SAFRA TO RUN MORE FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR NSMEN

National Servicemen (NSmen) and their families can look forward to more bonding activities organised by SAFRA, such as the upcoming Sentosa family run in September, complete with unlimited rides at Universal Studio Singapore.

SAFRA - the association for Operationally Ready NSmen and Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) - has received $700,000 of new funding to organise family activities in sports, games, the arts, and education.

The two-year sponsorship came from Families for Life, a council under the Ministry of Social and Family Development. This is the third such consecutive collaboration between both organisations.

SAFRA inked its first two-year partnership with Families for Life in 2011, and renewed it for another two years in 2013.

In the last two years, about 160,000 NSmen and their families have taken part in SAFRA's family activities - triple the number in the first two years.

Second Minister for Defence Lui Tuck Yew, who announced the renewal of the partnership on 6 Jun, said the aim of the initiative was to help NSmen build stronger ties with their families.

"We have seen the numbers grow significantly, especially in the last two years, and hence we have renewed this partnership for another two years, with even more exciting programmes coming up," said Mr Lui, the newly-appointed President of SAFRA.

Mr Lui was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a children's talent-time competition at SAFRA Toa Payoh. He also joined the participants to complete a collage of 500 drawings by NSmen and their families on what they love about Singapore.

Mr Ching Wei Hong, Families for Life Council Chairman, added that the strong participation in SAFRA's family activities showed that more fathers were making "deliberate choices" to spend time with their children.

"Going beyond fun and play, these activities serve as meaningful opportunities for them to teach children positive life lessons," he said. "We also hope to inspire more fathers to be involved in day-to-day parenting, and to be positive role models for their children."

For example, fathers can share stories of their army life with their children as they run together in an obstacle race which will be modelled after the Singapore Armed Forces' Standard Obstacles Course. This event will be held from 13 to 21 Jun. It is one of the 14 family activities that SAFRA has lined up till next March.

Mr Nick Goh, 40, who was taking part in the SAFRA children's talent-time competition with his parents, wife, and two children, welcomed the upcoming slew of activities.

"Life in Singapore is hectic, we are so busy working, and don t have much time to spend with our families. Having such activities will create opportunities for everyone to get together," he said.