Growing Together Through Community

When staff members from Enabling Services Hub@Jurong (ESH@Jurong) first knocked on their door earlier this year, 63-year-old Noridah did not know it would mark the start of a new chapter for her and her son, Amad. For years, she had dedicated herself to caring for Amad, her youngest child, and saw ESH@Jurong as an opportunity for him to discover new experiences in a nurturing community.  

Since then, the mother-and-son pair have become an inseparable part of the community at ESH@Jurong, attending their programmes and workshops almost every day.

Amad, 21, who has Down syndrome, discovered his love for performing while attending a special education school. As someone who has a flair for music and dance, Amad was frequently nominated by his teachers to perform at school events and enjoys being on stage grooving to his favourite songs. 

After his graduation, Noridah was unsure of what Amad’s future would look like. She only had a simple wish for him to be healthy, happy and to be independent one day. “The opportunity to attend ESH@Jurong came at the right time. I’m grateful that the programmes give him space to keep learning and growing, even outside of school,” she shares.  

Growing Through Learning and Community 

From the very first session, Amad was drawn to ESH@Jurong’s warm, welcoming environment. Initially, he clung closely to his mother, shy around unfamiliar faces. With gentle encouragement from ESH staff and Noridah’s reassurance, Amad slowly began to open up.  

Together, Amad and Noridah have attended various Continual Learning and Education courses aimed at building confidence and independence in PwDs, such as cooking, urban farming, financial literacy and more. As an individual who enjoys hands-on activities, Amad looks forward to sessions like karaoke where he can express himself through song and dance, and sports like badminton where he gets a sense of achievement each time he scores a point.  

Caption: Amad enjoying a game of badminton (top) and learning how to play frisbee (bottom). 

Caption: Amad (middle) participating in a hands-on activity during an urban farming workshop.  

“At first, I just wanted him to enjoy himself,” Noridah said. “I didn’t have many expectations, and I just wanted him to have fun. It’s a bonus if he can learn something new. He used to be shy around new faces but now he smiles, talks, and laughs easily with others. I can see how being part of ESH activities has helped him open up and become more independent.” 

Caption: Siew Ling (far left) together with Amad and his family after a weekly badminton session. 

Staff members have also witnessed Amad’s transformation. “When Amad first joined, he stayed close to his mom most of the time,” shared Siew Ling, an ESH@Jurong staff member. “Now, he initiates conversations with others and eagerly shares his thoughts during class. It’s wonderful to see how far he’s come.”  

A Place of Support and Hope 

For Noridah, ESH@Jurong has become more than a place for her son’s growth – it has also become her community. Caring for a child with special needs can often be isolating, but she has found friendship and support with other caregivers who share similar joys and struggles.  

Caption: Noridah and Abdul Rahman participating in a painting activity during a caregiver workshop held by TOUCH Caregivers Support.  

Her cheerful personality often brightens the room, where she listens, encourages and reminds others that they are not alone in their journey. “We come from different backgrounds, but we understand one another deeply. Being here makes me feel less alone and it gives me the strength to keep going,” she reflected.  

With the support of ESH@Jurong’s staff, volunteers, and caregivers, Noridah continues to nurture Amad’s independence. She celebrates his small victories, whether it’s meeting new people or trying a new activity.  

ESH@Jurong has given Noridah and Amad a community to grow with, a renewed sense of belonging and become their second home. It is a place where Amad can learn and grow without fear, and where Noridah can find encouragement from others.  

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Story written in 2025.

For more information on ESH, please click here.