‘Hope’, ‘Strength’ and ‘Courage’ are values that Glyph believe in and live by. Developed to enrich the lives of children, Glyph is an organisation that looks at bringing typically inaccessible opportunities beyond school closer to underprivileged children living in rental flats island wide. And after speaking with Si Hui, the founder of Glyph, they ring even truer.
A move many would consider to be brave or perhaps reckless, Si Hui made the selfless sacrifice by ending her studies early so that she could fully dedicate her time by leading Glyph.
“I want to help the community and I want to do something good but I want to make it sustainable,” said Si Hui.
Initially, she kept her plans of leaving school a secret from her parents, fearing their disapproval. Thankfully, when they eventually discovered her choice, they surprised her with their support and understanding. Si Hui’s friends also embraced her decision, and affirmed her passion for making a meaningful impact.
Si Hui is driven by a mission: Emphasising the importance of non-academic growth through play, exploration, and personal development. During our conversation with her, we realised that her childlike nature and belief in the power of play have been central to Glyph’s programmes.
Growing up, Si Hui was never a studious student even though she tried her best. She enjoyed hands-on experiences more, which inspired her to use play as the foundation of Glyph.
She added that her own experiences growing up highlighted the joy and value of play. She cherishes childhood memories filled with fun and adventure.
Glyph’s programmes focus on sports, art, science, technology, and life skills to encourage children to explore their passion— a vision that Si Hui cherishes. To her, providing holistic learning environment for children helps them to develop well-rounded abilities.
Since its inception in 2017, Glyph has made remarkable progress. While Si Hui acknowledges that the impact on families cannot be solely attributed to Glyph, she is proud that many families have experienced social mobility.
By encouraging parents to think about their child’s future and actively seek opportunities for growth, Glyph has definitely played a role in empowering families to improve their lives for those who have been part of their programmes.
However, the road to success was not straight nor easy. One of the initial challenges faced by Glyph was gaining the buy-in of both children and parents. Approaching families in rental flats without any prior connection seemed odd at first.
Many parents questioned whether Glyph was a tuition programme, highlighting the prevailing mindset that education should solely focus on academics. Undeterred, Si Hui and her team worked tirelessly to engage families and ensure that they understand the benefits of a holistic learning environment. The result speaks for itself.
This year, Glyph will be celebrating its sixth anniversary with the children registered under their care. Si Hui is excited about the upcoming open house and carnival event to commemorate the important milestone.
This celebration will not only provide a platform for families to engage with Glyph but also to showcase the organisation’s commitment to play-based learning and community betterment.
Si Hui’s passion for play and her focus on children stem from her belief in their untapped potential. She sees children as having boundless possibilities and the ability to make a significant difference in their lives and communities.
“There’s so much untapped potential in children. And with so much runway, we can make so many differences in their lives,” the energetic founder of Glyph said.
By providing equal access to opportunities and fostering a strong foundation in early childhood, Glyph aims to support children in realising their potential and creating a brighter future for them.
For more information Glyph’s upcoming carnival which is happening on 22 to 23 July 2023, please click here. If you would like to be involved as a volunteer or donate to their cause, discover their campaigns on Giving.sg here.
