With MUS Zenith Affair (MUS.za), Esther Ho knew she wanted to build more than a fine jewellery brand. She’s growing a community that seeks to make a meaningful impact on our nation.
Founded in 2019, MUS.za has spared no effort embedding philanthropy into its mission and values. Anniversary celebrations for most businesses revolve around parties, gifting, and entertainment, but Ho, its founder-designer, the purpose is always to help others in need.
For its sixth year, MUS.za is rallying family, friends, clients, and the public in support of ResiL!ence by SHINE Children and Youth Services. It provides programmes—from screenings and mentoring to caregiver engagement—that promote mental health of youths aged between 12 and 25.
“We want every young person to feel valued—that they are not invisible, not alone, and they will be taken care of,” says Ho. “By championing this cause, we want to reduce stigma and make support more approachable for the youths.”
Catch & Release Collection
Supporters, or #CharityAmbassadors, can contribute through donations and/or jewellery purchase. Leading this year’s Give While You Get fundraising campaign is a new jewellery collection titled Catch & Release. It comprises three designs: Catch & Release bracelets, Anchor & Kite necklace, and Feather cufflinks.
This is the second (after 2024) collaboration between Ho and Dr Tai-Heng Cheng, a US-based Singaporean-born international arbitration lawyer, art enthusiast, and philanthropist.
“The collection reframes any separation not as loss, but as enduring, nostalgic love that lets go, like when a young adult leaves home to chart his own course,” explains Cheng. “In letting go, attachment transmutes into love that quietly endures without the need for constant attention.”
And come 9 November 2025, the campaign culminates in a Fundraising Gala Dinner at Raffles Hotel Singapore. Ho’s granddaughter, Victoria Grace Lee, 12, is one of the co-hosts for the event.
“When people see a kid being out of control, they may think the parents are not disciplining them,” she offers. “I don’t think people should judge them just based on what they can see; it might have been a bad day, or they might have other invisible concerns.”
According to the Institute of Health’s 2024 National Youth Mental Health Study, about one in three aged between 15 and 35 experience severe or extremely severe mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety. But only 20.1% of them have sought formal medical support.
MUS.za aims to raise $300, 000 for SHINE Children and Youth Services.
Proceeds from this year’s Give While You Get Fundraiser go to ResiL!ence @ SHINE, a community-based youth mental health programme by SHINE Children and Youth Services. What about its work speaks to you?
I am impressed by their efforts to reach out to the youths. The team takes the proactive approach by organising roadshows and giving talks in primary and secondary schools, connecting and sharing directly with the audience about mental health. While it takes a lot of courage for a child to call a hotline, they may find it less intimidating to scan a QR Code after watching a short video.
What do you feel we must understand about mental well-being in youths?
Everyone is built differently, just like one may prefer to read while another loves to talk, and responds to challenges differently. So I feel it’s important to help others learn about these challenges. For example, education in Singapore can be stressful, so perhaps mindsets need to change. A child with the highest score isn’t always a happy one.
What highlights can we expect at the Give While You Get Fundraising Gala Dinner happening on 9 November 2025 at Raffles Hotel Singapore?
Our friends come with the heart to contribute, from donating pre-loved jewellery and volunteering as performers, to offering other products and services for the charity auction. One of my best friends, Jin Lu, has supported the campaign since day one. This year, she donated an antique brooch, shaped like a butterfly, for the auction.
The dinner is also an opportunity to get younger members in our community to take charge. My granddaughter Victoria and her friends come together to plan and perform. As the tagline goes, they acquire experience in fundraising and advocacy while giving back.
How has this year’s fundraiser brought you and Victoria closer?
We are already close, but it’s brought us closer! I had dinner with her once, and she asked me, “How’s the fundraising this year, Po Po? And do you think you can achieve your target? If you need, we can do a video and post it on a Reel so as to spread the message to more people.” And I must add, she and her co-hosts Dayna, Brandon and Claire are doing a very good job.
Why do you think it is crucial to spread the values of kindness and giving in your community?
Kindness and giving are values important to every generation. I’m very happy with how we have impacted lives for the past six years, and I hope to continue building this legacy for many years to come. I’m grateful for what we have achieved; now it’s our turn to give back.
More information on SHINE Children and Youth Services here.
