ChildAid 2024 brings alumni back and raises approximately $2.1 million

SINGAPORE – You have made a name for yourself on stage at previous ChildAid concerts.

This year, pianist Jessie Meng, 17, R&B singer Riszuan Syah, 19, and guitarist Alex Hooi, 22, are back in the spotlight along with 80 others at the concert marking ChildAid’s milestone 20th anniversary marked.

The trio is virtually joined by 22-year-old singer Ariadna Padron Yassin, who is studying in Amsterdam.

This year’s concert, titled “The Dream Emporium,” will take place on November 29th and 30th and is set in an enchanting world where children’s dreams come to life through song, dance and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Organized by The Straits Times and Business Times (BT), ChildAid 2024 has raised around $2.1 million through ticket sales and donations from UOB. TTJ Design & Engineering, a company specializing in structural steel; and Mr. Mohamad Abdul Jaleel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MES Group, a real estate and logistics solutions company.

The money will go to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which covers lunch and transport costs for children from low-income families, and the Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BAF), which supports artistic youth from disadvantaged households.

For two decades, ChildAid has been an inclusive platform for young artists aged between six and 19 and from diverse backgrounds to showcase their talent.

Wong Wei Kong, Editor-in-Chief of English/Malay/Tamil Media Group, SPH Media and Chairman of BT BAF, said: “It is encouraging to bring these young talents together to put on the show… Since 2005, ChildAid has “We have raised more than $30 million for our two charities, which are dedicated to helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

BT editor Chen Huifen said this year’s event was “not only a look back at the legacy we have created, but also a look forward to the future we are building together.”

“For this reason, ChildAid 2024 features a futuristic storyline that incorporates elements of artificial intelligence into the design of the concert, allowing our young talents to experience various aspects of generative technology in stagecraft,” she added.

ST editor Jaime Ho said: “We are proud that a number of talents who made their names at previous ChildAid concerts have returned to be part of this year’s show.”

Ms Amni Musfirah was 14 years old when she first sang at ChildAid in 2008. Now 30 years old, she led this year’s show as co-creative director along with Mr. Joshua Quek, deputy multimedia director at media entertainment company NoonTalk Media.

“The Dream Emporium,” taking place at the Esplanade Theater, is written and directed by 29-year-old actor, writer and director Krish Natarajan. Known for his immersive productions that combine live-action role-playing games with theater, his work with children opened a new side of his creativity.