Presidential Show‑And‑Tell to Former Jailbirds at Istana
On Saturday, March 13, Singapore’s president Halimah Yacob turned the Istana gardens into a “welcome home” for 28 ex‑female inmates and their little ones. She read aloud a tender tale that one of the former inmates—whose real name we’re keeping hush‑hush—wrote while behind bars.
“Together We Grow” – A Mother’s Loving Message
While locked up in 2019, the 27‑year‑old wrote a heart‑warming story titled “Together We Grow.” Picture a seedling being nurtured by the sun and rain – standing in for her two sons, now six and ten. She sees herself as the little sprout, and the children as the sunshine that keeps her alive.
When President Yacob read the passage, the kids’ faces lit up—no doubt they got a front‑row seat to their mom’s poetry.
Book Launch: “Love Beyond The Walls”
The event also introduced “Love Beyond The Walls,” an anthology of ten stories penned by incarcerated mothers. Riahna’s piece is featured, and the entire collection was distributed in December 2019 as a free audio‑print bundle for inmates and their kids to keep the connection strong.
- Where it’s sold: Giving.sg, starting Saturday.
- Price: $35 (plus $5 postage). All proceeds go to New Life Stories.
- Printing: 1,000 copies will be made.
New Life Stories—an NGO that helps mothers in prison tell their tales and stay close to their children—co‑ordinated the whole thing. Their executive director, Saleemah Ismail, said the book could “shake down the walls” between ex‑inmates and their kids.
Riahna’s Journey Back Home
After six years of a drug‑related sentence, Riahna was released in September 2020. She’s been fierce about rebuilding her ties with the boys, taking them to the beach and scouring the job board for a steady gig.
The trio now lives with Riahna’s grandmother, who gave the kids a safe haven while she served time. Riahna still reads her story from time to time, and the boys now get the deeper meaning. “They love the parts that talk about them,” she laughed. “And when the President read it, I could see my older son’s eyes lighting up with pride — I hadn’t expected that.”
Garden Walks and Science for All Senses
During the tour, the visitors—guided by Madam Halimah and volunteers from the National Parks Board—got a close‑up look at the Istana’s flora with their five senses. “It’s not just about pretty plants; it’s about learning and feeling,” the president noted.
Research‑Backed Takeaway
President Yacob highlighted that strong family and social support means re‑offending rates for female prisoners drop dramatically. “We need more ways to help mothers and their kiddos while one of them is behind bars,” she urged the press.
For a full read, check out the original article on The Straits Times—just remember you need permission to reprint it.
