The Inaugural SYNC. Festival Promotes Sustainable Wellbeing

More than a thousand individuals participated in the first SYNC. Festival’s three-kilometre Fam Walk, during which they passed Yishun Park and Yishun Pond Park. They enjoyed the locations’ natural beauty while spending valuable time with family and friends. (Photo by Lai Tong Heng)

In the early morning, nearly a thousand individuals dressed in sportswear gathered by Yishun Pond, in front of the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, ready for the Fam Walk.

Under the guidance of a Pilates instructor, participants engaged in the “Largest Mass Pilates Breathing Exercise” together, bringing their attention to their own bodies to sense their current physical and mental state. This breathing exercise that involved 503 individuals also set a record in the Singapore Book of Records.

As a long whistle sounded, the walk officially began. Participants, young and old, walked slowly along Yishun Pond and Yishun Park, slowing down their pace to appreciate the beauty of nature. Every kilometre completed by each participant was matched by S$10 donated by corporate organisations to support charity through action.

For the first time, three generations of Tracy Kua Hui Wen’s family took a walk together, walking into nature while spending valuable time together. Tracy Kua and her husband are usually busy with their careers, hence the elders help to care for their children. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, the family took in the glistening pond and the greenery at a relaxed pace while basking in the warmth of kinship. Her mother-in-law was initially worried that the three kilometres might be too far a distance, but ultimately managed to complete it with ease, and felt relaxed as well as joyful. Her father-in-law reflected that the activity brought the family together, while basking in the sun and sweating a little was also good for their health. Her daughter explored the natural space excitedly, laughing joyously along the way. The experience was a rare outdoor journey for the three generations of family members, which also translated into a core memory brimming with love and companionship.

A diverse array of dynamic and static programmes

Slowing down and shifting your focus to your inner self to practise self-care are skills that require constant self-awareness as well as practice amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.

This year, Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) planned and hosted a large-scale advocacy and fundraising event, SYNC. Festival, to promote sustainable wellbeing, demonstrating how environmental sustainability as well as physical and emotional wellbeing go hand in hand. The initiative received joint support from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Nee Soon GRC, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) as well as SG Digital Office (SDO), and was organised by event planning company Xperio.

The first SYNC. Festival was held on Youth Day, 6 July 2025. In addition to the three kilometres Fam Walk that attracted the participation by over a thousand individuals, there was also a challenge coined the Youth Quest for youths aged 15 to 35. After the two events, all Fam Walk and Youth Quest participants were invited to stay and explore the SYNC. Village to learn about the “7 Types of Rest” and find the most suitable way to recharge themselves through practical experience. The types of rest included physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, sensory rest, social rest, creative rest and spiritual rest.

The Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre set up an experiential area showcasing the 7 Types of Rest, which was jointly planned by the youth centre and professional partner groups. The types of rest included physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, sensory rest, social rest, creative rest and spiritual rest, providing a relaxing experience for participants. (Photo by Donn Tan)

“Rest is not just about sleeping.” Boh Shu Hui, General Manager of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) shared that in today’s fast-paced and highly stressful society, many people are in a sub-healthy state and find it difficult to focus on the present. She hopes that through SYNC. Festival, everyone will be reminded to pay attention to their wellbeing and be guided to explore the diverse rest types that can truly relax their body and mind. She also emphasised that we cannot be immune to a “sick” Earth, only by paying equal attention to environmental sustainability as well as physical and mental wellbeing can we truly achieve sustainable wellbeing.

At the “social rest” experiential area, participants engage in deeper conversations with the people around them through card dialogue games. (Photo by Donn Tan) 

In order to promote environmental protection and carbon reduction, SYNC. Festival used low-carbon or reusable promotional materials, did without the use of disposable cutlery and provided low-carbon vegetarian meals. In addition, the event did not provide event t-shirts and medals, but allowed participants to select from several practical items. Participants were also encouraged to take public transportation or walk to the event.

SYNC. Festival’s outdoor tentage area also held various fringe activities. Among them, the Zero Market attracted many people to stop and learn more about plastic-free, meat-free, zero waste lifestyles.

SYNC. Festival had a variety of fringe activities. In addition to stage performances, anti-scam campaigns and old-school childhood games, the Zero Market situated on the opposite side had more than a dozen stalls that promoted plastic-free, meat-free and zero waste lifestyles to the public. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)

Reconnecting with a caring heart

“Youths who have just entered university or the job market are especially in need of positive energy.” Vincent Lee, who took part in the walk with his friend’s three children said with deep emotion, “Just like how one individual inspires another during this walk, spurring each other on, and spreading kindness. Starting from small actions, we can also unleash the power of charity.”

Ei Zhe Qi, who was accompanying Vincent Lee also mentioned that the activity gave her new inspiration. “In the process, I gleaned a deeper understanding that environmental protection is not just a concept but also translates to concrete action. To love the Earth, we must start from ourselves.”

Vincent Lee (second from left) took part in the family walk along with his friend’s children. He hopes to start with small actions to guide youths in unleashing the power of charity. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)

Only when we reconnect with our inner selves, with friends and family, as well as nature, can we express love and care from the heart. As for the Youth Quest, it guides youths through the Nee Soon community through a station game challenge.

Youthful Annie Chua Manyi and Teo Hao Jing, who are of similar age, met each other through the Youth Quest groupings. Although they have different expertise, they were willing to cooperate with each other and take initiative to help each other. Through games and discussions, the topics of discussion grew, and so did their rapport. Very quickly, they were getting along with each other and laughing together. Although they did not win any prizes this time, they gained a new friendship and shared valuable conversations. Not only did they discuss the games, they also learnt from each other and grew, giving each other advice and encouragement along the way. They even agreed to participate in the upcoming Tzu Chi International Youth Association (TIYA) Conference and Tzu Chi Youth Camp together, to continue this beautiful journey of friendship.

Setting differences aside to foster wellness together  

Tzu Chi has long been deeply rooted in the Nee Soon community. In 2019, it established the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre by Yishun Pond and also the Buddhist Tzu Chi TCM Free Clinic in Khatib. Tzu Chi has also encouraged residents in many HDB estates to implement resource sorting and recycling, as well as worked with various community partners to promote public welfare services.

The first SYNC. Festival received support from various grassroots community organisations, where Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & the Ministry of Culture, Community and the Youth, Ms Goh Han Yan, MP for Nee Soon GRC Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Mr Jackson Lam and Ms Lee Hui Ying graced the event.

Special guest MP Lee Hui Ying expressed her gratitude towards the various sectors for joining hands to make SYNC. Festival a success in her speech. She also mentioned that the “period (.)” in the event’s name symbolises a pause, reminding us to take a pause in our busy lives to be grateful for everything around us as well as to pay attention to our physical and mental health.

MP Lee Hui Ying pointed out that this year marks Singapore’s 60th year of independence, an important milestone in the country’s development. In the same vein, youth mental health is an important component of sustainable wellbeing, hence deserves societal attention.

Nearly 60 companies, resident committees and kind individuals responded to Tzu Chi’s call, donating money as a form of support or encouraging fellow employees to participate in the SYNC. Festival.

Nearly 60 local companies, resident committees and kind individuals donated money to support Tzu Chi’s first SYNC. Festival. The photo above shows representatives of five companies that donated more than S$60,000, together with special guest MP Lee Hui Ying (fourth from left) and Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO Low Swee Seh (fourth from right). (Photo by Lai Tong Heng)

Dr Doreen Tan, founder of Best World International, said that Tzu Chi is a non-commercial organisation with a focus on charity. Whenever disasters occur across the world, Tzu Chi is always the first to lend a helping hand, which is admirable. She believes that business operations should not only make profits, but also give back to society, as “you gain only when you give”. As a role model for her employees and the next generation, she leads by example by actively supporting charity with the hope of continuing to pass on love.

Deputy CEO of Nam Hwa Opera, Annie Tan, also said, “We are also a welfare organisation. Tzu Chi promotes charity, hence we responded with donations. Regardless of our differences, we should work together to promote a better and more inclusive society.”

Tzu Chi successfully raised over S$1 million through SYNC. Festival, and received a matching donation of S$250, 000 from Tote Board. These funds will be used for charitable education and sustainable development projects, to continue spreading love and hope while promoting a continuous cycle of doing good.

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