Last November 4th, we had our largest project done in Batam. Together with Habitat for Humanity Singapore, we hosted a large-scale build for more than 300 staff from Temasek Holdings, building 25 homes together with the home partners. We were joined by senior management staff, including CEO Ms. Ho Ching and Chairman of the board Mr. Lim Boon Heng. Our featured video has just been released:
I thought that at the beginning of yet another exciting year ahead, this video is a timely reminder that the strength of Habitat lies in her ability to draw people together, regardless of their race, language or religion, to serve others regardless of their race, language or religion. I often say that this is what the word "Humanity" represents in our name.
For the past many years, I have encountered many people who would express all sorts of opinions as to how we should fight poverty. Some are sincere, many are just passing remarks that are often negative without any meaningful action or solution. Poverty-fighting of course is a complex task with many seemingly insurmountable issues and unknowns. I do know at least three things: #1. Poverty is a very real problem; #2. It takes a lot of collaborative work from a lot of people to fight poverty effectively; and #3. If one is not part of the solution, one is probably part of the problem.
So we all need to work together: individuals, organisations, corporations, churches, temples, mosques. And we can work together for the good of all. By participating in Habitat builds, corporations get to strengthen teambuilding and boost morale, and the house partners we represent get a much needed hand to lift them out of poverty. I am very happy to say that I am part of a large team of people working around the world to make that happen everyday.
Here's to 2016! May we all come together to make this world a little better than we found it in 2015. Don't just talk about it or worse, pass negative remarks without lifting a finger to help. Make sure you are part of the solution, not part of the problem!