A Singaporean sets up solar-powered tribal school in India, among other projects, to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship in the young
Singaporean social entrepreneur Alvin Yong dreams big. Why? Because he says, “It takes the same amount of energy to dream small. So why not dream bigger.” He believes in the power of young people to transform their communities for the better. And that is why he continues to support education-led programmes.
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Angel Gowns in Singapore is helping parents bury their premature babies with dignity by donating tiny pieces of burial clothing to hospitals
It’s been seven years, but Felicia Tan can still remember the clothes given to her by a nurse for her baby Dominic, who died minutes after being delivered early at 23 weeks. It was the smallest size for a newborn, but even so, “the smallest size was still very big”, said Felicia. An estimated one in four to six pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and sometimes, parents whose babies are premature — like Felicia — have to bury their children in clothing too big for them. To address this, a group of women formed Angel Gowns Singapore in 2016, which concerns itself with repurposing of donated wedding gowns and other bridalwear into tiny pieces of burial clothing.
In Defence of Animals India (IDA) is rescuing more than 1,000 abused animals every month
IDA India is a non-profit animal protection organisation dedicated to the defence, love and care of animals. Their work includes not just the rescue and rehabilitation of abused domestic animals, but also wildlife. They're also trying to educate the public through campaigns in surrounding towns and awareness talks in schools.
Sangeeta Darvekar Charitable Trust: Helping tribal students cycle towards a brighter future
The humble bicycle is helping to keep hundreds of children in school, in Palghar district, western India. By completing their studies, these students are getting the education they need to lift themselves out of poverty. And the man responsible for making this happen is a dentist and avid cyclist, Dr Suwas Darvekar, and his Sangeeta Darvekar Charitable Trust.
Cycling Without Age: A movement that aims to bring the joy of cycling to people who have lost the ability because of age
It's a simple pleasure that we often take for granted: feeling the wind in our hair. It is precisely this pleasure that captures the essence of Cycling Without Age. The movement started in Denmark in 2012, and has since expanded to more than 20 countries. It began with one man's desire to bring the joy of cycling to people who'd lost the ability because of age. In doing so, Ole Kassow created a space for something much deeper.
Meet Telly, a therapy dog, and his human Maureen, who are incorporating Animal Assisted Therapy in counselling and social-emotional development
Telly's human, Maureen, is trained in Animal Assisted Therapy. Together, they form Pawsibility, working with children and youth from all kinds of backgrounds, including those who have special needs, or are struggling with addictions, anger management issues, depression, stress and trauma from such triggers as divorce or bullying.
Batik Boutique is opening up new avenues of sustainable income for Malaysian women living in poor, urban conditions
For Kak Noor, a mother of seven, her living standards have improved since working at Batik Boutique. She says, “Now that I have a job, I have my own income...I am able to help the family.”
Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC) is helping domestic abuse survivors start life anew
Founded in 2001, PCVC helps rebuild lives that are affected by domestic abuse through programmes that help survivors build confidence. Since 2006, they have helped 4,500 burn survivors.
A Syrian refugee in Malaysia is using his learnings to teach other refugee children
A participant of Cybercare’s STEP (Self-empowering Transition and Employability Program), Hasan has gone on to teach in a refugee school in Wangsa Maju. He teaches children like him to make a new life for themselves and think for their future.
'Project We Forgot': A caregiver's letter to her father suffering from Alzheimer’s
The challenges that young caregivers face are unique, especially with having to cope with the struggles of adolescence, alongside competing demands of school and caregiving. Melissa is working to address this gap through Project We Forgot, a community platform she kickstarted, which offers support for young caregivers of persons with dementia.