FOREWORD

The beginnings of =DREAMS did not start with a campus. Working with less-resourced children evolved alongside Singapore's own development. From the 1960s to the late 1990s, the challenges they faced could largely be addressed through financial aid, education, and basic care support. We are fortunate that both the government and the social sector actively ran many programmes in this vein, and many who could be uplifted were. But as society grew more developed and needs became more complex, we observed that existing programmes were no longer achieving the desired results. We began to reflect on what it would truly take — in our current state of development — for children from less-resourced circumstances not just to cope, but to thrive.

In Singapore, more than 90% of households live in homes they own. Yet there remains a group of families navigating socio-economic challenges where resources and home environments may not always be conducive for learning and development. From the outset, we recognised that supporting children in these circumstances could not be limited to addressing visible needs such as tuition or accommodation alone. There were also invisible needs—stability, belonging, aspiration, and the confidence to imagine a different future.

These conversations continued for nearly a decade before a campus was even built. We listened carefully to families and children about what it means to grow with dignity and opportunity. Over time, a shared conviction emerged: if we truly wanted children to flourish, we needed to create an environment that could wholly support the child.

The name =DREAMS reflects this belief. It represents the equal value of every child's potential and affirms that every child has the right to dream beyond their present circumstances. It also reflects a conscious shift in perspective — from viewing children as beneficiaries of charity to acknowledging them as scholars with aspirations, capabilities, and futures worth investing in.

Perhaps it required a certain degree of courage — or even a measure of foolishness — to attempt something untested. The idea of a weekday boarding residential scholarship model was unfamiliar in Singapore's social sector landscape. Yet we believed that if we wanted to create the right conditions for children to grow, we had to be willing to prototype a new approach.

Today, =DREAMS continues to develop this model through three pillars — Academic Support, Future of Work, and Residential Living & Personal Development — within a residential community where scholars receive mentoring, holistic care, and opportunities to grow in character, confidence, and aspiration.

In many ways, =DREAMS is still a prototype. The model continues to be shaped through learning, reflection, and partnership. We are grateful to walk this journey with partners who have not only supported the work, but believed in the possibility of building something new together.

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The progress we see today is made possible through the partnership of families, educators, community organisations, and supporters who share a common belief — that every child deserves the opportunity to realise their potential and live a life of dignity and purpose.

Stanley Tan
=DREAMS Singapore Chairman