We all make mistakes, some are minor some are major, but some are willing to repair what was broken. You deserve a #2ndchance in life, we all deserve a #2ndchance in life. Here, we support the people who deserve a #2ndchance and are willing to repair connections and past mistakes. They are the ex-convicts who have been clean for 5 years or more.

The #waterballoonchallenge was created in support of the ex-convicts to start over, to become better people and help the society to become a better place for everyone. We collaborated with the Yellow Ribbon Project to help the lives of ex-convicts and help their family pursue a better life and leave their past behind.

Each colours of the balloons has a meaning to it:

- Green represents turning over a new leaf,

- Red represents support of various agencies in helping ex-offenders,

- Yellow represents the society warming up and welcoming them back with open arms,

- Blue represents peace that we hope to achieve, and

- White represents a blank canvas, starting new with a pure and innocent heart.

But wait, it doesn't stop there. #Thewaterballoonchallenge also raises several issues for ex-convicts and their affected circle i.e. family, friends, and colleagues. We are here to propose several ideas to help shape a better Singapore. 

1.  TEDx talks

TEDx Talks is an under 18 minutes showcase for speakers who present exceptional and well-formed ideas (TED 2019). TEDx Talks would create understandings and may decrease stigmatisation upon ex-convicts, as their willingness to change should not be discriminated against and so they are able to start afresh. 

Successful ex-convicts such as Augustine Jadyn Ng, Benny Se Teo (owner of Eighteen Chefs) who are living their new lives out of prison with successful careers would encourage ex-convicts as well as the society - they will show a different perspective on ex-convicts that will show understanding, setting an example and be an inspiration.  

TEDx Talks regarding imprisonment has been done in countries like the USA, and has been proven successful (Senghor 2014). Therefore, we hope to be able to bring such a culture to Singapore where we can encourage people to open up to each other more.

2. Collaborate with Food from the heart SG to incorporate ex-convicts family

A supportive community would motivate ex-convicts to change and improve themselves. Therefore, would be able to prevent or at least reduce the percentage ex-convicts from the recurring cycle of going back to prison within 5 years (Ng 2019). Besides supporting them personally, a helpline can also be provided to their direct family members.

We recommend the collaboration with Food bank Singapore or organisation such as Food from the heart. Food from the heart is an Independent Non-Profit Organisation which provide food for the less fortunate (Food from the heart 2019).  Food staples such as milk, rice, canned food are essential for survival and by giving ex-convict’s family member aid, it would lessen the burden and worries of direct family members. In several interviews conducted by Straits Times it was said that a quarter of convicts have children to feed (Teng 2018). 

3. Encourage companies to hire ex-convicts like Nando's and Eighteen Chefs

In 2016, more companies were willing to hire ex-convicts as seen from the number of employers registered with SCORE(Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises) - a rehabilitation that prepares inmates upon release by providing skills training opportunities - from 4,745 in 2015 to 5,093 companies, a 7.3% increase (TODAY 2017). Reintegration from jail to the workforce is no doubt difficult for ex-convict to adjust at the initial stages (Millennials Of Singapore 2018). Hence, we encourage more companies to provide job opportunities for ex-convicts. Nando's and Eighteen Chef are the two well known companies that provides job opportunities in helping ex-convicts reintegrate to society (Night Owl Cinematics 2019)

Providing jobs would motivate and give ex-convicts a sense of purpose. It is also a turning point for them to start over and prove themselves as jobs gives ex-convicts exposure in terms of interactions with public while serving them food or providing services, these would then slowly change public perceptions towards them (The New Paper 2019).

References:
Food from the Heart, 2019, About Us, viewed 18 September 2019, <https://www.foodfromtheheart.sg/about/>

Food King Singapore 2019, Pay Whatever You Want At Nando’s?, Youtube, 13 September, viewed 19 September 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOu-xu8v_C4>

Lee, J 2019, Ex-offenders giving themselves and others a second chance, The New Paper, viewed 19 September 2019,  <https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/ex-offenders-giving-themselves-and-others-second-chance>

Ng, C 2019, Almost half of ex-offenders return to prison within 5 years of release: Shanmugam. The Straits Times. Available at: viewed 19 September 2019 <https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/almost-half-of-ex-offenders-return-to-prison-within-5-years-of-release-shanmugam> 

Senghor S, 2014, Why your worst deeds don’t define you, TED, 23 June, viewed 12 September 2019, <https://www.ted.com/talks/shaka_senghor_why_your_worst_deeds_don_t_define_you?referrer=playlist-life_in_and_after_prison>

TED Conferences 2019, What is a TEDx Talk?, TED Conferences, viewed 10 September 2019, <https://www.ted.com/participate/organize-a-local-tedx-event/tedx-organizer-guide/speakers-program/what-is-a-tedx-talk>

Teng, A 2019, Ex-offenders helps families of inmates, The Strait Times, viewed 17 September 2019, <https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/ex-offender-helps-families-of-inmates> 

TODAY 2017, Employers show greater support in hiring ex-inmates, Mediacorp, viewed at 11 September 2019, <https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/employers-show-greater-support-hiring-ex-inmates>