By Ting Claravall and Judith Garcia

Relive some of highlights of our last fiscal year as we celebrate Aidha’s 9th birthday on 19 July!

We recognised the achievement of our largest batch of graduates yet — 110 ladies in November 2014.

In December 2014, everyone pulled together for the ‘Our Better World’ online voting campaign which earned us a generous donation from a kind-hearted lady who had never even heard of Aidha before.

During the first quarter of 2015, we launched our inaugural Alumni Leadership Programme, as part of the Aidha Alumni Development Programme (ADP) – to provide continuing support to our graduates on their journey to becoming entrepreneurs.

We also joined the global celebration for International Women’s Day in March 2015 by sharing online messages for the women we admired the most.

Of course, one of the biggest milestones of the year –and indeed, in Aidha’s entire history– was acquiring IPC status in April 2015. This coveted seal of approval means that we have met the government’s stringent regulatory and financial requirements and we have shown that our mission and work benefits the Singaporean community. As with all IPCs, it also means that donations made to Aidha will receive a tax deduction of 250%.

May 2015 saw us stage our annual charity bike ride – Aidha Tour de Singapore 2015 – which was supported by over 140 bikers and helped us reach our fundraising target of $100,000 to fund 150 scholarships.

In June 2015, the culmination of the ADP saw seven brave finalists present their business ideas during The Big Pitch. All seven budding entrepreneurs secured funding and mentoring from the panel of donor-judges to help them launch their business.

And all throughout the year, we also held our mainstay monthly activities such as Volunteer Orientation to recruit more professionals to volunteer with Aidha…

… as well as monthly Sunday Fundays, with free workshop activities open to all domestic workers, regardless whether they already study with Aidha or not. Some of the activities have included smartphone security and app tutorials by Google, Microsoft Excel workshops, nail-art and baking classes, as well as Zumba and Bollywood dancing – all taught and facilitated by volunteers.

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” – Napoleon Hill

To our community of generous volunteers, corporate partners, donors, the dedicated Aidha staff and team members, and most of all, to our inspiring students –

A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR SELFLESSNESS IN POWERING AIDHA’S SUCCESS IN THE LAST 9 YEARS!

We look forward having your continued support as we begin another year of making a difference in the lives of lower-income and migrant workers through financial education.