From Singapore to Beyond
We celebrate Singapore's National Day this month with the millions all over this tiny red-dot-of-an-island-nation. It is indeed remarkable that a small nation like Singapore could play such an important role in this region, and be even known all over the world (although I have to admit that many of my American friends often asked me which part of China can they find Singapore!). Singapore is known to be a place where people from all over the world live together harmoniously, regardless of their race, language or religion. This nation's role has always included that of a facilitator, bringing together people of different nationalities for business, conference and some times just plain fun.
Habitat Singapore did the same thing recently, when we facilitated the build of BSI Bank employees at Batam, on July 17th 2010. We worked together with Habitat Indonesia, and hosted BSI Bank employees from Singapore, India, Indonesia, Italy, France and even Switzerland to come together to help laborer Pak Yohanes Paskalis build his house; so that together with his wife and 3 children, they can have a decent place to call home. Here's an exciting video of bankers all hard at work:
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Above: BSI Bank employees building at Batam |
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At one of the many National Day celebration events, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong proposed that Singaporeans should be looking at a different set of priorities in life. He mentioned a new set of 5-Cs (as opposed to the old ones, which is Cash, Car, Condo, Club and Credit card... or something like that) for Singaporeans to strive at. He said we should strive at Career, Comfort, Children, Considerate, Charitable. I am of course glad that he included 'Charitable' as into the 5-Cs. I just hope that we do not typically think of being charitable only to our own countrymen, which is what many 'official' directions seemed to be geared towards.
Singapore has been blessed to have qualities beyond the imagination of many. In this country, a woman can walk safe at night, water comes out of the tap cleaner than clean, news of corrupt government officials still raise eyebrows... let us then work at sharing our blessings with the many people needing help right at our doorstep, from Batam to Mongolia!
Blessed National Day, Singapore!
Love, Joy, Peace.
Yong Teck Meng
National Director
9th August 2010
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