,” adds the Executive Director of Canossaville Children and Community Services. Prior to his appointment in 2023, he was Partnership Development Manager at the Singapore Heart Foundation.
Located at 1 Sallim Road, Canossaville provides social and psychological assistance to vulnerable families and children through three key areas. First, education. The Catholic social service agency provides preschool education for children under six years old, and of the 100 preschoolers in its charge, about 30 suffer from hearing loss and additional needs.
Second, intervention. To further support the children with hearing loss and additional needs, it runs an Early Intervention Programme for Infant and Children (EIPIC). While EIPIC services typically cater to a range of needs among children, Canossaville’s is the only one that specialises in supporting children with hearing loss.
Third, care. Apart from a preschool, it also runs a student care centre that supports 200 students between the ages of seven and 12. This is in addition to a Child Development Unit where allied health professionals support both its preschool and care centre students through speech and language therapy, audiological support, psychology, educational therapy, and occupational therapy.
Because children from less privileged backgrounds generally receive less educational support, they may not get an opportunity to discover their potential in disciplines such as sports, music, and the arts, Goh notes. Their families may also not be aware of the programmes available even when opportunities are provided by community groups and ground-up initiatives.
It is why Canossaville strives to narrow the gap in spite of the hoops it has to jump through. One of its biggest challenges lies in remaining versed in rapidly-evolving conditions.
“The needs of our children and families are constantly evolving and the issues they face are often multi-faceted. The definition of poor has been expanded and redefined. If we do not stay relevant, we won’t be able to meet their needs.”
Damon Goh on keeping pace with changing needs
To counteract those effects, his team utilises innovation and technology to better deliver their services and programmes, and collaborates with different stakeholders to better support those in need.
Another challenge is in sustaining its programmes and services as a poor economic outlook has made it increasingly difficult to raise funds. As such, Goh has been developing strategies under the guidance of the board and management to increase awareness, engage with new friends and communities, and garner support from existing partners.
A registered charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC) that uses the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs as a framework, Canossaville also receives support from the Canossian Sisters of the Canossian Daughters of Charity. The agency’s success has only been possible because of the contributions of both the Sisters and past educators, Goh avers.
He reckons that society needs to recognise diverse needs and create social safety nets for families in need for one simple reason.
“The children we care for today will grow up to become individuals we count on. When provided with education and growth, they have a chance at a better life, which ultimately ends generational poverty.”
Photography Mun Kong
Art direction Ed Harland
Hair Yue Qi using GHD
Makeup Shu Zhen using Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury & Patrick Ta
Photography assistant Hizuan Zailani
