During the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, business units of the Crestar Education Group (CEG) had in various ways expressed and given their support and encouragement to those affected by the disease, as well as front liners, in China and Singapore.

Their show of solidarity has been featured in a short video in March 2020.

CEG has close ties with China through its preschool presence and training institution collaborations for some 30 years. It has about 1,500 teachers and staff and 7,000 children in its Kinderland and ELFA preschool network in China that were affected by the mandatory closure of schools and lockdown of cities.

Children from CEG’s schools in Singapore, crafted messages on cards and posters urging their counterparts in China and front liners there to “fight on” against the virus.

A fund−raising exercise was initiated by the Group in response to the call by the Singapore government, to donate to China and other affected countries through the Singapore Red Cross. CEG’s key business units such as Kinderland, ELFA, Skool4Kidz, Crestar Learning Centre, Crestar School of Dance, The Grange International Primary School, and Chinese Bridge Language School, contributed in their own ways.

ELFA Singapore students cheering China, Singapore and all countries on, in this COVID-19 fight.

Preschool students representing Kinderland, ELFA and Skool4Kidz at the Red Cross Singapore Cheque presentation, together with Mr Seet Lee Kiang, General Manager of CEG (Early Childhood).

The Group’s teacher training unit, KLC International Institute (KLCII), whose many graduates in China had previously studied here were affected too. Its students and lecturers from China were worried too about their families and friends back home. Together with the Beijing Normal University alumni in Singapore, KLCII’s staff painted a mural to express their encouragement and support for the wellbeing of their counterparts and front liners in China.

KLCII staff, with their painted mural, encouraging their counterparts in China to “fight on!”.

HSK (Crestar), another CEG business entity, donated thousands of masks to Confucius Institute Headquarters / China Hanban in Beijing for distribution to the frontline health workers in response to their initial shortage of supplies.

Staff from the Confucius Institute Headquarters receiving the masks donated and sent by HSK (Crestar).

Boxes of masks donated by HSK (Crestar) to the Confucius Institute Headquarter / China Hanban with a short message “同舟共济 共克时艰” which means “Working Together to Overcome Difficulties”.

The spontaneous acts of empathy and solidarity from our preschool children, parents, teachers, trainers and staff have been overwhelming and we thank all of them for their effort. In particular, the activities have also helped to lift the spirit of our young children and allowed them to learn how important and meaningful it is to support and care for those in need in times of crisis.