Aspiring Music
Aspirations—a gift from inmates at Singapore’s Kaki Bukit Centre (Prison School) to society. This is a compilation of original songs written and performed by reforming offenders, and Prison Officers at the Kaki Bukit Centre (Prison School), as well as volunteers from the community. The album, titled Aspirations, is a joint production by the Singapore Prisons Department and the Southeast Community Development Centre (CDC). The sales proceeds of this CD are to be donated to the Lifeworks Student Care Centre for intellectually challenged youths.
The album consists of songs in the 4 national languages of English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. Boosting titles such as ‘You Came’, ‘Friends’, and ‘We Can Live Together’, the songs not only portray patriotism and love for Singapore, but also the feelings of these inmates towards their past, and their hopes for the future. With these songs, the Southeast CDC aims to reflect Singapore’s strong community spirit and distinct national identity, and to enhance racial harmony in the community.
More importantly, this project represents a further testament to the Singapore Prisons Department’s successful partnership with the community in helping reforming offenders rehabilitate, renew and restart their lives. For many of the inmates involved, the project was especially meaningful as it allowed them to contribute towards society via a charitable cause. The production process proved also to be a journey of self-discovery, and great motivation for these inmates.
The significance of this activity is threefold. It serves a charitable cause, enhances patriotism and allows the inmates show their determination to re-enter society as responsible citizens.