DADs for Life kicked off Appa Valnaal Uravu (AVU) to better engage the local Indian community early this year. Appa Valnaal Uravu, which translates to “Dads life-long relationship” aims to boost bonding between Indian fathers and children as well as families.

Bonding over colours

A group of dedicated volunteers from AVU organised Holi with Dad which gathered fifty Indian families at Yishun Town Square on March 7, 2019 for a day of colour and fun bonding activities. The event celebrated the role of a father in the family through cultural activities. Holi, also known as the festival of colours and love, is widely celebrated in the Indian community.

During the event, cultural elements were integrated with activities to facilitate father-child bonding. Besides the traditional splashing of coloured power which saw participants covered in bright and beautiful colours, father and children played the ‘Blind I Love You’ game. Blindfolded children were tasked to find their fathers, guided only by the voice of their father shouting ‘I love you!’

Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Senior Parliament Secretary for Ministry of Social and Family Services and Ministry of Education was the Guest of Honour for the event. He said, “This event ties in a cultural element with the role of a father and how fathers can play a part in the development of a child and the family.” He added, “I am very happy to have fathers coming on board as this recognises the role of the father in a child’s life and looks at how the presence of a father can help in the social and emotional development of a child.” (Pictures: top and middle left)

Father’s Day outreach, ICAN workshops

In conjunction with Father’s Day on June 16, 2019, AVU also took part in the Narpani Community Festival at Jurong Bird Park which was graced by Indranee Thurai Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Education. At the DADs for Life booth, while fathers found out more about how to connect with their families, children designed special Father’s Day cards for their beloved Dads. (Picture: middle right)

AVU trainers also conducted their very first ICAN fathering workshop for a group 10 Indian fathers on June 29, 2019, with another one upcoming for 12 participants from the Singapore Indian Development Association in July – signifying a growing interest in learning to become better fathers among the Indian community.