Can This Experimental Boarding School Transform Students In Just One Year? - Part 4 | Dare To Dream

[@orakulai]

Keyboard warrior moment here because it seems like nobody's called this out yet. But the chairman has unnecessarily threw shade at both Carol and Kheng Leng by calling to question their commitment. However, anyone whose seen how these 2 folks interact with the kids, will be able to sense how dedicated they are. On the flip side and in a previous episode, said chairman, Stanley, alluded that Kheng Leng was too protective of the kids. If feels like he's one of those delusional bosses who is so fixated by their position, that they feel empowered to say what they will. I get that the older we are, the more we think we know better and the less we care what others think of us so we say what we will without any thought of consequences. To that, I can only say this to the chairman - you chose to air your thoughts about the 2 individuals on public media so take my condemnation of your leadership. I don't care that you're fund raising this cause and that its intent is noble. It does not absolve nor lightens the way you treat your people. Throw your old man "holier/knowledgeable than thou" persona and learn how to be emphathatic. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but commenting negatively on the 2 folks rather than saying any word of thanks, really paints a bad picture on his leadership.

[@SomethingAboutBeautee]

You CAN’T be proven wrong when no truer words have ever been spoken! You absolutely nailed what you needed to say with tact & were definitely a lot nicer than I would have been myself BUT I HAVEN’T watched this particular episode yet. I just decided to scroll through a few comments while the opening credits were rolling! I’m sure my opinion about your post won’t change though considering what the previous 3 episodes were like when they were in meetings with Mr. Know It All. 😢😡

[@sysy2685]

So true, this chairman is really "class act". No matter what they did, or disagreed on, he shld not have aired such negative thoughts and views about them. I felt that after watching for some pple it seems like monetary and image are more impt for them, yes money is impt but to get capable individuals to coach the kids - equally impt. I just hope that CNA don't let this programme gets tainted by pple like that. This uncle shld retire liao lah. Maybe chill a bit. This non-profit is not suitable for him 😂

[@henlopresto]

Johnny, Dyan, Rayyan have such great dispositions. It's so heartening to see the impact this project has had on them. I'm sure these kids will go far!

[@janessakoh860]

Rayyan is such a gentle giant and he got a nice voice! ❤

[@brendacharles4744]

Johnny is such a good guy, I am in his secondary school and whenever I see him, he is always helping others and being kind. I hope I can one day be like Johnny. Be respectful, passionate and honest. Go johnny!!!

[@feezarr]

YES JOHNNY IS THE BEST PERSON IVE MET

[@maxxie6275]

Kheng Leng is such a gem. =DREAMS really lost a valued member.

[@feezarr]

for me being a scholar in =Dreams, Ms Kheng was really a great staff

[@zeroflame15]

Anyone agree Rayyan got a radio voice? And the kids changes are vivid. The staffs doing a great job

[@quirkyhill]

agreed, he has a nice voice, like wise beyond his years

[@MC-mu4ze]

Haha yes! The way he articulates too 😍

[@meiyougen]

Thank you for producing this, and really well done to the entire production team as well as the social community and equal dreams for this initiative! The story is really well crafted in bringing different perspective from the parents, kids as well as the social workers, it is really heartwarming with some parts bringing me to tears. As someone who just turned 21 not long ago I did not expect to learn so much from the kids which allowed me to see more value in my studies and direction. Some of the kids are really mature in their thinking and really a sight to see what they’ve seen and been through at a young age. Keep fighting and take steps to what u want, and know that somehow you’ll get there one day 💗

[@johnwig285]

Rayyan, you are wise beyond your years. Johnny, you are mature enough that you show a lot of self-awareness. Your anger seems to be externally induced, unlike another person who causes trouble and end up getting angry when scolded. Kheng Leng is a gem. It's ok to take a softer approach. Because Felany will complement. So eventually there's balance.

[@SY-km7sk]

So proud of the kids - Jovian, Dian, Johnny, Nick and Rayyan as they share their stories. Definitely not easy for teens to transit into a different environment and learn to let go of their ‘ego’. But hey, who don’t have ego? It’s just learning to manage it and like what Jovian mention to learn to express your needs and emotions. It’s a learning process even for adults. Kudos to the adults (even volunteers) who helped to shaped lives too! Another wonderful series by CNA!

[@Jolin_Toh]

Estee is such a great person. Very positive vibes

[@Lennard-f9r]

What is the background of the Chairman of Equal Dreams? He questioned both leaving employees' commitments publicly in a condescending tone. Is he even properly equipped to leave Equal Dreams well with his management skills. It does seem he is not supporting the team well enough which results in unhappiness among the team. Shame on him.

[@tingblubblub6106]

Dyan really shines during all those gala dinners and emcees. She stands up straighter and is more bubbly. There’s a shine in her eyes too :)

[@lauralimweeheang4914]

So happy to see how mature they have become in just 1 year. So proud to see Rayyan's weight loss journey. Evidence of his commitment and determination. Well done and keep up the good work Rayyan, Johnny, Dyan and Jovia! We are rooting for all of you!

[@ctiii7611]

Extremely disgusted with the chairman's remarks on Carol and Kheng Leng's resignation.

[@Iendleasereit]

Dyan is a very confident and fluent presenter. She is a very good presenter. I enjoyed how she presents and she got my attention.

[@dyanqt]

hehe thank youu !!

[@andrewwokas]

Waiting for part 5,6,7 and so on… All the best wishes for =Dreams, board members, all staff, scholars, volunteers.

[@Iendleasereit]

Yes pls. Very good series. Even I'm learning from them

[@MangoPringo]

Thank you CNA insider for yet another heartwarming series (I’ve enjoyed the homelessness one as well). Will definitely donate to =dreams this year to support them. I do hope that the government can help them out in whatever possible way, and recognise the difficultly in finding a one-size-fits-all solution in providing a level platform for children of less fortunate backgrounds. It’s not easy but as a community we should strive towards a more equitable society.

[@roses662]

I’ve worked with similar groups of youths for 4.5 years in a Children’s Home. I 100% can understand and relate to what the scholars and the staffs are going through. To the staffs, enjoy your time in =Dreams as this opportunity may not come back to you and not everyone will get the same opportunity. It was my best 4.5 years working in the Children’s Home. Sad that I had to leave but life goes on. When I watch the 4 part series, it brought back so many memories of my time working in the Children’s Home. Kudos to the scholars as well as the staff. Keep going and you guys will definitely do well❤

[@jianxianggian2832]

This is such a wonderful documentary, one of the few CNA series I binge-watched. Heartwarming, tear-jerking and inspiring following the youths' and facilitators' journeys and when they share their vulnerability. Also highlights the struggle housemasters face having to balance between looking after the youths and meeting stakeholders' needs (likely why Kheng Leng sadly left too). Hope =Dreams takes off and I wish them continued success! Following the documentary on homeless people, prisoners and residents of =Dreams, perhaps @CNAInsider might want to consider spotlighting foreign workers and the volunteering bodies that look out for them? Just a thought.

[@PositivelyNice]

To the staff and Ms Estee in particular, jiayou! May you have the courage to shine your unique light wherever you go, wherever you are, in the future.

[@henlopresto]

Felany's family is so lovely and the cat is a vibe

[@zhanganna]

This is an excellent series! I'm so inspired & encouraged by the scholars. Well done & love you all! And also the dream team who selflessly give of their time, care & dedication to the scholars. Thank you all so much for standing together to pave a way & make a difference in turning a child's life around in such an empowering manner! All the best & God bless you all! ❤❤❤

[@marytan5809]

dyan is actually really beautiful! so glad to see her glow 👍🏻😍

[@Abraham-uk4xy]

Felany should not give up so easily. Job enlargement is also for staff to expand their experience and horizons. Staff should not worry where they came from but where they are headed. its a transformation for both the staff and kids. But something seems not right if key staff are leaving.

[@johnwig285]

Doesn't mean something aint right. Startups are like that, employees may not find that they align. Also, you need to understand it could be mentally taxing for her to live in the dorm

[@sbaumgartner9848]

I think this program is very interesting and I find it amazing how CNA managed to get approval to film these young people and the staff. I wish everyone at this school the best. Singapore does amazing things to help build a high functioning society.

[@alvin191182]

i also just want to say to the kids out there ... ITE is not the end .. IT is a learning process for your self. You will achieve your goals just push on and remind yourself of your end goals when you dbout yourself. FROM ITE graduate of 2003

[@pjpororo323]

This is a life changing experiment, its a good learning curve for all, there is always room for improvement for any start ups be it those who are managing as well as those who are in as their experiment elements. I applaud each courageous individual who stepped up to the plate. I always had to remind myself while watching that each role is critical - be it the disciplinarian, the approachable spoke person, this isn't a boy's or girl's home, the teens are in because someone out there care enough to invest in their lives to make an impact. Appreciate those moments and inspire those who needs it too.

[@mtmt1274]

chairman is great because he set up the organisation, which is a great initiative. but after watching all 4 episodes i feel that he seems thereafter, lost, delusional, toxic, inflexible, and even a bit egoistic, perhaps leading to the departure of karen and kheng leng (mvp). i sincerely hope that he is open to constuctive feedback because this organisation has a huge potential to help shape our precious young lives (who were unfortunately, born into not so fortunate circumstances).

[@DALLEY_SANI]

There should be reasons for resignations. I notice kheng leng love her job and the scholars love her. As a school trainer myself it's not easy to do what they do.

[@peidanzhok]

Jovian, Dyan, Johnny, Nick and Rayyan - Thank you for your vulnerability and for sharing your stories so that others don't feel so alone. Kheng Leng is such gem. =Dreams lost a precious team member.

[@Breadca]

Rayyan, you are truly an inspiration

[@alvin191182]

i really respect what dreams is doing in terms of providing safe haven for the kids to fool around play around ...nagivate through their indivuals problem,, emtions or anythings that will weighing them down ...

[@dailypriya]

we love rayyan 😊

[@Iendleasereit]

Let's go RAYYAN!

[@shaludevi4460]

Wow, now I wanna support their cause! We need to do more to support people in need to excel in life!

[@mayonnkonrad8926]

Well done all you scholars and also the team working there. Kudos !

[@fishballrox]

was looking forward to the bloopers of the director and videographer,

[@Abraham-uk4xy]

I watched the four series. Yes the children come out of their shell. They compete with one another so they turn from super introvert to a bit extrovert. But you still focus on a few. What about the rest? I didn't see much studying in the dorm after class. Wonder what they eat and is it enough? Because the boys were making pot noodles for themselves. Did they miss their dinner? So far I am not convinced that you remove them from their home settings for weekdays, Monday to Thursday and stay in a hostel four days a week and something magical will happen to their lives now and in the future. By Friday evening they are back home for the weekend. Yes they are safer, don't get mixed with gangs in their hdb estates so some part of that is good. Johnny and vj have seen some stabbings and johnny has been bullied. But for me this experiment is still a big question mark. As the former house mistress said- it was controversial removing them from their family settings. To me It looks like a Monforth School dorm. Nothing more. If you are with good people goodness rubs off. But to see Johnny and Rayyan helping people is quite heart warming. Most of these kids come from lonely backgrounds. They lack confidence. You put them together their talents will show. It's like being in the army for two years. Even with the challenges, struggles, stress and dirt the grit and goodness will still come out. That's because of the people around and the camaraderie.

[@alvintan2970]

Dylan is so funny!

[@Lancer21899]

I always like to watch these type of show to make me feel how much fortunate I am to be born in to my current family

[@shortcake772]

i get bad/weird vibes from stanley tbh

[@krazikatladi3729]

Did they say why did kheng leng resign?

[@daytonpangestu3942]

What was Nick expelled for?

[@zhihao5750]

im not sure if it's the edit but im quite sure nick is a self entitled troublemaker. thank God he is gone. and nick if you are reading this, please behave and change your attitude towards people, self entitled attitude cannot get you anywhere, when u go to army u will know why people shout at you.

[@anonymous-3648]

The chairman of =Dreams has a good sense of direction where to take the team. good job!

[@starplayz7536]

I feel so sad after watching this nick leaving everyone going

[@martinbrock713]

The goal should be to lead our students to learn, not push them to study. The former will open up their naturally enquiring minds; the latter will kill curiosity.

[@m03_m]

Overcome poverty? Please really go and see who are the real poverty. Those families that can't even say a simple words of English are not mentioned. See the =dreams application form, those who extremely need help are not able to fill in the form. Social still money first. Fund raising performance, more students (scholars), plus parents can choose. Something wrong about relating it to poverty?

[@martinbrock713]

Among some of them are to foster students’ independent and critical thinking. Dependence on memorisation is a thing of the past as information is readily available at one’s fingertips. “We must teach our students how to think, not what to think,” Prof Tambyah said.

[@franniewoo2709]

Great intentions but naively executed. Rem u r dealing with children not logical adults. If you don't instill the right amount of discipline, they will never see u nor take you seriously. Having girls n boys together is clearly a huge mistake. Plus the chairman needs to get a reality check.. tats y being able to raise funds doesn't mean u know how to guide others as a leader...u need a leader not some old stubborn self centered chump breathing down everyone's neck So no, i would say this whole project is a failure from the start.

[@anziar3038]

Addressing the poverty gap issue requires effort from all. The govt has done its part, the rest depends on those in the poverty groups. It's so obvious that PAP is the only responsible and caring party in s'pore.❤❤

[@m03_m]

Running for election, vote for you.

[@martinbrock713]

The SDP also proposes to abolish the PSLE, and this should be complemented by broadening the curricula and reducing the workload. He added: “Such an approach will enrich our students’ educational experience and prepare them for a future that will require them to be well-rounded, intelligent individuals.”

[@martinbrock713]

“This is because education is not about competition with one’s classmates but learning through collaboration and teamwork with one’s peers,” he noted. Competition for top-ranked schools is unhealthy and has inflicted serious psychological damage, according to mental health professionals, on our children.