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Our Heart for Singapore Time Capsule & Learning Gallery 2023: Onward As One, Building Our Shared Future As One United People

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Instagram post 18012247282873390

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Instagram post 18001638260053631

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Instagram post 17989723922082838

Title: Colours of Unity Vibrant, bold and livel

Title: Colours of Unity
Vibrant, bold and lively colours are very much part of what makes up Singapore. Singapore continually evolves to be a melting pot of ethnic cultures and diverse traditions. Therefore, our artwork highlights heritage and cuisine that build on one another, amid a modern Singapore cityscape. While Singapore progresses vibrantly from rustic villages of kampongs and boat houses into modern living of housing, transportation and architectural buildings, I believe our racially diverse population also continues to strengthen to be a progressive and colourful nation. Our artwork hopes to reignite viewers’ memories of celebrations where diverse communities gather as one through culture and food.
We interviewed our grandparents and senior neighbours. They taught us gratefulness and the meaning of resilience as people in the past had a different way of life. We learnt from our neighbours that they used to eat the same simple food everyday; unlike the present where food is affordable and we can explore a variety of food from different cultures. As for my (Dhia’s) grandmother, she is the oldest child and had a huge responsibility for her family. She did not receive education due to financial constraint and her responsibility as the eldest child. We are thankful that Singapore has progressed so much that we have many privileges and access to food, education and technology.
Our dream is to put in more efforts for Singapore to be an eco-friendly country with less carbon emissions. We believe that Singaporeans have potential to make a strong impact to prevent global warming. Covid 19 has taught us that we can brave through trials and emerge stronger when we are united as one. Some ways we can help is by taking public transport and using recyclable bags. We hope that everyone would do their part to combat this global issue.
Faith Ang Yi Xin (5C) & Dhia Auni Binte Mohammad Helfe (5A), Woodgrove Primary School

Title: Merlion’s City My artwork portrays a v

Title: Merlion’s City
My artwork portrays a variety of Singapore important icons with the Merlion in the center. Designed by Singapore Tourism Board during 1964, the Merlion has made its mark as authorized statues in various locations in Singapore. It has become not only a symbol representing Singapore, but also a representation of Singapore’s history. I have chosen the Merlion icon as the main character as it has also witnessed Singapore’s progression into modern living. This includes advancement in housing, transportation and landmarks such as Changi Airport, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, etc. Even now, one can find the Merlion statues placed against a backdrop of a modern Singapore cityscape. It reminds me of hopes for continual development and also roots us back to our humble origins.
I spoke to my neighbor who is an elder. She lived her whole life in Singapore and witnessed Singapore’s history, development and progress. The progress includes embracing the evolving culture of Singapore through multi-faceted diversity where she met people from all walks of life who exchanged their own stories. I am inspired to hear how much Singapore has progressed from a humble and resilient island to a first world city.
I envision Singapore as a sustainable city with cleaner and greener environment. I believe we should prioritize environmental conservation, green technologies and sustainable urban development. From the pandemic, we learnt lessons of resilience and unity. As one united Singapore, we must foster harmony and support each other by doing our part for sustainability efforts. Despite being a small red dot, together we can make an impact and achieve remarkable feats.
Here is my recommended list of places to visit and food to try:
Gardens by the Bay is a place to explore a captivating world of gardens with 1.5 million of diverse plants!
At Merlion Park, you can meet Singapore’s iconic symbol - the mythical Merlion.
For food, I would highly recommend chicken rice, nasi lemak and roti prata. The use of spices, herbs and an array of flavourful ingredients make our food delicious!
Charmaine Chee Zixuan, 3E, Wellington Primary School

My artwork is a close-up of the childhood games my

My artwork is a close-up of the childhood games my grandfather loved - ‘layang-laying’ (Kite), ‘Goli’ (Marbles), ‘Gasing’ (Tops) and his favourite desserts – ice kacang and durian! The artwork is presented in a vibrant hue to capture the happiness and my grandfather’s fond memories when he related his childhood to me.
While talking to my grandfather, I learn that he likes to fly kites (laying-layang), play with marbles (goli), top (gasing) and chess. He also likes to eat durian and ice-kacang. He teaches me to be patient and fully committed when we work towards our dreams.
I hope that Singapore will preserve the forested areas to make more space for the endangered animal such as Samba deer-mouse and pangolin. I will spread and share my dreams with my friends and family. I believe if we strive to care and conserve the natural habitats, these endangered animals will flourish.
Bird Paradise is the latest attraction in Singapore. Though it is costly, it is worth the money as the enclosure is huge and we can interact with many species of birds, from colourful macaws to giant cassowaries.
Singapore is a country where I have many fond memories. I treasure this tiny nation which I call my home, from the bottom of my heart.
Anaty Nabilah Binte Nurrashid, 5H, Park View Primary School

Title: Home My artwork is about my grandfather’

Title: Home
My artwork is about my grandfather’s fond memories of celebrating National Day. It was a time where people from different races, cultures and traditions come together to celebrate their love for their country and their camaraderie. The artwork also reflects my sentiment and memory of attending the National Day Parade (NDP) National Education (NE) show as a Primary 5 student. My heart beamed with pride and patriotism as we waved the Singapore flag and sang National Day songs. The shared, common memories with my grandfather made National Day more special!
I had an interesting interview with my grandfather. I got to know him better by asking him questions about his life when he was my age and what Singapore was like in the past. I also got to know my grandfather’s favourite public holiday- National Day. It is his favourite because he enjoyed watching the soldiers march with national pride. It was a time where people from different races, cultures and traditions come together to celebrate their love for their country. Through my interview, I learnt the importance of being respectful to each other regardless of race, language, and religion. Learning to respect one another has brought us far.
My dream for Singapore is for people to continue to respect one another. Afterall, we are a melting pot of different cultures and traditions.
As tourists return to Singapore, I would recommend that they travel to the places likes Little India, Kampong Glam and Chinatown to experience good food and the different cultures coexisting next to one another. These are what make Singapore so special!
Tay Limhyun, P5Compassion, Greendale Primary School

In my art work, I have contrasted the past and pre

In my art work, I have contrasted the past and present of Singapore. Starting in 1819, there was heavy traffic on the Singapore River due to rapid urbanization and expanding trade. It brought water pollution caused by disposal of garbage and other products of industries located along the river’s banks. The rivers are now clean and tourist takes cruise for sightseeing and learn about Singapore’s landscape.
Long time ago, life was not easy. My mother would remind me whenever I did not finish my food or forgotten to switch-off the air-con after I leave the room. I love to hear her stories about my great grandparents who lived in a Kampong house back in the 1960s. Through her story, I found out that my great grandfather came from China to Singapore to earn a living. He was good at making fish ball noodles and managed to setup a stall on the streets. My great grandmother was from Malaysia and she came to Singapore in hope of marrying a rich man to get out of poverty. At that time, Singapore was beset with many uncertainties and it was facing massive unemployment while grappling with a rapidly growing population.
Coming from a foreign land, my great grandmother was in distress and quickly sought for an arranged marriage. As matched made in heaven, they both had 10 children and just by selling noodles was impossible to feed all. At that time, it was common for Chinese parents to sell their daughter as child brides. This relieved the parents of the expenses of raising their children and wealthy family who bought the child, paid a lower dowry for the young bride-to-be and at the same time procured her services as a maid. My grandmother who was the 6th child, was the chosen one. However, on the day of transaction, my great grandmother had cold feet and hid my grandmother in the neighbour’s house and eventually the deal was called off. Oh! Thank goodness!
-Emmanuel Lee, 4 Aloysius, Maris Stella High School (Primary)

My artwork shows the interesting places in Singapo

My artwork shows the interesting places in Singapore such as Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Sentosa. These are places that are unique to Singapore and we cannot find these anywhere else. I chose to keep this artwork bright and colourful to symbolise the beautiful memories I and my family have made by living in Singapore. All the icons are connected, reminding us of the love and joy found in family connections.
I talked to my mom and dad about their favorite moments in Singapore. They shared stories of fun times at Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and other special places. Their memories inspired me to create this colorful and happy picture of our family's adventures in Singapore. Some fond memories shared include family dinners together and celebrating the different festivals in Singapore. Putting up the flag in anticipation of National Day was very memorable!
My wish for Singapore is that people take more initiative in helping and supporting each other. I want to see a kind and compassionate society where everyone comes together to lend a helping hand. Let's make Singapore a caring and inclusive place for everyone.
Singapore is special to me because it is where dreams come true. I enjoy being in a a Singapore school where there are many learning journeys and fun activities to take part in. Something special about Singapore that we can find hidden gems even in the local neighbourhood. Where I live, I enjoy playing at the playground and eating at the hawker center. The nearby reservoir, where a family of otters sometimes visit, is so beautiful too.
ERIN RUI WEN DIXON, 3G, Springdale Primary School

“The Dragon’s Pearl” In my grandmother’s

“The Dragon’s Pearl”
In my grandmother’s memory, there was an evening, where she described the sky as hues of pink and orange as the sun gradually sets behind her, she would hold onto her siblings and travel to places all around the neighbourhood to celebrate Chinese New Year. The memory was fuzzy and blurred but it had a huge impression on her, the way all of the dancers coordinated with one another fascinated her, the dragon’s body, moving in waves that appear to be dancing, the pursuant movements of the dragon chasing the pearl was mesmerizing. My artwork displays a bright red dragon controlled by dancers pursuing a giant pearl, known as ‘ dragon dance ‘.
When I interviewed my grandmother, I learnt that she enjoyed traveling around China when she was younger but she couldn’t anymore due to the lack of income, she came to Singapore in search of a better job and decided to stay after meeting my grandfather, they said that life was hard, especially after having my father and his brother, after that she mentioned how fortunate I am to be born in this generation, and I full heartedly agree, she said with the use of modern technology, Singapore has become stronger and much more successful.
My dream for Singapore is for it to be capable for producing local food, that way all of the food wouldn’t be as expensive as they are now, I want to grow up and become an artist capable of designing and making models that could potentially help out in Singapore’s future.
I highly recommend trying hawker food, the hawker centre is a huge part of Singapore culture, not only is the food delicious, it is also quite cheap compared to food in the mall! I highly recommend tourists to try out the food there!
Jacqueline Fung Tin Yuet, 304, Nan Hua High School

Title: A Journey to the Present My artwork comp

Title: A Journey to the Present
My artwork compared how the 3 major festivals are being celebrated in Singapore in the past and present. It showed that despite the changes in infrastructure and progress made, one thing remained constant, our strive for peace and racial harmony. People from different culture are invited to celebrate one another’s festivities and in doing so we learn about other races' traditions and culture.
I interviewed two security guards in my school who are from the Merdeka generation. They spoke of how they celebrated Chinese New Year and Hari Raya. I learnt that, in the past, many food for the festival were prepared from scratch. This is unlike how it is now, where ready made food can be easily bought.
As the security guards spoke about how they celebrated the festivals, I realized a common theme, family and quality time. I learnt that family comes first, and happiness starts with family.
During the Covid-19 crisis, many people faced a lot of hardship. However, this did not stop Singaporeans from helping one another in times of need. This camaraderie got us through the pandemic.
Similarly, my dream for Singapore is for the different races to continue to stay united, to work together and to help one another during challenging times. To do my part in making my dream come true, I will continue to respect the different culture, traditions, and beliefs of my classmates because, as Patrick Henry once said, “United we stand, divided we fall!”
There are many interesting places and attractions to go to in Singapore. One of the places that I would recommend for tourists to visit is Gardens By The Bay. Here, you can find the Supertree Grove. At night, its vibrant colours reflect Singapore’s beauty and progress.
Singapore is special to me because we are a multi-racial country and we embrace one another's differences, regardless of race, language, or religion. It is amazing how much Singapore has progressed over the years, and I am looking forward to seeing Singapore and its people grow even stronger together. Majulah Singapura!
Said Hannah Margaret Vidanes P5D Greendale Primary School

In my drawing,I have drawn the commonly used coin

In my drawing,I have drawn the commonly used coins from 1955. There is also a sewing machine which many people used to pass the time or used it to work as tailors. There is also a building which is the residency building for most people back in 1955 and behind all the drawings is a outline of singapore to represent that all of these took activities took place in singapore. My artwork portrays what life back in 1955 was like.
I spoke with a friend’s grandma. Her grandmother is currently 91 years old and back in the day, she would sew clothing to make a living as living conditions back then were not as good as to compared to now. The designs on the coins have also changed along the years. Our houses have also improved a lot since 1955.
My hope is for Singapore to continue prospering positively in the future to come. I also would like to pledge to help out to improve Singapore for the better through my actions. I would like to also spread awareness that we should all do our part to take care of Singapore and help it grow into a better country for everyone.
I would recommend for tourists to visit our Singapore Zoo to see all the interesting animals, visit the botanical gardens to see our national flower, the Vanda miss joaquim, they can go to marina bay sands to see a great view of singapore and they can also visit some of our museums to learn about the history of our country. they can go to our hawker centres to try all the different types of foods that we offer here in singapore.
Estelle Low, 2E4, Pasir Ris Secondary School

This is about snacks that I enjoy eating although

This is about snacks that I enjoy eating although they may not be healthy, and the snacks that my grandparents enjoyed eating. I want to show that there is a variety of snacks in the past that my grandparents enjoyed eating when they were my age in contrast to the variety that I enjoy having now. Don’t they look colourful and enticing although they are just for us to munch on during our free time?
I talked to my grandparents frequently and found out how they enjoyed having some free time every now and then in between helping their parents with household chores and their school work. They did not have CCAs in the past but they had to help their parents after school. So, they would rush home to have lunch before completing their school work and the household chores that they had to do. While doing the chores, they would occasionally get treats like the snacks depicted in my work. I learnt to respect my grandparents for their filial piety towards their parents as they did the household chores without complaints. Although Singapore has changed since they were my age, with the introduction of television and computer games, my grandparents who are in their 70s told me that they would find time to chat with their friends just like I do.
My dream for Singapore is for everyone to be united as one. I would like to create posters to encourage my peers in school to show kindness and care. My message is for all Singaporeans to be kind to one another and pass the kindness forward.
For tourists coming to Singapore, I would recommend the local snacks for them to try. They should try the Super Rings or the Number 8 candies and enjoy what we like eating in Singapore both past and present.
I also like the Number 8 candies just as my grandparents do. Unhealthy as it may seem, it is all right to treat yourself occasionally like my grandparents. This is what makes Singapore special to me, because the snacks have made me bond with my grandparents very well.
Yeo Iat Tong, 4 Integrity, Cedar Primary School

My grandfather is a Hainanese, and Hainanese peopl

My grandfather is a Hainanese, and Hainanese people arrived in Singapore a long time ago, bringing with them valuable cultural heritage, with the most famous being Hainanese chicken rice. My grandfather says that the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore can be found at the hawker center. Almost every few days, he would visit the hawker center to enjoy the chicken rice.��My grandfather says that as he has grown older, he often finds himself bored and likes to visit the hawker center near his home. Firstly, it is conveniently located within walking distance. Secondly, he can catch up with old neighbors, friends, and even the chicken rice stall owners whom he has known for decades. The hawker center has become like a second home to him, where he can freely chat with friends, reminiscing about the past and discussing the present. It has become his favorite daily activity.��When my grandfather heard that the hawker center has been recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, he felt both happy and proud.��Therefore, whether as a witness to history like my grandfather or as a new generation like myself, we should cherish the hawker center as a unique and significant place.
Candice Pang, 4 Resilience, Rosyth School

This artwork means to represent the reflection of

This artwork means to represent the reflection of the past colonial Singapore’s way of getting around on the present modern day metropolis’ transportation means, with the faint image of boats in the river being a parallel to the advanced traffic of bright green Tower Transit buses a well as multiple planes in the reddish orange sky with a crescent moon and 5 stars to represent the top part of Singapore’s flag. The advancement is transportation system in Singapore shows our development. Singapore airport is the top in the world and many are attracted to come and visit because it is so easy and safe to travel here.
I talked to my paternal grandfather and learned a lot about them. One thing I learnt about him through our wonderful conversation is that he used to work as a shop vendor in the streets of old, and made quite a decent amount to get by back then. Some values I learnt from him were resilience and the spirit of endurance and perseverance. My grandpa says that when he was my age, It was a fun and joyous time but also harsh and tiring. Fun because of the innocence of childhood and the accompaniment of their friends; harsh and tiring because of the excessive chores and school work. My grandfather used to get beaten by the teacher in school as he was quite the troublemaker, he says. It’s changed tremendously in many aspects such as in school developments and teachers' punishment methods and the pricing of items and most importantly, transportation means. Hence, I choose to focus my artwork on the transportation to show how far we have come.
My dream future for Singapore is one where it will be even richer than now so we can expand all our facilities such as making it so that we have more technologically advanced systems in schools, for one instance. I will contribute by making sure I study hard so I can provide income to the country and make it have more revenue. The message I have is, “Do you wish for a better Singapore? With more advanced technology? There’s a simple solution, just work hard to earn more money and continue to make it prosperous!”
Lee Ying Xian, 107, Nan Hua High School

Title: Metropolis Singapore I depicted Singapor

Title: Metropolis Singapore
I depicted Singapore’s skyline to highlight Singapore’s rapid modernization. What consisted of mainly kampongs, have now been transformed into an urban jungle of concrete buildings. Some iconic landmarks I have included are the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, HDB flats and even the MRT that have become our principal mode of transportation! Since Singapore is globally renowned as a ‘City in a Garden’, I drew a backdrop of greeneries as a representation of its nurtured nature. My artwork overall illustrates our city’s growth from Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village into a vibrant and thriving metropolis.
I talked to my grandmother, and I found out that Singapore was a small fishing village in the past. She shared the joys of communal living and how everyone does things together. My grandmother enjoyed fishing with her close friends as they treated one another like family. At times, the fishes that she had caught also became part of our dinner. Listening to these stories makes me grateful of current times and how food is readily available. I have newfound respect to how my grandmother have lived through these years and how Singapore has transformed from an island with many villages to a beautiful city in a garden.
Since Singapore is known as the ‘City in a Garden’, I dream for Singaporeans to improve on our recycling habits as recyclable materials are still thrown into normal trash bins. I believe if we recycle right, we could innovate to make other products and there is no wastage. To do my part, I can create posters to spread awareness. Schools could also start a collective effort for a project together. A message I have for Singaporeans is, “Let’s play our part to refuse, reuse, reduce and recycle.” This way, we can not only protect our environment, but also make our city beautiful and green!
Chong Xin Tong, 4E, Woodgrove Primary School

My grandfather, Andrew, had a childhood dream to b

My grandfather, Andrew, had a childhood dream to be a doctor. However, the family could not afford the education as they were poor. Instead of feeling helpless about his situation, he worked hard to be successful and to create a better future for himself.

Through his determination and grit, he worked his way in the kitchen as an assistant till he became a chef at a hotel. I am grateful to my grandfather as his hard work created a better future for his family. I cannot imagine the strength that my grandfather had. He is an inspiration to me.

Now, during his free time, he would go to the nearby hawker centre at Upper Boon Keng Road to get his favourite herbal mutton soup. He enjoys festivals such as Chinese New Year because we get to gather as a family and spend quality time together. Simple but meaningful connections make him happy.
I am grateful that Singapore is how it is now due to the hard work from our grandparents. They had contributed a lot to society despite the harsh conditions. We should appreciate their efforts by showing our respect and valuing them.
My dream for Singapore is that we can be kind to each other, no matter young or old. I will make this dream come true, starting with myself, as kindness pays forward.
I would recommend tourists get a plate of chicken when they visit Singapore. It looks like a very simple dish of chicken, rice and chilli, but one bite of it will make everyone smile. I enjoy eating chicken rice at any time of the day.
This drawing reflects how resilience and family support have inspired the artist to cherish and celebrate meaningful moments together. The depiction of a Chinese New Year reunion dinner of the artist, his parents and his grandparents holding hands further strengthens the bond and unity that the artist has with his family. The Singapore National flag in a heart shape symbolises his grandfather’s contribution to the prosperity of Singapore as a hotel chef and his love for the family.
Tan Yuan Jie Ivan, Secondary 3/2, Katong School

I sat alone in my room on a video call with my gra

I sat alone in my room on a video call with my grandma who is in her hometown, Malaysia. It’s been a while since we’ve last spoken. She’s 85 and unable to travel anymore. We talked about her favorite festivity, the Lunar New Year. She recounts the time when she stayed in Singapore for a while and when she had her first Lunar New Year here, away from her home. Grandma decided that
she would go and bring the family to see the fireworks display at MBS for the first time. It was a night to remember. Loud fireworks would light up the city landscape. Grandma observed people around her who’d brought their own families and were enjoying the display too. Sharing a moment with strangers felt surreal to her.
One thing she loves about Lunar New Year is that she’s able to spend time with family. I feel like as part of the younger generation, we often treat these kinds of festivities as a mere public holiday and the only thing that is fun to do is collecting ‘ang baos’. I was never really too fond of holding huge celebrations and always thought that it was a waste of time. However after the pandemic, I started to realize how important this festivity is and what it meant for my family. Thanks to my grandma, I learn to be grateful for what I have and to not take anything around me for granted.
I have really big dreams as a youth living in Singapore. We often subject our local talents to impossibly high and demanding expectations. I also think that this lack of support is largely due to local content being inaccessible. I hope to be a change. I will bring my friends to watch local film screenings. I may be creating content with my friends too and we’re intending to relate it back to local art.
BRANDON MATIAS CHUNG ZI XAUN, 3D, St Hilda's Secondary School

我怀着激动的心情，在新加坡国庆日到来之前，画了这幅展现新加坡风貌的画。
画面里有历史久远的土生华人的屋子。
画面里有第一代组屋的游乐场。
画面里有滨海湾，金沙酒店，还有鱼尾狮。
一趟轻轨列车从图中穿过，闪着光，好像把我们从历史带回现代。也好像把新加坡的过去和未来相链接。
每一次伫立在土生华人的屋子前，我都被他镶嵌在屋外的彩砖所吸引。后来学校组织参观，才了解到，早年下南洋的中国人在新马区域落地生根，有些娶了当地的马来女子为妻，他们的后代通称土生华人。土生华人文化融合华巫精髓璀璨，无论是服饰，饮食都颇具格调。如此的品味也延申到房子外观，他们将彩砖镶嵌于外墙。彩砖满是细节，有浮雕的纹理，是艺术和工艺的完美结合。游走城里的老房子宛似穿梭古今。现在的土生华人屋子也成了新加坡吸引外来游客的一个景点。
龙头的游乐场，据说是第一代组屋楼下的游乐场的地标。我小的时候去大巴窑玩耍，有机会去那儿玩了一下。时过那么多年，龙的颜色还是很鲜艳，古朴的游乐场让我流连往返。听妈妈说，这个是第一次HDB把游乐场的感念引进到居民区，让小区的孩子在家楼下就可以有玩耍。
时光的列车飞驰，新加坡也有了翻天覆地的变化。
滨海湾的地标金沙酒店，滨海花园，让世界看到了小小的岛国。据说“国家地理频道出品的” Megastructures” 纪录片为它进行了专门介绍。现在的金沙酒店，滨海公园不仅是盛大节日的举办地，也成为新加坡人休闲的场所。我们全家就常常在晚餐后，或骑车，或散步，来这儿吹吹海风；听听音乐，看看灯光秀。
美丽的新加坡，也称这为“狮城”。因为这里有座大名鼎鼎的鱼尾狮。爸爸妈妈常常念叨起，以前在圣淘沙，鱼尾狮的灯光秀。他们还带我登上鱼尾狮的顶部，环看四周的海天一色，至今在我脑海里留下深刻的印象。
美丽的新加坡，我要怎么画出您的美？我喜欢游戏里的色彩，我想像着如果把新加坡的美景搬进游戏里，那会是怎样？想着想着，图形便在我的画纸上出现了。
我爱美丽的新加坡，祝您58岁生日快乐！
-Hong Rui Chen, 6 Francis, Maris Stella High School (Primary)

Back in the days before villages had tap water and

Back in the days before villages had tap water and water dispensers, nearly every household had a well and a waist-high earthern jar to supply water for home uses such as laundry and consumption. In the 1950s, children enjoy this simple and well-love classic game called ‘Hide and Seek’ as they were encouraged to use their imagination and survival skills to find well-hidden spots that others might not think of. However, in 2023, a three-storey high themed water park called Aqua Adventure was built and it is Singapore’s first integrated all-weather, water adventure centre that has sprays, bucket splashes, dials and gears that adds on their air of fun and excitement for children.
I talked to my maternal grandmother to get to know her better. I have learnt that nobody reaches old age without having gone through a number of trials and tribulations from her. A long life is never without painful memories, but one of the best way of coping with bad times if to find the humour in situations. She is renowned for her ability to laugh in the face of adversity and this resilience is a value that I can learn from. A little humour goes a long way towards making bad moments more bearable and good moments more memorable. When she was 10, in 1975, there was a lack of housing and proliferation of squatter settlements. Nowadays, majority of the population had been housed in HDB apartments.
I wish Singapore can be a place of passion, where I am excited about who I am and what I can do. It makes me want to think more about the way that I do things. Also, I want to help me making Singapore a resourceful place by me thinking creatively, working smarter, faster and harder. My message to all Singaporeans is that I passionately believe that everyone in Singapore can make a difference. We must work relentlessly to reinforce our purpose and live our values everyday.
MUHAMMAD AMMAR BIN MUHAMMAD KHAIR, 4 JADE, PUNGGOL VIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL

My artwork showcases the important icons of Singap

My artwork showcases the important icons of Singapore that were selected based on my conversation with my grandfather. I focused on the defence of our nation through the fighter jets at the top protecting and reminding us of the simple things we ought to always protect - our home, which is represented through the different housing. The cable cars show that we are constantly on the move and progressing as a nation. Singapore should remain bright & colourful all the time.
I spoke to my grandfather who shared with me about the defence of Singapore. He told us of the struggles we went through to achieve independence and be able to defend ourselves. I did not realise we had to go through so much of struggles as we were building up to be the nation we are today. Singapore has changed so much & we have attained peace in our country as well as with other countries. I learnt that we were once a nation nobody knew about but now the Singaporean passport is one of the strongest.
My dream for Singapore is that we will continue to be able to develop and defend ourselves. I hope for more advancement within our defence so that we can always stay safe and maintain our peace. I hope at the same time our arts scene will develop and more areas like our art science museum shows up. This will help to promote our art scene here as I believe there is a strong potential in our local art. I will contribute to Singapore by striving to become a good artist who will make a positive impact into the scene.
When tourist visit Singapore, I believe that they should visit the national gallery of Singapore. By visiting the gallery, the tourists will be introduced to the Nanyang style of our art as well as see the progressing art scene in Singapore. They will be greeted with the architectural history of Singapore as well because the gallery is home to the former supreme court & it is at the now national monument, Padang. Singapore is special to me as this is where all my friends and family are. They have all contributed to the building of the nation and it provides me with an identity.
Sanvi Quek Zi Hui , 5D, Springdale Primary School

Hazel Loh 5 Inn, Rosyth School

Hazel Loh 5 Inn, Rosyth School

I spoke with my grandmother. I gained more knowled

I spoke with my grandmother. I gained more knowledge about my grandmother's old life, which is remarkably distinct from today's society. I discovered that younger generations in the past exhibited greater independence than younger generations do today. Hence, I learned that even while we can now rely more on technology, we should always be as independent as we possibly can be. Because there was no technology back then and life was simpler, people appeared to be more social and close to one another.
My artwork depicts life in the past, specifically the 1950s. Things were different in the 1950s. People traveled in numerous ways; some opted for "illegal" taxis, others for buses, while others driving their own cars. Like the contemporary Grab, illegal taxis were driven by individuals who drove about to pick up passengers. People of all ages used to enjoy a variety of snacks, including chocolate bangles, piring wafers, and others. Many children found five stones and longkang fishing to be enjoyable activities.They would search the roadside for small rocks and sand them to make them smooth if they didn't have five stones. Children would go fishing in a longkang next to their home to capture small fish that they could keep.
I hope that Singapore becomes a more developed and sustainable country. I can help by using more reusable items to help save the environment. The message I would like to share is that everyone should play apart to save their own country as the future of where we live is in our hands.
I suggest that tourists should try out Singapore’s unique diversity of food. Hawker centres have a wide variety of culinary foods that range from different cultures. Since Singapore is a multiracial and multicultural country, it is convenient to find different cuisines around Singapore.
Sabrina Jamie Paul, 2C, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

Punggol View Primary School

Punggol View Primary School

Back then, a simple life was all that was needed f

Back then, a simple life was all that was needed for happiness. My grandmother toiled for her family and did not mind doing any job. She was a cleaner, a job that not many would like to do, but she did not mind it because she dreamed for all her grandchildren to be successful in life.
She is a very hands-on person who cooks and makes her favourite food to be shared with family, such as lontong and kuih lopes. Her hobbies are cooking and keeping the house clean. She loves to go to the market to meet old friends and catch up with them.
I did not realize how much she sacrificed for us till I was much older. She did not demand much for herself. I learned that we could live a simple life and still be happy. She has taught me the value of integrity and being humble because she earned an honest living from a laborious job. In my eyes, she is such a strong person both physically and emotionally, and I am proud of her.
COVID-19 has taught us many lessons, including how to appreciate family and treasure the social interactions around us. It is easy to get caught up in the virtual world, but what really matters is the real-life connections we foster. My dream is for Singapore to be a safe country so that we can have all these beautiful connections with the people we love.
The drawing is tribute to artist’s grandmother’s role in holding her family together and contributing to the growth and success of Singapore. Depicting her as a tree, deeply rooted and branching out to provide for her family, symbolises her strength and nurturing nature.
Her grandmother’s willingness to do any job to secure a better future for her grandchildren and her love for cooking and family is remembered fondly. She instilled the values of living a simple life based on integrity and strength. The artist has learnt many invaluable life lesson that has shaped her perspective and character as a young person.
Ulfah Bariah Binte Saharuddin, Secondary 3/2, Katong School

This artwork shows the different games that are pl

This artwork shows the different games that are played in olden days.
I spoke to my grandmother. She told me about the different games they played when smart phones do not exist. I learnt that we should find out about the past of Singapore and how they lived, and how Singapore became what it is today. One value I learnt is thankfulness. Our ancestors have suffered a lot through hate war and riots. In the olden days, they live in kampungs beside each other. Now, we live on top of each other, below each other, beside each other, and in harmony.
As we move towards a better future after COVID-19, my dream is to be racially harmonious, learn more about other cultures in Singapore .lets all accept each other for who we are as all of us are special and unique on our own ways.
As tourists return to Singapore, an interesting place to visit is Sentosa. There are many fun activities at Sentosa that you would be unable to finish all of them in one day! A food I would recommend is the chicken rice. Chicken rice is loved by most Singaporeans as it is special, and different from any other chicken rice. An experience I would like to recommend is the super tree grove. It is best visited at night when the garden rhapsody light and sound show goes on, you can also go up to the OCBC Skyway for a stroll amongst the trees and enjoy the views from the top. Singapore is special because it is safe and it has solved many problems that many other countries have not solved in the last 58 years.
Joanna Tan Kai Xuan, 4HU , Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

My inspiration came from the conversation I had wi

My inspiration came from the conversation I had with my grandfather. I drew the four hands holding satay sticks together as satay was my grandfather’s favourite snack as he was growing up. I wanted to emphasize that Singapore is a multi-racial society, so I drew the four main races in Singapore holding hands. I also included some of Singapore’s most well-known iconic landmarks such as the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, Super trees and our National flower, orchids. I drew a bowl of ice kachang at a hawker as it was my parents’ favourite dessert when they were growing up. Take a closer look and you will see that there’s a packet of tissue packet on all the tables, representing Singapore’s ‘Chope-ing’ culture.
In a conversation with my grandfather, I learned about his fondest childhood memory of buying satay together with his friends with their pocket money every month. As a child, my grandfather shared how cheap things were as compared to today’s prices, such as a satay stick at no more than twenty cents back then. This experience taught me the value of responsibility and the importance of monitoring one’s spending, ensuring that my money should be spent wisely.
As we move towards a better future after COVID-19, I hope that Singapore could have stronger community bonds. As a nation with diverse population, fostering stronger connections would promote empathy, understanding and unity among people. To help make this dream come true, I feel that we need to encourage acts of kindness and volunteerism. We can do this by sharing stories and initiatives that highlight acts of kindness in the community. By doing this, more Singaporeans would be inspired to forge stronger bonds within their community and will contribute to a positive community culture, A message that I have for Singaporeans would be, “Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. A friendly conversation, lending hand or even a simple smile can brighten someone’s day and create lasting connections”.
Nadia Natasha Binte Azmeen, 6 Open-mindedness, Temasek Primary School

“Singapore’s Collage” In my artwork, Singap

“Singapore’s Collage”
In my artwork, Singapore both old and new. I put the old pictures of Singapore in a photo collage to represent the past and I put the new pictures of Singapore in a device to show how much Singapore has progressed. I did as a photo collage as I remembered looking through the photo albums of my family elders, I saw the many photos which looks like a collage. I also added stickers of things Singaporeans are all familiar with in between to link the old and the new.
I asked my grandfather for ideas and he took out a photo collage of pictures had taken or bought in the past. He told me about how he enjoyed collecting stamps and how he put the photographs in a book. In the olden days, there is no digital camera or handphone, and the film photos are the only way to capture special occasions. Therefore, I got inspired by what he told me so I put that idea into how I would collate the old photos.
I hope that Singapore will grow even further and be even more successful as a country. I also wish that we would already be self-sufficient and would not have to depend so strongly on other countries. We would also be more cultured in the arts and more people will learn to be more appreciative.
Foods I would introduce people to enjoy are, Hokkien mee, Laksa, the Singaporean breakfast, Nasi Lemak and more. These food are my favourite hawker centre food and unique to Singapore.
I would recommend them to go to places such as, Jewel Changi, Sentosa and Universal Studios. These are foods and places that I enjoy very much, so I think others would too.
Tan Si Qi Raewyn , S107, Nan Hua High School

My artwork captures my impression of Singapore in

My artwork captures my impression of Singapore in the past and how it looks like now. The people live happily and despite the differences in race and religion, we continue to enjoy the peace and harmony. A common trait we still observe now is our love for food and we continue to share our food during festive celebrations.
I interviewed my best friend's grandmother as I did not have a chance to interview my own grandmother as she passed away last year in June. His grandmother is 67 years old and shared with me that she used to stay in Nee Soon Village during her younger days. It is one of the oldest Chinese Kampung.
She remembered vividly that the village was destroyed by a fire in 1979 and the remaining cluster was demolished for urban redevelopment. Thereafter, Yishun New Town was established. She is staying with her family in a HDB flat now.
She shared that the environment is much cleaner as compared to her kampung days. However, she missed the kampung spirit in the village where neighbours are mostly harmonious and will readily offer help, support or even food to one another.
My dream is for Singapore to become a world class society with greater harmony, graciousness and unity. I will do my part by taking initiative to help one another and greet my neighbours and friends. We can bring the kampung spirit back to the community. Singaporeans can take every opportunity to come together for events like food gathering or sports.
Chinatown is rich in history, heritage and culture. You can find Chinese and Hindu temples, as well as Muslim Mosque and Christian church along the walking trail. There is a good variety of local food such as roti prata, satay and fish ball noodles available at the hawker Centre and restaurants. It brings out the local flavour and tradition of our multi-racial society.
Teo Zhi Xuan 5R3, Park View Primary School

This artwork was created using colour markers. I w

This artwork was created using colour markers. I was inspired by Singapore’s evening sky of red and purple hues and often sit back to enjoy it and dream of the future. I imagine a little girl sitting in an open field as she gazed in the sky as she experience the proud moments of our Singapore flag being flown up in Singapore’s sky during the flypast.
I talked to my grandfather about how Singapore was like when he was growing up. He said that Singapore has developed a lot since then. Singapore was not as clean as it is now. There have been lots of effort to clean up the city and make it greener. Now, I have come to appreciate how clean and green Singapore is. I learnt the values of perseverance and determination from my grandfather who contributed to the cleanliness of Singapore today. Singapore has changed alot since 1950 in terms of the technological advancements. Moreover, the public transportation here is well connected. I am blessed to study in Singapore where the education system is world class.
I hope for Singapore to be sustainable, diverse and an inclusive society. I picture greenery everywhere with well connected public transportation, clean energy, and environmentally friendly infrastructure. I believe that embracing technology to further develop the city and improve the quality of life in general is necessary.
Singapore's many attractions should be explored by visitors. For good views, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay is good. Historical sites including Chinatown and Merlion Park are worth exploring as well. Little India and Kampong Glam would be good to experience the lively culture. One should start with the theme parks on Sentosa Island, and then finish with a tour of the delicious hawker centers.
They Yu Xuan, 3CA, Meridian Primary School

Title: Nostalgic Gastronomy�In my art, I embarke

Title: Nostalgic Gastronomy�In my art, I embarked on a sensory voyage through Singaporean foods my grandparents enjoyed. My art is a top view of a dining space. The flooring, table and seats represent my grandparents’ favourite hawker centre where they ate their favourite local dishes. There are three mouth-watering dishes on the table. Firstly, Hainanese chicken rice. I captured the essence of succulent chicken and fragrant rice. Secondly, satay. I seek to capture the sizzling skewers and delicious sauces. Lastly, claypot rice. I hope to evoke the essence of smoky grains, tender meats and layers of flavours that emerge from the claypot.
I spoke with my grandparents. I learnt about the different foods that they enjoy. I think Singaporean grandparents often express their love and affection for their grandchildren. They take them on gastronomic adventures to taste and discover a diverse array of Singaporean foods, from hawker center delights to traditional dishes. Through these shared experiences, our grandparents pass down their cultural heritage and values, fostering a strong sense of connection and bonding between us younger generations. The act of sharing food becomes a means of expressing love and care, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. I also feel that although Singapore has made many changes, bonding over food is something that is uniquely Singaporean.
TAN WEN XIN, 1/1, Bedok View Secondary School

The person I had interviewed would go to the old m

The person I had interviewed would go to the old market at night to meet his friends for dinner. He would always have lots of fun there. I drew mice and used dark colours to represent the dirty streets and dim surroundings.

-Lin Julan 5 Integrity, Rosyth School

I drew a typewriter with a computer keyboard to re

I drew a typewriter with a computer keyboard to represent the way that Singapore has changed the way we communicate. We used to communicate by letters but now we use email to send our messages. This shows that Singapore has evolved over time and this change is a good form of change as it saves our earth.
I interviewed my grandmother. She is 63. In the past, there were no hawker centres. When food is sold, they are carried in baskets that contained satay, mee rebus, and many more. The sellers will go from kampong houses to kampong houses to sell food and sometimes even cook food on the spot. On the eve of Chinese New Year or Hari Raya, there was fire crackers and it would be very noisy when celebrations took place.
My dream for Singapore is for the country to continue to develop herself into an information and communication hub, excelling or heading the world in terms of technological advancement. I would like to be part of this by contributing my skills and knowledge in the future.
I highly recommend tourists to learn about how much we have grown into, how we are now as a country, in terms of technology and communication.
Nur Shifa Bte Muhammad Khairul, 1E3, Pasir Ris Secondary School

In my artwork, I drew a coffee shop scene with man

In my artwork, I drew a coffee shop scene with many people chilling around, some of talking to each other and some eating the food. There is a man with a newspaper with a speech bubble extending out of it and inside it has many common sights of 1950s-60s Singapore such as the riot police.
After asking my grandmother about the topic, she said that her mother would tell her stories about how life was like in the1950s, from children running around in the fields to the adults having a quick chat at the step of their attap houses to keep the kampung spirit alive. She also told me how the 1950s-60s had many riots such as the Racial Riots and she often saw news about such event while today the riot police is very advanced in order to quickly stop riots. My grandmother also told me how they would often see hawkers on the street selling many interesting objects and delicious food but then a few minutes late, my grandmother and her mother would see them running away from the inspectors since they were selling Illegally as compared to today where hawkers can find a place in hawker centres easily.. She would also see many shophouses and the city skyline was not as extravagant as it is today. This allowed me to understand that we need to appreciate the past of Singapore while understanding how we need to build a sense of community and solidarity in today’s era.
My dream for Singapore as it emerges from COVID-19 is to build a more sustainable country that is very environmentally-friendly. I pledge to educate others about how we can help to achieve this goal such as helping out in environmental activities monthly and providing more information to residents about recycling bins in order for them to be used properly. a message I want to convey to all Singaporeans to encourage their support of this vision is that since climate change is affecting many people around the world, we need do something about it and play our part in order to help the fight against climate change with camaraderie by making the country more environmentally-friendly.
Bosco Lee, 2E6, PRSS

Title: Looking through the Window Looking Throu

Title: Looking through the Window
Looking Through the Window is a glimpse into perspectives of different artists. Each window captures a portrait in time of different families. As a nation that is home to a variety of ethnicities, cultures and religions, our artwork aims to celebrate this diversity as our strength. Inspired by the essence of HDB living, the work reflects the vibrancy of different cultures and traditions that interconnects with one another in a community. Our many communities may have their own festivities and practices, yet we celebrate as one people.
Each of us had a conversation with our families and elders to find out more about the celebrations and practices in our families that have passed down from generations. We realized that for some of us, we might celebrate the same festivities yet celebrating in different ways. It is interesting to have conversations with other student artists as we shared the memories during special occasions and how the variety of cultures adds vibrancy to the life of our family. Although times have changed and Singapore has undergone major advancements architecturally and economically, we are thankful that the local traditions and cultures are kept alive and make Singapore unique.
Post COVID-19, Singapore have started to return to normalcy. Many festivities and occasions are resumed for everyone to celebrate together. Our dream for Singapore is to continue our efforts to strengthen harmony and embrace one another’s cultures. This project has made us realise the beauty of our unique differences and how it can be our strength if we unite as one. We could perhaps have the collaborative projects that celebrate diverse cultures to bring awareness to the public.
Woodgrove Primary school
Sara Sofea Binte Ruddieman (3A)
Jiang Xinyi (3C)
Joeanne Ho Xin En (3E)
Aiden Binoy (3E)
Kallis Yeo Kai Ning (4B)
Rina Zia Ahmed (4B)
Akshara D/O Sankar (4C)
Vasudhara Koh Han Qi (4C)
Chong Xin Tong (4E)
Ng Yi En (4E)

This artwork captures Singapore's journey from kam

This artwork captures Singapore's journey from kampung houses to modern HDB flats, reflecting its evolution through time. The inclusion of Singapore's first playground evokes nostalgia and a sense of community. Amidst the pandemic's global impact, the artwork showcases the city's vibrant culture, food, and iconic landmarks. The Singapore River symbolizes historical progression from a ‘swamp’ to its current pristine state, representing the city's resilience and progress. The artwork encapsulates Singapore's rich history, blending the past and present to showcase its unique identity and remarkable journey through the ages.
My grandfather shared cherished memories of his youth in a kampung, where homes were crafted from attap and wood. What stood out the most was the strong sense of community, as neighbors cared for one another, and doors remained open, fostering an atmosphere of trust and unity. While Singapore has undoubtedly transformed into a modern metropolis, leaving behind the attap houses, the essence of trust remains a fundamental pillar of our harmonious society, binding us together as a unified country with a shared commitment to one another.
My dream for Singapore is to be unity, where every citizen embraces a profound sense of togetherness. I envision a country that leads the way in reducing waste and preserving our cherished historical values for generations to come. As an ardent advocate of recycling, I pledge to lead by example and inspire my friends to join me on this eco-conscious journey. For Singapore to become a better place, let us stand united, steadfast and resilient, no matter what challenges we may encounter, as we work hand in hand towards a brighter and more sustainable future.
Lauren Han Hui, 6 Humility, Temasek Primary School

Title of Artwork: Chilling in the 1960s When

Title of Artwork: Chilling in the 1960s
When I heard the stories from my grandma, I was inspired to present a portrayal of what rest and relaxation looked like.
An example is when my grandma spoke of hearing stories on the radio or watching television while eating snacks such as Ice Jems and Colorful Kueh. These were presented in my art piece through the Ice Jems, Colorful Kueh and Coffee on the floor with a Radio. As for the Television I drew it in a style similar to the Radio to show the past style. Inside the Television there is an Ang Ku Kueh which I coloured black and white to show that technology was not as advanced as the past but my grandparents still enjoyed their youth thanks to simple things like food or colorless Televisions. There are also two tickets placed beside the Coffee cup to show the way people took transportation in the past and in the tickets there are drinks and foods like Milo,Grass Jelly Milk Tea,Curry Puff and lastly Dao Sa Piah. I drew them inside the tickets hoping that the people viewing my artwork would understand how a bite from these scrumptious delicacies make me feel like I'm in my grandma’s shoes.
I spoke with my Grandma. Something that I didn’t know before and learnt from my Grandma through this activity was a kind of fun and relaxation that is different as compared to now. Some values i learnt from my grandma was to be grateful for what I have and respect people’s effort to make this world a better place. Singapore‘s technology and economy are one of the greatest changes between olden Singapore and modern Singapore.
My dream for Singapore is to help Singapore be able to experience the joy and fun through offline activities from the past that brought my elders joy instead of being on our phones all the time.
Iselle Yap Yi Xian, Hillgrove Secondary School, 1-6

My artwork is about what happened in olden times i

My artwork is about what happened in olden times in Singapore. There were people who had to wake up early every morning to collect water. Then, I also drew the five stars on Singapore's flag, to represent it being Singapore.
I talked to my mother who told me about my late grandmother's childhood. I learnt about the kampung spirit and how people had to cope with difficulties by helping each other. My mother said Singapore has changed a lot, with all the new electronic devices, when in the past, everybody had to crowd into one house just to watch TV. Singapore is really modernised today!
I hope that everybody will be kinder and help each other more often. I can tell all my friends that and I hope this message can spread around.
I think that an interesting place to visit in Singapore is the Marina Bay Sands hotel! The hotel service there is good, and there are many exciting things to do there, such as swim in the infinity pool on top of the hotel! Singapore is such a special multi- racial country. I hope that we can also learn to include each other more often!
Lim Xin Rui Meredith, 4HU , Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

This artwork shows the advancement of the Singapor

This artwork shows the advancement of the Singapore Public Transport, especially buses. We can easily take for granted air-conditioned buses nowadays. We should look back at how our grandparents had to ride on warm metallic boxes and even had to pay the bus conductor for tickets when he goes around to collect from passengers.
My dream for Singapore is for the country and people to continue to be more caring and kind towards one another. I would like to grow up to be such a person and encourage others to be the same. I highlight recommend tourists to visit places where the locals would go and try taking bus rides to random town centres and neighbourhood to get to know everyday Singaporeans.
Aydin Jerkin Shah, 1E5, Pasir Ris Secondary School

My artwork depicts the various landmarks of Singap

My artwork depicts the various landmarks of Singapore.
In the 1940s, my great grandparents came to Singapore from China to seek a better living. My grandparents were born in Singapore in Mid 1940s. They lived in Kampong, their house was built with zinc and attar. The stilt house was near the river bank. They lived a very simple life. They played hide-and-seek, hop scotch, skipping ropes, marbles and etc. When it was low tide, they will jump from log to log for fun. Those tree logs were put in the river from the sawmills to damp the logs before they can be put into production. Sometimes, they went to catch fishes, crabs or picked seashells. My grandmother also experienced the introduction of water rationing. People from the village had to bring pails, buckets or tins to queue for water.
Over the years, after 1965, Singapore had developed into a beautiful and modern city. Most of the Singaporeans live in HDB flats, condominiums or landed properties.
I hope that we will continue to be a unique country where multiracial and multiculture harmonizes in.
Singapore has many places of interest for tourist such as MBS, Gardens By the Bay, The Esplanade etc. The Fullerton Bay Hotel is a modern hotel that pays tribute to a bygone era.
Gail Phua, 3KI, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

My artwork shows the life of my grandaunt growing

My artwork shows the life of my grandaunt growing up. In the past, she loved cooking different types of curries with her grandmother and making different types of kweh such as ang ku kueh. During the fifth month of every year, they would also make handmade dumplings.The festivals that they celebrate were Moon-Cake festival and Chinese New Year.Growing up, she lived in the kampung which had many trees for them to climb. Although they had a car, she often took a bus to go to school, and worked as a nurse after completing her education journey. My drawing depicts her life in 1950’s.
I spoke with my grandaunt. I learnt about her experiences in the past and the various occupations eg: police officer, teacher and nurse. I learnt that in the past, school started at 7am and ended at 12pm, and there were no extra curricular activities. My grandaunt also had to help her parents work and sell food in the markets during the holiday. From my grandaunts experience, i learnt the value of tenacity as she had a lot of responsibilities growing up as she had to manage both school and work, which displayed the value of tenacity as she did not give up easily and continued to work and study hard to allow her families to make ends meet. In the past, I also learnt that there were no plastic bags and they were very environmentally friendly. Not many people could afford a car too, hence the majority of the people used public buses to travel around, which was also much more environmentally friendly and the air quality was better, unike now, when people are taking for granted the use of plastic bags and its damage to the environment, and the increase in private car owners, polluting the air.
My dream for Singapore is for the people to be more connected as in the past people lived in kampugs and often visited their neighbours and played together. When they faced difficulties, they also helped one another out. I hope that as COVID-19 subsides, Singapore will be more connected and not stay behind locked doors in our individual condos, hdb flats, landed housing etc, but start to interact with one another and forge a greater bond with our neighbours.
Gisele Sioh Shu En, 2H, CHIJ SJC

Creating this artwork was my way to make my grandf

Creating this artwork was my way to make my grandfather’s memories into a picture so he could reminisce about his past without having to go on the internet or dig through old photographs to discover a place or food he loves. I hope that my art piece can showcase the places and dishes that my grandfather loves and be able to be share with others that may be able to relate and remember their happy memories made at those places and the taste of some to-die-for foods.
Speaking with my maternal grandfather allowed me to find out interesting facts about him that I never knew before. For example, I now know why he does not eat eggs for dinner. It is because he eats the same breakfast everyday which consists of soft-boiled eggs, kaya butter toast and a coffee. I learnt that my grandfather is a humble man as he easily makes friends with the vendors at the Flea Market. He is also thrifty and often purchases second-hand goods from Sungai Road Flea Market, instead of new ones. Additionally, having a simple breakfast with his friends at a coffee shop will easily satisfy him. Thus, I learnt from him that being humble is key. The Sungai Road Flea Market is no longer at Sugai Road as it has made way for an MRT station, future residential and commercial developments. In a nutshell, SIngapore has become a more vibrant city for all to live in.
My dream for Singapore is to become a more harmonious society for all races to live in. I pledge to respect each and every race and treat them equally. This quote will always be etched into my mind, :”Treat others the way you want to be treated.”. I hope that everyone can play their part in this mission of mine.
I would highly recommend tourists to visit the popular tourist attractions such as Gardens by the Bay. Personally I feel that Gardens by the Bay has allowed me to connect with nature and all its flora and fauna. I would also recommend going to the hawker centres and coffee shops to dine as there is a wide array of food from different ethnic groups that they can try from. I hope tourists will enjoy life in Singapore as much as I do too!
Megan Lee Rou En, Sec 2H , CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

“A Word of the Past”: My artwork depicts an en

“A Word of the Past”: My artwork depicts an enormous typewriter; its elegant structure provides shelter to a middle-aged woman and her grandchild (my grandma and I). Vibrant little lumps of tang-yuan bob up and down the warm sesame soup in the typewriter pan, an age-old delicacy fondly recalled by many. Those familiar red-capped plastic jars stand atop the typewriter ledge, along with various household boxes that were commonly seen lying around the average Singaporean kitchen long ago. With this art piece, I wanted to bring to light my grandma’s experience as a talented translator (hence the typewriter), as well as an avid creator of wonderful Singaporean tid-bits such as tang yuan, in the 1900s. This highlights Singapore’s history as a bilingual nation with authentic local snacks.
I had the honour of speaking to my grandma who had years of valuable experience in Singapore at her fingertips. Through this, I realised the true importance of Singapore’s spirited history, as well as the sheer extent of my grandma’s skills. She is not just a doting grandparent, but also a highly experienced and accomplished woman of her generation. From her, I learnt the value of patience and serenity. In this fast-paced world today, we no longer have the time to appreciate the beautiful little things around us. It really shocked me to learn that the past was such a vibrant, lively time to be alive. I feel that back then, people cared more for deep things like heritage and tradition than we do now. It is my opinion that the appeal of such peace-filled matters is fading fast with every new generation.
I dream that our country will always remember to look back and appreciate all the effort that brought us to this point, as a successful nation. In order to help this dream come true, I pledge to continue a few of the dying traditions such as the creation of handmade tang yuan. I hope that Singaporeans will understand the need to preserve our heritage, and not to lose ourselves amidst this new-age hubbub.
Adara Tan Xin Xuan, 304, Nan Hua High School

My artwork pays tribute to my grandmother's cheris

My artwork pays tribute to my grandmother's cherished memories in 1950s-1960s Singapore. Chinatown, her favourite place, held a special significance as it was near her kampung. Each visit allowed her to savor the delightful Ang Ku Kueh—a sweet treat wrapped in a soft, sticky glutinous rice flour skin, symbolizing a red tortoise cake. Chinatown also hosted her beloved Chinese New Year celebrations, where families bonded, and the red packets she received were used to buy more Ang Ku Kueh. My grandmother said these memories represent a wonderful connection within families, preserving traditions, fostering ties, and creating lasting moments.
I spoke with my grandmother. I learnt more about what my grandmother did in the past, like the food she ate, places she would frequently visit and the celebrations she enjoyed celebrating in the past. Through this, I learnt more about the valuable traditions passed down through the generations, where some values I took away were that we should know the significance of our cultural heritage. Singapore has changed a lot, being more developed and advanced as compared to the past, evolving quickly from a third world nation to a first world nation.
My dream for Singapore is for it to continue growing and thriving into a more sustainable and developed country, where we can continue to be a global hub for all business, innovation and cultural exchange. I pledge that i would help educate myself and others, raising awareness and sharing my knowledge, I would want to share more about what their support can help and benefit our country, contributing to the collective well- being and progress of the nation.
KWAY ALEXIS, Sec 2G, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

This artwork depicts my dad when he was young eati

This artwork depicts my dad when he was young eating a meal of rice, veggies and ikan kuning for dinner.
This is to represent how him and his family managed to salvage a meal under hard times.
I spoke with my dad and he said that in the 70s, Singapore’s economy was not so stable as it was a newly independent country, there were also social instability caused by protests and riots led by trade unions. Due to this, employment rates were low which led many families to poverty. Despite the harsh challenges, my dad was still living a happy life. But how did he do this? Gratitude. Now that Singapore is a peaceful country with stable economic growth, I am grateful for what I have at this current moment, just like how my dad was in the late 60s-70s.
I wish that Singaporeans can learn to be more appreciative of the world around them. Especially due to COVID-19, so many frontline workers have stepped up to help us through the pandemic. We live in a country with a top education system, rich in diversity, popular tourist destinations, good food, stable economy and much more. I feel that we always forget how fortunate we are to be here.
I definitely think that they should try foods from hawker centres rather than high-class restaurants. They can get to taste the authentic flavours of Singapore that has lasted for decades and also experience other cultures that make up Singapore through food.
CHEW LI XIN ALISON, Sec 2C, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

I made this artwork about my grandmother's favouri

I made this artwork about my grandmother's favourite hobby which was cooking. The red
brick walls, chickens and rats on the ground shows how the kitchen looked like in the olden
days. She would boil water directly over a fire and cook on a fire stove. Today, many
households have switched to electric stove. I chose these complementary colours to make
the subjects in the artwork stand out.
SOPHIA YEE SHU XIAN, 5D, Henry Park Primary School

Every single family sits in a round table, just sm

Every single family sits in a round table, just smiling at my grandmother. She looks to the camera, inviting the viewer in, as she, too, wants to celebrate CNY with them.
I spoke with my maternal grandmother. I have learnt that, no amount of money will make her happy. What’s the point of putting food on the table if no one is going to eat it? She shows patience, as she always waits for everyone to come to the table before she starts eating. And she is the one waiting for the last person to finish as well. When she was young, she grew up in a large family so it was close-knitted and fun. However, now families are distant and cold towards one another.
I hope singapore will be able to strengthen its kampung spirit and everyone can have a friend. I will pledge to always greet my seniors, juniors and teachers in school. I will also lend a helping hand to every uncle or auntie I see on the bus, and hold the lift open for them. I would like to assure to all singaporeans that taking the effort to brighten someone’s day is the bravest and kindest thing, ever.
Tourists, if you want to sample Singapore’s rich biodiversity, go to a park connector and take a walk. Trust me, you will meet interesting people along the way, and there will be insta-worthy spots!
Yeo Shayne, 2I, Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)

Title of Artwork: Flavours of Kampong Glam My

Title of Artwork: Flavours of Kampong Glam
My grandma shared with me stories of her past, expressing her love for cultural food, traditional games, and music. After World War II, Singapore gained independence and transformed into a multi-cultural country. Kampong Glam's history was characterized by its diverse population of different races, and the art created during that time reflected the traditional culture, games, food, and music that thrived in the area. It was a time when various cultures came together, showcasing many traditional games, and sharing their iconic dishes.
I spoke with my grandmother. I learn that my grandmother’s past was interesting. Example, the traditional games, she taught me one game, which was checkers. It was very interesting to learn from her. I actually didn’t know she could play as she never told me before. I learn about her family and community, compassion and resilience. Ever since then, Singapore had move on. Technology took over our lives but there was still something called ‘racial harmony day’. So we people still took the opportunity to learn other traditional games.
My dreams for Singapore is for a vibrant arts and cultural scene that can celebrates Singapore’s heritage while embracing creativity and artistic expression and foster innovation and embrace technology a little so that we still can promote Singapore’s global competitiveness and improvement. I pledge for people to actively take part in building the nation and strive for a brighter and prosperous future. A message that I want to share with all singaporeans is ‘as we follow the path towards a better and prosperous future as a nation, let’s come together and unite as a community. We may have faced challenges but with our resilience,we can fight it. Now, the time has come to build the strength that Singapore dreamed of’.
Jovie Lim Yi Ting, Hillgrove Secondary School, 1-4

My artwork is about the contrast between snacks in

My artwork tells a story about my father’s and g

My artwork tells a story about my father’s and grandfather’s history in sailing as careers and how it’s been told to me and my siblings aka the younger generation. I have chosen to interpret their stories through an illustration of my little sister admiring the contents relating to my seniors’ history in sailing via the concept of a fish tank. My seniors got to venture to other countries such as Japan (drawn in one of the bubbles on the bottom left) as well as the US. In fact, my grandfather is still sailing despite being 80 years old.
I had spoken with my father and from the stories he’s told me, I had learnt about how scary sailing on the ocean can be with huge waves and rocky rides. Despite the spartan experiences that he had gone through, I have learnt from my father to be brave and take risks when going through life. Life is like sailing through a rough sea as in the end of the day we’ll possibly end up in someplace nice which we can call home. Since my father was a sailor before he got married, I can say that many things had changed for him. He would tell me about how only $1 was enough for him to last a day, compared to today where we younglings would get $5 to $10 a day for school expenses.
I hope for Singapore to continue thriving as one nation regardless of race, language or religion for the years to come. I pledge to maintain harmonious relationships with my neighbors, friends and schoolmates. Though we all may look different, we still bleed the same colour, cry the same tears and share the same voice.
I would recommend visiting popular hawker centres. There‘s a wide variety of hawker centres in Singapore to choose from. Hawker centres provide tourists with the local dining experience in Singapore. You can order various traditional dishes from many different stalls and enjoy all of them together with your families and friends. Despite the usual crowd, the environment really makes me feel at home.
Yasmin Zahirah Binte Azmi, 3C3, Ngee Ann Secondary School

My artwork depicts the beautiful scene of Singapor

My artwork depicts the beautiful scene of Singapore with some of the popular structures built to attract foreign visitors and investment. Singapore is a clean and green city with many beautiful parks and gardens throughout the island. The vibrancy in my artwork symbolizes energy, liveliness and dynamism of our economy.
I spoke to my grandparents about the places of interest in Singapore in the past. According to them, there were very few places of interest. There wasn’t any high-rise building nor shopping mall. Now, Singapore has transformed from a struggling post-colonial state into a prosperous and globally competitive nation. Hence, I have learnt that Singapore has experienced significant advancements and changes over the decades. The strong values of Resilience and Excellence in our people lead us into achieving great success and prosperity in our economy.
My dream for Singapore is to continue to grow and prosperous. I will do my best to contribute as a responsible and diligent citizen for my country so as to work towards this dream. Likewise, I hope Singaporeans will do the same, towards achieving growth and prosperity for our nation.
As Singapore has a hot and humid climate. I would recommend the tourists to visit Garden By The Bay. It is a beautiful place filled with many kinds of plants and flowers. As foreigners may not be used to our climate, we have The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest that are impressive and cooling for them to chill and relax.
LEW YU XUAN, LORRAINE, P4D, Springdale Primary School

The artwork is about Marina Bay's past and present

The artwork is about Marina Bay's past and present, showing its transformation from an old crop field to a marvelous modern city attraction that helped build Singapore's national identity. It features two famous places: the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the Art Science Museum. From the bridge view, you can see both iconic landmarks and other places. In the past, Marina Bay was a simple plantation with basic housing surrounded by trees and plants. The artwork represents Singapore's constant transformation, and as a Singaporean, I'm proud to live in such an amazing country!
I learnt from my parents that Singapore in the past was an island with dirty waters and low housing. It has full of kampongs, very grassy filled with hills and very dirty.
It is important to be open-minded and forward thinking as you never know what will happen in the future. We should always be prepared because in the past, our parents were not as fortunate as us, so we should not take advantage about what we have now and be grateful for the things that we have.
My dream for Singapore is for Singapore to be cleaner. Although Singapore is known for being clean, however, there are still people who are inconsiderate and litter. As I walked around Singapore, I still see litters on the street. I can do my part by picking up litters and throwing them away to avoid having insects. I can also encourage or remind people to be considerate and throw their trash into the bin. I hope that there will be a heavier consequence for those who litter.
My message to Singaporeans is: Be considerate and pick up your trash, it wouldn’t hurt. If everyone is considerate, then Singapore can become a truly clean and green country!
The place that I would recommend is Sentosa island as there are many interesting and fun activities that tourists can visit. I enjoyed it a lot when I visited the SEA aquarium. The food that I would recommend is Hainanese chicken rice because it is very simple, affordable, and delicious.
Clarisher Ang, 5Enthusiasm, Wellington Primary School

My artwork shows a few peranakan shophouses colour

My artwork shows a few peranakan shophouses coloured ni the traditional peranakancolours, shades of green, tuqueisemix whti bright pink andyelow. My artwork is very colourful, as most peranakan houses are decorated with colurful majolica tiles.
I walk take the tourists to visit peranakan shophouses. I enjoy
the peranakan culture a lot, they made their houses coloufful as they
al believed the floral motifs and vibrant colours would bring longevity, wealth and prosperity to hte family. Singapore si a special country
ot me, everyone from different cultures andreligion lives haroniously together without fighting. we respect each other, even when
their different from us.
Lu Ruowei, 4 Integrity, CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel

My grandmother had an enjoyable and idyllic life i

My grandmother had an enjoyable and idyllic life in Singapore in the 1960s. Her carefree childhood years were filled with activities such as running and fishing. She enjoyed visiting the cinema at Jalan Kayu with her family and friends as it was a popular entertainment then. Some of her favourite local snacks and foods are Satay, Popiah, Nasi Lemak and Chilli Crab. During festivals, my grandmother and her family would visit and have meals with her neighbours. My grandmother always wanted to help others, and so she became a nurse. Hence, I have displayed the fond memories she had in a videotape frame.
I spoke with my grandmother about Singapore in the past.
I learnt that the life in the past was an enjoyable experience. One that is filled with many small activities that create the fondest memories.
I learnt the values of resilience, care and gratitude. Through the times of struggle, with reliance, we could get past it. The care that we have with our families, friends and neighbours would keep us going in tough times. The gratitude that we have to our country and the people around us helps us appreciate and value everything in life.
Singapore had changed tremendously since the past. It can grown economically over the years. Our housing, transport, health and education has developed enormously.
Ebenesha Rehalini D/O Thomas Vellan, Sec 2 Endurance, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

Title: Singapore Ice Kachang My favourite food

Title: Singapore Ice Kachang
My favourite foods and snacks in Singapore are kueh lapis, egg tarts, satay, and ice kachang. These foods are usually eaten in food courts. After enjoying these street delicacies, adding a bowl of colourful syrup filled with red beans and corn to the ice kachang really captures the taste of summer.
I interviewed a 74-year-old uncle in the park who shared his memories of Singapore in the 1960s and 1970s. He recalled enjoying an ice ball after a long day of work, in the hot Singapore weather. The ice ball is similar to the ice kachang that we have now.
From my interview, I learned the importance of hard work. Singapore has changed a lot and has become more prosperous compared to the past.
As we look to the future after COVID-19, I hope Singapore continues to flourish. I want the world to see Singapore's resilience, growth, and diversity, inspiring others to work together for a brighter future. My wish is for Singaporeans to never give up and to stay united as a nation. As Patrick Henry once said, “United we stand, divided we fall.”
I suggest visiting the Merlion Park and Chinatown to my foreign friends as these places show a unique and green city with diverse cultural and cuisines to experience.
Tam Shi Ying, P5F, Greendale Primary School

My artwork depicts the scene that shows my grandfa

My artwork depicts the scene that shows my grandfather hard at work. He is a hawker, and this is the image that comes to my mind when he related about his past.
I had a conversation with my grandfather and I learnt that the food stall he is manning is over 49 years! It was passed down from his mother and soon, to be handed over to my mother.
I learn to show resilience in my actions as there were many ups and downs my grandfather faced when he took over the stall.
The most noticeable difference is the price of the food. He shared with me that some of his customers would ask him why the prices have increased but my grandfather would explain patiently that he is also trying to make ends meet due to the increase in prices of the ingredients he uses to prepare the food.
My biggest dream is for more Singaporeans to experience the past so that we have a better understanding of how difficult life was like. By doing so, it will make us more grateful of what we have and not take things for granted. I would like to realise this dream by putting up posters in strategic places or by spreading it by words of mouth. I want to spread the message to fellow Singaporeans to take time off their devices, to spend quality time with their loved ones; a better way to minimize addiction to electronic devices. I hope people show more respect towards hawkers like my grandfather as their jobs are back-breaking.
Hawker centres may not feel special, but it is great place to grab a bite and spend time with family and friends while enjoying a quick, cheap and traditional hawker fares.
I enjoy hawker centres as they are accessible in Singapore.
Singapore is special to me as it may be a very small country but there are plenty of places for us to explore.
Ryyan Azfar Bin La Ode Indra Karnain, 6R2, Park View Primary School

My artwork is about the housing estates (HDB) from

My artwork is about the housing estates (HDB) from 1965 to now, 2023. During 1965, people lived in kampongs. They used different raw materials to build their homes. Now, we live in condominiums and HDB flats and we are surrounded by amenities and facilities. We used materials like cement and sturdy materials to build our modern homes now. Whichever era people are in, I wish that everyone is living and harmoniously.
I talked to my grandfather and learnt that he had no parents. He sild toys at a young age to earn money for himself. The values I learnt from him is resilience because my grandfather did not give up when he tried to earn money. If he did, my mother would not be alive and I would not even be in this world. My mother used to live in a kampong but now, I live in a HDB.
My dream for Singapore is for all Singaporeans to stay happy, healthy and safe. I will try my best to donate to charity and volunteer to help out wherever I can. My message to all Singaporeans is to do our best and make sure that everyone stay safe, happy and healthy.
An interesting place to visit in Singapore is the Singapore Flyer. From the top, you can see an amazing view of Singapore. The food to try is the chicken rice. The rice is delicious, and the soup is great. The chicken is the best of all! The best experience will have to be at Sentosa, where you can go to many attractions, like the Luge and Universal Studios. When National Day is near, we will always have a special National Day song. This is what makes Singapore special to me!
YAP XIN RUI, 4 JADE, Punggol View Primary School

My artwork is about my uncle who is a wildlife pho

My artwork is about my uncle who is a wildlife photographer. When I talked to my uncle, I learned that he loves to take photos of animals, many of which I have not known or seen before.
My dream is to be an artist since artists are people who like to observe and make art about what they have seen or experienced. I can also learn from all the fascinating animals out there. �
I would recommend tourists to visit Singapore Zoo’s Night Safari since it offers a very different experience from looking at animals in the daytime. I enjoy looking at horseshoe crab very much and drawing them, because it is unique, just like my country, Singapore. Singapore is special to me because it is my home.
Ravelyn Tey Xuan Tong, P3 Entrepreneurial, Rosyth School

This artwork is showing my grandmother with her fa

This artwork is showing my grandmother with her favourite childhood snack called Ding-ding candy. It was sold for only 5 cents at that time. The seller is shown wearing a white singlet, as hawkers commonly wear them in the past. He would park his bicycle behind the large tree on the left side of the picture. I also drew a kampong in the background. My grandma used to live in one when she was a child. The hawker uncle would use a chisel and a hammer to cut ding-ding candy to small pieces.
I learnt from my grandmother that hawkers would cycle around kampongs to sell their goods. She told me she was very thrifty as her family was not very well-off. She could not buy and eat candy frequently but have to put aside some pocket money in order to buy. Singapore has changed a lot since the 1950s. Now a packet of mentos candy would cost more than $1.
I wish Singapore to be a greener garden city. We can have more trees and flowers around to beautify our environment. To contribute to the ‘green’ movement, I will do my part by turning off the lights and fans when I go out. Let’s all do our part to make Singapore a better place to live in.
I think tourists should visit Jewel Changi Airport. It is full of delicious local food to eat, and there are other attractions too for them to enjoy, for example, The Walking Net, and The Waterfall Show. The former is an adventurous activity and the latter, a stunning display to experience. To me, Singapore is special because it is a well-governed and connected country. I am blessed to have this high-quality life in my homeland, Singapore.
Reyvier Ng, P4 Empathetic, Rosyth School

My artwork depicts the waterfall area that is at t

My artwork depicts the waterfall area that is at the new Jewel Changi airport. I drew this piece as I wanted to highlight how this has become the talk of the town. It has grown to be so popular especially with tourists that I feel it is the new icon of Changi airport, replacing the older iconic tower of the airport.
By speaking to both my grandparents, I have learnt that the Singapore Changi airport used to look completely different. It was more well known for its tower back then. Now the Changi airport is more popular for Jewel Changi, its iconic waterfall and the shopping. I learnt from my parents that no matter how far we have come in the development of Singapore, it is important to always remember our past. My grandparents have thought me to always treasure the important things and to safeguard our Singapore culture and heritage.
My dream for Singapore is that even though we are constantly upgrading our landscapes and architecture, we must remember to preserve many iconic buildings. Buildings that carry the history of our past & our cultural heritage. My dream is to design modern buildings for Singapore that has design elements from our past architecture to retain our cultural identity.
I would recommend tourist to try out the different dishes we have at our hawker centres. Singapore is unique as we have many different cuisines all under one room that is the hawker centre. People from all races can easily have access to the many different dishes we have. Some prominent ones are roti prata, nasi lemak, fish ball noodles and chicken rice. Singapore is special to me because I can never run out of food options to eat.
DONDRUP NAH YIXUN, 5R, Springdale Primary School

My illustration is an elderly woman posing for a p

My illustration is an elderly woman posing for a photo in front of the Merlion. She is there for a walk and is wearing a hat and carrying a bottle. When I talked to my grandmother to find out more about her life, I learnt that she regularly goes to exercise at the Merlion Park. I learnt resilience from her because although the weather is hot, and she could have exercised at the HDB block’s sheltered area, she still challenged herself to go to the Merlion Park to exercise.
I want Singaporeans to show support to one another, like how they did during COVID-19. We can all play a part by respecting one another or doing small acts of kindness to bring about a kinder community. I would like to recommend tourists to visit the Merlion Park! I enjoy going there as I feel a sense of belonging when I see the Merlion. It reflects our history as a fishing village, and has the lion head which is an animal derived from ancient folklore. I feel proud to learn about our cultural heritage and how we have come so far since our independence.
Olivia Fan Mingxin, P5 Gratitude, Rosyth School

My grandmother – a very caring person who took c

My grandmother – a very caring person who took care of my cousins and I as we were growing up. Perhaps too indulgent, sometimes I do think she spoils us a little too much by giving us the treats and things we ask for. But as a senior, she has taught us many important life lessons that I would never forget.

One of them that has stuck with me since my younger days was that we should never lie and should always seek to tell the truth. Only when we do that, can we enjoy life without guilt. She is always the anchor in my family who would remind us to do our best even when things get difficult and should never give up but persevere till things are completed. As she does not live in Singapore, I would always look forward to meeting her in Singapore and spending time with her. I think that building bonds with the elderly is very important as we will feel secure and loved when we have a strong relationship with them. She is always helping all of us to the best of her abilities and constantly pushes us to become the best version of ourselves. She is a source of comfort to all of us. Once, my cousins and I took her to the Singapore Flyer. I recall us being in the transparent glass capsule for about 30 minutes. While the time wasn’t long, we took many photos and enjoyed the view together. It was a very fun experience especially when I got to spend time with my grandmother. She’s the one who demonstrates resilience and care to me.

My dream for Singapore is to grow into a city where everyone is kind to each other and helps each other to the best of their abilities. I wish for Singapore to have cleaner air and more flora and fauna around us. To achieve this aspiration, I pledge to not litter around and I will help others in need by donating money, clothes and food to them.
Chong Hiu Yau, Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School

I drew Chinese New Year celebration at Seah Street

I drew Chinese New Year celebration at Seah Street. Why Seah Street ? My grandpa grew up there with his brothers and sisters. My grandpa is Hainanese. I included F&N bottled drinks in my drawing because he likes to drink it along with his favourite peanut crackers served on the red plate. These are traditional Hainanese snacks called Ho Kong. I also drew ang paos on the table that he received from his parents during the celebration period. His favourite activity during Chinese New Year was for him and his siblings to have a competition on who has the longest firecracker string. He would then light it up together with their neighbours’ firecracker strings.
Adrienne Cheng, P4 Empathetic, Rosyth School

This is Maxwell Food Centre, a veritable treasure

This is Maxwell Food Centre, a veritable treasure trove of hawker pleasures. It is home to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Singapore's most well-known chicken rice, as well as Nian Nian You Yu, which serves delectable seafood.
I spoke with Mr Paul Tan, a friend of my father. Mr Tan has the same hobby as my father, they are both passionate wildlife photographers. I did not know of Maxwell Food Center before I spoke with him. After I spoke with him, I came to know that it has such food stalls like the chicken rice and the sea food stall. I was amazed to find that uncle Paul has been frequenting the Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice for the last 35 years, way before I was born. As uncle Paul recounted his younger years, I realized that Singapore has transformed to become this modern city over his lifetime. Maxwell Food Centre is a genuine treasure trove of hawker delights. It is home to Singapore's most well-known chicken rice, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, as well as Nian Nian You Yu, which serves wonderful seafood.
My hope is that Singapore retains its allure as it strives to remain one of the best places to live in the world. As we learn and grow older here, I hope it preserves its heart, where we help and support one another
When tourists return to Singapore, I urge they visit Pasir Ris Park, which is right next to my house. They may enjoy the gorgeous beach, their children can play in the park, and they can eat delicious food at sea-side restaurants while enjoying the great outdoors. Singapore's philosophy of preserving its traditions while keeping up with the current world is what makes my country special to me.
Pragya Ghatak, 3CA, Meridian Primary School

This artwork showcases the nostalgic and colourful

This artwork showcases the nostalgic and colourful shophouses that still line the old roads of Singapore. From my research, I found some really colorful chophouses that have been renovated. I thought teh colours made the shophouses look bright and cheerful. It reminds me of modern colourful shopping malls that I see nowadays.
I interviewed my grandmother. She is 66 years old. She does not recall much about teh 1950s and 60s. However, she said that Singapore was not like what it is today, a model and well-developed country. My grandmother remembered that the old shophouses that her parents would bring her to go window shopping, and the streets were narrow, but busy with people selling or shopping. This reminds me of how it is at the modern shopping malls.
My dream for Singapore is for her to continue grow into a wealthy, colourful and fun country, so that we can encourage more people to come to visit, or to even live in Singapore. With economic growth, and Singaporeans becoming more welcoming and friendly, we can achieve that goal. I will contribute by encouraging and leading by example to be a model citizen.
I highly recommend tourists to visit places where the locals would visit like Hawker Centres, and other estate shopping malls or shops. Tourists should visit these places other than the usual tourist attractions.
Abdul Mutalib Mohammad Nagib, 1A2, Pasir Ris Secondary School

My artwork is about remembering our past National

My artwork is about remembering our past National Day Celebrations. We came a long way from our humble 50s and 60s. We all took pride in preparing for the big day. All the hard work and effort from every Singaporean taking part (in NDP).
I spoke with my 71 year old grandmother about the 1966 National Day Rehearsal. My dream for Singapore is for Singaporeans to remember our past and cherish the moments. We should archive every National Day Celebration to see how Singapore has developed! I highly recommend tourists to learn of Singapore's history and how we worked hard to build teh Singapore we know today.
Nadhrah Amir Saiful Amri, 1E5, Pasir Ris Secondary School

这个作品的灵感来自小五国庆预演的一段祖父母的访谈录影。他们的分享令我回想到，过去的他们没有机会求学，更没有现代科技如手机来照相，留住任何跟朋友在一起的回忆。而今，我和来自不同种族的同学不但是同窗，而且还能一起观赏精彩绝伦的红狮表演以及炫彩斑驳的舞蹈汇演，度过了一个非一般的周末。我和好友们的合影将永存记忆，毕生难忘。
我和曾祖母聊天时，她告诉我，她只读了小学，没有机会升学，因为要照顾弟妹，赚钱帮补家用。但是她还是很好学，所以数学不错，到现在还每天练习数独（sudoku)。而且，她虽然已经将近九十岁，眼力还一级棒，珠线活儿难不倒她。我从她身上看到了活到老、学到老，坚毅不挠的精神。她走过了劳动岁月，来到当今的人工智能时代，新加坡的繁荣与进步，让她的晚年可以安逸度过，心存感恩。
我希望新加坡能继续绿化环境，保持花园城市的美誉。我会在家里种植更多的有机食物，呼吁国人要懂得自给自足的重要性。
我会推荐他们到四大民族文化博物馆(IHC,ACM, CAG, GSHC,National Museum, National Gallery)走一走，因为那里储存着我们本地文化的精髓与根据，是了解新加坡历史的最佳旅游胜地。我也会推荐他们吃黑胡椒螃蟹、叻沙以及椰浆饭，因为那是外国吃不到的口味。
Ong Hui En 王惠恩, 5 Integrity, Temasek Primary School

My artworks shows my grandparents strolling along

My artworks shows my grandparents strolling along Bishan – Ang Mo Kio Park, which is one of their favourite past times. I talked to my grandmother, and from her, I learnt that they enjoy nature and a walk around the park gives them the opportunity to be a part of nature. To them, this is a very calming experience. My dream for Singapore is for it to be a safe and healthy place for citizens to live in. We should maintain a germ-free environment even when COVID-19 hygiene protocols are no longer enforced.
Tourists should visit Marina Bay Sands, the iconic hotel of Singapore. It is luxurious and fun! Staying all day in your hotel room suite is enough to entertain, but they should try swimming in the infinity pool with spectacular views of our city. Singapore is special to me as it is my homeland, the place where I was born.
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Zhang Fengming Fiona, P4 Empathetic, Rosyth School

One of the most vivid memories for many grandparen

One of the most vivid memories for many grandparents is the tantalizing aroma of traditional foods that wafted through the air in their neighborhoods. Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cuisines were all prominent, each contributing unique flavors and culinary techniques. One of the beloved dishes was mei fun, kaya toast, kopi.Hawker centers were a popular spot for families to gather. Grandparents also reminisce about the delightful snacks and sweets they enjoyed during their childhood. Another favorite was png kueh, rainbow kueh or any sort of kueh, a broad category of traditional snacks and desserts made with rice flour, coconut, and various fillings like palm sugar and grated coconut. These cherished aspects of their past have left a lasting impression on their lives and continue to be passed down through the generations, creating a unique and colorful tapestry that is an integral part of Singapore's heritage.
I spoke with my grandma and I learned a lot of really cool and interest things they did in the past, the old activities they did when they were younger and how their life were at that time. I have learnt to impart wisdom, resilience, patience, and respect for traditions. As for changes in Singapore, since my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, I don't have real-time data. However, Singapore is known for its continuous development and progress. Some potential changes could include advancements in technology, urban infrastructure, social programs, and economic growth. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend checking reliable sources or news outlets.
I aspire to see Singapore continue to thrive as a vibrant and inclusive society. My pledge is to provide helpful, accurate, and relevant information to all Singaporeans, assisting them in their pursuit of knowledge and growth. My message to all Singaporeans is to embrace innovation, compassion, and unity. Let's work together to build a future where technology and humanity coexist harmoniously, addressing challenges and celebrating achievements as a united nation.
Ho Weng Yarn, 1-6, Hillgrove Secondary School

My artwork portrays memories of Singapore in the 1

My artwork portrays memories of Singapore in the 1950s - 1960s that can’t be found in present day of Singapore such as NTUC taxis, theatre buildings, rickshaws and low rise buildings. Those that I have mentioned were what the people of the past would used to pass by in a daily basis that cannot be found today. They are then presented as pictures im a book of memories as to show how they can no longer be seen and will never exist again.
I interviewed with my grandmother. I learnt that life in Singapore back then was much more difficult especially since my grandmother lived in poverty as a child. I learnt that we should never take our daily necessities for granted. My grandmother also mentioned how she would be lucky to have three meals in a day with the amount of money that her father earned as a taxi driver.
My grandmother was the only child and as she was adopted, she became the best of friends with her neighbours. She advised me to always show kindness as we never know the struggles people may face behind the scenes.
I hope to see Singapore evolve into a zero waste country. I hope that we can live more sustainably and further our eco friendliness to hopefully help us have less waste produced yearly. I feel that singaporeans are trying to be more environmentally friendly however, there are many more steps we can take to ensure Singapore to live a more sustainable and eco friendly lifestyle.
Although most people may say the popular Marina Bay Sands or Universal Studios are the best places for visitors, I believe that places like Arab street or Tiong Bahru are great places to visit as there is history behind them, food and necessities are much more affordable and visitors may learn a thing or two about our culture.
Nadia Mishall Binte Zainal, 2E4, Pasir Ris Secondary School

My artwork is about my neighbour’s favourite fo

My artwork is about my neighbour’s favourite food during the 1950s to 1960s, Her favourite food was satay with peanut gravy. She stated that everyone would eat their stays seated around a table while sharing a single communal pot of peanut gravy for their satays and this how I imagined them to be. The woman in the middle and the man at the right most corner are both british signifying that Singapore was under the British rule. Their happy faces tell us that they were enjoying each others’ company and were delighted to be free from the Japanese rule.
I had interviewed my neighbour and I learnt that she likes to try varieties of food regardless of its ethnicity. Her favourite food back then was Satays dipped with peanut sauce especially from a specific shop that was popular those days. I got to know that she had plenty of friends back in the 1950s to 1960s and loved spending time with them. I learnt to be more open to new things and embrace changes. I also grew more humble and grateful for what I have now as I realized that people back then had faced many difficulties but still strived and stayed happy. Singapore has changed a lot since then, road-side stalls are now replaced with modern infrastructure, and Kampongs are now HDB flats. Singapore's journey since the 1960s is an inspiring tale of progress and development. From being a struggling nation grappling with many challenges to becoming a thriving global city-state admired for its efficiency and innovation, Singapore serves as an example for other nations aspiring to achieve similar success through careful planning, strong leadership, and dedication to progress.
As Singapore emerges from Covid-19, it is crucial for us to envision a better future for our nation. My dream for Singapore is one where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. I envision a society that values inclusivity, compassion, and innovation.
R Dharznah , Sec 2 Faith , CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

I split the drawing into three parts where on the

I split the drawing into three parts where on the left, is a classroom of the time where only mainly boys could go to school and people or could not really afford education. Next, on the top right, I drew a plate of chicken rice, satay, nasi lemak and a cup of sugar cane juice. For the food, they were common and popular delicacies for the elderly. The sugar cane drink represents those who didn’t get the opportunity to study and would instead help their parents with making sugar cane juice at the stores. Lastly, at the right bottom, are some traditional games like jian zi, pick-up sticks and five stones which were one of their favourite pastimes with their friends.
Our school visited Ren Ci AMK Nursing Home and I spoke with an elderly lady who was bed-ridden. I learnt how fortunate we are now with so many opportunities like being able to study despite our gender. I also realised how happy they are to have us and talk to us. Next, I learnt that I must appreciate what I have and be grateful for what I have. There is now gender equality and times are not as tough as what the elderly had to go through in the past. Most part of our current stage of life now is just focusing on studies.
I hope that Singapore becomes a more united place with less discrimination and more support, people to understand one another’s differences and accept that not everyone is the same. I hope that people will also strive for the best and not take what they have for granted especially our parents. I hope that we can find the capability to take care of them and repay them for the unconditional love we receive from them.
FAITH LOH (LU JING'EN), 3-O, Hougang Secondary School

Title: The Kacang Puteh Man My artwork is about

Title: The Kacang Puteh Man
My artwork is about a Kacang Puteh man who went around the neighbourhood with his bicycle selling various types of peanuts. The peanuts sold were wrapped in conical paper made from used papers.
I interviewed my grandfather who is 75 years old. He recalls that in the past, the value of money was small. One packet of Kacang Puteh was only 10 cents or 20 cents! Back then, people lived a simple lifestyle. There were no big supermarkets to buy various titbits. So, people looked forward to the Kacang Puteh man to come to the neighbourhood. I learnt that the simple joys of life do not need to be expensive.
As we move towards a better future after Covid-19, my dream for Singapore is to develop more places for outdoor activities, promoting healthy living with family and friends. I also hope for Singapore to be a tourist attraction for these outdoor activities. One of my dreams is for Singapore to offer island hopping, forest adventures with more obstacle stations, cyclist routes, trails, and hikes. What fun!
My message for Singaporeans is to learn how to have a balanced lifestyle, to go out and do some outdoor activities. Sweat it out! Admire the greenery around them. Singapore may be a small country, but there are some hidden gems that you may not know that existed in our country!
As tourists return to Singapore, I recommend them to visit Sentosa! It is a one stop station where you can learn about Singapore’s history, do outdoor activities, enjoy the beach and learn about nature such as different types of orchids, butterflies, etc.
Lastly, Singapore is special to me because we have come a long way from a small fishing port to a place that is safe and filled with greenery and wonderful infrastructure.
Muhammad Fauzan Faiz Bin Noor Azmi, P5 Empathy, Greendale Primary School

"A Singapore Film” - My artwork shows what the p

"A Singapore Film” - My artwork shows what the people in the olden days use which are films to watch movies. In each frame, I drew many different items and things that represent what made the people in the olden days feel happy and joyful, and things that represent Singapore in the past. Things such as firecrackers, kampong house, rickshaw, charcoal cooker are symbolic of olden Singapore. I also included the film “going into” a phone, stating the fact that now all our memories are now treasured in our electronic devices. The silhouette of the present Singapore skyline, showing the past and present cohesively, and the fighter jets leaving behind a trail of the colours of the Singapore flag.
I spoke with my grandparents and my parents.
I learnt that people in the olden days are satisfied with simple things, like eating their favourite food, flying the kite, as if they had no care or worries in their life. Whereas now, people seem to have so much on their plate and are always busy.
I have also learnt the value of gratefulness, like being grateful for what we have now, as things are much more convenient than things in the past.
Singapore has developed rapidly, changing for the better, making people’s life more simpler and convenient.
My dream for Singapore is that I hope Singapore can be a country where no one would be judged for their ideas, their passion, and I also hope that a Singapore can be a positive community where citizens are not afraid to be themselves.
I pledge to try and support everyone’s passion and dreams and not judge anyone for who they are.
My message is that everyone can achieve their passion as long as they work for it and believe in themselves.
I would recommend tourists to visit Chinatown and Arab Street as that is a place rich in culture and tourists would get a chance to learn about the different culture and tradition Singapore holds. I would also recommend the Hainanese chicken rice as it is a favourite of the majority of Singaporeans.
Wong Yen Chen Trixie, S1-02, Nan Hua High School

Title of Artwork: Same-Same but Different In th

Title of Artwork: Same-Same but Different
In the past ,marbles was played physically and it was a fun activity to do with friends but now that everyone is on social media,there are online games that replicate the physical ones. Between this generation and the past generation,our definition of fun is very different but it doesn’t make one game better than another.There are both benefits and cons of both games.A benefit of playing traditional marbles is that there was face-to-face contact but a con is that because of pandemics like Covid,face-to-face contact is hard to achieve so it makes it harder to play the traditional version.A benefit of playing the online version is that you can play it anytime but a con is that it has little to no face-to-face contact with others.The past and present are very different but people can still connect with each other despite the differences.
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I spoke with my grandfather.I already knew about marbles before talking to my grandfather but I didn't really know how to play so for this competition,I was researching and learnt many things that you can do with marbles that I did not know before.I learnt to be grateful for what I have now as in the past,there were a lot of things that was difficult to do without the help of technology but since Singapore is now a city filled with different types of technology,life is very convenient.
My dream for Singapore is for Singapore to be able to overcome any challenges and changes in the upcoming future.I pledge that if Singapore has any major changes,I will try my best to adapt to the changes as fast as possible.I hope that all Singaporeans can also persevere towards a better future future for Singapore.
One activity I like to do occasionally is to take a walk from Marina Bay Sands to the Merlion with my family.
Loh Wen Qun, 1-6, Hillgrove Secondary School

For this artwork, I’ve interviewed Uncle, a neig

For this artwork, I’ve interviewed Uncle, a neighbour of mine who was willing to answer my questions and fit the age criteria for the competition. I’ve made this artwork to express his answers through art. Firstly, I’ve drawn the fried rice to represent Uncle’s favourite local meal he used to have during the 1950s-1960s period. I’ve also drawn shophouses along with it to represent the places I think he would buy his food from, since shophouses were prominent during those times. With vibrant lanterns, Ive also drawn young uncle in his construction wear enjoying his fried rice!
I’ve spoken with Uncle, a neighbour of mine who lives in the same residence.
I’ve learnt about how hardworking he was during that era, and how a dish as simple as fried rice was difficult to afford for him at the time.
Ive learnt on humbleness and gratefulness. since the expensive dishes I consume now are no where near as affordable for the elderlies, including uncle, during their younger days. I feel like Singapore has changed a lot, and upgraded their food variety by a lot, which also means that local food are less common as compared to the earlier days
My dream for Singapore is for her to continue being a country of diversity, unity and harmony especially since it is imperative to have each other’s back should another wave of challenges and obstacles appear for us to overcome together.
I pledge to respect all people regardless of their race and religion, and continue to forge friendships with a diversity of different people.
The message I would like to share with everyone is simple- be humble, and love differences.
I would recommend nothing but the traditional hawker centres, as they usually serve local meals with originality, and does not alter the dishes, making tourists understand the real taste of Singaporean dishes!
Lera Rahul Datar, Sec 2G, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

The artwork traces the separation of Singapore fro

The artwork traces the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, resulting in an independent Singapore as a nation, to a historic event of achieving its first Olympic Gold, and also overcoming COVID pandemic and celebrating Singapore’s 58th birthday.
I usually talk to my grandfather about the past and the future aspiration. Through his wide knowledge and wisdom, I learnt why Singapore celebrates Racial Harmony. I learnt how to persevere when faced with challenges and to overcome it. I also learnt to have more optimism when doing my work, even when I know I would get the question wrong, I still try to complete it. Singapore’s economic infrastructure was developed, racial tension was eliminated, and an independent national defence system was established.
My dream for Singapore is for the country to become cleaner and have more parts of the country to be greener. I would plant some trees, flowers and also pick up trash all over Singapore like the beach. I would also encourage the residents to help keep Singapore clean. We, Singaporeans should do our utmost best to not litter all over the place, so not only would we feel better about the cleanliness of our country, but we can also have a better image of Singapore.
I would recommend tourists to try Singapore’s specialty dishes such as the chilli crab, Hainanese chicken rice and much more. I enjoy chilli crab a lot as I really like spicy food. I only came to know about this dish not too long ago as I overheard my grandparents bragging about my neighbour who is one year older than me eating chilli crab. After which, I gave it a try and fell in love with this dish. Singapore is a multiracial country and has the best airport in the world!
Isabelle Choo Ka-Yin, 6 Integrity, Temasek Primary School

When my mother was younger, my grandparents used t

When my mother was younger, my grandparents used take the entire family out to the Van Kleef Aquarium and the National Theatre.
These attractions were located at the foot of Fort Canning hill, both closed down at the end of the 1990s to make way for part of the Central Expressway (CTE) constructions nearby.
One particular thing I heard and found interesting was that the prices for entry at the Van Kleef Aquarium was only 30 cents back then, which is much cheaper than today. This reflects how to times have changed since the olden days.
For this project, my interviewees were both of my grandparents. Through them, I learnt about what entertainments existed in the 1960s and certain features, for example, the prices which was very shocking to me as you would expect an entry fee to a modern aquarium to be at least more than $30. I learnt to be grateful for the present as more things are modern, convenient and life is much easier than in their time. For example, in the past education was not readily available for many children and it is my grandma regrets not getting a proper education because of it, constantly reminding me to study hard and make the most out of what I have now.
I hope that Singapore becomes a welcoming place for all races and religions and I, as an individual, will try to prevent any misunderstandings to foster good relationships with my peers who may come from a different race.
HON PUI JENG ULYSA, sec 2 Endurance, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

My artwork is 1950 to present. From the left to th

My artwork is 1950 to present. From the left to the right. Left is 1950 while right is presrnt day. I coloured 1950 with dark colors such as dark green and black. While 2023 i used bright colours like blie and bright green.
My dream for singapore is to be a more fair country.
Lim bao quan 3 Resilience, Deyi Secondary School

My artwork depicts the scene which my neighbour sh

My artwork depicts the scene which my neighbour shared with me during my conversation with her. It shows the rojak stall that she would often help her father at Toa Payoh and the Dragon playground she loved to hang out with her friends.
I talked to my neighbour and when she was young, she lived in Toa Payoh. Every day after school, she would go to Toa Payoh hawker center in Lorong 1 to help her father sell rojak. My neighbour’s favourite place to be was the Toa Payoh Dragon playground. She would go there after she was done helping her father. She would play with her friends.
When she was young, she dreamed of being a gardener because she liked helping her mother water the plants. When she grew up, she sold noodles in a hawker centre. The environment was good, and many customers patronize her stall. My neighbour’s favourite snack is ‘ang ku kueh’. It is a sticky snack with peanut butter filings. My neighbour’s mother likes to fry the ‘ang ku kueh’ before eating it. My neighbour loves Singapore.
My dream for Singapore is to see her continue being well known as a clean city. To help make this dream come true, we should all pick up rubbish if we see them lying on the ground. We can put up posters to remind people not to litter and to minimize the use of plastic when shopping for groceries. Instead, we should use reusable bags and to go green whenever we can.
You can go to Marina Bay Sands hotel as it has a very big rooftop infinity pool. You can try the famous roti prata, an Indian cuisine which you can dip the pancake in curry sauce. Universal Studio Singapore (USS) is another must-go-to place in Sentosa. Singapore is special to me because my parents met here and settled down when they got married. Singapore is a small country but it is my HOME!
Khoo Jo Yi, 4R3,Park View Primary School

My artwork is in the form of doodles. It depicts m

My artwork is in the form of doodles. It depicts my vision of Singapore’s transition from 1950 to now captured in a single snapshot when viewed through a telescope. The 1950’s is in black, white, grey and dull colors featuring Bumboats, fisherman, rickshaws, carts, kampong areas which are some symbols of this time period. As Singapore emerges from this era and marches towards becoming a developed nation the dull colors give way to vibrant hues. New landmarks like the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay appear, signifying prosperity.
I interviewed an elderly cleaner in my condo. I learnt that he has been working in my condo for 5 years. The values I learnt from him is work hard and give back to society. He would like todays’ children to keep their surroundings clean. When he was young, Singapore was not independent yet. Singaporeans were poor as they had difficulty procuring jobs and the salaries were low. Houses were small and old. The elderly were not taken care of. Gangsters prevailed and Singapore was not safe. Singapore has developed a lot over time. There are enough jobs and people can earn well. High rises have come up almost everywhere. Elderly are well looked after. The government has made sure to keep the country clean, safe and convenient for all.
My dream for Singapore is to be the most environmentally friendly country in the world. To achieve this dream, I follow the principle of reduce, reuse and recycle. Whenever my family and I go to the supermarket we carry our own shopping bags. I make use of recycled paper; I carry my own water bottle wherever I go, and I do not use plastic straws. The message I have for Singaporeans is that small steps go a long way. We all need to do our part to reduce waste and preserve the beauty of our Island.
Aakil Rungta, 4 Respect, Temasek Primary School

I would like Singapore to become a safe place, and

I would like Singapore to become a safe place, and a place that has lots of plants. I want a balance of both city and nature in Singapore.
- Elizabeth Yip, 4 Humility, CHIJ OGLC

My artwork depicts the scenes of Singapore past an

My artwork depicts the scenes of Singapore past and present. The attap houses were a common sight in the olden days but now, high-rise buildings are the norm with an efficient transport system and highways which make travelling around Singapore a breeze.
The Singapore we know now is a nation that is advanced with efficient transportation system. When I asked my maternal grandmother about Singapore’s ‘kampong’ days, it was vastly different .
She told me that she would meet her friends living in the same kampong to play traditional games. As there was no television in many homes, villagers would gather at houses, usually those who were rich enough to buy a TV. They would stand outside the window to watch the TV programme.
Now, every household has at least one bathroom. In the past, all the villagers had to take turn to go to the toilet. There was no flushing system so all the waste would go into a wooden bucket which would only be emptied the next morning. I am thankful that I have an easier life than my grandparents. We should be appreciative of what we have now.
I hope the people will live in harmony and Singapore continues to be riot-free. I also wish that we can find a cure for dengue, cancer and other deadly diseases. I hope people with disabilities will live comfortably and they get to find jobs to be financially independent.
I am grateful to have access to places to have fun like the new Bird Paradise, which I get to enjoy a discounted price as compared to the tourists. Singapore is special to me as it is a multi-racial country and it is my homeland!
Ayra Aisya Binte Nazrul, 5R1, Park View Primary School

Sarah Ngiam, CHIJ OLGC

Sarah Ngiam, CHIJ OLGC

I am interested in old architecture like the shoph

I am interested in old architecture like the shophouses. I can imagine myself sitting in an old coffeeshop in the old times and looking at rickshaw pullers, street side sellers and people during those times.
My dream for Singapore is for the country and people to cherish our heritage and culture as we continue to develop into a modern future. I would like. Remember and share my experiences with future generations. I highly recommend tourists to visit places where locals would learn about our local traditions and cultures and how we adapted to living harmoniously together.
-Cao Meiji, 1E5, Pasir Ris Secondary School

On the left of my artwork, it shows the marble gam

On the left of my artwork, it shows the marble game that children played in the past. They did not have such thing as handphone, so they play with each other. I drew a man carrying two buckets of water as people in the olden days had to work hard for a living and to provide for their families. In the background, a kampong house can be seen. People in the past live in attap houses. Nowadays, we live in HDB. I also included other elements of the past such as tricycle man on a trishaw as a mode of transport, ration cards and sacks of rice. Food in the past did not come by easily. In contrast to the past on the left, modern day elements such as our well-known tourist attractions, and local delights can be seen on the right side of my artwork.
I spoke to my grandparents about their childhood days. Their childhood was very simple and carefree. They spent a lot of time playing with their siblings and friends. They also helped one another with schoolwork and chores. Families then had a lot of members. Despite having difficulties and hardship, they still led a happy childhood. Singapore now is more modern, but children spend more time on schoolwork. Most do not have the freedom to do whatever they want. Children now face the stress of having to achieve better grades.
My dream for Singapore is for Singaporeans to be braver and more adaptable. There will be challenges in our daily lives. We should have courage to face the challenges and to be ready to adapt to changes and complain less. There are many people who are negative to change and are more fearful of change. I would like to change that.
I would recommend Jewel. In Jewel, there is a large waterfall. At night, there is a beautiful light show. There are also many shops for shopping, especially for souvenirs in which tourists can bring home. Not to mention, there are also many places to dine in, offering a variety of choices to eat. I also enjoy the Canopy Bridge and Canopy Park in Jewel.
Singapore special to me as it is my homeland, and this is where I belong. Singapore is also very green and clean.
Lim Xuan Ting, Clara, 6 Humility, Temasek Primary School

I interviewed my paternal grandfather about his fa

I interviewed my paternal grandfather about his favourite food.
I chose to draw some of my grandfather's favourite food (eg Sungei Road Laksa), with some famous local food.
Grandpa feels happy to share about his favourite food and places he used to go.
I feel happy to know more about Singapore through his memories.

JOSIAH WONG KUN-CHUNG 4C, Henry Park Primary School

My artwork is based on the activities and living c

My artwork is based on the activities and living conditions of my grandmother’s kampong. My grandmother’s house did not have any electricity. There were only two bedrooms. The toilet was 30 metres away from the house.
Since there was no electricity, they could only use oil lamps and gas lights. The neighbours would share charcoal irons. Back then, they did not use blenders but instead they used grindstones to pound chilli or other spices. My grandmother helped to pick chilli and other herbs and vegetables outside the house where her parents grew them.
When my grandmother was busy in the house, my mother and her siblings would play outside. They played games like five stones, hopscotch, marbles, and chapteh. According to my grandmother, life in the kampong was less stressful. Neighbours were like family. They often shared food. My grandmother’s cooking was popular among the neighbours. Even the Chinese and Indian families ate her food.
I wish we could still have that kind of bonding with our neighbours. I hope we can have more activities so that all our neighbours can know each other better and I will participate with my family members.
I could introduce them to the traditional games played by my grandmother when she was young. This will be a wonderful experience for myself and the tourists.
Keisha Binte Suhaimi, 5HM5, Chua Chu Kang Primary School

Ashlyn Teo 5 App, Rosyth School

Ashlyn Teo 5 App, Rosyth School

In my artwork, I drew a lady that is dressed in pi

In my artwork, I drew a lady that is dressed in pink, with a cart full of groceries, surrounded by the Kampong house. There were mangoes hanging off trees with a KOPI O coffee cup on the bottom right side of my artwork. These subject matters are a representation of the living environment as well as how women used to dress in the 1950s to 1960s. Today, it is difficult to find Kampong houses in Singapore and over the years, the fashion trend for women has also evolved.
I interviewed with my grandmother, who is 82 this year. Although I did some research about the 1950s and 1960s, I still learnt many new things from her.
An introduction about my grandmother, she used to live in the Kampong and is the eldest among my grandparents. She shares with me that women in the 1950s actually do not wear fashionable dresses, instead they wear pants and shirts that is of cheap materials. Clothes were also iron their clothes using coals that was placed in an iron. During the war, she was a young girl and had to hide in the small dark hole underground. During that moment, she mentioned that it was very pitiful and sad. Today, Singapore has progressed with better equipped military forces as well as well made bunkers to stay in.
My dream for Singapore is for her to continue to flourish and provide job opportunities for the future generation. As the competitiveness gets tougher, we must be prepared to continue upgrading our skills set to meet the requirements.
Additionally, Singapore can also look into how we can leverage on the foreign talents to further boost her economy.
Food for life! I would surely recommend the tourists coming to Singapore to try the variety of food choices here.Being a multi racial country, we have various different cuisine dishes. Food hawkers is also readily available and sometime most of these delicious food are from there!
Some of our most common but famous dishes are hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, bak chor mee and carrot cake. If your a tourist coming to Singapore, don’t be afraid to try other ethnic cuisines, just be a foodie for your vacation and eat, eat eat.
Stacia Tan, 2E4, Pasir Ris Secondary School

Vera Lim 5 Emp, Rosyth School

Vera Lim 5 Emp, Rosyth School

My artwork captures the essence of Singapore in th

My artwork captures the essence of Singapore in the 1950s, showcasing its rich architectural heritage and culture. The portrayal of traditional buildings and infrastructure in my drawing takes viewers on a nostalgic journey, immersing them in an era of charm and cultural identity, dedicating my artwork as a heartfelt tribute as a testament to the importance of preserving a piece of history for years to come.
I spoke with my Grandmother, who was born in 1951. Most of my artwork was inspired by her. Firstly, the shophouse that you see in my artwork is an interpretation of her childhood home/ shophouse in Chinatown that she used to live in. As we were talking, she mentioned how memorable this place was to her, and the nostalgic things that her and her siblings used to do, like playing hopscotch along the alley, and chasing each other around the perimeter of the shophouse. Another picture I drew consisted of a Miniature Singapore Zoo and a popular cinema near the Chinatown area. These were memorable places that my Grandmother had visited before, and fondly remembers until now. I felt that these places left a very memorable impression on her, therefore I decided to add these places to my artwork.
My dream is to help the less fortunate because I believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. Witnessing the struggles and hardships faced by those less fortunate than myself has ignited a deep sense of compassion and empathy within me. I yearn to make a positive impact in their lives, to lend a helping hand and be a source of hope and support. In working towards this dream, I hope to inspire others to join the journey of compassion, kindness, and making a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most. If I could share one message with Singaporeans, I would definitely encourage them to donate to reputable charities or volunteer your time and skills to organizations to help the less fortunate. Remember, helping others doesn't always have to involve grand gestures. Even small acts of kindness can leave a positive impact on somebody’s life. By working together, we can create a more compassionate and caring society.
Aerin yeo, 2E6,PRSS

My artwork portrays the ‘photographs’ of the p

My artwork portrays the ‘photographs’ of the past drawn into a polaroid film, inspired by my aunt’s love and interest during her younger times. Some of these activities includes her favourite games like chapteh and gasing, favourite food and snacks as well as traditional kuehs and more. The camera symbolises the lens that travels back in time showcasing the elements that is fondly remembered by her. I hope that through my artwork, I am able to spread her love and memories of the past to others.
I interviewed my aunt, who was born in the era of the 1970s. Through our conversation, I learnt many new things that I was unaware of. For example, the simplicity of how student life back then was, the popular games that was played and the famous traditional snacks that they like to eat. From this conversation, I also gathered
From this conversation, I also know that there were many changes since as Singapore is more developed now. We are very fortunate to be blessed with many things like good educational opportunities ad the availability of medical treatments for us. Back then, life was tough, my family struggled to survive as they were poor. This made me well respect and look up to them very much, they had perseverance to live in such tough situations and their love and passion for their life in the past motivates me to create this artwork.
My dream of singapore is for Singapore to be more prepared and ready to face with any problems similar to the COVID-19. I also hope that Singapore can continue to develop and prosper well, some suggestions are to make use of technology and create more products that are convenient to the public like the dish collecting robot seen in hawker centres. I will try my best to help Singapore by being a good citizen and showing care to others, be more considerate to the environment and more. Even though these small actions does not impact much on the development of Singapore, but is is an effort that I am willing to put in.
Lim Shi Enn, 2E6, Pasir Ris Secondary School

My artwork shows how life was like in the past wit

My artwork shows how life was like in the past with people living in attap houses and travelling on horses. The rainbow shows the positivity in Singaporeans, past, present and future.
I interviewed an old uncle in our school. I asked him about the difference between the past and how Singapore is like now. He shared that in the past, he used to play with traps and marbles instead of video games.
Families lived in shophouses and there were no expressways in the past. People usually rode on horses, trishaws or walked to their destinations.
Everyone in Singapore knows that it is a garden city because we are surrounded with lots of plants. Although it is great to have greenery around us, we need to be mindful to keep mosquitoes away.
I hope Singaporeans will change the water in the vases and clear the left over water in pails and pots to prevent mosquito breeding. We should not litter as the wrappers and containers can trap rainwater and breed mosquitoes. Together, we can make Singapore a green city, mosquito-free!
Singapore is my country, my home. I enjoy the scrumptious food like kaya bread and Milo Dinosaur. I would recommend these food to visitors too. These two dishes are commonly enjoyed by Malay, Indians and Chinese. They signify Singapore – multilingual, multi-races and multi-religion!
Sun Xinyu, 4R1, Park View Primary School

I drew this artwork because I love my grandparent

I drew this artwork because I love my grandparents. So, that is why there is a heart. My connection with them is very strong like chains connected together. This is because when the chains are connected together, they are not easily broken. So, the artwork represents our strong bonds with each other.

Chew Bee Gee Scarlett, Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School

Title: Nostalgic Snacks My artwork celebrates the

Title: Nostalgic Snacks
My artwork celebrates the cherished snacks of my grandparents. Each illustration represents a distinct treat that holds a special place in their hearts, evoking memories of bygone days filled with joy and flavor. On the left, the chicken biscuit, my grandpa's all-time favorite. On the right, a luscious chocolate wafer, beloved by my grandma. Having tasted the chocolate wafer myself, I recommend it to all. As an artist, I aim to try the chicken biscuit in the future. Both drawings symbolize my grandparents' wish that future generations will savor these delightful treats.
I spoke with my grandparents who shared with me about their favourite childhood snacks. It was nice talking about how Singapore was like in the past and childhood snacks seem to bring a sparkle in their eyes as they spoke so tenderly about it. I learnt that the chocolate wafer snack was a beloved indulgence that my grandma would relish on countless occasions and that the chicken biscuit snack was a delectable delight that held a prominent spot in my grandpa's heart. Though personally acquainted with the bliss of the chocolate wafer, I find myself eager to experience the chicken biscuit, yearning to savor a piece of my grandpa's past.
CHIA JIAEN COLEEN, 1/6, Bedok View Secondary School

My artwork portrays an elderly man reliving his ch

My artwork portrays an elderly man reliving his childhood reminiscing about the events that took place during his past. He is thinking about the times where he had participated in a few activities with his childhood best friend. During his childhood, he would always play with his best friend and hang out to eat ‘Ice Kacang’ with him. As years passed, they eventually grew apart and took their separate ways. The elderly man never forgets about his best friend as he pursued his career as a national badminton player. The puzzle outline resembles the togetherness that is still portrayed between their friendship despite the distance that happened in their life journey.
I interviewed my father. During his childhood he told me that he spent most of his free time playing with his friends at the playground. He would also engage in sports such as football and badminton which was popular back then. He also mentioned that the best selling dessert was ‘Ice Kacang’ and it was widely available for everyone to enjoy. Reflecting on our conversation, I can imagine how life back in the olden days are carefree and less worrying. However, as the world changes, so does society and its expectations. Today, the young do not have time to play as studies play a vital role for a successful future. Additionally, with advancement in technology, many spend their free time glued to their devices and do not really head out anymore. Based on my interview, I have learnt to treasure my time I have with my loved ones and appreciate everything around me,before the next change.
My dream for Singapore is build and strengthen the bond amongst Singaporeans. This can be achieved if the government can organise more social events for residents in their respective neighbourhoods to head down to their nearest Community Centre/clubs to spend time and enjoy their companions. Schools should also participate in these events such as organising different booths for the people to take part in.
Muhammad Haziq Rizqin Bin Muhammad Razif, 2E4, PRSS

Title: Floral stitches of kindness�My artwork is

My artwork shows the shophouse that my elderly nei

My artwork shows the shophouse that my elderly neighbour told me and the favourite game that he usually played – marbles!
My elderly neighbour told me that in the olden times, people lived in shophouses. Many of them were single-storey houses. There were no mobile devices and the villagers usually play board games, tops and marbles.
I would like Singapore to be more sustainable and caring. Prices could be more affordable so that we can save more money.
Singapore is a safe country. There are lots of delicious local food and no matter where I go, I feel safe and I do not need to worry even when I return home late.
I would recommend people visiting Singapore to try the hawker food and experience the safe environment as they do not need to worry about being robbed in Singapore.
Jovie Lim Si Han, 4R1, Park View Primary School

In the past, there were no computers, phones or la

In the past, there were no computers, phones or laptops. They played with five stones.
I want Singapore to be grateful for what we have. I recommend visiting the ferris wheel.
Chris Peh, 4CH, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

My artwork is about local food in Singapore. I ta

My artwork is about local food in Singapore.
I talked to my grandpa. I learnt that he liked a lot of local foods in Singapore. I learnt adaptability from him because he adapted to the changes being made in Singapore. A lot of farms became buildings.
I dream for Singapore to have more farms. I will help my mom with her rooftop garden, and never forget about plants.
I would recommend Marina Bay Sands. Singapore is special to me because so many different races can live in harmony.
Cheryl Lee Jing Ying, 4 Gentleness , Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

There were many trees surrounding the kampong as S

There were many trees surrounding the kampong as Singapore was still not very well developed. She also described the “kampong spirit” felt while celebrating festivities with her neighbours. During Chinese New Year then, firecrackers were allowed. Her friends would play with the firecrackers although some of them got injured as a result. During Hair Raya or Malay weddings, her Malay neighbours would cook up a storm, and share their keuh lapis, goreng pisang and curry puff. There was also a stage set up where the residents could watch Wayang. During Christmas, Aunty Cyrine’s family would make keuh and fish curry to share with her neighbours.
I spoke with my neighbour Aunty Cyrine. I learnt that she was very brave. She shared with me that during the
Kampong days, you could find snakes such as cobras slithering inside you home behind the curtains or in the
walls of the toilet. It must have been shocking and scary since cobras are venomous snakes. This is not a
very common sight in Singapore anymore as we have become more developed and build high-rise homes.
The battle with COVID-19 was not easy, we had to adapt to the new changes of home-based learning and
working from home. During this pandemic, I was really happy that people brought joy to others during
uncertain times. Making masks, thanking our frontline workers, these are some examples that display our
Singapore Spirit. While it was a tough period for many of us, I am glad that we are emerging stronger
together after the pandemic. We must never take our multiracial, multicultural, and religious harmony for
granted. I hope Singaporeans will continue to remain united as one and continue showing kindness to
everyone. If we all stand in solidarity, we can overcome any crisis.
JULIA HENG YUE XI, Sec 2E, CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent

My artwork shows the variety of candies and sweet

My artwork shows the variety of candies and sweet treats that were commonly enjoyed by the people in the past.
I talked to an uncle at the Hawker Centre, who was enthusiastic about snacks, such as the You Tiao and the fresh handmade Pau. He also loved the spicy and crispy Curry Puffs as a kid. All of these snacks are one that I don’t really enjoy, but with the enthusiasm of the uncle, I realize that everyone has different things, whether taste buds or handwriting.
Singapore has changed in such a way. Back then, people used to go outside just to buy ingredients for his/her meal. But with tech now, we can just order pre-cooked food online.
Although Singapore is a very nice place to visit, there are still some people who litter around the street. And, as a person who regularly tries to be clean, I do not motivate this action toward other people.
I really wish for Singapore to become a 100% clean nation. To make this come true, I will start a program that motivates people to clean nearby dirty surroundings. But, for people to know about my action, I would create wide posters to promote the programme.
As a person who has stayed in Singapore for 2 years, I recommend going to Wild Wild Wet, as it has many fun waterslides and activities to do. It is quite tiring to move from one activity to another, but it still would be worth it in the end.
Singapore is a great nation. It has many iconic buildings, such as the Marina Bay Sands. There are so many things in Singapore that I have never experienced in the Philippines as a younger child before. I really like staying here because of the overall environment in here.
Edward Luis Castano Zafra, 5R3, Park View Primary School

I talked to my grandmother and my parents. I learn

I talked to my grandmother and my parents. I learned that you could get ice kacang on the street for 70 cents. I learned that even though things were not so advanced back then. We managed to adapt. Singapore has changed a lot from being a country with many riots and poor people to a multi racial society.
My dream for Singapore is to always stay safe and happy. I will not give off negative vibes and will help those in need. My message is "you may think it is the end of the journey, but it is actually just the start of it!"
Tourists should try chicken rice, and go to Sentosa! Singapore is special to me because we always try to solve all our problems!
Junya Chong Xuan Ya, 4 Gentleness , Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

My artwork is about the iconic building and struct

My artwork is about the iconic building and structures in Singapore to celebrate it’s 58th birthday.
During social studies, I learnt that Singapore in the past used to be a trading port. It was not as developed as it is now. I learnt that people who used to work in hard labour, especially the coolies, had to often carry heavy things around under the hot sun. I am grateful of how far Singapore has come and I look forward to working hard to shape its future and do my part.
My dream for Singapore is to make it a better place by working hard. I hope that fellow Singaporeans can also do their part by practising the 6 pillars of defence.
I would recommend them to go to Sentosa and remember the fun places they visit like the Fort Siloso, Luge ride and many more attractions like Universal Studios.
Gavin Seng, 4 Dominic, Maris Stella High School (Primary)

�I drew my grandpa and grandma playing badminton

�I drew my grandpa and grandma playing badminton in a park. When I talked to my grandpa, I didn’t know that he can play badminton. He is happy that Singapore has indoor sports hub now. My dream for Singapore is to stay clean and for it to have fresh and clean air. What I can do to maintain a clean environment is to throw litter into the bins provided and remind others not to behave irresponsibly. For tourists, I would recommend they try all our local food such as chicken rice, nasi lemak, roti prata. I enjoyed eating them too because they are delicious. Singapore is special to me because it is my home, where I belong.
Teo Wei Xuan , P3 Respect, Rosyth School

My artwork is about my grandma who is eating noodl

My artwork is about my grandma who is eating noodles at the hawker center. I talked to my grandma, and she said that when she was young, she loved to cook. she used to have a stall along a street, but now it is located at a hawker center. My dream for Singapore is for it to remain clean, and everyone does their part to not litter and to throw their rubbish into the bins provided. I would recommend tourists to try eating fried noodles as it is delicious. I love our clean environment and our yummy delicacies in Singapore.
Li Shunru, P3 CARE, Rosyth School

My artwork is about having a hearty meal at the ha

My artwork is about having a hearty meal at the hawker centre, a place that is familiar to all.
I spoke with my grandmother, and after asking her about her few favourite things that she had from the ‘60s til now. Surprisingly she said she most enjoyed the food, though certain foods were considered a luxury back then for her, the comfort of food has always been a constant in her life. “Food is where the heart is.” Every time she prepares a meal, she puts her whole heart and love into it and i can see why as she wanted to share with us the hearty flavours of the meals she had when times were simpler, and to savour the taste of the simplest of dishes. I learnt that i should appreciate the opportunities i am given, even is it was trying new foods or tasting the delectable dishes which are the most common to us as it was not common to her back then and was she had to be incredibly lucky to eat the dishes i do now on a daily basis. SIngapore has significantly grown since then, food is readily available for purchase in every corner and we are all able to afford whichever kind of food we would like to eat or try. Food from overseas are more readily available as well, we need not travel so far to have the opportunity to try certain foods anymore.
My dream for Singapore is for us to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable, contributing less to climate change. I pledge to put in my best effort to do what little i can do to be more sustainable. Whether be it using less single use plastics or recycling more often, or maybe even adopting the habit of composting in my life. The message i would like to share is that we should do our part and put in our best effort to try to be more environmentally friendly. We can all use the resources given to us such as the ‘Bloobox’ or practicing the 3 Rs on our own accord. If we all do our parts, hopefully one day Singapore will be more sustainable and contributes less to climate change.
YAP SHI LE MABEL 3 Detemination, Deyi Secondary School

My artwork depicts the images that came to my mind

My artwork depicts the images that came to my mind when I spoke to my elderly neighbour. There were transformation in terms of transport and housing and Singapore is a first world country too!
My neighbour, Mr Amin who lives next door, shares with me how Singapore looked so different in the 1950s as compared to now. Mr Amin is already 80 years old. He used to live in an attap house with his family and relatives where life was much simpler, but living conditions were poor. He told me that Singapore has come a long way to build this nation from a developing to a first world country.
Attap houses were mostly replaced with modern brick houses and multi-storey residential flats. Non-airconditioned buses had been replaced with double-decker electric powered ones too.
My vision for Singapore is that all the people living in Singapore will have justice, equality, opportunities and to become economically wealthier than the previous generations. I hope all the younger citizens will be given an opportunity to realise their “Singapore dream”.
Our fellow Singaporeans, we should continue to work hard where people come together to align with the goal of building a better future for our children and to foster a stronger identity.
I am proud to share with my overseas friends that even though Singapore is a tiny country, this city state has managed to make its mark in the world for having some of the cleanest streets, iconic structures like the Esplanade, Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion and numerous skyscrapers of the Central Business and Marina Bay Financial Districts.
Singapore is also known to have a 2.2km stretch with many luxury shopping malls lining the road on both sides. Changi airport is also well known with its national carrier – the Singapore Airlines, the iconic Singapore Girl flight attendants and service that has gained global recognition as one of the best airlines in the world.
Wesley Ethan Lim, 5R3, Park View Primary School

I talked to my grandaunt. She told me that ice kac

I talked to my grandaunt. She told me that ice kacang back in the days are called ice balls. She got separated from her family due to war, but luckily, a lady adopted her and another girl. She lived in a kampung, but after the war, she moved into a HDB flat. She also owned a farm full of pigs and chickens. After the government wanted to build houses, she was forced to leave her farm and house behind.
My dream for Singapore is everyone to help and live happily no matter which race you are. I want Singaporeans to be helpful and kind.
The Marina Bay is an interesting place to visit as they have beautiful large trees called the "super trees". You can walk on them and see a beautiful view of Singapore. I enjoy it because at night, the super trees would light up into many different colours like a rainbow. Singapore is special to me because it is a safe and a garden city.
Chua Yee Tin, 4HU , Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

My artwork is about Singapore in the 1965 and 2023

My artwork is about Singapore in the 1965 and 2023. In 1965, people lived in kampongs and used raw materials to build their homes, while in 2023, we used more advance materials like cement and steel to build high-rise housing flats like HDB or condominiums. Whichever era we are in, I hope everyone will live harmoniously no matter what.
I talked to my grandmother and I learnt that some people did not get to go to school in the past because they could not afford it. Many of them started working very early in age to help their family. I learnt that we need to be resilience when faced with hard times. With this resilience, Singapore grew in providing education and housing and advanced in technology hygiene standards.
My dream for Singapore is that everybody will live harmoniously no matter what. I can help this vision by making my own posters to encourage people to be good neighbours and citizens.
Tourists can go to Chinatown. There are many interesting things there. Even in Chinatown, they can try my favourite roti prata and it is great that we can eat it at any time of the day. Singapore is special. We are multi-racial and we have so many different cultures and food all co-existing as one. Singapore is special to me because we have peace and it is clean.
POH QI EN CHERYL, 4 JADE,Punggol View Primary School

We interviewed the elderly at Ren Ci Nursing Home

We interviewed the elderly at Ren Ci Nursing Home for our VIA on 30 June 2023 and we also interviewed our own grandparents to ask them what are their favourite past food and games. We learnt about many different past foods that the elderly and our grandparents used to eat and the different games that they played. Instead of being greedy and asking for more luxury things from our family, we now understand how hard our parents have to work to provide us with the things we need. We learnt from the elderly and our grandparents that we should not be asking our parents for too much as they are trying their best to provide for us and we should be grateful for what we have now, like having food on the table every day, a roof over our head, and clothes on our back. Now with inflation, our parents would be working extra hard to try and earn more income for the family.
My dream for Singapore is to continue building a cohesive and inclusive society where all residents, regardless of their background or status, feel a sense of belonging and have equal access to opportunities. People tend to look down on other races and comment on how they look. I have friends who had experienced these before and got really affected by it. I hope that I would be able to raise greater awareness on this issue so that people would be able to understand other races and change their perspectives. We should not be judging people even if they are of a different race and we should be accepting them for who they are and learning to understand the different races better instead of criticizing them, as things that you say may hurt others unknowingly.
I would recommend tourists that are coming to Singapore to visit Gardens by the Bay as it is a great place to connect with nature and enjoy stunning views. It is also one of the city's most iconic attractions and a must-see for any visitor. Gardens by the Bay not only offers a delightful experience for tourists but also promotes environmental awareness and sustainability.
Ting Xian Ya and Raine Sim, 3O and 3E, Hougang Secondary School

My grandmother cooks dinner for my family and I ev

My grandmother cooks dinner for my family and I every day. She personally goes to the market and buys groceries to bring back home and cook. I really like her cooking, so I asked her what her favourite food was and she told me she liked chicken rice. We rarely eat chicken rice and occasionally eat it for breakfast or lunch during the weekends or weekdays. Most of the time when I smell the aroma of her cooking waft into the living room or when I walk past the kitchen, I would realise how hungry I was and ask her what she was cooking today. I really love my grandmother’s cooking and I am really grateful that she always cooks for me and my family good and healthy meals.
Ng Yi Xuan Himeko, Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School

One Sunday evening, I decided to visit my neighbou

One Sunday evening, I decided to visit my neighbour Mrs Lee, for a chat. Mrs Lee is 59 years old. When I knocked on the door, I immediately recognised the smell of currypuffs, buttercakes and dumplings.

“Come on in!” she exclaimed with a wide smile plastered on her face. We chatted for awhile. Then, Mrs Lee said “I miss my mum’s dumplings. They were definitely better than mine.” Now I was getting curious as Mrs Lee kept emphasising and repeating this sentence everytime I visited her.

When I asked her about this, she said that she had learnt how to make dumplings from her mother when she was a teenager. You see, when she was 17, Mrs Lee moved out of her family home. On that day, all her relatives gave her items that would help her in her adulthood. However, her mother only gave her dumplings. At first, she said that she was absolutely confused. Then, her mother said that she should learn how to make her own dumplings or any type of food and sell it. That way, she could make money and help her own family. And that was what she did! She sold the food that she made and she earned a lot of money from selling dumplings because many people gave feedback that they were delicious!

I have tasted her dumplings before and so I can vouch that indeed they are absolutely delicious. I also know that Mrs Lee had learnt how to make food from many other cultures. For example, she learnt how to make nasi goreng from her Malay friends and pratas from her Indian friends as well as many other types of food. When she started to sell many types of food besides dumplings, that was when her business started to boom. However, Mrs Lee is now retired and her daughter has taken over the family business.
Mrs Lee’s story has taught me that if we are willing to learn we can make a living out it. By making different food, she had made money to help herself and her family. I also learnt by eating food from diverse cultures, we can learn about that culture’s history. This also help us form bonds with that culture. Afterall, Singapore is a multicultural country, and by learning about other cultures, the bond between each one of us grows stronger!
Vegashri Sekar, PRCSS

With simple usage of lines and colours, my artwork

With simple usage of lines and colours, my artwork talks about how the Singapore transportation system has evolved over the years. It also show s that many places in Singapore are now very accessible by the MRT.
“Knock knock,” I was knocking on my grandma’s door. I was wondering what she was thinking about Singapore then and now. With much excitement, she shared…
“There is a significant change in the Singapore MRT map. Long time ago, there weren’t many stations and colourful lines. The station names were also very easy to remember. Today, the map looks complicated for an elderly who sees the map for the first time. But once you get the hang of it, it is actually very easy to comprehend. I am very glad to see how much Singapore has developed in its transportation system.”
My dream for Singapore is a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society, excelling in innovation and research. Together, Singaporeans must prioritise collaboration, unity, and compassion to overcome challenges. Embrace hard work, adaptability, and community support to build a brighter future for all. Let's foster a strong sense of togetherness and continue striving for progress, ensuring Singapore remains a global leader post-COVID-19.
I would recommend tourist to travel around Singapore by taking the MRT train! We get to see many places just by looking out the train windows. Such efficient train service always makes Singapore a very special place.
Bangga Abdurrahman Siregar, 2J, Xingnan Primary School

In this drawing, the elderly women hands hold a de

In this drawing, the elderly women hands hold a delicate sapling, which is a symbol of hope and renewal. This is inspired by the elderly lady we have seen who has touched people’s lives. Her hobby is more than just planting seeds in the soil; it's a metaphor for the way she has sown kindness and compassion into the lives of others.
We spoke with elderly at Ren Ci AMK Nursing Home and learnt from one lady that she enjoyed growing plants at home when she was younger and would often reminisce her childhood days when she had more space in her kampung to grow plants freely. As housing evolved in Singapore, she had less space to grow plants and her plants moved into pots that hang or sit at her HDB corridor outside her unit.
We hope that Singapore can become a more inclusive country, able to embrace people of different cultures, backgrounds and heritage. Like the lady, we could use common interests like plants to gather like-minded people and share expertise and bond over shared topics as neighbours. This would make communities flourish in a warm and caring environment.
Susanna Wynn and Ho Yun Xi Nathalie , 3N, Hougang Secondary School

Serving Smiles My mother was only 11 years old $Serving Smiles My mother was only 11 years old when my grandmother started working as a canteen vendor selling food to students of Hai Sing Catholic School in 1986. A typical day as a canteen vendor consists of waking up at 5 a.m. to prepare for work. My late grandfather would accompany her to the wet market to get the freshest ingredients to help my grandmother cook several dishes such as, Mee Siam, Mee Rebus, Nasi Lemak, Chicken Rice, Chicken Chop and Mashed Potatoes. Once the recess bell rang, the students would make a beeline for her food. Her Chicken Rice was popular amongst the students for many years and would sell out every day. My grandmother told me that the cost of food then was a fraction of what it is now. I was shocked to hear that the prices of food were all below a dollar. Fast forward to today where she is now retired. I am happy whenever she cooks my favourite dish, Nasi Lemak! I am inspired to retell this story as she has dedicated 27 years of her life to being a canteen vendor. She found joy in cooking and feeding the students, even when some did not have enough money to pay her. It is not easy being a canteen vendor feeding hundreds of students everyday. Her compassion touched me. I hope I am also able to contribute in a similar way in the future. NATALIE ESTIANTY BINTE ZUFRIE, (Primary 5 Teamwork), Meridian Primary School$

My artwork represents the range of events that Sin

My artwork represents the range of events that Singapore has seen throughout the years. I split the artwork into two halves, the left side showing the past and right side showing the present. At the top left, I drew out how life was like in Singapore during the merger.It was a time where people were in disharmony, as seen by the riots they have fought. At the bottom left, I drew out the following years after Singapore gained independence. It was the start of a new beginning, with the construction of HDBs and the introduction of National Service. On the right side, I drew out the most iconic landmark of the city, Marina Bay Sands, to show how much we as a country have progressed to what we are today, from just a small trading port to a Garden City.
I spoke with my grandparents and learnt about the many hardships the elderly in Singapore have went through in the past during the war. It must have been nostalgic for them to see how much Singapore has evolved then to now. One value i learnt from them is resilience, the ability to persevere during change. Singapore underwent many changes ever since its independence, and I applaud the elders for being able to adapt so quickly.
My dream for Singapore is for it to be harmonious and united, where everyone is treated equally and will work together to make society for the better. To achieve this, I'll be an active citizen by contributing to my community and taking part in volunteerism. I will share knowledge to others on sustainability and promote diversity and racial harmony. All these actions, though not that big, can ensure a safe and healthy environment for the people of Singapore.
-Chua Xin Le, 3 Discipline, Deyi Secondary School

My artwork is about the kampong houses in the past

My artwork is about the kampong houses in the past and the majestic Marina Bay Sands in the present. Marina Bay Sands is like a giant spaceship, and it's so amazing with its three towers and the huge ship on top. People from all over the world come to see it, and it makes me feel proud of our city! I believe it's essential to remember our past and how we used to live, but also to embrace the exciting future that awaits us. I hope when people see my drawing, they feel happy and curious about our city's story. Maybe they'll want to explore the kampong houses' history or visit Marina Bay Sands someday.
I talked to my father and found out that the iconic Marina Bay Sands is one of the most visited place in Singapore. My father spoke about the huge difference of Singapore in the past and now. Things around us are so modern now.
I wish that Singapore will successful be a zero-waste country. I hope everyone in Singapore will realise the importance of recycling so that we can eventually be a zero-waste nation. If we all join hands and take care of our environment, I truly believe that Singapore can become a zero-waste nation one day!
I will recommend the Marina Bay Sands to visitors coming to Singapore. When they come to Singapore, they must try our famous Chilli Crab or my favourite chicken rice. I love our Marina Bay Sands!
JAYDEN GOH JUN XU, 4 JADE, Punggol View Primary School

I spoke to my grandmother. She knits alone during

I spoke to my grandmother. She knits alone during free time. I learnt resilience. Nowadays, people usually 3D print items instead of manually knit them.
My dream for Singapore is to be happy, peaceful, less expensive and show more support to Art in Singapore. I will draw more. Do what you want to do, ignore the negative.
I would recommend Jewel, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and Changi. They are all fun, exciting, and friendly places.
ARIA NG MIN YUE 4 RESIlience, ROSYTH SCHOOL

I spoke to my grandfather. One of the things I lea

I spoke to my grandfather. One of the things I learnt was that he comes from an English medium school. English isn’t his strongest language so I wasn’t expecting him to come from an English medium school. He didn’t even have chinese offered in his school so it kind of surprised me since bilingual education is emphasized in Singapore now and not in the past. I also learnt that he is very dedicated to his job. He had worked in the same company since he was 15 and even until now. One value I learnt from him was determination. My grandfather is someone who if he is passionate about something, he will work hard and do the best he can for it. He is determined to do the best he can in his passions and I look up to him for that.
Singapore has changed a lot since then. Previously, we were just a small island, not many resources and a few kampungs here and there. Today, we are one of the biggest trading ports in the world with many coming over, seeking a better life.
I would want Singapore to be a place where everyone is caring and supportive of each other. I would want to live in a community where everyone is caring and supportive of each other and are willing to go out of their way to help each other. To achieve this, I would help anybody in need and be a good neighbour and caring citizen to all those around me. I would want the people around me to also do the same. It could be as simple as greeting someone or doing volunteering work. As long as it does good to the community, the amount of work doesn’t matter.
Eryna Adriana Lee, 2E6, Pasir Ris Secondary School

The man in my drawing represents my grandfather. M

The man in my drawing represents my grandfather. My grandfather’s hobby in the past was fishing. His journey with fishing started at Marine Parade beach. Then, he was around the young age of 10-11 years old, and now he is 86 years old. In his adult days, he had also bene on deep sea fishing in the waters of Malaysia. He shared fondly that his biggest catch then was the 4kg Ikan Duri, which was around 40cm long.

Even though my grandfather is unable to go fishing now as he is quite frail, I am sure he still enjoys looking at the pictures of the big fishes caught by my uncle who has embraced his fishing hobby.

My mother was always happy to look at the catch for the day. As a young girl, my mother did not know anything about fishing nor the types of fishes, yet it was still a delight to see my grandfather come home with a cooler box full of fish. This also meant the menu for the following week would be fish curry, sweet sour fish, fish cutlets and so on. On days when he caught too many fishes, they would share them with their neighbours.

Unlike my mother, I have tried fishing with my uncle and my cousins. I have gotten a chance to go on deep sea fishing twice on my uncle’s boat. Even though I did not manage to bring home any fish, the experience was enough for me to know that fishing is not my cup of tea. However, fishing is still a hobby enjoyed by many in my extended family. My cousins, uncles and paternal grandfather are still passionate about fishing now.

-Dina Yasmin Binte RamzanI, Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School

This artwork is coloured with colour pencils. It p

This artwork is coloured with colour pencils. It portrays the young self of the elderly on the left and her old self on the right. This also shows the elderly holding a bowl of laksa as that is her favourite food. Additionally, the thinking bubbles show different items that represent different things. The left thinking bubble shows a law book and a judge’s gavel, which represents the lawyer that she wanted to be when she was young. On the other hand, the right thinking bubble shows a blackboard with numbers and letters, which represent the teacher she became when she grew up, instead.
We spoke with an elderly named Madam Winnie Seet from Ren Ci Ang Mo Kio Nursing Home. We learnt about her birthday, hobbies, favourite colour, favourite food, favourite places, favourite memories, childhood aspirations, her past career, what she wanted to tell her younger self, and her life story. We learnt perseverance and grit from her through her sharing that she only passed her O levels on her second attempt and explored other careers like being an accountant before she found her calling as a teacher.
We dream that Singapore can survive without much help from our neighboring countries. Our dream for Singapore is to be more self-sufficient in areas of food resources and agriculture. We pledge to contribute to research in this area of industry. Dear Singaporeans, please support local products and innovate to discover new technologies to contribute to Singapore’s food resources.
We would recommend Gardens By The Bay to tourists because of their thematic exhibitions and spectacular light shows. Tourists can also enjoy viewing different species of beautiful flowers and plants that is only made possible in our tropical climate due to a specially temperature-controlled dome. We believe it would be like paradise and a feast for the eyes when nature lovers visit this place.
Guo Huici Jermaine, Chew En Ting, Lee Jia Xuan, 2-O, 2-O, 2-U, Hougang Secondary School

I drew the elderly of different ethnic groups, enj

I drew the elderly of different ethnic groups, enjoying certain activities together. I talked to my grandmother, and I learned that she always cycle at the Merlion Park while I am having swimming lessons every Saturday. From her, I learn to be resilient in doing what is needed to be done, no matter how troublesome it is. She also shared how Singapore has changed a lot. There was no such things like handphones and the Internet in the past so instead of how many people can make a living posting on Youtube nowadays, she couldn’t earn much money from other means back then.
�My dream for Singapore is for it to stay strong and peaceful. I would like to make friends with people of different cultures and religions so that I can understand them better. I think it is necessary if we want to stay our Singapore society to stay strong, resilient, and peaceful.
I would recommend tourists to visit Jewel Changi Airport and Chinatown. People might think it is just a normal airport, but guess what? It has shops, playground, pool, games and many other things. Singapore is a small country, but it is a very clean, united, green, happy and loving place. I love Singapore, My Country, My Home
�Loy Xin Tong Jacelyn, P5 Care, Rosyth School

My grandfather shared his hobby of stamp collectin

My grandfather shared his hobby of stamp collecting with me. I was fascinated about the purpose of stamps. My 爷爷(yeye/grandfather) explained that stamps were used to pay for posting letters - something we do not see very much of nowadays, as emails become commonplace. More importantly, I saw a glimpse of significant things and events, that happened in a notable time for the country. He showed me a large collection of Singapore stamps, including those that commemorated National Day, our national symbols and important milestones in our nation building.
Vera Kua Li Xuan, P5D, Henry Park Primary School

Elizabeth Lim 5 Care, Rosyth School

Elizabeth Lim 5 Care, Rosyth School

“Moving On” - My artwork is meant to represent

“Moving On” - My artwork is meant to represent the joyous atmosphere of the newly built HDB neighbourhood. The carefree children are bonding with each other in this newfound haven of nature, the wide field of grass nurturing the vast species of plants bringing liveliness to the living space. My grandmother expressed love for kite flying in her younger years, feeling the wavering kite tugging at the strings as she enjoys the zephyr and the refreshing scent of vegetation. She, along with other children, often of other races, welcomed this new home with open arms as they walked into a new age of development.
I spoke with my grandmother. She shared more of her stories with me, as well as childhood memories she vividly remembered. My grandmother lived through the major changes in Singapore such as the shift from Kampongs to HDBs, she still kept a positive outlook despite the various challenges her family faced during this period. I admired her carefree and uplifting attitude towards her peers, always keeping the mood light. Singapore has since developed into a fast-paced society where youths can enjoy amenities and the luxury of being surrounded by electronics - adolescents spend less time outdoors. The lack of contact and connectedness between neighbours is also a major shift from the Kampong community atmosphere, sadly resulting in the younger Singaporeans to drift apart, only with the older generations still bonding well in community social areas.
I hope for Singapore to strive to achieve more scientific advancements, shaping a hopeful future of longevity for Singaporeans and living in harmony. I pledge to do my utmost best, utilising my gifts for the good of others and to contribute to the wonderful cityscape of Singapore. At last, I hope for Singaporeans and future generations to understand the significant advancements Singapore has made and continue to witness and contribute to our thriving country.
Wong Shel Be, 304, Nan Hua High School

The artwork is about Marina Bay's past and present

The artwork is about Marina Bay's past and present, showing its transformation from an old crop field to a marvelous modern city attraction that helped build Singapore's national identity. It features two famous places: the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the Art Science Museum. From the bridge view, you can see both iconic landmarks and other places. In the past, Marina Bay was a simple plantation with basic housing surrounded by trees and plants. The artwork represents Singapore's constant transformation, and as a Singaporean, I'm proud to live in such an amazing country!
I learnt from my parents that Singapore in the past was an island with dirty waters and low housing. It has full of kampongs, very grassy filled with hills and very dirty.
It is important to be open-minded and forward thinking as you never know what will happen in the future. We should always be prepared because in the past, our parents were not as fortunate as us, so we should not take advantage about what we have now and be grateful for the things that we have.
My dream for Singapore is for Singapore to be cleaner. Although Singapore is known for being clean, however, there are still people who are inconsiderate and litter. As I walked around Singapore, I still see litters on the street. I can do my part by picking up litters and throwing them away to avoid having insects. I can also encourage or remind people to be considerate and throw their trash into the bin. I hope that there will be a heavier consequence for those who litter.
My message to Singaporeans is: Be considerate and pick up your trash, it wouldn’t hurt. If everyone is considerate, then Singapore can become a truly clean and green country!
The place that I would recommend is Sentosa island as there are many interesting and fun activities that tourists can visit. I enjoyed it a lot when I visited the SEA aquarium. The food that I would recommend is Hainanese chicken rice because it is very simple, affordable, and delicious.
Clarisher Ang, 5Enthusiasm, Wellington Primary School

Title: Food Unites Singapore I chose the title

Title: Food Unites Singapore
I chose the title "Food Unites Singapore" as I wanted to depict a scene from the olden days. I drew attap houses, some street stalls with wooden structures, a satay man, and a man selling soy milk.
I conducted an interview with my grandmother. Through the interview, I learnt that I am blessed to live in a HDB building with many facilities nearby. This is because people from her generation had to reside in attap houses and facilities were not so easily accessible.
My dream for Singapore is to promote the practice of wasting less food. By setting a positive example for my classmates, I order only what I can finish, contributing to a better tomorrow with reduced food wastage.
For tourists, I recommend visiting the Singapore Flyer, Mandai Reserve (Singapore Zoo), Bird Paradise, and Gardens by the Bay. They may also choose to try local delights like rojak, dim sum, satay, and Hainanese chicken rice.
Singapore, despite being small compared to other countries, is incredibly diverse with various races living harmoniously, and it treats all races equally, which is why Singapore is a great place to visit!
Joanna Chong Jie Min, P5 Appreciation, Greendale Primary School

My artwork shows a row of attap houses by the rive

My artwork shows a row of attap houses by the river. There is a sampan boat to show how the common mode of transport in the past. Some villagers also hang their laundry out in the open behind their attap houses. Traditional games such as ‘Goli Goli’ (marbles) and hopscotch are also showcased.
My grandpa is 89 years old this year. He told me that back in the olden days, he lived in the kampong with his parents. I was surprised as I thought he lived in a flat!
I learned that my grandpa shows respect, harmony and care to people around him, regardless of race or religion.
People living in the kampong were like a huge family, helping one another when helping hands were needed.
It was like one big happy family!
My dream for Singapore is to have one united nation with people showing respect, care and live together in harmony, no matter what ups and downs we face each day.
I will be kind to people around me, just like my grandpa. As the saying goes, kindness begets kindness. I hope to inspire those around me to do likewise.
I would like to recommend visitors to Singapore to visit Little India as the food is just heavenly! The murtabak is one dish that I would strongly recommend, and you can eat it with beef, chicken or pork. Singapore has different races all living under one roof. That makes my country unique and special!
Hazel Alina D/O Gabriel Simon, 4R2, Park View Primary School

I interviewed my grandmother, she is 73 years old.

I interviewed my grandmother, she is 73 years old. She remembers the old architecture which is very different from today. There are a mix of colonial buildings, shophouses, as well as interesting architecture lie the Van Kleef Aquarium. My dream for Singapore is for her to continue to prosper, not only economically, but also culturally. We should remember our roots and traditions, learn from our past and advance forward into a brighter future.
Ayla Adriana Mohamad Ilham, 1E5, Pasir Ris Secondary School

I learnt that Singapore’s food has a rich histor

I learnt that Singapore’s food has a rich history and culture. For example, different cultures have food unique to them like Nasi Lemak, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Satay, Laksa and various Kuehs! It is fascinating that even though our buildings may no longer look the same as it did in the past, the food still largely remains the same, delicious and authentic.
My dream is for Singapore to be a place full of greenery and food joints everywhere! I can help to plant more trees and herbs, and learn to cook my favourite dishes! I hope that Singaporeans can also do their part not to forget their roots.
I would recommend that they go to Joo Chiat to try the Nyonya Kueh! It smells so delicious and is full of rich flavoured ingredients.
-Noah Tan, 4 Dominic, Maris Stella High School (Primary)

I talked to my grandfather and grandmother. I lear

I talked to my grandfather and grandmother. I learned that they had no electricity in the past, so when my grandmother cooked, she used charcoal and a lighter to make a fire. She had mentioned to me that when the sun was blazing, the condition in the kitchen became stuffy, and the heat was unbearable and intense. My grandfather shared that in the past, he would even work part-time to help his mother, who was working alone to earn more money for the family while continuing his studies in school at the same time. I learned how resilient, responsible, and hardworking they in making a living in the past.
My dream for Singapore is to make a better future for everyone, stay united, and embrace our differences. I will tell Singaporeans,” We must stay strong TOGETHER no matter what happens.”
They should try our Singapore Hawker food as it is delicious and cheap. When they return to their country, they will surely miss our Hawker food. I enjoy going to Sentosa as there are many exciting and fun things to do.
They can also visit Marina Bay, Sentosa, and Vivo City to shop for souvenirs.
Singapore is unique because it is diverse, traditional, and cultural. In times of need, everyone in Singapore will unite and help each other.
-Tricia Sng Jia Wei, 5 Hope, Seng Kang Primary School

I spoke to my grandfather, I found out that he gre

I spoke to my grandfather, I found out that he grew up in a kampong and reared pigs when he was young. He told me that in the past, children had to stop going to school and start working at an early age. I learned that we should be hardworking so we can be successful. My dream for Singapore is for it to become a cleaner and more beautiful garden city. I will keep my surroundings clean and encourage Singaporeans to not litter. I would recommend visiting Jewel as it captures the concept of a garden city. You can spend an entire day there and buy many souvenirs. Singapore is special as many different races get along together making it a peaceful society.
Kylie Koh, P5 Entrepreneurial, Rosyth School

This artwork represents my grandmother’s favouri

This artwork represents my grandmother’s favourite food, Nasi Lemak. She says that this food has been her favourite since she was a child. Her mother would always prepare for her the Nasi Lemak almost everyday for school and she would never get bored of it. She described how it tasted and she said that it was amazing. A nasi lemak dish contains of rice, cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves. It is served either with fried chicken and, or fish, a sunny side-up egg, a slice of cucumber, sambal as well as anchovies and peanuts. My grandmother also said that the nasi lemak is an iconic local food that also symbolises the connection between Singapore and Malaysia. Almost everyone in the Malay community likes nasi lemak for a good reason - that it is very delicious and savoury. You can find nasi lemak almost everywhere in Singapore such as hawker centers, coffee shops and even in high class restaurants. I can’t wait to enjoy my next plate of nasi lemak!

Nur Auni Fahimah Binte Mohamad Sadiq Khan, Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School

This is my grandpa and me cycling. I talked to my

This is my grandpa and me cycling. I talked to my grandpa, and I learned that he could do a wheelie! I learned to never give up when doing something new. I wish Singapore could have more playgrounds for us to play in with our family members and friends. I would recommend tourists to eat our chicken rice and go to Gardens By the Bay to see beautiful greeneries there. This is what makes our Singapore special.
�Alexis Jordan Yeo , P3 Care, Rosyth School

My artwork depicts the different types of traditio

My artwork depicts the different types of traditional snacks which my grandmother told me. One of the three characters in the painting is me! I want to share my hopes through this drawing and I want to bring back all the fond memories for my grandmother whom I love very much!
I talked to my grandmother and asked her about the snacks she usually ate when she was younger. She told me about the white rabbit candy which was her favourite! She also shared that some of the snacks were not found now. She missed these snacks as they brought back fond memories for her.
My dream for Singapore is to bring back the olden day snacks to make it more convenient for us to buy them. These snacks are a good way to help the younger generation understand the past and appreciate what we have now. It is bridge that connects the past and present.
The white rabbit candy is a MUST TRY snack as it is a rather unique sweet with an edible paper wrapped around the candy. This paper melts almost instantly when you pop the candy in your mouth.
Chloe Yap Xin Qing, 4C, Park View Primary School

"Nostalgic Skies" is an acrylic painting that capt

"Nostalgic Skies" is an acrylic painting that captures the serene beauty of the Singapore River during the 1960s, with a focus on the captivating clouds floating overhead. The artwork portrays a nostalgic scene, reflecting the city's transformation during that era.The painting depicts a tranquil Singapore River, absent of any boats, allowing the viewer to appreciate the unspoiled nature of the waterway. The background showcases the architectural charm of the 1960s, with buildings along the riverbanks capturing the essence of that era.
I spoke with an uncle.He talked about singapore river and his experience he had living close to it during the younger days of his life.He said that every evening he found himself sitting near the river gazing at the fluffy yet “undominating” clouds.He described them as thin yet fluffy clouds that stretched varying distances.He said”The clouds,they would drift lazily across the sky, casting playful shadows on the river's surface.But when I sit there now, watching the clouds above the empty river, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of nostalgia for those bygone days. The absence of boats symbolized the changing times, as technology and modernization had rendered the need for such traditional means of transport obsolete.
...
I learned from my elder that Singapore had evolved into a new era.I learned that it is important to treasure and appreciate moments before they are gone.
As a Singaporean, my dream for our nation as we emerge from the challenges of Covid-19 is to see a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Singapore. I envision a future where every individual has equal opportunities to thrive, where our society is harmonious and compassionate, and where our environment is protected for generations to come.To achieve this dream, I pledge to actively contribute towards building a better future for Singapore. I will engage volunteer my time and skills, My message to all Singaporeans is one of unity and collective responsibility. Let us come together, support one another, and create an inclusive society where no one is left behind.
GALVEZ LEMUEL JAN PARUGRUG 3 Discipline, Deyi Secondary School

My artwork titled “Now and Then" aims to show th

My artwork titled “Now and Then" aims to show the contrast between life in Singapore in the past compared to now. The side at the left depicts the hardships and jobs in the 1950s of Singapore, showing a coolie who worked under harsh conditions. Now, there are more white collared jobs compared to then, and more greenery and buildings. By showing how convenient jobs are today, this encourages Singaporeans to appreciate and live life to their fullest.
As my parents were born in China and came to Singapore to work for a better life, I decided to speak with both of them to learn about their past experiences when they came to Singapore in the late 1900s. They then decided to stay in Singapore due to the better salaries and living conditions, and have seen how jobs have developed over time until now. Compared to then, when life and living conditions were harsh, life is easier now due to an increase in white collar jobs.
I hope that Singapore will forge towards a better future, and continue to develop as a prosperous nation and a hub for international trade and commerce. A message I would like to share with all Singaporeans is that in order to build a better future, we can be more open to constantly evolve and strengthen our commitments together as a country.
I would like to recommend tourists to try Singapore’s variety of hawker food to experience our hawker culture. For example, tourists could go to a nearby hawker centre or coffee shop to try local delicacies such as chicken rice, roti prata and satay. As hawker culture is an important part of Singapore and its past, trying local food will be a very meaningful and enriching experience.
Li Ziqi Angela, 304, Nan Hua High School

When I interviewed my grandfather, he told me that

When I interviewed my grandfather, he told me that in the past, he used to drive a taxi. He got to visit a lot of interesting places in Singapore. A few interesting places he remembers are the National Theatre and National Library as shown in my painting. My grandfather felt a sense of pride as he described Singapore in the olden days. I used vibrant colours in my painting to show Singapore as a vibrant country. I am glad to showcase the beautiful olden-day Singapore through the lens of my grandfather.
OLIVIA YEE SHU HUI, 5D, Henry Park Primary School

The mooncake festival, also known as the mid-autu

The mooncake festival, also known as the mid-autumn festival is celebrated in Singapore as an important festival with traditional custom. It typically falls on the 15th day of the eigth lunar month.

My grandfather shared with me that on this special day, his families and relatives will come togther for a reunion dinner. After that, they would also eat mooncakes, drink chinese tea and appreciate the full moon together. The bright round moon was believed to symbolise unity and togetherness.

During the family gatherings, his relatives and friends would engage themselves in riddle solving games. The riddles were written on lanterns and cards and the participants would try to solve them. These activities were a fun aspect of the festival.

Lanterns are also an essential element of the whole festival. His neighbourhood's children would often carry colourful lanterns in various shapes and sizes as they walked through the streets at night. Most of the lanterns were handmade by the parents and children themselves few days before the festival. This served as fruitful bonding time for them.

In his neighbourhood, traditional lion and dragon dance performance were held during the Moon Cake festival. These lively and interesting performances brought joy and excitement and was believed to bring luck to everyone.

In addition, the festival was a time for showcasing different types of performances such as folk songs, Chinese opera and other cultural shows. After reunion dinner, most of the families would head over to the nearest Chinese temple to enjoy the performance for free. The performances were organized to entertain the community and lasted around three hours.

The mooncake festival plays a significant role in the Chinese community. In my opinion, people nowadays are slowly forgetting how important this festival is. I hope that people from different races can continue to appreciate this enriching festival.

Leong Kai Xuen, Primary 4H, Henry Park Primary School

Title of Artwork: Reminiscing This artwork int

Title of Artwork: Reminiscing
This artwork introduces the games that were popular in my grandparents' generation. Upon hearing their stories, I found it fascinating how different their games were compared to ours, especially now when our generation is engrossed in technology and online video games. To preserve the nostalgic charm of these traditional games, I meticulously depicted all the different games my grandparents used to play when they were younger.
The music box in the drawing resembles a Time Machine, taking us on a journey down memory lane of these classic games. I used a variety of vibrant colors to make the artwork stand out, intending to convey the liveliness and excitement of those bygone games. Through this artwork, I aim to showcase the joy and fun that these games brought to my grandparents and inspire younger generations to embrace them instead of being solely fixated on their phones.
My grandparents shared that playing these traditional games helped them de-stress and relax during their youth. I strongly hope that the younger generation will pick up these enjoyable and exciting games, cherishing their childhood while it lasts. Letting them experience the simple pleasures of these traditional games could offer a refreshing break from the digital world and create lasting memories, just like it did for my grandparents.
I learnt to enjoy life when you‘re still young, you have to have fun and not be so engrossed to your phone and hang out with your friends instead. The values i learnt from your grandparents is that we have to be grateful and appreciate everything we have, that you should not take things for granted.
I dream that Singapore will continue to be harmonious, and I hope this country will become an even safer country. I hope that we can bring back the traditional times so we would not forget the past and what we do to get to where we are now. I pledge to be kind and thoughtful to people and hope they would pass down the passion. I can recommend the traditional games to my friends and family so they would be influenced in a good way. Let’s be better together tomorrow.
Thien Jing Hsuan, HGSS, 1-6

This artwork showcase a mother teaching her daught

This artwork showcase a mother teaching her daughter on how to cook traditional Malay dishes such lemak cili padi. It also showcase the mother and the daughter bonding with each other while watching television. It was set back in the old HDB buildings. In the front of the artwork, there are some examples of the food the mother would make for the family.
I interviewed my mother about her time and about my grandma. She mentioned that my grandma was extremely good at cooking despite her health conditions. She also mentioned that cartoons would be aired on the television at 5 p.m sharp and she and my grandma would watch it together. She also mentioned that HDB back then was very simple for people to live as it's only purpose was to provide shelter and basic needs for the people. Now, according to her, HDB had changed and has gotten expensive too. Television back then was very boring as most of the good shows only aired at 4-6pm daily. Now, everyone has access to shows on MediaCorp. From this interview, one of the values I had learn was patience as back then everything was simple and slow which meant that modern day society is somehow less patient compared to the past.
My dream for Singapore is for her to continuing pursuing the title of the perfect country and the garden in a city. Singapore had come a long way to be a developed country within decades. Hence, the citizens of Singapore must aim to achieve a better community as the COVID-19 pandemic had severely affected our community and halting us from achieving a selfless community.
I highly recommend tourist to visit places where the locals would visit like Hawker Centres and many more. Tourist should not only be visiting places such as the Central District or Sentosa but also visit places like Sembawang and Woodlands too so that they can view how locals live in Singapore
SITI NURMAISARAH BINTE MOHD NAJIB, 2E4, Pasir Ris Secondary School

When interviewing my grandmother, she told me that

When interviewing my grandmother, she told me that one of her favorite Singaporean dessert was the ice kachang. She would always go to get ice kachang after school, looking at how the auntie shaves the ice and pours multiple syrup with different colors. Eating this on a hot and humid day also makes her feel refreshed. When she grew up, she started to like the kaya toast, eating it almost every day as her breakfast. When she started to work, she tried the chili crab, and she said that it was so flavourful and extremely mouth watering. To me, food is a very important thing to all generations of Singaporeans. When my grandmother was talking about her favorite food, it gave her a lot of joy. Hence, I wanted to present some of her favorite foods in my artwork and also experiment with using the colors of the food onto the buildings like a design to create a facade that is inspired by food of the past, such as the ice kachang, kaya toast and chili crab mentioned above. I want them to look at the work and consider how the foods they eat today color their world and make life vibrant and memorable for them
I spoke with my grandmother, i learnt from my grandmother that all generations treasure food and how food gives everyone joy and comfort, i also learnt that she was able to make friends through food as well.
I learnt how to have patience and have respect for the culture.
I’m not good at history but i can tell that singapore is becoming more and more developed. Our economic infrastructure developed and we became a 3rd world nation to first world nation towards the end of 20th century.
As Singapore emerges from COVID-19 and Singaporeans forge towards a better future. My dream for singapore is to thrive and become a more developed country in the future, and that we will be a clean and green nation. I would save my electricity and water as a step to make singapore a clean and green city. I hope that singaporean citizens would also so the same to take a step into making singapore better.
Joey Tan Si Han, Hillgrove Secondary School, 1-6

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