Introducing 6th Sense

At 6th Sense, we recognise and seek to nurture each child’s sixth sense — the need to be loved, valued and affirmed in their being as who they are. In 2019, we sowed the seeds of 6th Sense in the Kebun Baru community, to introduce spaces of calm and creative refuge in the lives of children and youths on the fringes, and to journey with them in uncovering their gifts of intuition and inner wisdom. Through creative play, improvisation and expression with everyday objects, our weekly programs create safe and empowering spaces and opportunities they deserve to freely express themselves, develop their own voice and agency, and be children once again.

Co-creating avenues for the children’s individual pursuits and holistic growth As these remarkable children continue to grow, their needs evolve. Many are now above 10 years old, ready to embrace a new chapter of their lives – one of self-discovery and exploration. It is in these years that they explore their complex identities and become more self-aware of how others perceive them. As they undergo a period of physical growth and transformation, they also evolve intellectually, emotionally and spiritually, forming identities, values and opinions of their own. It is crucial for the children to experience a nurturing community where they can freely explore and express themselves, as they may be vulnerable to external influences or less-than-ideal circumstances at home. Building upon our earlier work in developing the children’s creative confidence and socio-emotional skills during their formative years, 6^th Sense is now poised to embrace a new structure of collaborating with partner organisations who share our vision, in co-creating encompassing spaces and diverse avenues for the children’s holistic growth and individual pursuits.

How the funds will be used We are working on identifying organisations that we can collaborate with to continue catering for our children’s needs well. We do actively hear from the children on what activities would interest them and it is certainly evolving to include dance, climbing, and even wrestling. Each child’s needs and ways of expressing themselves differ.

Collaboration with Joo Chiat Social Club One such organisation we are looking forward to collaborating with is Joo Chiat Social Club. It is an intergenerational community care space that houses an assisted living facility and social club for seniors, children, and persons of varying abilities in a conservation shophouse at 254 Joo Chiat Rd. Co-run by one of 6th Sense’s co-founders, Joo Chiat Social Club organises weekly intergenerational club sessions among assisted living residents, seniors and children, as well as enrichment and learning adventures for children of all abilities.

Cultivating Wholeness in each child Encompassing all key domains that make up a human person, their intergenerational and inclusive program aims to cultivate wholeness in each person, within the self and with the community. Club sessions are designed based upon a different phenomenon every month, encompassing all 7 domains (physical, social, emotional, creative, cognitive, spiritual), with each session focusing on one of them. Some examples of Joo Chiat Social Club’s programmes for the old and young include:

• Physical: Gym sessions, dance, back-alley sports i.e. soccer, tennis, badminton
• Emotional: Gardening, pet therapy, support circles, human library
• Sensory: Nature walks, sensory bin pond, knitting, indoor climbing, video games, making and playing musical instruments, cooking
• Creativity: Motion painting, acting and scriptwriting, puppetry, photography, woodworking, pottery, repair
• Cognitive: Storytelling, game design, phenomenon-based learning, table-top games
• Spiritual: Guided meditation, soup kitchen, volunteering
• Social – Film screenings, getai, cookouts, performances

Being part of the vibrant intergenerational community at Joo Chiat Social Club, not only will the children participate in regular programs alongside other senior and child members, they will also be able to access the club facilities such as the gym, maker space, living room, children’s cove, community kitchen, garden and sensory room, which provides them even further avenues for their personal growth and pursuits.

Target Amount Overall, we seek to use the funding for these various activities:

About Ray of Hope

100% of your donations to Ray of Hope go to people in need. We do not take a cut from the funds. We even cover 3rd party credit card charges that other crowdfunding platforms deduct from your donation for campaigns. 100% of all campaigns are also fully verified, so you know your funds goes to real people with real needs. We take donor accountability very seriously – with yearly audited accounts and strong governance in place to ensure that your donations is properly channeled to the beneficiaries. Ray of Hope is a registered charity and a member of the National Council of Social Services.