Leadership
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Sheriff Quek
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sheriff is a third-year medical student with a deep interest in holistic child development and the crucial role of family support. His commitment to the field is reflected in his diverse experiences, including serving with the Singapore Red Cross on disaster surveillance and deployment missions.
This passion for child development and community support led Sheriff to join Cahaya. He greatly enjoys guiding children and youths, prioritizing their academic growth and character development. He believes in a comprehensive approach that extends beyond the individual child, actively engaging with their families and neighborhoods to create a supportive and nurturing environment, embodying his belief that it truly takes a village to raise a child.
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Laura Goh
DIRECTOR
Laura is a fourth-year medical student at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine with a passion for children and families. Prior to her time with Cahaya, Laura was with the Singapore Red Cross for 7 years and a core-member of Project Colours, a community service initiative that cleans and paints rental flats in Redhill.
Laura joined Cahaya in 2019, where she leads the Family Relations Programme. As a strong advocate for learning through play, Laura arranges several outings each year, including the yearly December camp. Her dedication to nurturing social skills in children reflects her belief in their boundless potential. Laura believes in making every interaction enjoyable and memorable, showing her love through small, intangible actions.
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Gregory Tham
SECRETARY
Gregory graduated with a Bachelor’s in Economics (First Class Honours) and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. His extensive volunteering experience has fueled his passion for supporting those in need. He served as a Youth Leader with Youth Corps Singapore and later started the mentorship programme at CASA Clementi during his time at NUS RC4.
Gregory’s deep interest in understanding family dynamics led him to establish the Family Relations pillar, where he focuses on enhancing family support systems and fostering stronger connections within the community. His work reflects a commitment to engaging directly with families to better understand and address their unique needs.
A fun fact: Gregory met his wife through Cahaya, showcasing that our community can inspire not only positive change but also personal connections!
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Jerome Lee
TREASURER, HEAD MENTOR (Bukit Canberra)
Jerome is a graduate of the National University of Singapore, holding a double degree in Business Administration and Economics. Beyond his academic achievements, Jerome is deeply committed to working with children, driven by his strong belief in the power of mentorship and education. Throughout his university years, he amassed extensive experience volunteering with children, where he discovered his passion for guiding and supporting their development. Jerome is dedicated to creating enriching and engaging experiences that promote both learning and personal growth. He is passionate about mentorship and strives to make a positive impact through educational activities, understanding how crucial these elements are in shaping a child's future. His creativity, combined with his genuine care for children's well-being, underscores his belief in the transformative power of education and mentorship.
Head Mentors
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Chester Lee
HEAD MENTOR (Kebun Baru)
Chester is committed to fostering an inclusive society where children can uncover and achieve their fullest potential. He believes in the transformative power of learning through the arts, using creative and hands-on activities to help children develop new skills, explore their passions, and build self-confidence. Chester finds immense reward in the genuine, strong bonds he has formed with the children, which are the driving force behind his dedication to mentorship and volunteering. His approach not only empowers children but also inspires them to embrace their own unique abilities and aspirations.
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Shiah Jing Heng
HEAD MENTOR (Kebun Baru)
Jing Heng is a final-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at NUS. With a keen interest in volunteering with children, he is deeply committed to the belief that every child has the potential for change and growth. Jing Heng strives to make a meaningful impact on those around him, spreading joy and compassion through his work.
In his role as our Tuesday Head Mentor at Kebun Baru, Jing Heng brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm for nurturing young minds. His dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging environment aligns perfectly with our mission at Kebun Baru. Jing Heng’s background in psychology and his genuine passion for helping children make him an invaluable asset to our team.
In his free time, Jing Heng enjoys indulging in nature documentaries and playing board games, activities that reflect his love for learning and his thoughtful approach to life.
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Chelsea Chua
HEAD MENTOR (Kebun Baru)
Chelsea graduated from NUS with a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Psychology and is currently a research assistant at the Centre for Research in Child Development at NIE. She began volunteering during university and has since developed a strong passion for working with children and youth of all ages. Chelsea believes that every child has infinite potential when placed in the right environment and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. She strives to inspire children to become the best versions of themselves.
As the Tuesday Head Mentor at Kebun Baru, Chelsea’s extensive background in psychology and her hands-on experience in child development make her an ideal fit for the role. Her deep understanding of child development and her proven ability to connect with and support young people will be invaluable in leading our Tuesday sessions. Her role will be crucial in shaping a nurturing atmosphere where children can reach their full potential.
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Celester Gonh
HEAD MENTOR (Canberra)
Celester is a lecturer at Shelton College, where he teaches English. He is also an active facilitator at outdoor camps, including WOW Kampung.
Celester firmly believes that learning should be engaging and extend beyond the classroom, driving his interest in meaningful experiential activities. In addition to his dedication to education, Celester is an environmental advocate. He maintains an urban garden and often gifts small pots of greenery to others. For him, these acts are small but significant steps in combating climate change, enhancing mental wellness, and showing that even the smallest actions can have a lasting impact.
At Cahaya Community, we're still curious about the story behind his cool hairdo—one popular theory is that he was once part of a band. We’re still on the lookout for clues! On a related note, check out our new favorite song!
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Liew Yi Chen
HEAD MENTOR (Canberra)
Yi Chen gravitates towards work that create meaningful impact for communities and opportunities where she can learn from diverse perspectives. Since joining Cahaya Community, she enjoys interacting with the mentees and listening to mentors’ experiences to find and experiment different approaches in which everyone in the community can be engaged and grow in their own unique ways. She believes that there are countless ways to teach any topic, and thrives to build a space that encourages learning in different forms.
Yi Chen works at Singapore Red Cross, overseeing their international disaster response work, and holds a BSocSci (Hons) in Political Science from the National University of Singapore. She enjoys drinking coffee, petting dogs, and reading historical fiction.
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Jerome Lee
TREASURER, HEAD MENTOR (Bukit Canberra)
Jerome is a graduate of the National University of Singapore, holding a double degree in Business Administration and Economics. Beyond his academic achievements, Jerome is deeply committed to working with children, driven by his strong belief in the power of mentorship and education. Throughout his university years, he amassed extensive experience volunteering with children, where he discovered his passion for guiding and supporting their development. Jerome is dedicated to creating enriching and engaging experiences that promote both learning and personal growth. He is passionate about mentorship and strives to make a positive impact through educational activities, understanding how crucial these elements are in shaping a child's future. His creativity, combined with his genuine care for children's well-being, underscores his belief in the transformative power of education and mentorship.