Our heartiest congratulations to Mdm Ling Bee Sian who was awarded the title of Exemplary Mother by Jamiyah Singapore at the 24th Exemplary Mother Award (EMA) last Saturday 22nd October 2016.

The event that was held at Mandarin Orchard Hotel saw an overwhelming overall of 800 guests attending. The Guest-of-Honour at the auspicious and glamourous event was none other than His Excellency President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, and his gracious wife, Mrs Mary Tan.

Mdm Ling’s life is a classic example of perseverance amidst life’s trials and tribulation. She left her job that required her to travel the world so that she could be with her children and family as her former husband was not able to avail himself. She then had to work three jobs to pay for her former husband’s gambling debts, only later to have to face another trauma when her husband sought for a divorce to be with someone else.

As someone who believe that a family is only complete with a pair of parents, Mdm Ling was initially embarrassed with her then new status as a divorcee and single mother, and went into depression that almost caused her to be bedridden after falling down a two storey high flight of stairs.

She could have injured her spine, but instead cracked a part of her face’s bone structure. It was when she was hospitalised that it hit her that she needed to be strong for her children as they still needed her. It was this tragic event that transformed her to be someone with strong willpower to overcome all odds.

“I really didn’t expect this Award,” said Mdm Ling when being crowned this year’s Exemplary Mother, who was still in daze after interviews with officials from the Media.

The odds and harsh realities of life was one of her motivation that steered her to strive for success for her children. Mdm Ling is currently a Director of Nursing at a health care organisation. She was among 10 shortlisted mothers who went through an interview session with the panel of Judges. As an Exemplary Mother, Mdm Ling was presented the Presidential Shield, two trophies and $6,000 cash prize.

The four runner-ups were Mdm Betty Yu, Dr Alimah Lob, Mdm Norhaiyati Yusop and Mdm Tan Siew Suan.

As part of the event, in honouring mothers, the 24^th EMA also saw a collaboration with three local fashion designers: Adlina Anis, Kavita Thulasidas and Sylvia Lim, and batik artist, Sarkasi Said, in producing an exclusive collection that represented the diversity of Singapore in colours, design and arts.