Turning 18: 18 Facts About Aidha

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July 18, 2024 |

As Aidha marks its 18th year of empowering women through financial education, let’s take a joyful journey through its milestones and learn some fun facts along the way!

  1. In 2006, Aidha officially launched as an independent entity, starting with its first intake of 25 students in a condominium function room.

  2. Did you know that Aidha, derived from Sanskrit, embodies the powerful meaning of ‘that to which we aspire’? It’s more than just a name—it’s a testament to the dreams and ambitions we hold dear. 🧡

  3. Aidha established its first-ever campus at 2 Nassim Road, where Aidha’s vibrant community thrived. From student-led culinary delights at Project Makan to groundbreaking financial education initiatives, the energy was palpable!

  4. In 2015, Aidha attained Institution of Public Character (IPC) status, making donations tax deductible by 250%.

  5. Sometimes mispronounced, Aidha is actually pronounced as “eye-dar,” just like saying “eye” and “dar”!

  6. In 2016, Aidha celebrated its 10th anniversary and launched “My Dollars and Cents”, its first programme for low-income local women in partnership with Singapore-based charity, Casa Raudha.

  7. Every year, Aidha hosts a thrilling photography competition, “Unspoken Life”, that highlights the incredible talents of migrant domestic workers! This much-anticipated annual event is a vibrant celebration of creativity and storytelling through the lens. 🤩

  8. Aidha introduced a refreshed curriculum in 2017. Featuring three comprehensive modules: Manage Your Money & Tech, Plan Your Financial Future, and Start Your Business, alongside an enhanced Improve Your English course!

  9. Every year at graduation, our graduates dazzle the audience with a spectacular dance performance led by our extraordinary dance trainer and long-time Aidha supporter, Sari Marsden! Don’t miss the chance to relive the magic—check out snippets from the 2023 dance performance here.

  10. Aidha’s orange is as vibrant as the futures of our students and alumnae—bright, bold, and full of promise. We wear the orange proudly, ensuring you can always find us in a crowd! 🧡

  11. Our Facebook page has the largest following amongst our other platforms. Today, our community has grown to over 20,000 strong and we’re excited to continue expanding and nurturing our online community even further. Don’t forget to follow us here!

  12. In 2018, generous donors pulled together, slashing course fees by nearly 40%—a game-changer aiming to reach and empower a larger number of women annually. Thank you to all our donors and supporters!

  13. Amongst other initiatives and events, we are proud of our signature fundraising and community-building event, Ride for Aidha, formerly known as Aidha’s Tour de Singapore. This combines fundraising with community engagement through cycling! Read all about this year’s Ride for Aidha here!

  14. In 2019, Aidha celebrated its grandest graduation yet, with over 140 graduates proudly receiving their well-deserved certificates after completing at least 12 months of financial education! 🤩

  15. Due to the pandemic in 2020, Aidha rewrote the playbook as we zoomed online – shifting gears to virtual classrooms without missing a beat. The community and team support during this challenging period are pivotal in maintaining Aidha’s mission. 👍🏼

  16. Aidha hosted its first-ever virtual event – a Facebook Livestream showcasing inspiring stories of alumnae like Joy and Yuliani and their thriving businesses back home. It was a virtual stage where resilience and community shone brightly. 🤩

  17. Aidha joined TikTok in 2021, engaging a wider audience and spreading awareness about financial education through innovative social media strategies! Don’t forget to follow us @aidha.sg

  18. At our vibrant main campus that was inaugurated in 2023, Aidha @ Catapult, our students do so much more than study. It’s a buzzing hub of activity, a place where friendships flourish and fun is always on the agenda! We love our lively potlucks, where delicious dishes are shared and laughter fills the air! Our lunch breaks are a time for bonding, and you can always find a cosy corner where creativity comes alive as we film our TikToks. 🤩

As Aidha celebrates its 18th anniversary, it stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, transforming lives and communities one woman at a time. A big thank you to all our supporters, and to our dear community!

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