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Celebrating fathers: 5 men share their journeys

SINGAPORE – Growing up, Mohd Jamaluddin Abdullah felt neglected and unloved. So when he and his wife started a family of their own, he was determined to provide his children with a loving environment.

SINGAPORE – Growing up, Mohd Jamaluddin Abdullah felt neglected and unloved. So when he and his wife started a family of their own, he was determined to provide his children with a loving environment.

But, in his earlier years as a father, it did not always go smoothly, the 43-year-old admitted.

Mr Jamaluddin said he was hot-tempered, even around his four children. Once, when he lost his temper and chided one of his sons who was 5-years-old at the time, his son retorted: “What else do you want. Do you want me to kill myself?”

It stunned Mr Jamaluddin, and he vowed to change.

He signed up for a workshop organised by the Centre for Fathering (CFF). “I was educated on how to be patient and to be aware of what’s happening around such as what my children is doing.”

Since attending the CFF workshop two years ago, Mr Jamaluddin said he’s seen a big change in his relationship with his children.

“We are much closer now. Every now and then, if they have a problem with their siblings, they will call me,” he said.

Mr Jamaluddin is among four other men who are featured in a collaborative project called Voices of a Father, in which they share their father journeys. The video series is part of a month-long campaign by the Centre for Fathering –Dads for Life and Mediacorp’s Celebrating Fathers 2017.

CFF chairman Richard Hoon felt that the participants of Voices of a Father epitomised attributes of good fatherhood. ”We hope that by telling their stories, it will inspire other fathers to be more dedicated to their families in spite of daily challenges of life.”

The Celebrating Fathers 2017 campaign will kick off with a slew of activities. From May 28 to May 29, an inaugural Dads for Life Camp@ Army Open House will be organised for the first time, as part of the NS50 Army Open House.

In addition, 400 father-child pairs will camp overnight in front of the Singapore flyer on May 28 and attend a Family Route March around the Esplanade Park on May 29. Minister of Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin will be officiating the event.

And on Father’s Day (June 18), there will be a Dads’ Day Out carnival at the new Mediacorp Campus at Stars Avenue. Fathers and their children can take part in family-bonding games, take photos with the 3D photo backdrop and be entertained by performances by Mediacorp artistes.

Lead, Audience & Content for the English Segment in Mediacorp Michelle Chang said: “Mediacorp is happy to host such a meaningful and fun event in our brand new home and to be a part of the Father’s Day celebrations to recognise the important role fathers play in the family.”

She added: “We aim to create relevant content including events that bring families together on all our Mediacorp platforms.”

Dads for Life Camp@ Army Open House 2017 is happening on May 28 and May 29 at the Singapore Flyer and the F1 Pit Building. This event is fully booked.

Dads’ Day Out Carnival will be held on June 18 at Mediacorp Campus at 1 Stars Avenue. Visit www.celebratingfathers.sg for more information.

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