UOL and PPHG Expand Community Uplift Programme to Secondary 3 Students at Boon Lay Secondary, Singapore

Singapore, 13 January 2024 – UOL Group Limited (UOL) and its hotel subsidiary Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) today celebrated the achievements of primary school children who participated in the UOL-PPHG Community Uplift Programme launched last year, and announced an expansion of the Programme to include students at Boon Lay Secondary School.

With the expansion, more than 60 children from ComLink+ families will benefit from the Programme. The Group will also be contributing a $100,000 cash donation to ComLink+@ Jurong West. The announcement was made during an annual celebration held at PARKROYAL on Beach Road. Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, Mr Desmond Lee, who is also the Adviser to West Coast Grassroots Organisations, graced the occasion.

The UOL-PPHG Community Uplift Programme is part of ComLink+, which aims to support families with children below 21 years old who are living in public rental housing. The Programme aims to offer a range of enrichment and learning opportunities for primary school children from ComLink+ families. When these children demonstrate improvements in their school attendance and grades as well as having a positive attitude, they would be given rewards like staycation and shopping vouchers.

Mr Lee said: “We are grateful for such meaningful opportunities with partners like UOL, PPHG and the mall tenants in supporting families with children living in rental flats. The programmes offered by partners give children opportunities to diversify their interests and broaden their perspectives. This partnership is an example of how ComLink+ brings together corporates, Government and individuals to uplift our ComLink+ families, and encourage their children to pursue their aspirations.”

This year, the Programme will prioritise Secondary Three Boon Lay Secondary School students from ComLink+ families on a mentorship programme, where they will receive a three-day hotel externship, followed by fortnightly group mentoring sessions with staff volunteers for three months. The students will shadow their mentors in the Group’s hotels in various job functions. UOL Group Chief Executive Liam Wee Sin said: “We have always envisioned the UOL-PPHG Community Uplift Programme as a family-centric initiative. By involving and empowering every member in the family, we can help multiply possibilities and realise aspirations. Given the positive response from the families so far, we are pleased to expand the Programme to include youth from ComLink+ families who are schooling in Boon Lay Secondary School, which is in the same vicinity as ComLink+ @ Jurong West.”

Mr Liam added: “With the strong alliance among Social Service Office @ Boon Lay & Taman Jurong, Boon Lay Grassroots Organisations, mall tenants, partners, volunteers and our people in supporting ComLink+ @ Jurong West, we believe that we can continue to amplify good and make a sustained and greater impact.” PPHG Executive Director of Sustainability Partnerships, Lifestyle and Asset, Ms Wee Wei Ling, said: “We are committed to journeying with the children as they go through different life stages. We will continue to collaborate closely with MSF and volunteers to monitor their progress, and celebrate their milestones and achievements together. By uplifting a child, we hope to uplift the entire family.”

This year, UOL and PPHG will continue to co-host the activities at various retail properties and hotels under their portfolio to foster learning beyond classroom settings, and their staff volunteers to engage the children. The Group has committed $150,000 of in-kind support for the three-year UOL-PPHG Community Uplift Programme since 2023. As part of this year’s celebration, three exemplary families from ComLink+ were recognised while appreciation awards were presented to new UOL mall tenants and other partners for their steadfast support in organising enriching activities for students from ComLink+ throughout 2023. UOL and PPHG also recognised their six staff volunteers for dedicating their time to the community and making a difference.