“Mandai is Wild about SG” and “Celebrating Our Grands” by Families for Life Join Forces for Intergenerational Fun and Bonding - a truly meaningful program that juxtaposes the community with nature and the appreciation of both aspects
Celebrating Our Grands (COG), an annual month-long campaign dedicated to honouring grandparents, was launched today at Bird Paradise, in conjunction with Mandai is Wild about SG, a new initiative to connect local communities while nurturing deeper appreciation for nature. The launch took place at the inaugural “Family Day Out with Grands @ Bird Paradise” organised by Families for Life in partnership with Mandai Wildlife Group (MWG). The event saw over a thousand family members, who bonded over a movie screening and at interactive learning stations on wildlife and nature.
Guest-of-Honour Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health said, “Grandparents are key pillars in building strong and resilient families. They play an important role in the family as the keepers of tradition, the sources of wisdom, and the embodiment of enduring love and support. As we spend time with them and other senior members of the family, we can learn much about family values such as love, care, commitment and respect. Let us always cherish and honour them as they guide us through different seasons in life.”
Ms Belina Lee, Deputy CEO, Transformation and Growth at Mandai Wildlife Group, said: “Since the opening of Singapore’s first wildlife park, Jurong Bird Park in 1971, the Mandai Wildlife Reserve has been an integral part of Singapore’s social fabric, and a popular destination for families to deepen bonds through immersion with nature and wildlife. We believe that nature can be a powerful force in connecting people through meaningful experiences, and we are excited about this partnership with Families for Life, which is the start of many initiatives we look forward to launching with other like-minded partners.
With Mandai is Wild About SG, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible destination where all segments of society can easily enjoy our offerings, whether through community programmes with partners or through various admission offerings, as well as providing public spaces like Mandai Wildlife West. Our nature and wildlife destination has abundant opportunities for people from all walks of life to connect and enjoy shared community experiences.”
Mandai is Wild about SG is a new initiative which aims to deepen engagement and benefit the local community, while nurturing a deeper appreciation for nature. It seeks to provide greater access to the many nature-inspired experiences at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, through collaborations with organisations like Families for Life and other community groups and corporate partners. Launching today, Mandai is Wild About SG will build on this, and grow opportunities for families and local residents to continue making memories together while immersing in nature, whenever they visit the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. For over five decades, Singapore’s zoological parks have welcomed more than 70 million visits from local residents, serving as a well-loved destination for outings with family and friends, and a window into the wild to connect with nature and wildlife.
Celebrating Our Grands takes place throughout October 2024 at Bird Paradise in conjunction with Children’s Day, with a series of family-friendly activities designed to strengthen intergenerational bonding. A key highlight is a COG Family Trail with Families for Life’s mascot Becky Bunny, that lets families discover how even Bird Paradise’s avian residents like the king penguin and Papuan hornbill demonstrate core family values such as love, care and commitment. Celebrating Our Grands will also feature other exciting activities and giveaways to facilitate opportunities for families to spend quality time together, strengthening intergenerational bonds.
Mr Ishak Ismail, Chairman of the Families for Life Council, said, “The collaboration between Families for Life and Mandai Wildlife Group underscores our collective commitment to foster stronger multi- generational and family ties. More grandparents today are taking on an active role in their grandchildren’s lives. They provide a strong pillar of support and listening ear for children as they navigate milestones and challenges from childhood to adolescence. Families for Life has a wide array of programmes and resources to support families as they journey through life. This includes the Triple P Grandparents, which will equip grandparents with strategies to raise confident, competent and resilient grandchildren.
ABOUT FAMILIES FOR LIFE MOVEMENT
The Families for Life Movement, led by the Families for Life Council, rallies individuals, families and organisations to celebrate families and strengthen family bonds towards building a Singapore Made for Families.
The Families for Life signature initiatives are:
• Families for Life programmes and resources to support strong family values, strong andlasting marriages and confident parenting.
• Families for Life @ Community initiatives to strengthen family relationships in convenient locations in 24 towns. Couples and families can participate in marriage preparation, marriage mentoring, marriage enrichment, parenting and grand parenting programmes, and parent peer support groups.
• I Still Do – campaign celebrating love, commitment, and marriage in February, with enriching online programmes, useful resources and activities for married couples.
• National Family Festival – a national celebration of the importance of families in June, with family bonding events and activities throughout Singapore.
• Celebrating Our Grands – campaign celebrating the strong intergenerational bonds of families in October, with craft kits for children to express appreciation for their grandparents and exciting activities dedicated for the whole family.
Visit www.familiesforlife.sg for tips, resources, and interesting family activities as well as a wide range of meaningful volunteering opportunities.
”As part of Mandai is Wild about SG, there will be complimentary entry for seniors to Bird Paradise with every adult ticket purchased from 1 to 27 October 2024. To provide further opportunities for frequent intergenerational outings, Mandai Wildlife Group has also introduced concessionary memberships for senior citizens under its Friends of Wildlife membership programme and extended child membership rates to teenagers. This will provide more flexible options for families to visit and enjoy its wildlife parks regularly.
Local residents can also look forward to a pipeline of activities catered to different segments. Besides partnerships with local brands and other signature events, all local residents with a WildPass membership, a free digital programme that offers discounts and offers at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, can enjoy free admission from 1 November 2024 to the Singapore Zoo, River Wonders and Bird Paradise each year on their birthday when accompanied by a full paying adult.
For more information on Families for Life and Triple P Grandparents, visit Families for Life (FFL) and Triple P Grandparents (familiesforlife.sg).
For more information on Mandai is Wild about SG, visit
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