The Straits Times: Dads in prison get help to improve ties with their kids

On 3 April, the fathers under our ‘Dear Papa’ programme were treated to a virtual open visit with their families over Zoom! Each family got to enjoy one hour with their family in a private room so that they could catch up and have that space to communicate more effectively with each other. Priority was given to the children to have some one-on-one time with their fathers. All of the children were so grateful for this opportunity and shared that their fathers were more open during this session.

The fathers were so excited to see their children albeit virtually, and excitedly shared about their experience with each other after the session. One father even shared that his daughters taught him some tik-tok dances during the session!

The Straits Times featured an interview by *Ebrahim, a father from our ‘Dear Papa’ programme where he shared how his relationship with his 11 year-old daughter *Qysha has improved tremendously since working with our trainers. Qysha has been facing a lot of insecurities throughout Ebrahim’s prison sentences, and felt like he did not love her enough to abstain from drugs. Ebrahim talks about how the ‘Dear Papa’ programme has helped him communicate better with his daughter and taught him to listen to what she has to say.

He hopes that this will be his last stint in prison and would like to spend as much time as he can with his family when he’s out.

Full story is reproduced below with permission from The Straits Times below,

Original article published in The Straits Times here.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the interviewees.