Research suggests that some of the most successful people in life are classic “givers” – people who genuinely try to help those around them. Meet the women who have harnessed the power of giving and touched countless lives with their heart work By Candy Lim
Research suggests that some of the most successful people in life are classic “givers” – people who genuinely try to help those around them. Meet the women who have harnessed the power of giving and touched countless lives with their heart work By Candy Lim
Nichol Ng 37, President, ONE (SINGAPORE); Co-founder, The Foodbank Singapore
Back in 2014, Nichol had just received happy news – she was pregnant with her second child! But when the opportunity arose for this Great Women Of Our Time alumnus to take over the reins of ONE (SINGAPORE)’s leadership role from radio host, Vernetta Lopez, she accepted because she felt that more could be done for the cause – this, despite already having her hands full with spearheading the food drives at The Foodbank Singapore, the charity organisation that she had co-founded with her brother. Her family thought she was nuts, but being the “everything-also-can-attitude” kind of person, she embraced the challenge.
She wants to make poverty history
“In 2008, FoodXervices Inc, my food distribution company, was given the chance to support a food drive held by ONE (SINGAPORE). I eventually moved from being an event sponsor, to joining the board as an exco member. ONE (SINGAPORE) works with regional and local charities to bring awareness to poverty issues, and lends support to smaller non-profit organisations such as the Cuff Road Project by Transient Workers Count Too, where volunteers cook free meals for foreign workers who are facing difficulties. Regionally, it also supports programmes like the Little Sisters Fund, a scholarship programme which helps fund the education of young Nepalese girls.”
The “invisible poor” in Singapore
“Poverty is a little known fact in Singapore and not many realise that this issue exists because most of our poor are living in rented or subsidised housing. We do not hear much about poor people living in cages, or sleeping on the streets, yet, about 10 per cent of our population is in need of help. While our national unemployment rate is very low, the lack of a poverty line or minimum wage further masks the issue of poverty. In reality, most of our poor folks here fall under the ‘working poor’ category – they have a job, but may not earn enough to cover all their basic needs.”
Helping folks to put food on the table
“In a country whereby close to 800,000 tons of food is being dumped, one in 10 Singaporeans have problems feeding their families. So in 2012, my brother and I decided to start The Foodbank Singapore, to address food insecurity issues by redistributing excess food to those in need. We collect excess foods from food companies and F&B establishments, and redistribute them to 150 charity organisations. Corporations and schools also actively support our Food Bundles programmes, and help to organise food drives for the Food Bank. We reach up to 100,000 beneficiaries monthly.”
No hungry people here? Think again
“I once received an email request from a pre-school teacher, asking us to help a pair of siblings who were surviving on only one meal a day – which was the meal they had in school. They were living in temporary housing because their father was incarcerated and their mother, a foreigner, had trouble getting a job. And herein lies the irony – heavy government subsidies made pre-school possible for them (their monthly school fees amounted to only about $5 each), but they did not have money for food!”
Her children inspire her
“They are curious and are always looking to learn more. They give their love unconditionally without asking anything in return. When you do philanthropy, you need to see the world through a child’s eyes and stop weighing the pros and cons. I hope that I can also be an inspiration to my children, who will learn that they too can make a difference to this world and do something for others.”
"I hope that I can also be an inspiration to my children, who will learn that they too can make a difference to this world"
Geraldyn Lim 40, Chief Operating Officer, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC); Board member, Beautiful People
From regular grassroots work and volunteering with the Lions Befrienders to provide friendship and care to seniors, to working with youths-at-risk and spearheading NVPC’s national community programmes, Geraldyn has been elbow-deep in philanthropy work for the past 20 years. “At NVPC, we’re working towards the day when it can be known as ‘Giving Singaporeans’ instead of ‘Kiasu Singaporeans’ (i.e. we take first because we’re ‘scared to lose’),” shares the mum-of-one.
Think twice before you speak
“I believe in the power of words, and how sometimes, a seemingly simple word can change one’s life. When I used to do badly in Economics during junior college, simple words of encouragement from my tutor turned me into an ace student overnight. Her words, and her faith in me made me believe that I could do it. That changed my life.”
The right words said at the right time, can be very powerful
“I want to do what my tutor did for me – to influence and build confidence in others. Beautiful People was like ‘a calling’, and I’m aligned with its credo of cultivating empowering relationships to transform lives. The mentoring programme we’ve built is based on a network of supportive relationships for girls/women to transition to purposeful lives. It is rooted in the concept of family, where our volunteers are called Big Sisters, and the girls we mentor are referred to as our Little Sisters.”
When we help others, we help ourselves
“Nine years and six Little Sisters later, I look back on our journeys and realise how much we’ve grown. Some of them are now adults – they were just pre-teens when we first met. People think that the Little Sisters in this programme are the beneficiaries, but that’s not true because it is a parallel journey. I’ve discovered a lot more about myself through my interactions, and the experiences I’ve had by being with them, and fellow Big Sisters.”
The ripple effect
“We’re uniquely created, with our own talents and strengths. When we acknowledge our own gifts with gratitude, we allow ourselves to shine, and can be a ‘gift’ to others. Each of us has the potential to make a difference; be that person who makes a difference for someone else.”
"Each of us has the potential to make a difference; be that person who makes a difference for someone else"
Susan Peh 52, Co-founder, Adrian and Susan Peh Community Fund; Board member, Food From The Heart; Lawyer, Senior Director, Yeo-Leong & Peh LLC
After 29 successful years in their professions, Susan and her husband, Adrian, decided that the time had come for them to share the fruits of their success with others. The couple wanted to give back to the community that had helped to build them up, and so they cofounded a community fund in late 2014, with the key purpose of supporting disadvantaged groups in the areas of education and the arts. “Adrian and I come from working class families,” the mum-of-three reveals, “We’ve been through ups and downs, so we hope that this community fund can provide assistance to less-privileged Singaporeans.”
Creating a legacy
“When I was a teen, I never fulfilled my dream of studying music to become a concert pianist, due mainly to financial constraints. Later on in my mid-20s, I miscarried in my seventh month of pregnancy. These disappointments taught me about the significance of love, care and support. Life is so transient, but a gift that helps to make an impact or positive change in another person’s life endures forever beyond one’s lifetime. I believe that this humble community fund is a worthy legacy to leave behind.”
Charity goes beyond donating money
“More significantly, it is also about giving our time, care and love to those who face challenging circumstances, and spreading joy in any way that we can. We hope to educate our children in this direction. It is impossible to support every charity that comes along, but every effort to extend help goes a long way. If everyone adopts this approach, we will build a kinder and more caring society for the next generation.”
Little acts of kindness make a difference
“Be sensitive to people around you. If you observe or learn about genuine struggles faced by others, reach out to them and surprise them with small, random acts of kindness, like taking them out to lunch or giving a small red packet.”
It is never too late to start giving
“As the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’, so inculcate the spirit of sharing and caring within the family, reaching out to both juniors and seniors. Keep in good health and try to stay strong. Remember that even in your darkest moments, you still have that glimmer of light to shine on and share with others.”
"Charity begins at home, so inculcate the spirit of sharing and caring within the family"
Charlotte Goh 44, Director, Advocacy, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
Growing up, Charlotte remembers being surrounded in a culture of kindness, where giving was always part of her family. Her dad worked for the Association of the Blind and Children’s Charities, and continued to be involved with church-related work for many more years after he retired. Perhaps subconsciously following in her father’s footsteps, the vivacious mum-of-one eventually entered the workforce as a trained Medical Social Worker at KKH Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The glamorous media industry lured her away for the next 16 years, but today, she says she has returned to her true calling – as the director of advocacy at NVPC, she works with organisations and non profits to build a culture of giving.
Daddy’s girl
“My dad’s had a huge influence in my life. His positive spirit and can-do attitude has shaped me into the person I am today. When I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at eight, he told me that this should never stop me, and that I could do anything I put my mind to.”
Coming full circle
“While being in the media line was incredibly exciting, I longed to return to the helping profession. I feel a strong calling to give back, to possibly make even more meaning out of life. So when a board member of NVPC asked me if I was interested to join the organisation, I jumped immediately at the opportunity!”
Starting a “Giving Movement”
“My vision for NVPC is to start a sustainable ‘Giving Movement’ which creates continuous ripples so strong that giving becomes part of our DNA. I would like to see a society with children who reach out automatically to help others, where adults care for the community because it’s the right thing to do, and where we do not have to rely on the government to care for those left behind, because individuals have stepped in to make that difference.”
Pay it forward
“Giving can start in small ways – share your seat in the bus, share an umbrella, or befriend a neighbour. Every small act lifts both the giver and the recipient. Start with an attitude of gratitude because gratitude increases your energy, and giving will follow.” W
"I feel a strong calling to give back, to possibly make even more meaning out of life"
