A group of NurtureStars children at the Toa Payoh centre had a special surprise while participating in Appreciating NSmen Art Jam activities at the SAFRA club on 27 June.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, who is also president of SAFRA, dropped in to visit while they were crafting paper figurines depicting National Service men from the five Services to show their appreciation to their NS fathers. He was accompanied by Mr Ho Lye Sum, Chairman of Joint Management Committee for NurtureStars Preschool, which has centres in all the six SAFRA clubhouses.

The Minister spent time interacting with the children while they were making their paper crafts. He also joined them in a salute to all NSmen to show their appreciation to Singaporeans who have sacrificed their time to serve the nation.

Mr Zaqy’s visit was reported in The Straits Times on 28th June with a group photo showing him in the salute joined by Mr Ho, Ms Susan Loke, President of the Association of Early Childhood & Training Services (ASSETS), Mr Kenneth Liow, director of National Service affairs and SAFRA vice President, and Mr Yap Mong Nah, SAFRA Deputy Chief Executive of operations.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of National Service and the “Art Jam” is one of the initiatives to recognize the contributions of NSmen across the generations.

NurtureStars is among 300 preschool centres taking part in art-jamming sessions over the next three weeks, with their children decorating uniformed NSmen figurines and crafting thank-you messages to their fathers.

NS children joining Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad & Mr Ho (in blue) in a salute in appreciation of our national servicemen at the end of the event.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad assisting one of our little ones with paper curing of images of NS servicemen

The Minister interacting with the children while they were making their paper crafts for their Daddies.