January 16, 2024
Mdm Lydia and Mr Noorirwan, and Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan are part of a small but essential community of foster parents who take in children placed in foster care.
But what sets them apart from other foster parents is the fact that they care for these children despite having no children of their own.
The house I am visiting seems to be just another BTO flat, occupied by a couple with young children – a new(ish) family settled into a familiar routine with a similar make-up to the other households within the vicinity.
However, the people I am about to meet and interview today are not your average neighbours, they are foster parents who have no biological children of their own.
For some, the idea of foster care evokes images of abused and neglected children whose parents are going through challenges. This may be true to some extent, given the unfortunate circumstances that result in an environment that is not optimal for a child’s safety and development. Fostering aims to provide children in need with a safe and stable family environment while professionals work with birth parents to stabilise the family. Family-based care provides individualised and stable caregiving which is crucial for the development of a child’s social, emotional and mental well-being.
Besides necessities like food, clothing and shelter, foster families also provide love and care, role-modelling positive family dynamics for their foster children despite their less-than-ideal situations.
It is thus quite typical for foster parents to be couples who’ve already had the experience of raising their own children and have the resources to care for another child temporarily.
Why, then, would a child-free couple choose to become foster parents, and have their first experience of parenting be, by definition and by choice, unpredictable?
While there are many reasons for not having children (yet), these couples typically either embrace a life free of parental responsibilities or continue trying for a child till they conceive. We got to know two couples who chose to take on parental responsibilities, when they did not yet need to.
The first couple I spoke to was Mr Raihan and Mdm Erica. Mr Raihan was quite skeptical about fostering when his wife, Mdm Erica, first brought it up. He was more open to other forms of volunteering such as helping to transport children, another support service that PPIS volunteers provide. Mdm Erica, on the other hand, was already used to volunteering and believed that members of the community should step up and help those in need. In this case, it was vulnerable children in need of safety and protection. For Mdm Erica it was “now or never”. As a couple, they went through several rounds of discussions and worked through their expectations before finally submitting their fostering application.
The next family I spoke to was Mdm Lydia and her husband Mr Noorirwan, who had been trying for their own child for many years. They had also considered adoption before but decided to go ahead with fostering due to the more complex nature of adoption. They felt even more motivated after finding out that there is a constant need for more foster parents. It took them 3 years of attending several sharing sessions and doing their thorough research on fostering before they eventually submitted an application form.
These sessions were regularly available, and although there was much to learn, Mdm Lydia felt reassured that there was a strong system of support with the PPIS Oasis’ social worker and foster parents’ network. However, it still seemed counterintuitive for her to put so much time, effort, and resources into someone else’s child—especially in this day and age when parenting has become that much more demanding and expensive.
Both couples did thorough research before they decided to embark on their fostering journey with an open heart. Among the many things they learned along the way: It’s a myth that you need to be a parent first to foster children.
Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan
Not having had children before, both Mdm Lydia and Mdm Erica were nervous about caring for a child in their own homes. In contrast to couples with their own children, who have a gestational period of approximately nine months before the baby is born, foster parents have limited time to prepare for the arrival of a child into their homes.
Mdm Erica recalled the day she met *Fiya. The call to place a foster child with her and her husband came sooner than expected, shortly after she completed her foster parent training programme with the Social Service Institute.
On the day their lives changed forever, an urgent call came from her fostering agency to ask if she would be open to taking in an infant in need of a temporary home for about 5 months. She had little time to make her decision; the officer over the phone informed her that the child had to be picked up from the hospital that very same day. Mdm Erica rushed to reach her husband over the phone. There was much to consider but the couple was sure they were ready for this adventure. Just like that, in a few short hours, Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan became instant foster parents.
Though they were mentally prepared to care for a child, logistically, they had a lot of preparations as there were items that they had not yet purchased. Mdm Erica quickly reached out to her relatives and friends and managed to secure a box of clothes and a cot – items needed to get through the first night.
Upon arrival at the hospital with her husband – only one foster parent was allowed to enter with the social worker as COVID restrictions were still in force then – Mdm Erica quickly found herself whisked away to meet her new foster child, *Fiya. That evening in the hospital, Mdm Erica found herself holding up baby Fiya and remembered wondering, “How can we best care for you?”
That night, both Mr Raihan and Mdm Erica stared in wonder at *Fiya as she fell asleep in their home. Mr Raihan recalled it being a breathtaking moment that sparked the beginning of a fulfilling experience. They were now—instantly and inevitably—a family.
Mdm Lydia and Mr Noorirwan
Mdm Lydia’s experience of taking care of her first foster child was smoother than she expected. Her husband and her had all the logistics they required, and her mother also frequently came over to assist them. However, managing schedules and coordinating caregiving duties was trying. In fact, when I arrived at her home, Mdm Lydia was still out picking up her foster child from her access session with her birth family while her mother prepared dinner at home. Access sessions are where foster children meet up with their birth families; foster parents typically help ferry them to and from these sessions. It is important for foster children to continue maintaining contact with their birth families as the end goal of fostering is for the children to be reunified with them.
While integrating into their new foster families, foster children also need routines that Mdm Lydia, her mother, husband and sister consistently reinforce. Truly, it takes a village to raise a child.
Mdm Lydia admits that she sometimes misses the spontaneous trips to Johor Bahru that she and her husband used to enjoy. Now they look forward to the moments they have as a couple when the children are in school or at her mother’s home.
Despite the upheaval of priorities and schedules that come with having a child to care for, Mdm Lydia does not regret her decision. Her hope is for each child to grow up healthily and to fulfil their potential. Mdm Lydia’s foster children have endearing nicknames for her, just like any other family. In fact, she remembers a foster child saying to her, “Because you care for me, you are my mother.”
Mdm Lydia and and Mr Noorirwan opened their homes and hearts to foster children because, as Mdm Lydia shared, “When there are children at home, you look forward to coming home and spending time with them. Children are a joy to have and be around.”
They do their best to raise their foster children and love them unconditionally. But being a parent—foster or birth—goes beyond just loving children. As with every parenting experience, there will be challenging days and imperfections. For foster parents, dealing with a foster child’s previous traumas can take a mental toll.
As a foster parent for more than two years now, Mdm Lydia shares that the most difficult (yet most rewarding) part of fostering is helping her foster children deal with the trauma they experienced early in life.
She recounts a time when one of the foster children would cry loudly every single night due to her past trauma. All she could do during those nights was to pat the child to sleep and process the experience with her later.
To Mdm Lydia, communication is of utmost importance, to help foster children engage with their emotions rather than repress them. She and her husband cited the need to be observant and sensitive, and at times, use soft toys to help their foster children express themselves. I assume the reversible TeeTurtle plushie I spot in the corner of the house is one of them.
She firmly believes in not treating foster children differently despite their backgrounds to help them feel secure and safe. She hopes they feel just like any other child instead of continually asking why they are different.
“My foster children come with emotions that we must slowly understand and help to soothe. Some have nightmares, while others tend to fall sick very often. It can be as trivial as constantly coughing when they have cold food. We closely observe them so we can take care of them in the best way possible.”
Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan
Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan also see themselves as protectors of their foster children’s childhood. They want to help the children break free from circumstances they are entrenched in.
To them, the act of loving children who desperately need their loving home has become a core part of their identity. They simply do not see themselves living any other way.
Their story is not without difficult moments. One of their foster children once had a meltdown and cried, “I want my Mummy!” so loudly and so many times that the neighbours came to check on them. Mr Raihan and Mdm Erica took turns hugging her and used art to help her process her feelings and make a card to give to her birth mother.
“The children just need an outlet to express themselves. It is not always easy, but once we have set our intention to look out for these kids, we want to commit to making a difference and helping not just the children but the parents as well.”
The work of a foster parent is 24/7, just like that of any other parent. But unlike birth parents, most foster parents will bid farewell to their foster children, no matter how close or loving they grow to be.
“I love them and take care of them when they are here. But when they go, I let them go,” Mdm Lydia remarked. Mdm Erica echoed the same sentiment.
“When the child is with me, I go all out because, in the time that we get to spend together, it is all within my control to give the child the best care. The moment I have them, I can decide what kind of mother I want to be. When I set my intentions in the present, I know that even if they are not with me, I will still love them. And that itself is enough.”
In fact, Mr Raihan recounted an incident when he bumped into one of his previous foster children while out shopping. The boy recognised him and reached out for a hug despite being with his birth family at the time. These moments are not filled with sadness. They are filled with happiness that the children are cared for and happy.
Mdm Erica has even influenced her own cousin to start fostering, and they both enjoy witnessing the milestones of their foster children together. While her cousin was skeptical if she could deal with the inevitable goodbyes, Mdm Erica merely said: “It’s okay. We can cry together.”
For Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan, having children in their home has added more joy to their marriage. Mr Raihan enjoys seeing Mdm Erica’s dedication to motherhood and believes in his role as a father so much that he made a mid-career switch into the early childhood sector to care for even more children. He now loves his job as a kindergarten teacher.
During this interview, seeing them banter with and care for the two children they currently foster, I’m struck with a sense of peace. In the waning strains of sunlight, this household comes together to love and have happy memories, though they may be bittersweet.
One of the foster children in their care is due to leave the following week after spending Hari Raya with Mdm Erica and Mr Raihan. Just earlier in the day, they received news of the date she will leave. They are planning how to share the news with the 7-year-old.
*Name has been changed.
“It will definitely be over ice cream, and we will both be there. We don’t really have a script, but we will go with how she reacts and reassure her that she will always be in our hearts, even though she may not always be with us.”
In 2022, there were 596 foster families in Singapore and 540 children in foster care. More foster parents are needed to care for vulnerable children. Foster parents receive a suite of support services including support from Foster Care Workers, a monthly allowance, medical fee exemption card for the foster children, childcare/infant care/student care subsidies, childcare leave and other forms of support.
PPIS Oasis provides case management and counselling, and foster parent support groups for both foster parents and children. They also organise workshops to impart skills to help children cope/ manage their emotions. If you are interested to find out more, click here.
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Rahayu Mohamad (Rahayu) is the President of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and is also a member of its various other advisory committees such as Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee, the Human Resource Advisory Committee, Corporate Communication Advisory Committee and the Social Services Advisory Committee. Having joined PPIS as an Ordinary member in 2012, Rahayu was subsequently elected to the PPIS Board in September 2012 and became Vice President 2 in November 2013. She was further elected as President during the Annual General Meeting in September 2014. ,
Apart from being active within PPIS, Rahayu is also active in Young Muslim Secretariat as its Council Member from 2003-2004 within the Islamic Religious Council as well as Yayasan Mendaki, being its Trainer for the Maths subject. In 2005 – 2006, she was the Head of the Women’s Department, Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association. Since 2007, Rahayu was the Program Co-ordinator of Women-in-Mind, where she implements training and developmental program as well as plan and organize seminars and workshops. Rahayu was also a member of the Siglap Mosque Management Board 2013 – 2015 overseeing mainly the Early Childhood Programmes.
Her other notable works would include having authored several Primary Level Textbook and workbooks (Faith based curriculum). She is also a Board Member for LBKM and has been appointed by the President of Singapore as Council Member for MUIS in 2016.
Rahayu has a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching from the National Institute of Education as well as a Bachelor (Honours) in Law and Syariah from the International Islamic University, Malaysia. She has more than 20 years of experience in Islamic Curriculum Development.
Hazlina Abdul Halim (Hazlina) who is effectively bilingual in English and Malay, is a familiar news presenter for Mediacorp’s 938LIVE and SURIA. Being ad avid reader and linguistically inclined from young, she received accolades and won numerous book prizes in primary and secondary school, with honours in debates and oratorical competitions.
Hazlina spent five years in Perth, Western Australia, finding out how other communities lived their lives. While there, she had garnered several degrees – a Master of Film and Television with Distinction from Curtin University of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Political Science from the University of Western Australia.
Upon her return to Singapore, Hazlina went on to lecture in Communications and Media Management (“CMM”) at Temasek Polytechnic where she spent three years moulding future media professionals. At Temasek Polytechnic, Hazlina was involved in a number of projects. One of which is for READ! Singapore 2013 where she narrated the audio version of the anthology, Under One Sky; one of READ! Singapore’s launch titles.
Another significant project was the collaboration between CMM lecturers and 938LIVE where the final year CMM Diploma students of Broadcast Journalism produced a series called “They Are Making A Difference” as their assignment. Hazlina, together with the CMM lecturers and representatives from 938LIVE evaluated and chose the best 13 capsules to be aired on radio.
In 2014, Hazlina returned to the world of journalism at Channel News Asia’s Singapore Desk. She is currently the Assignments Editor.
Hazlina is currently serving her second term as a Board Member at Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura (PPIS), a non-profit social welfare organisation dedicated to women empowerment and family services programmes. She is the Chairperson of the Organisation’s Corporate Communications Advisory Committee (CCAC) as well as in the Research Engagement Taskforce (RET). Hazlina is active in PPIS’s events and Board meetings. She represents PPIS at the SCWO and is on the Women’s Register as well as part of Advocacy and Research team. Hazlina is involved in the CEDAW Shadow report committee.
Suree Rohan is a Board member of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and Chairman of its Audit Advisory Committee.
She is a Chartered Accountant who graduated with a Bachelor (Honours) of Electrical and Electronic Engineering from NTU. Upon graduation, she started her career in wealth management with Citibank.
She also has an MBA with specialisation in Accountancy. She then joined Ernst & Young as an auditor for international financial institutions including banks, hedge funds and global commodity trading companies. Thereafter, she took on an Advisory role as a Regional Consultant with financial institutions in Asia Pacific. Her risk management, internal audit, compliance and corporate governance work saw her based in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. She is currently a Principal at RMP and heads the Advisor Department.
Her technical and advisory background has placed her as an asset in her keen observations of any process discrepancies and critical problem solving skills which always takes into account the difficulties on the ground. Her strong ability to ensure that good financial and risk management practices are embedded in the social service sector is valuable. She also advocates accountability and transparency in the governance structure of any organisation.
Nur Amalina Abdul Gani (Nur Amalina) is a Board member of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and member of its Social Service Advisory Committee and its Research & Engagement Taskforce. Nur Amalina was appointed as a Board Member for 2 terms consecutively since September 2012.
Apart from being involved in PPIS, Nur Amalina is also involved in other voluntary welfare organisation such as the Tabung Amal Aidilfitri (TAA) Trust Fund, serving in its Executive Committee.
Saidah Mohamed (“Saidah”) is the Honorary Treasurer of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and Chairman of its Finance and Investment Advisory Committee.
With more than 30 years of experience, Saidah spent 9 years of her career in the private sector, starting with Price Waterhouse Singapore, before joining a reputable Brunei conglomerate as the Group Accountant. In 1990, she was recruited into the Singapore Accounting Service and was posted to the Ministry of Education, Accountant-General’s Department and the Insolvency & Public Trustee’s Office (IPTO). As the Financial Controller of IPTO, apart from managing trust monies she was personally involved in designing the computerised accounting system for the administration of insolvency and trust cases. She is currently Director (Finance & Office Administration) at the Ministry of Law. Her current portfolio includes budget, financial administration , procurement and office management for the Ministry and its departments.
Saidah graduated with a Bachelor in Accountancy from the National University of Singapore. She also has the Higher Stage Group Diploma in Accounting from the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Saidah’s involvement with charities began in 1997 where she was the Secretary of the “Isaac Manasseh Meyer Trust Fund”, a charitable trust fund administered by the Public Trustee’s Office. She was further appointed as a Board Member of the Casa Raudha Women’s Home where she was the Treasurer from 2013 to 2016. Saidah was also one of the judges for Jamiyah’s Singapore Annual Exemplary Mother’s Competition from 2008 to 2013.
Fawziah Jainullabudeen (“Fawziah”) is the Assistant Honorary Treasurer of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS).
Fawziah has more than 26 years of experience in the areas of external audit, internal audit, Commercial Finance, General Management and Consultancy.
Fawziah started her career with KPMG Peat Marwick, Singapore and was there for 5 years before joining the Group Audit Department of OCBC Bank as its Assistant Manager. In 1999, she joined Dufry Singapore Pte Ltd which was a subsidiary of the Swiss based Dufry Group where she oversaw the finance operation of Singapore which covers budgeting and strategic planning, operational business support, reporting, treasury, legal and internal controls management. In her last 2 years in Dufry she was promoted to Acting General Manager for the Singapore operation where she was responsible for the smooth running of 10 over Duty Free shops. She then joined Sephora in 2011 as Financial Controller Singapore/Malaysia and was there till 2016. Sephora Singapore Pte Ltd is a multinational company owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury goods group. She was one of the key players in the Steep Development of Sephora in Singapore and Malaysia. Fawziah is currently with CFO Centre which is Global No 1 provider of part time CFO Services.
Fawziah has a Bachelors in Accountancy from the Nanyang Technological University. Fawziah is a member of Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Public Accountants in Australia.
Khuzaima Raja Kamarul Den (Khuzaima) was the previous Honorary Treasurer elected in 2014 and then she was also the Chairperson of its Finance & Investment Advisory Committee.
She has a Masters in Science in Wealth Management from the Singapore Management University.
Her technical and advisory background has placed her as an asset in her keen observations of any process discrepancies and critical problem solving skills which always takes into account the difficulties on the ground. Her strong ability to ensure that good financial and risk management practices are embedded in the social service sector is valuable. She also advocates accountability and transparency in the governance structure of any organisation.
Sapiah Molla (Sapiah) is currently the Immediate Past President of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and Chairman of its Human Resource Advisory Committee. She also served as Chairman of PPIS Early Childhood Advisory Committee and the Early Childhood Education Business Taskforce.Sapiah Molla was also President of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) for 3 consecutive terms (12 years).
Her journey with PPIS started when she became an Executive Committee member in 1983. Subsequently, she was appointed as Chairman of the PPIS As-Salaam Family Support Centre from 2002 – 2004 where she oversee the running of programmes of single-parent families and grief relief programme for children who has experienced parental loss due to death or divorce. In 2006 – 2008, Sapiah was appointed Honorary Secretary of the PPIS Executive Board. In 2008, she was elected as President of PPIS. In her capacity as President, Sapiah also served as Member of Board of Directors for Yayasan Mendaki since 2011.
With her passion in wanting to empower Malay/Muslim women, in 2008, she was appointed the President of PPIS, which envisions to be the catalyst of change in Malay/Muslim women for the betterment of families, community and the society.
Sapiah graduated from the University of Singapore in 1975 with the Bachelor of Social Services (Econ) Hons. She has since retired from her post as Assistant Vice President of Property Development of Singapore Post Limited.
Sapiah had represented PPIS as one of the 9 Muslim Leaders entourage from Singapore invited to visit the United States from 9 July to 20 July o the invitation of the Education and Cultural Bureau of the US State Department. Apart from holding executive positions within the PPIS Board, Sapiah was also conferred the title of Justice of the Peace on 21 September 2015 for a term of 5 years.
Salina Samion is a Board member of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and Chairman of its Social Service Advisory Committee as well as its Family Therapy Institute Advisory Committee.
She started her career as a social worker with MCYS from 1997 to 1999 and subsequently moved to a teaching position with Nanyang Polytechnic from 1999 to 2003. She joined the Singapore Prison Service in 2003 as Assistant Director (Principal Psychologist). In 2010, she joined Changi General Hospital as its Psychotrauma Counsellor and then returned to the Singapore Prison Service in 2012 as its Senior Assistant Director and she is presently the Principal Psychologist in the Central Narcotics Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Salina started out as an education and recreational volunteer with the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) from 1995 to 1997. In 2000, she became its Associate Counsellor and in 2003 as its Management Committee member In 2008, she became a member of the Programme and Services Committee for the As-Salaam Service Centre and PPIS Jurong FSC to oversee and develop its programmes and services.
Her efforts in volunteerism has garnered her the Public Spiritedness Award in 1989 awarded by National Institute of Education.
Salina has a Masters in Applied Psychology from the National Technological University Singapore. She is also the Adjunct Faculty member of the School of Human Resource Department, Singapore Institute of Management. She is currently a PhD candidate of the Social Work Department in the National University of Singapore.
Nor Ainah Mohamed Ali is a Board Member of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS).
With more than 25 years of work experience, Nor Ainah specialises in intellectual property and knowledge management. She began her career as a Senior Officer at the Ministry of Law for nine years before moving to a reputable law firm to work as a Legal Executive in 2000. She left the firm in 2002 to pursue further studies. In 2006, she presented a paper on iKMS Practitioners’ Conference (10 November 2006) on ‘Knowledge Recovery After a Major Disaster’, while working in another law firm. She is currently pursuing a Degree in the Master of Art in Islamic Thought and Civilization, at ISTAC (International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation), IIUM, Malaysia.
Nor Ainah graduated from National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts (Architectural Studies) in 1990. She was subsequently awarded with a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from National Technology University of Singapore (NTU) 13 years later. She was conferred more certificates in following years, such as her most recent Certificate of Teaching and Learning for Community Educators from National Institute of Education (NIE) where she also delivered the valedictorian speech.
Nor Ainah is passionate about travelling, art and architecture. She also actively volunteers and has done so with Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), PPIS As-Salaam. She was a Committee Member for Corporate Support Responsibility (CSR) at the law firm that she worked for. She is currently a Community Educator under the MENDAKI Tuition Scheme (MTS).
Jummaida Rusdon (June Rusdon) is a Board Member of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and one of the Directors of PPIS’s subsidiary company, 7oaks Pte Ltd which oversees the management of our Early Childhood Education Centres. June has more than 24 years of experience in managing regional business operations and business development in areas spanning early childhood education, enrichment services and higher education.
She joined Knowledge Universe as Chief Executive Officer in 2007, and has spearheaded teams to achieve excellence in operations and curriculum across the organisation’s suite of brands.
June was the founder of Learning Vision, Asian International College (previously known as Learning Capital College) and Learning Horizon, all of which have remained reputable and successful brands under Knowledge Universe. With her leadership, Knowledge Universe today also manages various premium brands in the market such as Brighton Montessori, Pat’s Schoolhouse, and Odyssey The Global Preschool, and has expanded its operations to Malaysia and India.
Notably, June has led the company to achieve multiple awards over the years, testament to her foresight and strong focus on quality. These include the highly coveted Outstanding Programme Awards obtained by Learning Vision and Pat’s Schoolhouse, as well as the Outstanding Employer Award for Knowledge Universe Singapore, conferred by the Ministry of Social and Family Development or MSF (previously known as the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports) and Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). With her team’s dedication, various educators under the group have also achieved Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Infant Educarer awards.
Dr Rufaihah Binte Abdul Jalil is a Board Member of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS).
With more than 12 years of work experience, Dr Rufaihah is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Surgery in National University of Singapore (NUS). She mentors graduate research students (PhD) and is also a Principle Investigator for the Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory.
For her many contributions in Science, Dr Rufaihah has won many awards such as the prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, Singapore Honouree from Junior Chamber International (JCI) in 2012. Her most recent ones include being mentioned in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Speech Rally in 2013, appointed as a National Day Parade (NDP) 2014 Achiever as well as the PPIS’ Aura Hawa Award, which celebrated 50 Muslim women in 2015.
Dr Rufaihah completed her postdoctoral studies at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in Stanford University, California, United States of America (USA) in 2011. She founded Granada Academy, an initiative set up to bridge the Malay/Muslim science disconnect as well as to inspire children and youth to consider a future in science and engineering.
Dr Rufaihah serves as a Council Member and Member of the Scientific and Technology Resource Group for Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). She is also Head Coordinator and Advisor for Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah’s Science Enrichment Program as well as Member of the Board of Governors for Temasek Polytechnic.