SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
A CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION
CWA-NUS BURSARY
President Mrs Joan Yim said, “For the past few years,
we have turned our attention to the education sector and have given bursaries to Chen Su Lan Children’s Home and Queenstown Secondary School. However, each year some qualified young women are denied the opportunity of a university education because of family financial problems. Today we launched the CWA-NUS Bursary to give this opportunity to these students.”
Cheque presentation to NUS. From left to right: Mrs Christine Lim, Ms Denise Wong, Ms Evelyn Sam, Ms Chew Seong Ling, Mrs Vienne Tan, Mrs Joan Yim, Prof Leong Ching, Mrs Annie Chang, Mrs Magdalene Low, Mrs Anne Goh and Ms Cecilia Leong Faulkner.
Chairperson of the CWA-NUS Bursary, Vice President Mrs Vivienne Tan reminded the
audience. “The ladies of CWA are a spunky lot. 105 years ago, in the middle of the First World War, our founder, Mrs Lee Choon Guan, gathered 22 of her like-minded girlfriends to form what was then known as the Chinese Ladies’ Association. They had decided that they were not going to sit quietly at home and do nothing. “Fast forward to our first zoom Annual General Meeting on 25 September 2020. In the middle of a pandemic and enforced social distancing, members attending the AGM voted unanimously to launch the CWA-NUS Bursary. No ifs and buts. If that’s not spunk, I don’t know what is.”
Despite restrictions imposed during the Covid pandemic, fundraising activities were planned. In February 2021, we launched the Peranakan Diversions hosted by Babas John and Peter Lee at their beautiful home. Although temporarily halted when stricter rules were applied, this series of private lunches and dinners at the Lee Residence eventually resumed and brought in over $40,000 to our fund.
In March 2021, Mrs Celeste Basapa hosted a lively lunch and cultural event at the Eurasian Association and in September 2022, Mrs Maniza Jumabhoy organised an Evening of Fine Whiskies with sumptuous Indian Food at her lovely residence. Together, these two programmes yielded more than $3000 to our fund.
The Joy of Giving Gala Dinner was held on 25 November 2022 at the Regent Hotel. With the support of members and well-wishers, we achieved our target of $300,000 for the CWA-NUS Bursary.
In April 2023, Mrs Ng Joo Ee shared her culinary skills in the preparation of Nasi Ulam and hosted lunch for ladies at her residence in support of this endeavour. Kudos to members of the CWA-NUS Bursary Committee who included Mrs Joan Yim, Mrs Mary Eu, Mrs Vivienne Tan, Mrs Margaret Wong, Ms Petrina Lim, Mrs Annie Chang and Mrs Celeste Basapa.
