Merger of the Jimmy Daruwalla Fund and Roshen Daruwalla Trust Fund
We are most grateful to the parents and students of DAS who participated in our 2016 DAS Pledge Card Fund Raising Campaign. As you are aware, the objective was to raise funds for the Jimmy Daruwalla Fund. Thanks to your support, the DAS Pledge Card Campaign raised S$107,986.95. We are writing to inform you of the merger of the Jimmy Daruwalla Fund and the Roshen Daruwalla Trust Fund into the Jimmy and Roshen Daruwalla Fund.
About the Jimmy Daruwalla Fund (JDF)
In July 2016, to remember the late Dr. Jimmy S Daruwalla’s significant contributions to the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), the JDF was set up in his name to continue his legacy. The fund received contributions from many donors including those received during the DAS 25th Anniversary Dinner in October 2016 and the DAS Pledge Card Campaign in 2016. Total funds raised amounted to $513,857.95 as at 31 March 2017.
About the Roshen Daruwalla Trust Fund (RDTF)
In 2000, a group of friends raised funds to set up a trust in memory of Roshen Daruwalla (wife of the late Dr. Jimmy Daruwalla). The fund was dedicated to the DAS as Roshen had been a very strong supporter of the Association. The Daruwalla family and friends made additional contributions to the fund since 2000 and total funds stand at $270,585.60 as at 31 March 2017. At the DAS Executive Committee Meeting on 29 July 2017, the DAS Exco and family members of the late Jimmy and Roshen Daruwalla have decided to merge the two funds and rename it as the JIMMY AND ROSHEN DARUWALLA FUND (JRDF) in memory of this couple who were so dedicated to the cause of dyslexia. The combined funds would amount to $784,443.55 (as at 31 March 2017).
The JRDF will be supervised by a Committee comprised of four DAS Executive Committee members. The usage of the new JRDF will retain the original objectives of the JDF and RDTF as follows:
- To fund DAS remediation fees and/or assessment fees for dyslexic children that do not meet the criteria set by other Financial Assistance Schemes; To award scholarships to top dyslexic students for local tertiary education (including studies in polytechnics and technical education). Eligible applicants must be Singapore citizens and must be existing or graduated DAS students. They should have exceptional achievement based on merit and recommended by DAS teachers. They must come from families with low income.
- To fund post graduate studies or programmes related to dyslexia for selected DAS staff. This is to enhance the professional expertise and capability of DAS as the Association continues to improve its programmes and services for the benefit of clients with dyslexia.
- To fund purchases of library resources for the Roshen Daruwalla Resource Centre so that it is a key source of educational and research information for dyslexia in Singapore.
- Any other purposes which are in line with DAS objectives and as approved by the Committee.
The merger of the above two funds will take effect from 1 September 2017.
Once again, on behalf of the Dyslexia Association of Singapore and the people with dyslexia we serve, we thank you for your contributions to the fund and look forward to your continued support.
Yours Sincerely
Lee Siang
Chief Executive Officer