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When people think of Yishun, they often think of the headlines. Over the years, the neighbourhood has become the subject of countless memes, viral stories and internet jokes. Mention Yishun in a conversation and chances are someone will have a story, or at least a stereotype, ready to share. But for Cassandra and Aizuddin from Found Films, Yishun is much more than a punchline. It is the place they grew up in, the place that shaped many of their memories, and ultimately, the inspiration behind their micro-comedy series, Yishun Strong. In Episode 36 of Conversation of Change, we sat down with the duo to learn more about the origins of the series and the stories that inspired it. What emerged was not just a conversation about filmmaking, but a reflection on community, identity and the power of storytelling. Drawing from childhood memories, familiar neighbourhood personalities and everyday interactions, Cassandra and Aizuddiin began creating a world that felt recognisable to residents while remaining relatable to audiences across Singapore. Many of the characters were inspired by people they had encountered throughout their lives. The pair shared candidly about the realities of independent filmmaking, from storyboarding and casting to coordinating shoots and navigating creative differences along the way. Like many creative projects, bringing an idea to life required patience, adaptability and a willingness to solve problems as they arose. Yet one of the most memorable aspects of the journey was the response from the community itself. As filming took place around the neighbourhood, curious residents stopped to ask questions, local businesses offered support and community spaces became part of the production process. These interactions reinforced the team's belief that storytelling can be a collective effort, especially when it is rooted in genuine appreciation for a place and its people. Throughout our conversation, it became clear that Yishun Strong was never intended to be just another comedy series. In a time when narratives can spread rapidly online, micro-dramas like Yishun Strong remind us that communities deserve the opportunity to tell their own stories. Sometimes, all it takes is a familiar character, a shared laugh or a moment of recognition for people to see a place differently. Perhaps that is what makes storytelling such a powerful force for change. Discover our podcast on your favourite audio apps now! 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/make-the-change-conversation-of-change-podcast/id1511455099 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FPfumkodY86gN9wUBUgYV?si=ff0560b50aff4c30

At Make The Change, we believe that innovation begins when young people are given the tools, confidence, and opportunities to bring their ideas to life. We were proud to support the YOUNNOVATE Hackathon 2026, an inspiring initiative that empowers young women to explore technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation and to develop solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of the hackathon experience, our team conducted a hands-on workshop focused on rapid prototyping using Apple Keynote on iPad. While many people think of Keynote as a presentation tool, participants discovered how it can also be used to create interactive app prototypes, simulate user experiences, and communicate ideas without writing a single line of code. From Ideas to Interactive Prototypes One of the biggest challenges for young innovators is translating an idea in their mind into something others can see and understand. Through the workshop, participants learned how to: Transform ideas into visual app concepts Create user interface screens Design navigation between different sections of an app Use animations and transitions to simulate user experiences Build interactive prototypes for pitching and feedback By focusing on prototyping rather than coding, participants were able to quickly test, refine, and communicate their ideas while spending more time thinking about the problem they wanted to solve. Learning Through Creation At Make The Change, we believe that the best learning happens when participants create something meaningful. Rather than simply teaching software features, the workshop encouraged participants to think like designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Students explored how technology can be used to solve real-world challenges and how visual storytelling can help bring solutions to life. The hands-on nature of the session allowed participants to immediately apply what they learned, experiment with different approaches, and see their ideas take shape before their eyes. Why Prototyping Matters Many of the world’s most successful products started as simple prototypes. Before an app is coded or a product is launched, innovators often create prototypes to test concepts, gather feedback, and communicate their vision to others. By introducing participants to rapid prototyping, we helped them develop an important innovation skill widely used by startups, designers, entrepreneurs, and technology teams worldwide. More importantly, participants discovered that they do not need advanced technical skills to begin creating solutions. What matters most is having an idea, understanding the problem, and taking the first step toward building something meaningful. More Than Technology While the workshop focused on technology tools, the deeper goal was to build confidence. Innovation is not just about apps and devices. It is about creativity, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and the courage to share an idea with the world. Seeing participants transform their concepts into interactive prototypes reminded us that the next generation of innovators is already full of potential. Sometimes all they need is an opportunity to start. Looking Ahead We are grateful to the YOUNNOVATE team for the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful initiative and to support young women exploring pathways in technology and innovation. At Make The Change, we remain committed to empowering youths through creativity, technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Whether through hackathons, workshops, internships, or learning experiences, we believe every young person has the potential to create positive change. As we shared with participants during the workshop: Every great innovation starts as an idea. The future belongs to those who are willing to take that first step.

At Make The Change, we believe that young people should be exposed to a wide range of career pathways, especially those that empower them to create a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Recently, our Co-Founder, Pedro Aguirre, participated in the Global Indian International School Career Fair, where he shared insights into a career path many students may not have considered before: Social Entrepreneurship. While traditional career paths such as medicine, engineering, law, and finance are often well understood, social entrepreneurship remains relatively unfamiliar to many young people. Yet it is a field that combines innovation, business, leadership, and purpose to address some of society’s most pressing challenges. Throughout the event, students demonstrated remarkable curiosity and engagement. They asked thoughtful questions about how social enterprises operate, how impact can be measured, and what it takes to build a career focused on creating positive change. These conversations reinforced an important lesson: today’s youth are not only thinking about their future careers, but they are also thinking about the kind of impact they want to make in the world. Why Career Exposure Matters Career fairs play an important role in helping students discover opportunities beyond the professions they encounter in their daily lives. By meeting professionals from diverse industries, students gain a broader understanding of the possibilities available to them and can begin to align their interests, strengths, and values with future pathways. For Make The Change, these engagements are particularly meaningful because they provide an opportunity to introduce young people to the growing fields of social innovation, sustainability, and impact-driven entrepreneurship. As global challenges become increasingly complex, there is a growing need for individuals who can think creatively, collaborate across sectors, and develop sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Building the Next Generation of Changemakers At Make The Change, our programmes are designed to help young people develop the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in this changing world. Through experiences in social innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, sustainability, digital media, and leadership, students learn they can contribute meaningfully to society, regardless of the career path they eventually pursue. The conversations at the Global Indian International School Career Fair were a powerful reminder that many young people are eager to explore ways to combine purpose with profession. We are grateful to the Global Indian International School team for the invitation and for creating opportunities that encourage students to think deeply about their futures. As we continue our mission of empowering the next generation of changemakers, we look forward to engaging more schools, educators, and students in conversations about impact, innovation, and purpose-driven careers. Bring Career Exploration to Your School Looking to inspire your students with real-world insights into social entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and careers with impact? Make The Change offers engaging talks, workshops, and experiential learning programmes that help students explore emerging career pathways while developing future-ready skills. Contact us today to learn how we can support your school’s career guidance, Applied Learning Programme (ALP), or student development initiatives.

Ray Yen, Hamsini, Gemma, Yann Wen, Claire (from left to right) Learning does not only happen in the classroom. During the June holidays in 2025, four students from Raffles Girls' School joined the Young Changemaker Programme for a two-week internship experience. Through hands-on projects, workshops, event support and meaningful conversations, they gained a firsthand look at how ideas can be transformed into action and how businesses can create a positive change in society. The internship began with the students getting acquainted with the day-to-day operations at Make The Change. As with many real-world projects, meaningful impact begins with strong system and organisation. The students supported various database and administrative tasks, gaining insight into the importance of data management and operational processes that keep programmes runnings smoothly behind the scenes. Having explored the foundations of social impact work, the second week focused on applying their learning in real-world settings. One of the highlights was being a part of the Young Changemaker Camp, where youths explored leadership and creativity impact through hands-on activities and collaborative challenges. At the end of the camp, the students also presented a final showcase, bringing together their learning. They were encouraged to reflect on their experiences, articulate key insights and share how their understanding of social impact has evolved through the camp. The internship concluded on a high note with the students supporting the Bring Your Kids To Work Day at the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Through two interactive workshops, Sticker Magic and Podcasting Pals, they witnessed how creativity and technology can be used to engaged and inspire young learners. The interns played an active role in supporting the participants throughout the sessions. The experience challenged them to adapt their communication styles and think on their feet. By the end of the day, the students had not only contributed to a memorable experience for the children attended the event but had also gained confidence in their own ability to support and engage others through meaningful programmes. "I gained an in-depth experience of how social enterprises utilise social innovation, digital tools, and different business models to uplift and improve the well-being of individuals in our society" - Gemma "This internship was truly something new for me, I got to explore many new things and step out of my comfort zone with plenty of fun activities. I also enjoyed getting to know my peers. Many of the things I learnt were very useful, such as presentation tips and editing skills and even organising things on notion ( I have not used Notion before this)" - Hamsini "A significant aspect of our internship was planning a project with various obstacles in mind. Overall, the internship provided a well-rounded exposure to the practical side of social innovation, enhancing both my strategic thinking and interpersonal abilities." - Claire The internship demonstrated that social impact is not limited to large-scale initiatives. It can begin with understanding a problem, listening to different perspectives and taking small but meaningful steps towards creating change. Through their two weeks here, these interns developed a deeper understanding of community impact, strengthened valuable life skills and discovered how they can play a role in shaping a better future. We are proud to have been part of their journey and look forward to seeing where it takes them next!

Episode 2: Building an AI Consultant to Guide Our B Corp Re-Certification Journey In Episode 1, we shared why Make The Change is embarking on our B Corp re-certification journey under B Lab’s new standards and why we decided to document the process publicly. As we moved from reflection to action, we quickly realized something. The new standards are comprehensive. There are multiple impact topics, detailed requirements, supporting evidence, policies, and documentation to review. For a small social enterprise, keeping track of everything can quickly become overwhelming. So we asked ourselves a simple question: Could AI help us navigate the process more effectively? Creating Our Own B Corp AI Consultant To help us stay organized, we decided to create a custom AI assistant using Gemini Gems. Rather than using a generic AI chatbot, we wanted to build a specialized consultant that understands the B Corp re-certification process and can provide guidance based on the actual requirements we need to meet. To do this, we fed the AI assistant with a range of reference materials, including: Documentation related to the B Corp certification and re-certification process Resources explaining the new B Lab standards Guidance documents and supporting materials Our own internal plans and organizational information But we wanted to go one step further. Turning the Assessment Into a Working Database One of the most useful things we did was download the assessment questions and organize them into a Google Sheet. By structuring the questions in a searchable format, we created a working database that our AI consultant could reference when providing recommendations. This means the AI is not simply giving generic sustainability advice. Instead, it can: Reference actual assessment requirements Suggest evidence we may need to prepare Identify potential gaps in our documentation Recommend next steps based on specific standards Help us prioritize actions based on our current progress In many ways, it feels like having a consultant available whenever we need guidance. Why This Matters One of the biggest challenges in any certification process is not necessarily understanding what needs to be done. It is staying organized and maintaining momentum over time. By combining AI with structured data and official guidance materials, we are creating a system that helps us break a large and complex project into manageable actions. The goal is not to replace human judgment. The goal is to augment our capacity to learn, analyze, and make better decisions. Early Lessons Although we are still in the early stages of our re-certification journey, a few lessons have already emerged: 1. Good AI Starts With Good Data The quality of the outputs depends heavily on the quality of the information you provide. Providing actual standards, assessment questions, and supporting documentation dramatically improves the usefulness of the responses. 2. Structure Matters Organizing information into a format that AI can easily access and reference has been just as important as the AI itself. The Google Sheet has become a surprisingly valuable part of the process. 3. AI Works Best as a Thinking Partner The most valuable role of our AI consultant is not giving answers. It is helping us ask better questions, identify blind spots, and think more systematically about impact. Looking Ahead As our re-certification journey continues, we plan to further develop this AI-powered approach and explore how technology can support organizations pursuing sustainability and impact goals. In future episodes, we’ll share: How we are mapping the new standards The biggest gaps we discover What surprised us most about the requirements Practical tools and workflows that other organizations can use Lessons learned from implementing improvements across the organization One of the exciting things about this journey is that we are not only learning about B Corp re-certification. We are also learning how AI can support mission-driven organizations in creating greater impact. And that may be one of the most valuable lessons of all.

The world is changing faster than ever before. Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, new careers are emerging every year, and today’s students will likely work in jobs that do not even exist yet. In a future filled with uncertainty, one question remains: How can schools prepare students not just for exams, but for life? Recently, Make The Change had the opportunity to conduct a Future Skills Workshop for students from Anglican High School. Designed to help students explore the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world, the workshop combined real-world examples, interactive discussions, future career exploration, and hands-on team challenges. Looking Beyond Academic Results While academic knowledge remains important, employers and industry leaders consistently highlight the importance of human skills that cannot easily be replaced by technology. During the workshop, students explored five future-ready skills identified by global organizations such as the World Economic Forum: Adaptability Communication Creativity Collaboration Resilience Through engaging activities and discussions, students examined how these skills are used by content creators, startup founders, healthcare professionals, and social entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and create meaningful impact. Exploring the Future Together One of the most engaging parts of the workshop challenged students to imagine what the future might look like. Working in teams, students explored themes such as: Future schools AI and student life Future careers Building a better future society Students were encouraged to think critically about how technology can improve lives while also recognising the importance of empathy, human connection, and responsible innovation. The result was a room filled with creativity, thoughtful discussion, and exciting ideas about the future. What Students Took Away The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. The workshop received an average rating of 4.37 out of 5, with 95% of participants saying they would recommend the session to their friends. Students shared that they learned: The core pillars of future readiness The importance of empathy and service How technology is shaping future opportunities One student reflected: “It was refreshing to have real-world insight instead of everything being very theoretical.” Another simply described the experience as: “It was very fun :)” Beyond the positive feedback, it was encouraging to see students identify adaptability, communication, and resilience as both strengths they already possess and skills they want to continue developing. This demonstrates a strong awareness of the capabilities needed to succeed in the future. Future Skills Are Human Skills As AI and automation continue to reshape the world, the most valuable skills may not be technical alone. The ability to adapt to change, communicate ideas, collaborate with others, think creatively, and persevere through challenges will remain essential no matter how technology evolves. These are not just workplace skills. They are life skills. At Make The Change, we believe students should be empowered not only to prepare for the future but to actively shape it. Bring Future Skills Learning to Your School Our Future Skills Workshop helps students explore emerging trends, understand the changing world of work, and develop the human skills needed to thrive in the future. Whether your school is looking to introduce future readiness, career awareness, leadership development, or AI literacy, we can customise the programme to meet your students’ needs. To learn more about bringing the Future Skills Workshop to your school, contact us today. Together, let’s prepare students not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but for the opportunities they will create.

A recent interview by Channel NewsAsia featuring Mr. Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, highlighted an important shift happening among youths today. “Young people today are more willing to create their own pathways instead of waiting for opportunities.” At Make The Change, this resonates deeply with what we see in our work with students, educators, and youth communities across Singapore. More young people are beginning to move beyond the traditional mindset of simply preparing for future jobs. Instead, they are asking bigger questions: What problems can I help solve? How can I contribute to society? What ideas can I bring to life? How can technology and creativity create a positive impact? This shift matters. Entrepreneurship Beyond Business When people hear the word “entrepreneurship,” many immediately think about startups, funding rounds, or building billion-dollar companies. But youth entrepreneurship can take many forms. It can look like: A student launching a community initiative A youth creating digital content to raise awareness about sustainability A team designing solutions for social challenges Young people using creativity and technology to advocate for causes they care about Students learning to take initiative, collaborate, and lead projects independently At its core, entrepreneurship is about agency. It is about helping young people believe that they are capable of creating ideas, taking action, adapting to challenges, and making meaningful contributions to the world around them. Why This Matters for Education As industries continue to evolve rapidly through AI, automation, and digital transformation, the future will increasingly value skills such as: Adaptability Creative problem-solving Communication Collaboration Leadership Resilience Systems thinking These are not skills that can be learned only from textbooks. Young people develop them through experiences: Working on real-world projects Experimenting with ideas Learning from failure Collaborating with peers Presenting solutions Receiving feedback and iterating This is why schools, organizations, and community partners play such an important role in creating safe spaces for youths to explore, create, and grow. Building Changemakers Through Experiences At Make The Change, many of our programmes are intentionally designed around this philosophy. Whether through digital storytelling, social innovation workshops, sustainability projects, content creation, or design thinking experiences, our goal is not only to teach technical skills. We aim to help youths: Build confidence in their voices Develop empathy for community issues Learn to navigate uncertainty Strengthen creative confidence Understand how technology can be used for good See themselves as changemakers Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity, one project, or one mentor for a young person to realize: “I can make a difference.” Looking Ahead Singapore’s future will certainly need entrepreneurs and innovators. But beyond that, society will need compassionate leaders, creative thinkers, and individuals who are willing to step forward to solve meaningful problems. The encouraging thing is this: Many youths are already ready to do exactly that. Our role as educators, organizations, and communities is to continue creating environments where they can thrive. Bring Changemaker Learning to Your School At Make The Change, we partner with schools and organizations to design engaging, hands-on programmes that empower youths through creativity, technology, social innovation, sustainability, and future-ready skills. From digital storytelling and entrepreneurship workshops to leadership development and design thinking experiences, our programmes are designed to help students become confident changemakers ready for the future. If your school is looking to provide meaningful, impactful learning experiences for your students, we would love to collaborate. Reach out to us to explore how we can support your students through our workshops and programmes.

Every piece of meaningful change starts as an idea. But to turn that idea into a movement, a community project, or even a shifting mindset at work, we have to know how to express it. We have to speak with purpose. The thought of standing before an audience or speaking up in a crowded room causes our hearts to race, and asking ourselves : Is my story worth telling? Will anyone actually listen? If you have ever let an idea slip away in silence because of a lack of confidence, we want you to know that your voice is needed, it is time for you to learn how to use it. Make The Change is thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Speak with Purpose: Public Speaking Workshop, happening in this upcoming June holidays! 🗓 Dates: 17 June 2026, Wednesday ⏰ Time: 10:00AM - 12:00PM 📍 Venue: 30 Merchant Rd, # 03-03 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282 💰 Fee: SGD $50 What Can Participants Expect?💡 This isn't your typical, corporate public speaking class filled with rigid rules and artificial gestures. At Make The Change, this interactive public speaking workshop is designed to help you unlock an authentic style of communication that resonates from within. Overcome the Inner Critic: Practical techniques to manage stage fright and transform nervous energy into a calm, focused presence. The Art of Purposeful Storytelling: Structuring your messages in a way that captures attention, inspires empathy, and moves people to action. Authentic Delivery: Learning to leverage your unique tone, body language, and pacing so you don't sound like a textbook, but like you. Why Public Speaking Matters for Change-Makers 🗣🎙 When we choose to develop our communication skills, we aren't just adding a line to our resumes. We are expanding our capacity to advocate for the things that matter. When you speak clearly, confidently, and authentically, you build bridges. You give a voice to the voiceless, structure to raw passion, and a pathway forward for great ideas. No matter where you are starting from — whether you are a absolute beginner who prefers the back row, or someone who just wants to polish their delivery — this public speaking workshop is a safe, inclusive, and supportive space designed to help you grow and hone your confidence and presentation skills! Don’t let your ideas stay quiet. Come join a community of like-minded individuals this June and take the first step toward masterfully sharing your narrative with the world! 🌍✨

In today's digital world, we are constantly surrounded by content. We scroll, watch and consume the digital contents shown from our gadgets. But what if we could shift that narrative? What if we could use the everyday technology to create with purpose, communicate powerful ideas, and capture our imaginations in real-time? At Make The Change, we believe that modern technology is most powerful when it is used as a platform for creativity, expression, and connection. Our team is thrilled to welcome aspiring young creators, storytellers, and content creation enthusiasts to step into the world of immersive media at our public workshop -- Lights, Camera, AR! Storytelling with iPad. 🗓 Dates: 16 June 2026, Tuesday ⏰ Time: 10:00AM - 12:00PM 📍 Venue: 30 Merchant Rd, # 03-03 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282 💰 Fee: SGD $50 Blending the Physical and Digital Worlds 🌍 ⭐️ Many people view using an iPad as just another screen for entertainment, but with the right guidance, it becomes a powerful portable studio. Make The Change believes that the true magic happens when we introduce greater knowledge on technology such as Augmented Reality (AR). Through this two-hour immersive media workshop, participants will transition from learning concepts to actively discovering how to merge their digital content directly into physical environments. What Can Participants Expect? 💡 The Fundamentals of AR: Understanding how spatial and immersive technology changes the message that engages with the audience. Interactive Storytelling: Blending audio, video and AR elements into a unified narrative with a clear concept in mind. Building Confidence through Creation: Develop critical thinking and a mindset of using emerging technologies to express ideas — turning curiosity into capability. Whether you are a complete beginner, an aspiring creator, or someone who is keen in exploring the intersection of art and modern technology, our public workshop on AR Storytelling is definitely the space for you to experiment, collaborate and grow! Don’t just watch the future happen — create it ! Join us this June to unlock a whole new dimension of storytelling. Whether you want to pick up a new skill or express a cause close to your heart, don't miss this opportunity in exploring the future of digital media! 💪✨

In today's fast paced, digital world, genuine connection can often feel like a lost art. However, there are small businesses and organizations that aims to bring that lost piece of art back into today's communities. In the second run of our Youth For Change Workshop 2026 that happened on 19th March, we had the privilege of hearing from the co-founder of Friendzone SG, Mr Tham Jun Han, who shared his journey of transforming neighborhood interactions into meaningful community connections. Friendzone SG is a social enterprise founded in Singapore, and is on a mission of change by rebuilding the 'Kampung Spirit' —the traditional sense of community and neighborliness in modern neighborhoods. From Student Leadership to Community Building 🌟 Deeply involved in student leadership and campus life at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Tham and his co-founder, Grace realized that they have been in a profound sense of community and friendship that shaped their worldview, and it had been a vital part of their personal growth journey. After graduating, they realized that the sudden transition from being in a close-knit university environment to the 'real world' felt like 100 to 0 in terms of social connection. It was like a "community reset". Despite being surrounded by people who live around in the same residential blocks, most young adults only knew the older "aunties and uncles" in their neighborhoods, and rarely their peers. Recreating the "Kampung Spirit" : From "Them" to "Us" 🏘️ After a while in. the public service sector, Tham took a bold leap of faith in 2020 to commit to Friendzone full time — driven by the belief that everyone deserves to feel connected to those living right next door. Friendzone began hosting neighbourhood gatherings under HDB pavilions, using simple comforts like carpets, and snacks such as nuggets and Milo, to bring people together. What started in Marine Parade has since expanded to over 500 events across Singapore, reaching diverse groups from tech professionals to young parents, with the support by grants from the National Youth Council (NYC). The Reality of Modern Loneliness 👤 Tham shared powerful statistics from the National Youth Council that prompted deep reflection among youths who came to our workshop that day: The Loneliness Trend: As of 2022, 8% of young Singaporeans reported having zero close friends, a number projected to rise to 10% by 2025. The "One or None" Reality: Nearly 1 in 5 young people have one or fewer close friends to turn to during struggles. Beyond just the number of friends, the diversity within friendships is also declining. Fewer people have close friends from different races, religions, nationalities, or educational backgrounds, which can lead to social divides. Tham encouraged everyone to think about how we can build a resilient society if we only talk to those who are exactly like ourselves. The Grit of Social Entrepreneurship and Expanding the Mission Today, Friendzone has evolved into a thriving social enterprise with a team of seven full-time staffs and numerous interns who are keen in making a difference. They have hosted events, ranging from neighborhood gatherings to specialized workshops like the "School of Yapping" under their Friendship School umbrella. During his sharing session, Tham shared the realities of self-leadership and the resilience required to sustain a social initiative. From navigating the financial hurdles of grants to the difficulty of making 'friendship' a sustainable business model, he learned to steer his own ship with purpose. Starting a social initiative in Singapore is no small feat, it requires a balance of passion, financial, sustainability, and community support. Tham reminded us that starting a social movement isn't just about a good idea, it's about the commitment and determination to keep going even when the path to financial sustainability is difficult. Whether through government grants, business models, or grassroots volunteerism, the goal remains the same — to ensure that no one feels alone in their own neighbourhood. As Friendzone continues to grow, they invite everyone to consider the importance of friendship — not just as a personal comfort, but as the very fabric that holds our society together. To close this insightful session, Tham gave our youths a very powerful reminder : in a world that is increasingly digital and divided, the most effective tool we possess is the willingness to reach out. By choosing to consciously practice friendship and community building, we can turn a block of flats into a true home. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Mr Tham Jun Han, and the Friendzone team for their time and providing our participants with a guiding light on how to make a difference, one conversation at a time! 🌟💪

The launch of the MOE Humanities Team HALO Exchange brought together educators, innovators, students, and community partners committed to shaping the future of learning and collaboration in Singapore. At Make The Change, we were proud to be part of the event with our own booth, where we shared how creativity, technology, and social impact can come together to empower youths and communities through meaningful learning experiences. Throughout the event, one theme stood out strongly: the importance of human-centered innovation. As technology and AI continue to transform education and the workplace, there is an increasing need to develop not only digital skills but also empathy, adaptability, collaboration, and purpose-driven thinking. The conversations during the event reinforced many of the values that guide our work at Make The Change. We believe that education should go beyond content delivery. It should inspire learners to become changemakers, critical thinkers, and active contributors to their communities. Events like HALO Exchange also highlight the importance of partnerships across schools, organizations, and industries. Creating future-ready learning experiences requires collaboration, experimentation, and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches to education. At Make The Change, we have been working with schools across Singapore to design Applied Learning Programs that combine Humanities, sustainability, storytelling, social innovation, digital media, and real-world problem-solving. Our goal is to help students connect classroom learning with authentic community issues and future-ready skills. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many passionate educators and partners during the launch, and we look forward to continuing these conversations and collaborations in the future. If you are a teacher or school leader looking to bring more authentic, future-ready, and impactful Applied Learning experiences into your Humanities programs, we would love to connect. Reach out to us to explore how we can co-design meaningful learning experiences that empower students to think critically, create boldly, and make a positive impact in their communities.

From 24th November to 12th December 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting Genevieve from Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School as part of the Young Changemaker Programme at Make The Change (MTC). Over the course of her internship, Genevieve immersed herself in a wide variety of projects ranging from social innovation research and content creation to community workshops and operational support. Through these experiences, she gained a deeper understanding of empathy, resilience and collaboration in a real-world working environment. One of the most meaningful parts of Genevieve’s internship was contributing to the Citronella Oil Project, an initiative supporting Pulangiyen women in Bendum, Philippines by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through handmade citronella oil products. Behind every bottle sold was a great deal of unseen work. Genevieve spent hours cleaning oil spills, checking damaged inventory, carefully pasting labels, packaging products and handwriting personalised thank-you cards for customers. While physically and mentally demanding, these experiences gave her a deeper appreciation for the realities of meaningful work behind the scenes. Reflecting on the experience, Genevieve shared: “Not all meaningful work is glamorous. Sometimes it’s tedious, repetitive, and tiring, but that experience sharpened both my endurance and my work ethic.” Throughout the internship, Genevieve also learnt how to adapt quickly in unfamiliar situations. Whether it was troubleshooting technical issues during presentations, learning entirely new digital tools, or navigating group disagreements during collaborative projects, she consistently pushed herself beyond her comfort zone. One particularly meaningful takeaway for her was learning how to remain composed and solution-oriented under pressure. Beyond technical and operational work, Genevieve’s internship also deepened her sense of empathy. Through supporting seniors and hearing-impaired participants during community workshops, she learnt the importance of patience, accessibility and communication. These experiences helped her understand that impactful work is not only about completing tasks, but about understanding people and meeting them where they are. Teamwork was another major part of Genevieve’s journey at MTC. Working closely with interns from different schools and backgrounds taught her how to collaborate effectively, adapt to different working styles and remain open to feedback. Her final reflection captured her growth best: “Overall, this internship gave me a clearer picture of what it means to contribute in a professional environment: stay adaptable, work well with others, remain resilient when tasks get tough, and treat every piece of feedback as a step forward, not a setback.” Watch Genevieve's journey through the Young Changemaker Programme 🎥