introducing aidha
aidha is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ‘enriching lives through financial education.’ Inspired by UNIFEM’s National Committee, Singapore, aidha serves women migrant workers. We provide confidence-building, money management, and entrepreneurship training. We also offer the micro-credit services necessary to launch small businesses back home.
aidha builds the skills that build brighter futures.
Check out our community calendar for a month-by-month overview of courses, workshops, and activities.
the aidha graduation 2009
aidha’s pride and success lie in its students. To celebrate their dedication, hard work, and accomplishment, aidha proudly held its 3rd graduation ceremony on 24th May 2009 at the INSEAD Campus in Asia, marking an unforgettable milestone in the journey of our organization and its mission. Over 35 of our students were presented with recognition certificates for their dedication to the demanding entrepreneurship program and for their commitment to building a more promising future for themselves and their families back home. All of these students not only completed our entrepreneurship course but also completed the other seven courses in our integrated curriculum. These included, for example, intro computing, building self esteem, planning & time management, and managing your money.
The event was graced by the Ambassador of the Philippines to Singapore, Minda Cruz, the Philippines Embassy Labor Attache, Ms. Annabella Oliveras, and the Chairman of AustCham Singapore, Mr.Nicholas Cocks. aidha was also honored to have Dr. Ed Liu, Executive Director of the Genome Insitute of Singapore, presenting the graduation’s keynote address. Also present was our vibrant and dynamic student body, our tireless volunteers and our inspiring faculty and friends of aidha.
Our president, Dr. Sarah Mavrinac, discussed the achievements of both the students and 
aidha over the past year and presented results of some of the notable research aidha has been working on. Most celebrated of these initiatives is the aidha ‘hope study,’ a fascinating study examining the ‘positive psychology’ impacts of financial education. What are the bottom line findings? That financial education builds hope: the hope that fires energy, enthusiasm, and motivation to achieve. Especially in today’s economic environment, it is a powerful finding.
To entertain and inspire the 250 guests in attendence, the ceremony featured an array of student performances, video presentations, and notable addresses. The highlight of the event however, was the address delivered by three of the graduates themselves. Ms. Vilma Cabulisan, Ms. Imelda Legaspi, and Ms. Tri Yulianti captured the hearts of the audience with stories of their past, their present, and their dreamed-for future. With the confidence to address the world as their equal and with constructive business plans, the credit of these three ladies was, without doubt, far greater than the certificates themselves.
The 3rd annual graduation ceremony is emblematic of aidha’s growing stature as a best-in-class educational institute and changemaker. We look forward to celebrating many more such graduating classes in the years to come.
