ChildAid 2024 sees return of alumni, raises about $2.1m

In 2024, pianist Jessie Meng, 17, R&B singer Riszuan Syah, 19, and guitarist Alex Hooi, 22, were back in the spotlight again, with 80 others, at the concert that marked ChildAid’s 20th-year milestone.

Joining the trio virtually was singer Ariadna Padron Yassin, 22, who is in Amsterdam pursuing her studies.

Titled The Dream Emporium, the 2024 concert – held on Nov 29 and 30 – was set in an enchanting world where children’s dreams come alive through song, dance and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times (BT), ChildAid 2024 has raised about $2.1 million through ticket sales and donations from UOB; TTJ Design & Engineering, a structural steel specialist company; and Mr Mohamed Abdul Jaleel, founder and chief executive of MES Group, a property and logistics solutions firm. 

The money goes to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which sponsors the lunch and transport fees of children from low-income families, and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BAF), which supports artistically talented youth from less-privileged households.

For the past two decades, ChildAid has been an inclusive platform for young performers, between ages six and 19, and of diverse backgrounds, to showcase their talent.

Catch up on the news that everyone’s talking about

Mr Wong Wei Kong, editor-in-chief of SPH Media’s English/Malay/Tamil Media Group and chairman of BT BAF, said: “It is heartening to bring these young talent together to put up the show... Since 2005, ChildAid has raised more than $30 million for our two charities... which aim to help children of disadvantaged backgrounds.”

BT editor Chen Huifen said the 2024 event is “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 has a futuristic storyline that incorporates elements of artificial intelligence into the making of the concert, so that our young talent can be exposed to various aspects of generative technology used in stagecraft,” she added.

ST editor Jaime Ho said: “We are proud that a number of talent who made their name in previous ChildAid concerts have come back to be part of this year’s show.”

Ms Amni Musfirah was 14 when she sang at her first ChildAid in 2008. Now 30, she helmed the 2024 show as a co-creative director alongside Mr Joshua Quek, assistant multimedia director at media entertainment company NoonTalk Media.

The Dream Emporium, which was held at Esplanade Theatre, was scripted and directed by 29-year-old actor, writer and director Krish Natarajan. Known for his immersive productions that blend live-action role-play with theatre, his working with children opened up a new side of his creativity.

On Nov 29, he and the children filled the theatre with music, dance and drama and with AI interactivity, featuring songs such as Best Day Of My Life by rock band American Authors, Faded by deejay Alan Walker, Empire State Of Mind by rapper Jay-Z, and the nostalgic 1970s pop ballad How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees.

Cast members spent about a month rehearsing for the big day, and dealt with stage jitters in their own ways.

Violinist Anastasha Suchin, 10, said: “I would always take a moment, drink some water and be by myself before the performance, so that I could cool down and prepare myself for what was going to happen on stage.”

Singer Loic Lastennet, 15, who was performing at ChildAid for the fifth time, said he took breaths to calm himself.

“I would also go through my song a few times in my head to make sure that I had all the lyrics. And if I had lines with friends, I would sit down with them five minutes before going on stage and run through my lines with them,” he added.

Guests, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and SPH Media CEO Chan Yeng Kit, were invited to participate through various interactions such as voting for the wildest dream through live participation by raising their hands, and turning on their mobile phone torch to assist in the recovery of the AI machine.

Donations are open until the end of December. Those who wish to donate can visit www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/childaid2024 or send an e-mail to [email protected]

Companies can send an e-mail to [email protected] or make cheques payable to ChildAid, with the name of the firm, unique entity number, contact person and number and address, and send them to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, 1000 Toa Payoh North, News Centre, Singapore 318994.