What Are Your Roles in Life?

I was privileged to be Invited to the Junior Achievement's 16th Annual Appreciation Reception in Jan 2024 at SMU Campus. To the many volunteers there who conrtributed the time, money and items, my sincere respect and I pray that all of us continue this meaningful road. Besides the volunteers, there are corporate leaders/investors who can turn ideas from young minds into reality giving: The participating students are given air time to present their new ideas that may translate into business opportunities!

I was inspired and thankful to Dr. Parick Liew for his sharing on roles you can do in this world;

1) Dream Igniter

2) Bondage breaker

3) Light bearer

4) Value maximiser

5) Change maker

He shared on the 5 roles we can do for this world, most of them struck me and reminded me on why am I doing what I am doing. (More of it can be found in his LinkedIn post)

Back in 1988, I convinced my mother that we should live together in her rented government 2 room flat in AMK, there are times we barely had enought for food. (A stark contrast where my father was with his other wife living in a landed property who buys kilos of food to feed stray dogs) I do not remember if we were given any grant or help from charity organisations, but what I do remember was the many times when my mother tasked me to buy a meal for 3 mouths to feed. Mother, younger sis and myself with $2 for dinner. As we usually have rice, so iI would just have to buy ingredients or dishes. This budget kindda limits creativity for a 15 year old with friends just as poor if not, poorer. I remembered 2 kind souls.

The Yong Tau Foo hawker uncle:

He once said to me in hokkien and loosely translated: "if not enough, come back, uncle give more abit" The $2 pick 12 items hawker stall in AMK AVE 1, includes fishballs tofo, fishcake, kangkong etc. He would usually give me more. I know cos right after I picked the 12th item, passed him the plastic bag and my $2, he would randomly and swiftly dropped a couple more assorted stuff in it before tying up the water bag skillfully with the rubber band. He would then skillfully and gently tossed the plastic bag to this huge cement tray nearer to me for me to pick it up, all this time with no eye contact, as if trying to tell me he understands my situation and my dignity.

The Cai Fan Auntie:

She my regular go-to stall, just a block away, with wide selection of dishes for balance diet. 50cents on Veg, 50cents on steam egg and a dollar for Chicken curry, with generous amount of gravy. It also means less washing compared to coooking at home = less water and gas usage. Thus "Cai Fan" is also called "economical rice" in Singapore. She kindda knew our situation, and would give a slightly larger portion for the dishes I had selected. There were times when I caught her stole a quick galnce at me as though to see if i am growing well and asked about my sister and mum.

I couldnt find them anymore and are long gone. they have no big wealth to give me, but I am forever indebted to them. Their kind gestures have impacted me monumentously for the rest of my life and I am grateful for it even today. they taught me that being rich is not how much wealth u have, but how much you can truely give. They are my Bondage Breaker, Light Bearer and Change Maker. They wear no Super hero suits, recieve no major recognition or award and many times, not even a sincere thank you.

I am very blessed to have met incredibly kind souls in my life, and I hope to be one to these values to my kiddos and instilling some it to the children I teach during Cha Ching lessons in the primary schools that I volunteered.

Love Ziyi's infectious energy. Together packing for KidSTART with my eldest and our most regular Collin Wong.

Another packing Session for KidSTART at Punggol with my second and third boys with Collin Wong. Packed really quick, we need more donations for the fresh produce to be delivered to the families in need. (nostalgic)

Our kind Lord is watching and allowing me a chance to donate. I am honored to be with a bunch of people with great hearts. That day we raised, more than $100k with Dollar for Dollar from Prudential Assurance Singapore.

National Day Charity Ride 2024, collectively we have more than $60K from motorcycle riders, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and even as far as India!

The FJR 1300 group, comprises mainly mature gentlemen with big hearts.

The convoy stretches as far as the camera can see.

Bruce, our ambassador from FJR1300, is always ready to do his part for something meaningful.

Its also a racial harmony ride, and I notice Loyang Tua Pek Kong has a what appears as a Hindu Shrine right beside it! Gotta love Singapore and its multi-racialism.

Collin Wong is always there to give his part. this time, as a coach/manager for team 1!

Get Fit Get Lit program, a collaboration with Sports Care, JA, and Prudential for some fun with exercises and learning on financial literacy! About 30 kids turned up during their school holiday just last week!