My childhood and youth were very isolating. I read a lot as a kid to escape depression and isolation. I became a lone ranger.
I came from a background of poverty. From a young age, you know—like seven or eight years old to my teens—I was actually fostered. I didn't get to see my parents for quite a long period. There's this sense of not belonging. Like you don't feel loved.
I have a strong attachment to the unfortunate and the displaced. So when I see the refugees in the Middle East, I actually feel for them because I came from the same background of displacement.
We’re doing a few things. We have a food kitchen cooking in Jabalia, north Gaza. We also periodically bring in 20 trucks carrying 20,000 food parcels into Rafah and Gaza.
It’s a complex operation, I tell you. Drivers are hesitant, you know. Workers inside Gaza are getting killed, some of whom I've worked closely with.
[My parents] taught me that we should spend more time with family: work less and spend more time with our kids.
But I'm not a good dad, a lousy dad. I'm missing quite a lot. So now, I try to catch time for my daughter. I'm flying off to visit her in Sydney for two weeks because it's her birthday. Every 10th of July, I’d fly over to spend time with her.
When I was in secondary school, I was the rebellious type (laughing). I tended to be the one in class who raised issues by speaking my mind. I always questioned why we should do this or that?
So, when my form teacher chose me to be the prefect, I said, "What? Are you sure or not?"
As an activist, you are more prone to humanity. Activism is about speaking up for the unfortunate, like the Palestinians, for the people in Gaza.
When we were around 20 or 21 years old, we had a classmate who was going through depression. There was a lot of mockery and stares at him. We helped him for a bit while he was in and out of jobs. Until one day, he got admitted to IMH (Institute of Mental Health) and when he was released, he hanged himself. That woke me up a lot.
If I had a superpower, I wish I could, with a snap of my fingers, stop the war in Gaza. It’s a war that needs to end soon. It’s been eight months, and people are dying every day.
We have collected about SGD3 million in donations. We gave out about a million dollars to an NGO delivering food into Gaza. So now we have two million left to push forward to the end of the year.
When I was in Lebanon, I often travelled in private vans because it was the cheapest mode of transport. Once, at midnight, I was detained by the Lebanese army. It was a frightening hour of interrogation that made me very uncomfortable.
If you want to embark on the humanitarian pathway, it’s good to start locally, or even in Batam, Indonesia, or Thailand, before you venture further.
My biggest break in humanitarian work is for the Palestinians in Gaza. I didn't anticipate it. I didn't prepare for it.
I could’ve said no, I don’t want to come (to Cairo). I nearly said I don’t want to come because it’s difficult and troublesome. You’re not sure how things will turn out.
But I said, okay, the usual one or two months in the Middle East, then I’ll go back to Singapore, relax, and enjoy life. But this is my seventh month in Cairo, and I’m planning to stay till the end of the year.
I lost many friends over this issue [Israel-Palestine war]. A lot of them think it's only a Muslim problem.
We tend to follow the crowd in Singapore. I want to be remembered as someone who did things his way. I hope my legacy will inspire people to think outside the box, to not follow the crowd. If you think something is right, go for it.
I feel very proud when I raise my flag. I feel that this is what Singapore needs right now, for people to go against the grain, to do something worthy for the country.
The easiest part of providing humanitarian aid is donating money. You press a few buttons and you do your part for humanity. I’m not saying it's not important but, I think, doing that is easy. The hardest part is taking action. Coming to Cairo, going to workshops, attending activism courses. I think that’s difficult in Singapore, at least.
Often, that first step is difficult. But if you can extend your horizon or scope by joining an NGO, then you can get yourself started.
You can donate to Love Aid Singapore via Gilbert's preferred channel, PayNow: 87745281
As Angela Davis aptly puts it, “Palestine is a moral litmus test for the world”. The ongoing suffering of the Palestinians has become a dark stain on the global conscience. As Singaporeans, it's all too easy to feel disconnected and powerless regarding global conflicts, especially those unfolding thousands of kilometres away. Our country is small, and we may feel even smaller as a result. But true power lies in the masses, it always has, and we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of the oppressed.
Spearheading humanitarian efforts for Singaporeans is Gilbert Goh, the founder of Love Aid SG. Goh has helped raise over a million dollars for various Gaza-related projects. His initiatives include building a Gazan kitchen, which an Israeli airstrike later destroyed and killed nine people he worked closely with. He then constructed solar panels to generate electricity for Kamal Adwan Hospital, but another airstrike decimated that as well. While these setbacks are terrible, they have only strengthened Goh’s resolve to assist Palestinians. He currently remains in Cairo to continue the facilitation of aid into Gaza.
To rally solidarity, Collective Minds is partnering with Mandala Club to organise a music event called Dance for Life. It aims to raise SGD10,000 to support Love Aid SG’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza. With the entire population of Gaza projected to face famine by July, we have an opportunity and moral obligation as citizens of a privileged nation to help prevent that.
Dance for Life will feature an electrifying lineup of local artists and DJs, including Aurora, Bongomann, and Chris. Other artists include Dean Chew, Toppings, James Selva, Jenn Chunes, Kylie Nicole, and Leland. Also performing are Miss Lil, MZA, Puddle, Sivanesh, and RAAJ.
Tickets are priced at SGD40 and is inclusive of a complimentary drink. For those unable to attend in person, a SGD30 donation option is available. All proceeds from ticket sales, donations, and a percentage of the bar sales will be channelled straight to Love Aid SG.
Dance for Life will take place on 15 June 2024 at the Mandala Club from 12 pm to 11 pm. Buy your tickets or donate here.
Gen Z youngsters, like my 12-yearold daughter, are fond of dropping the expression “It’s giving” into conversation. For those readers unfamiliar with this particular turn of phrase (a group comprising many Millennials, a lot of my fellow Gen Xers, and very likely, all Boomers), it’s an abridged way of saying, “This is giving off a vibe much akin to something-or-other.” For example, a toddler scribbles a marker on their face: “It’s giving Post Malone.”
In its brevity, “It’s giving” is giving Singlish, I think—eliminating every possible extraneous word, the same way “Can” radically contracts the statement, “Indeed, we can pursue that course of action, if you wish.” However, much like “Yasss, queen,” “It’s giving” was born in the LGBTQ drag ball subculture, an environment of vibrant creative self-expression. Singlish, meanwhile, was born in Singapore.
At the time of press, we’re still finalising where we’ll be spending this Christmas as a family. Possibly it’ll be Nikoi, the eco-luxe private island resort off Bintan. My wife and I had the chance to visit the neighbouring adults-only sister island Cempedak earlier this year and were very impressed by its environmentally friendly design and philosophies, the warm and genuine service, paradisical setting, and terrific cuisine. (They’ve just put out a cookbook—could be a nifty gift idea.)
What’s really great about Nikoi and Cempedak, though, is resting easy in the knowledge that your vacay budget isn’t going to some faceless multinational corporation. Instead, it’s supporting a local business that in turn, is funding a foundation actively uplifting some of the most underserved communities in our region.
The Island Foundation, which was founded in 2010 by the owners of Cempedak and Nikoi, aims to provide better learning opportunities for children in small island and coastal communities across Indonesia’s Bintan Regency. Through local teacher training, and the establishment of learning centres (12 thus far) teaching primary-aged kids subjects including English, IT, local culture, health, and environmental protection, the foundation is making a big difference in areas where typically, 77 per cent of children don’t finish school.
“We set out to give back to the community from day one,” says Nikoi cofounder Andrew Dixon. “We began with conversations with local villages. They expressed a need for education, especially in English, so first we set up libraries, providing reading materials.” The libraries quickly evolved into formal learning centres. “We connected with the United World College in Singapore, who assisted in creating a fantastic curriculum,” Dixon explains.
“We have about 600 children enrolled now, and the impact is evident, with over 3,000 kids benefiting so far,” he says. “We conduct teacher training workshops and have identified individuals in the villages to manage these learning centres, investing heavily in their training. They’ve become influential figures in their communities.”
Dixon says there’s a multiplier effect to these efforts; he reckons around 15,000 people have benefited directly or indirectly from the Above: Family-friendly, eco-friendly luxury at Nikoi Island. Opposite page: Yassss, parenting can be a real drag. 29 Agenda foundation’s community programmes. “That’s a significant figure for a small resort,” he says. When COVID shut down the hotels, Dixon explains, individual donors who’d been guests in the past stepped up to continue funding the foundation’s initiatives.
Nevertheless, while many who stay at Nikoi and Cempedak do appreciate the fact their spending at the resorts helps support worthy causes, Dixon says the organisation is careful not to shove the charitable angle down people’s throats. “Guests come for the experience, and while we appreciate and welcome their interest in the foundation, we want them to enjoy their stay without feeling overwhelmed by sustainability messages,” he says.
A few years ago I had the chance to interview one of our region’s biggest charitable givers, Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, a signatory to Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge (where the world’s richest commit the majority of their wealth to philanthropy). This June, in his latest mega-generous endowment, the Aussie mining multibillionaire and his wife gave AUD5 billion to their Minderoo Foundation. The largest single charitable donation in Australian history, this sum will fuel the foundation’s various initiatives, including cleaner oceans, cancer cures, and an end to modern slavery.
Forrest told me he makes grand gestures like this not only to fund the work but to set an example for his fellow super-rich. He said, “Across Asia, including Australia, there’s a defensive mindset” among the very wealthy that leads them to horde their gold like real-life Scrooge McDucks. Instead, Forrest believes, the rich should utilise the talents that got them to the top in business—and the money they’ve earned in that position—to do some good. “The skill you have, which allowed you to accumulate that capital, you should use that skill to distribute capital in the wisest, highest leverage, highest benefit way possible,” he said.
Successful entrepreneurs have a responsibility to give both generously and strategically—in Forrest’s view, they are better qualified to rectify the world’s ills than politicians. When I asked him, playing the devil’s advocate, how he’d respond to the suggestion that perhaps the rich should just Sustainably constructed bamboo villas at Cempedak Island. Each year, Nikoi and Cempedak donate nearly SGD500,000 to supporting responsible tourism, conservation, local culture and education. pay their fair share of tax and let governments fix the big issues, suffice to say, Forrest disagreed enthusiastically.
“I’d say that is moronic—at its kindest. The greatest waste has happened under political leaders who say that. I’ve seen train wrecks created by politicians who’ve said, ‘Actually, we should just pay more tax.’ My response is, ‘Well, can you show me what you achieved with everyone else’s money, once you got your hands on it in the past? Answer: a train wreck,” Forrest said. “To those who’d suggest, ‘Oh, you should just pay more tax’—I’d say, ‘What, so politicians can waste more of it?’”
It’s giving… but not to the tax man. Season’s greetings, dear readers. May 2024 be a gift to us all.
Youths have the privilege to wander. They are encouraged to fumble, to trod on multiple paths, to try new things; there are no limitations to exploring how the world works before one starts to work for the world. All it takes is a teaspoon of courage, but not all youths are equipped with the same-sized spoon to go for the jugular of limitless potential; not all youths get to start this marathon called life with the same starting line.
It is having this flexibility in perspective that will set in motion the youth’s truly limitless potential. Kindness is something a world closely connected—but still vastly diverse—needs for harmony and learning to see our world from “Me” to “We" via the Unleash Your Light global movement, can be the key to harnessing that cross-border synergy, empowering personal and societal transformation. That is what the charity Extra·Ordinary People have been striving to do since July 2017 and with their latest star-studded activation, Extra·Ordinary Stars concert—a fundraiser effort to give youths with special needs and of less privileged backgrounds the training and means to stand on stage, to shine independently alongside a bevy of established artistes.
The differently abled youths will get a chance to perform alongside international artistes like popular magician Cyril Takayama and Taiwanese singer A-Lin, as well as Benjamin Kheng, Glenn Yong, Wheel Smith (seen above), Zanna Phua, Adelyn Koh, John Chan, Isabelle Lim and Daniel Teo. The concert will also feature the Cantare Choir, Singapore Raffles Music College, Extra·Ordinary People’s Extra·Ordinary Light Orchestra, among others.
“Individuals with special needs and their families rarely have the inspiration, space, and opportunity to achieve independent living through their dreams. We believe in the transformative power of positivity. Our mission is to create opportunities for everyone. With Extra·Ordinary Stars, we hope the special needs and underprivileged community will be inspired to dream and share their stories,” says Wee Boo Kuan, co-founder and director of Extra·Ordinary People, an IPC (Institution of a Public Character) charity that provides life-long support to differently-abled children and youths. Upon graduating from the Extra·Ordinary People Academy, the organisation continues to provide them with opportunities and assistance towards independence. Now that’s hope, glimmering and glistening with the enthusiasm of youth and possibilities.
There is also a separate effort put together by China Mobile, wherein the first 1,000 concert ticket holders will have access to a special promo plan: 100GB at SGD10/month. The Unleash Your Light project will also donate 500 China Mobile plans to 500 low-income families for one year as part of this concert’s fundraiser efforts. China Mobile and Unleash Your Light seek to fill the entire Extra•Ordinary Stars concert hall. If the goal of selling out the entire Extra•Ordinary Stars concert is met, Unleash Your Light will sponsor an additional 500 China Mobile plans, raising the total to 1,000 China Mobile plans donated to 1,000 low-income families for one year.
The 100-minute live performance will be held on 1 December 2023 at The Star Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here. The proceeds will be distributed equally amongst the three IPC charity organisations: Extra·Ordinary People, Happee Hearts Movement and YMCA. There will be a 250% tax rebate with every ticket purchase.
Originally published on Men's Folio.
