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Picking up crafts, volunteering: How ST School Pocket Money Fund helps students

Nor Adeleia Noorhakim from Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Islamiah speaking at the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund annual appreciation lunch.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

SINGAPORE –  Do not waste your time on gadgets; learn something new.

That was what nine-year-old Nor Adeleia Noorhakim told herself, as she started making bracelets and keychains that she sells online to friends and others.

The Primary 3 pupil spends $20 a month to buy the materials – such as beads and string – for her creations.

She regularly sets aside for her “business” that sum, taken from the money she receives from The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF).

“I really enjoy doing it (making and selling bracelets and keychains) as it helps me hone my creativity and confidence in creating things on my own. I also get to learn valuable life skills like entrepreneurship and money management,” said the Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri AI Islamiah pupil.

Adeleia’s father died in 2022, leaving her mother, Ms Adlynna Haron, to care for her and her younger sister, who was just 10 months old at the time.

That year, the family started getting help from STSPMF to cover some of Adeleia’s schooling costs.

Speaking to ST, Ms Adlynna said she encouraged her daughter to pursue her passion in crafts as a hobby as the issue of mental health has been pushed into the spotlight in recent years.

“I think mental health is very important. Children face so much stress in school, even in the primary school years, and Adeleia takes on more subjects than she would as a secular school student.

“So I’m making sure she has some time to de-stress and take care of herself,” said the 35-year-old relief teacher.

Adeleia was one of 900 primary school children who were at Fort Canning Park enjoying a carnival on Oct 3.

It was held to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday and the 25th anniversary of STSPMF, which had an appreciation lunch to thank the donors, partners and schools that have worked with it over the years.

Ms Adlynna Haron and her daughter Nor Adeleia Noorhakim at the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund annual appreciation lunch.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The fund was started in 2000 by ST to provide pocket money to children from low-income families to help them through school.

It has helped over 220,000 children and teens in need and disbursed more than $100 million since.

Long-time donor Mohamed Abdul Jaleel, founder and chief executive of property and logistics solutions company MES Group, donated $600,000 to STSPMF at the event in commemoration of SG60.

It was his 13th annual contribution.

STSPMF chairman and The Straits Times editor Jaime Ho (right) receiving a cheque of $600,000 to STSPMF from founder and CEO of MES Group Mohamed Abdul Jaleel.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Another beneficiary of STSPMF, Hwa Chong Institution student Ryan Li, spoke to the audience about how the fund has helped him to do good and volunteer in the community.

The 18-year-old volunteers with social service agency Touch Community Services, and offers his time helping out at Meet-the-People Sessions as a case writer.

“In volunteering, I want to help kids who, like me, might be disadvantaged. Volunteering gives me a lot of insight and helps me learn that different families face different challenges,” he said.

Hwa Chong Institution student Ryan Li speaking to the audience about how the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund has helped him to do good and volunteer in the community.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

He added that the money received from STSPMF goes some way to covering his travelling round the island and food costs.

Currently, a primary school pupil receives $65 a month, while a secondary school student gets $100 a month. Students from the Institute of Technical Education, junior colleges and polytechnics receive $125 a month.

“The STSPMF has helped me to learn more about volunteering and has allowed me to give back to the community in my own way,” Ryan said.

Another donor, investment company Capital Group, contributed about $300,000 to the fund in 2025 through internal fund-raising activities. The company has supported STSPMF since 2016.

The firm presented 60 students with cash awards of $1,500 each in recognition of their outstanding achievements in sports and the arts at Fort Canning Park on Oct 3.

This is the third iteration of the award, lauding primary, secondary and post-secondary students.

The Straits Times © SPH Media. Reproduced with permission.