With the increased ability to travel around the world, how can we make our miles count?
Tag: thehiddengood
Everyday Heroes : Abhishek
“I only feel I have done good when I have acted from the space of giving, loving, and connecting with people.”
Abhishek is an everyday hero and an active seeker of understanding the complexity of social issues that speak to him. Out of the vast social issues present in society, urban poverty and refugees are the ones that he feels most strongly about on a personal level. As such, he makes a conscious effort to understand the people involved through meaningful conversations. The words they share allow for connections to be formed as he learns about their experiences and emotional journeys.
“I get it what it feels like to leave your home, to have uncertainty of the future, to work hard to build oneself. I love and care for them because I believe in the potential for each and everyone to blossom. Why should anyone be disadvantaged in our society?”
Growing up, Abhishek often questions what entitled him to his way of life, especially since many in our society are still disadvantaged. He remembers witnessing a huge tractor tear down the small slum area a couple of streets away from his house back in India. Where does that then leave its inhabitants?
Working at ThinkPlace has given him opportunities to understand the needs and struggles of these various individuals. He has engaged in a variety of projects, one of which was named ‘Urban Poverty Walks’, where walks were conducted through the rental flats of Singapore. They had the sole purpose of connecting with residents, to hear their stories, and to genuinely get to know them on a deeper level than what meets the surface.
“It is about knocking on their doors, interacting and being vulnerable with them, and asking them what do they need?”
Another project includes ‘Sessions with Kids’, which holds the objective of providing children with a safe environment to practice vulnerability and to uncover their dreams and aspirations. These sessions include activities such as arts and craft as well as theatre sessions. He recalls an experience that led him to a realisation of how accessible it can be to impact the future of children. During one of his sessions, he met a child who had a desire to make herself a dress. With simple everyday tools such as cloth and scissors, she was able to pursue it. The access to such common tools and simple opportunities could very well spark creativity that paves the future for children.
“It gave me a sense that change, no matter how small, is change, and by doing these monthly sessions we can impact their lives.”
‘Refugee Experiential Walks’ , on the other hand, tackles a different issue altogether. It is a project that offers an immersive experience to its participants by putting them in the perspective of a refugee. The experience comprises of 3 scenarios: Singapore as it is currently, what it would be during a crisis and what it would be post-crisis.
“It is meant to ask the participants what they will do if this happens to them – will they leave Singapore to safer land or stay put?”
Through the walks, individuals can come to an understanding of the discomfort and sense of hopelessness refugees feel. On the flip side, it portrays refugees in an admirable light by showcasing the grit and love they possess. With their great desire to give their family the best that they can, they are indeed all heroes who act upon love. They deserve the recognition for the strength and willpower that they have as they fight hard to bring their loved ones to safer land.
“It is about taking a pause, figuring out who they are by trying and exposing themselves to issues, and slowly gaining momentum in terms of action towards the cause.”
Abhishek encourages youths to take the step in becoming a change-maker themselves. Patience is a virtue in the process of change-making. It is vital that youths give themselves sufficient time and space to connect with issues so that they can figure out a way to contribute to it. Take a pause, expose yourself to the societal issues, and change-making will naturally happen.
Watch the video below to see this inspiring story of Abhishek!
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
The Plastic Trap: Tips to Reduce Plastic Wastage!
You’ve probably seen the viral 8 minute long video of a poor turtle being aided to by a group of marine biologists. The team found a 4-inch plastic straw lodged in the turtle’s nasal cavity, which was suspected to have given him eating difficulties. In the heartbreaking video capturing the removal of the straw, the turtle can be seen to be wincing in pain as blood trickled down his nostrils.
Our plastic wastage causes extensive damage to wildlife. We’re not just polluting their homes but also creating potential fatal traps for them. In A Plastic Ocean, a documentary on the impact of plastic pollution on oceans, Craig Leeson explains that blue whales “can’t tell the difference between krill and plastic” and hence ingest it.
This is a common fate for other animals as well, and for animals that are much smaller in size such as turtles, they can also get entangled or suffocated by plastic waste.
Perhaps you may feel like you can’t help what’s going on, but you need to know that everything you do – no matter how small it may seem – will make a difference in this ongoing crisis. For that, we have come up with 3 small changes you can make to your life that will contribute to reducing plastic waste!
Most of us can’t live without our favourite drinks, be it from Koi or Starbucks or even just a local coffee shop. Replace the disposable cups with your own cup or bottle! Don’t need to feel paiseh, because it’s been tried and tested at most drink stores around Singapore.
Additional incentive:
- Starbucks: $0.50 discount whenever you use their reusable tumblers
- Joe & Dough/The Exchange: $0.50 discount with the use of any reusable cup/tumblers/bottles
- Foreword Coffee/Yellow Cup Coffee: 10% off your beverage with the use of any reusable beverage container
According to a life-cycle assessment (LCA) study commissioned by the National Environment Agency (NEA), using a reusable bag could replace the use of 125 single-use plastics bags a year per person! You probably still have that free tote bag you got from a university fair, or an NDP goodie bag collecting dust somewhere in the house. Fold it up and keep it close so that you can reduce your use of plastic bags whilst shopping!
Additional incentive:
- NTUC Fairprice: $0.10 discount with min. $10 purchase
The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 2 billion razors are thrown away each year – and it’s extremely difficult to recycle them in any way. Now, many of us don’t want to miss having smooth, hairless skin, so switch to shavers with replaceable blades reduce this wastage!
Additional incentive:
- It will also be cheaper in the long run, trust us!
We genuinely hope you’ve learnt something from this article, and shall leave you with a quote from Yeo Jing Ying of Plastic-Lite Singapore, a group that aims to reduce local plastic wastage,
“ You may feel like this is a thankless deed, but these changes will make it possible for future generations (for all living creatures alike) to wake up to fresh air and homes that aren’t flooded.”
If you have not caught our latest video “A Plastic Trap” where we tried to raise awareness of this issue amongst the public, watch it right here!
Everyday Heroes : Kok Chung
“I’m a catalyst – I play the enabler role to enable people to be the best that they can be.”
In our first meet-up with Kok Chung, he struck us as a person with a zest of life, a bag of passion and enthusiasm displayed through his energetic demeanour. Our next everyday hero is a Year 1 Environmental Engineering student at National University of Singapore. As a volunteer actively partaking in multiple volunteering events, Kok Chung dedicates time for this activity that is close to his heart – despite his intense schedule as a full-time student. With diverse experiences across many “kinds” of social enterprises and organisations, Kok Chung found himself being involved in projects involving a recurring audience group – particularly, youth at risks.
Some of the initiatives he has joined includes for organisations like Strong Mind Fit Body, Uninhibited Spaces, SDI Academy, Ground-up Initiative, EDGE Community, West Coast Youth Executive Committee, Youthcorps Singapore, REACH Youth and that includes The Hidden Good.
We caught up with the humble and mirthful youth to ask him about his thoughts about doing good and his inspirations.
What inspires or drives you in this direction?
KC: It is this collective understanding that there are things we can improve in this world and there are people out there who lives can be improved significantly – perhaps just not discovered. Youths at this age are also at the peak of their learning curves. They are open to wanting to change the world – and are deeply influenced by their peers. With this, it motivates me to push them further by bringing them out of their comfort zones and heighten their desire to change the world by influencing more people.
As a student in National University of Singapore (NUS), many may wonder – how can one find time amidst the tight schedules of project assignments, exams and whatnots? A commitment and dedication so admirable, Kok Chung is a certainly a tough character truly accountable to his cause.
What’s your biggest challenge juggling so many commitments?
KC: Time management, definitely! We only have 24 hours a day, there is only that much time we have, however, within this 24 hours that everyone has, we all choose to use it differently. Choose the right things and choose things that matter to you most and you won’t find yourself “juggling with commitments” but having enough time to “devote accordingly to make a fulfilling life”. Dissect your time and allocate them according to your priorities is how I deal with it – priorities.
As an ardent volunteer, what are your thoughts on volunteering?
KC: Volunteering builds empathy and such experiences also increase your tolerance for a lot of different things which is definitely helpful in the long run. However, like what I said earlier, volunteering should be something that is in the long run, never something that is touch and go.
Watch this video below and hear Kok Chung articulate his thoughts in this heartfelt interview.
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
Everyday Heroes : Weiling
Weiling sees the world with a refreshingly untainted perspective and is unafraid to declare her very controversial belief that unicorns and fairies exist, a declaration that we can’t help but smile at upon hearing. This sparkle-eyed girl is a volunteer from HOPE Dog Rescue, which she describes as “an animal welfare group that believes in miracles and giving hope to animals when others fail to believe in them.”
W: Most of our rescues are senior dogs and dogs with severe disabilities or special needs whom other organisations are not able to take in due to the amount of care and resources required to look after these doggies.
Weiling used to be terribly afraid of large dogs, but seeing how friendly and sweet they were in welcoming the volunteers changed her impression of them. “My heart melted,” she added, “and I plucked up the courage to pat the doggies too!” She hopes that in time to come, people will also change their impression of stray dogs and hopefully choose to adopt dogs rather than buy them. The other kind volunteers and donors at HOPE inspire Weiling to do the work she does, because she is always touched by their enthusiasm in extending a helping ‘paw’ to the needy dogs.
What is the most memorable experience you’ve had while volunteering here?
W: I guess one recent memorable incident I can recall is when we brought a stray puppy to a clinic for sterilisation and tried to find him a new home. When we placed the stray puppy into the car, the worker who looked after him stuck his hand into the car window and gave the stray puppy a few loving strokes and words of goodbye. It was a ‘YouTube moment’. I could see tears in his eyes despite his beaming face. I wanted to cry too. His smiley face belied his feelings of nostalgia and wistfulness. He was happy for the puppy but knew that he would most certainly miss him at the same time. The worker actually told the puppy “from now on, your life over”. It was quite funny.
What do you think is the simplest act someone can do to make a difference?
W: Smile! 🙂 Believe in the good in people. Speak good words, share good stories, do good deeds, think good thoughts.
“Kindness begets kindness.”
W: By starting from being kind to the people around us, this would spread. They would then be kind to those around them as well, having experienced kindness themselves.
We share the same sentiments. For there to be change in the world, the change needs to start in you. No act of kindness, no matter how small, will stop at a dead end. “Doing good means making others happy,” Weiling says, “and by others, I don’t just mean people but the environment and our animal friends too!”
“Doing good also does not have to be a Herculean task”
Weiling strongly believes that everyone can be a changemaker in their own ways. To youths, she says that there is no better time to experience new things and leave our marks on the world. “If there is anything you have been wanting to do, don’t put it off!” she adds. Time waits for no man, and we must keep that in mind as we spur ourselves each day to do the things we’ve always wanted to do!
“It doesn’t take a hero to be a hero. A baby can be a hero too just by flashing a megawatt smile and making someone else smile.”
Of course, she doesn’t disappoint and leaves us a part of her bubbly personality when we ask her how she would encourage others to be an Everyday Hero like herself. With a refreshed mind, we shall bid you readers farewell for now with Weiling’s meaningful adieu: Goodbye heroes!
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
Everyday Heroes : Lloyd
“I don’t want them to go through the same kind of childhood as I did.”
Our next everyday hero is 25-year-old student Lloyd, who didn’t have the perfect of childhoods, and in fact he described it as tough. However, that didn’t stop him from being a wonderful person for himself, and for others too. Lloyd channeled his emotions, admirably so, to doing things for the community. He told us, “My childhood was tough, but I told myself – I’m going to try my best to make an positive impact in every child’s life so that none of them would have to go through the same kind of childhood as I did.”
When asked about his other inspirations, Lloyd told us, “I firmly believe that making a positive impact in their lives while they (the kids) are young and showing them acts of kindness – this will allow them to pass on the kindness to others when the day comes.”
Packed with a bag of motivation from his past, Lloyd went on to spearhead some community-beneficial projects like Ahoy Captain, on top of his volunteer stints with external organisations like YouthCorps and SIM iCare. Ahoy Captain started out as a random idea that he proposed to his friends and it turned into a fruitful experience for Lloyd and his friends!
Why not just stick to volunteering you’d wonder? Well, we had the same thought as well. He later explained the trigger point was when he realised that he’s joined multiple volunteering events, so why not organise one?
“Doing good to me simply means helping others unconditionally and offering simple gestures of gratitude.”
We asked further about the event Touch with Love, an initiative that he was volunteering with HCA Hospice Care, Singapore’s largest home hospice care provider. Lloyd described it as an eye-opening experience, much expectably. Often times, people take time for granted, and only pay more attention to what we do with it when it is slowly escaping us. He recalls the eventful project and described, “This event itself showed me a new perspective on life and struck me. I was amazed how these patients, despite their illnesses, still live their lives in content and to the fullest, cherishing their every day till the end. This taught me that I should appreciate what I have now, and cherish every bit of it too.”
When asked about the influence of volunteerism in Singapore, Lloyd relates that it’s kind of hard to spread volunteerism to the younger generation as it is not a norm to do so, and especially in Singapore context where a lot younger people are more concern with their own immediate well-being, hence the pursuit of money or self-interest first.
On a more uplifting note, he added, “It’s worthy to note here that there will also be other young people of the opposite side who would dedicate their time to volunteer and help make a change in other’s life.”
We hope that Lloyd’s story has inspired you or struck a chord within you to give back to the community! Lloyd’s inspiring story has taught us an important learning point – that anyone can turn their life around if they want to, and they can turn others’ too. We end this story with a rousing word of advice from Lloyd.
“Anyone can be a change maker- it all boils down to whether an individual is willing or not. I would just encourage them to take the first step to see what it is like to make a difference in someone else’s life and what new journey lies for them.”
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
Everyday Heroes : Dilah
So Dilah, what does doing good mean to you?
“It doesn’t take much to be a good person, honestly. No matter what, we should treat people like how you want to be treated.”
Dilah has been a volunteer at ‘Happy People Helping People’ for years now. Happy People Helping People is a community filled with volunteers who set aside the time to put a smile on a face, despite having their own set of commitments and responsibilities. When asked for the reason that keeps her consistent in her volunteering efforts, Dilah mentioned that it was because of each and every one of the uncles and aunties in the community. Having come from a background of struggles growing up, Dilah relates to how it must feel to be in a position of helplessness.
“I struggled through a huge portion of my life because my family was not well off. That said, I was young and able. Can you imagine having to go through that at old age? If we don’t do this for them, who will?”
A challenge that volunteers may face in the community is the initial trust barrier that is understandably there. There were even instances where help was rejected. However, over the years of getting to know the community, it is lovely to see the level of trust that has been built up. Many eventually opened up their hearts and accepted the genuine help and kindness that the volunteers provided.
Dilah’s experience at Happy People Helping People gave her feelings that no amount of money can buy. That is, the warmth from seeing the gratitude from the elderlies and knowing that she has done something to help them in their lives, one way or another.
“There may be 1001 excuses not to volunteer, but you only need 1 to start volunteering.”
According to Dilah, volunteering is the best decision that she has made, and she will never regret it. Her reason for her volunteering efforts is one so simple and heartfelt. She simply wishes to see the people happy.
The motto of Happy People Helping People is a meaningful one: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”. It advocates the concept of how actions, no matter how small, can make a difference. Even though one person might not make a difference that significant, a community’s collective efforts can be powerful.
Two years ago, Dilah experienced the potential impact a community could have on the lives of those in need. When she heard about how a family lost their father in a tragic hit and run, she knew she had to do something to help. Although Dilah did not know the family personally, the very thought of a mother raising four children single-handedly was one that she could not stand. Through the fundraising platform, GIVE.asia, she successfully managed to raise $110k with many contributions made by those who wished to make a difference in the family’s life.
Some of us are guilty of using the excuse of life getting in the way. Many may even use their hectic schedules as a reason to put volunteering off because they feel like they do not have the capacity or resources to give. We need to remember that one person alone may not have the time and energy to do everything, but they can very well do something. When many individuals make a contribution, no matter how small, the results can be inspiring. That is the power of community. Together, individuals create the potential of changing someone’s life in ways that they never thought they could.
Together, we can make a difference.
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
Everyday Heroes : Cheryl Gan
Sporting a quirky and incredibly infectious smile, our next Everyday Hero describes herself as a “wildly optimistic and reflective being, who longs to connect with other people on a quest to living life to the fullest and striving to make a mark on the world!” . Cheryl is the Assistant Manager of Playeum, an independent registered charity (IPC) that champions children through play and creativity.
What inspires you? Or drives you to do what you do?
C: People inspire me, and the transformative element in the work that Playeum does drives me!
With her jolly demeanour, she shares her joy in being able to provide “high-quality play opportunities to the communities that need it the most” through her job. Though her schedule seems incredibly packed each day, Cheryl still manages to stay true to her personal goals and smile through it, motivating us to keep our heads held high even when things get tough.
“Each child is creative and competent in their own way.” – Cheryl
When asked to share a memorable experience, Cheryl finds it tough and tells us “there are so many!” She happily recounts one where a group of children worked so well together in a conducted activity despite their differences in backgrounds and their lack of familiarity with one another. “I didn’t have to do much”, Cheryl adds as she described herself to just “observe them in awe.” A 10-year-old boy, in particular, stood out with his mindful behaviour. As the oldest child in the group, the rest of the children turned to him as the leader. Post-activity, Cheryl went up to his mother and commended his sensible behaviour, much to the mother’s surprise.
C: She mentioned that this boy usually only plays with older children, and that made me realise that when we do give children that opportunity and time to showcase their skills, they can do them beautifully.
“Be reflective in your practice, work and your life.” – Cheryl
To Cheryl, the simplest act that someone can do to make a difference is to be grateful enough to say thank you. “It is very powerful to the human spirit”, she says, and we wholeheartedly agree. In our fast-paced lives, we often forget to thank those around us for even the smallest acts of service: be it to the bus driver who takes us to our destinations efficiently, or to the cleaners who pick up after us.
What do you hope to see or achieve through your work in Playeum?
C: Definitely a mindset shift about the importance of self-directed play!
Through Playeum, she hopes that her work will allow people to see that self-directed play will take on a key role in honing 21st century skills, such as creativity and critical thinking, in children.
C: You’ll be surprised, but most adults in Singapore also desperately need play!
Playeum has seen many adults go through self-directed play as well, where they’re allowed to do things their own way at their own pace, and they have found the process to be therapeutic and refreshing. Cheryl adds how most adults have forgotten to ‘play’ as they grew up, and feels that it’s an important process to incorporate in our lives.
A process that supports individuality like self-directed play is one that should be encouraged in a world where we’re still learning to step out of social norms. We hope that you will take Cheryl’s words into consideration and give your everyday work a touch of individuality!
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
Everyday Heroes : Li Seng
What does doing good mean to you?
“Doing good seems to suggest that there has to be some kind of tangible positive outcome, but the nature of doing good is inherently in spirit.”
In Li Seng’s opinion, doing good is an act with the intent to help or improve lives without expecting anything in return. It is about acting solely from the space of giving and is a genuine and unconditional act of kindness.
Li Seng is the founder of Green Nudge, an initiative that aims to tackle the generation of large amounts of waste at mass and sporting events. What many may not know is that half of the recyclables collected in Singapore are contaminated, making them un-recyclable. Contamination happens when recyclables come into contact with food or other organic waste and is a reason why recycling in Singapore has not been as successful as it should be.
Being unable to see its immediate adverse effects, it is no surprise that many fail to see the issue of unsuccessful recycling as an urgent one. If we keep at the current pace of recycling, more land will have to be used for landfill, creating less land for other purposes such as housing or leisure. Although this may not have a direct impact on us, it does affect the livelihood of future children and generations.
Li Seng knows that something has to be done to improve the way we treat our home. As a result, he left his role in the public sector to join the local social enterprise, Society Staples, to learn about its operations. The enterprise aims to build an inclusive future where people with disability can maximise their potential and be integral members of society. Eventually, he geared towards the juggle between working at Society Staples and building up Green Nudge.
A takeaway he got from this experience is that you never have to fight battles alone. You should also make an effort to find and treasure those who care and support you.
“I have learnt that if you have friends like them, you better treasure them properly!”
There were times where Li Seng felt utterly lost and stressed. However, with the support and guidance of the founders of Society Staples, Debra and Ryan, he was able to develop the ideas for Green Nudge. Through his persistence, Green Nudge got to where it is today.
Awareness programs are part of Green Nudge’s initiative, and they include spreading the word on the waste management process in Singapore. Li Seng recalls an experience so heartfelt that it still remains edged in his mind. In one of the cleanup activity at Yishun Dam, participants collected over 40 trash bags filled with rubbish weighing nearly 180 kg. After which, the participants were genuinely keen to learn more about what they can do to impact the environment positively.
Knowing that Green Nudge has the power to inspire individuals to kickstart efforts towards a positive environmental change serves as a sign of success and motivation.
“We live in an era where there are many paths to success so don’t be afraid to take the less trodden path if you are clear about it.”
Everyone has their own definition of success but before chasing success, understand what it really means to you. It is important to push the pause button on life and take a step back to understand what is it you really want to do. Give yourself some time to find out what interests you and widen your perspectives by speaking to people who are outside your usual social circle. If somehow along this process you find something that calls out to you, that might be something that you could look to deepen with time.
Don’t forget to live a life that you call your own.
Everyday Heroes is an online series that captures stories of youths creating impact and embracing possibilities to build a more positive community in Singapore. Most importantly, they help stand as positive reminders that doing good doesn’t have to look a certain way!
#EverydayHeroes #TheHiddenGood #sgyouthcares #nycsg
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