The Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation was launched today and one of the Foundation’s director’s, Jose Raymond, shared how Mr Chiam’s act of kindness dramatically altered the path of his life.
He said that without Mr Chiam, his father would not have been able to pay for the registration fee to purchase a HDB flat after retiring from the police force and not being able to hold down a job in the 1990s.
“And Mr Chiam See Tong couldn’t even remember how he helped my father when he hit rock bottom in his life,” Mr Raymond said.
“But I do, and will never forget it,” he added.
Mr Chiam had given Mr Raymond’s father a chèque to HDB and told my father to use it and register for the flat. His father still stays in the same flat and last year, the flat was completely paid for.
Mr Raymond said that he will never forget how Mr Chiam helped them when we needed it most, and unconditionally at that.
Just one act of kindness can dramatically alter the path of one's life. For those who wonder, this is the back story to why I give without expecting anything in return, and why I will keep being a voice for people who need it most. For community, for country, for always. Majulah Singapura! ??
Posted by Jose Raymond on Thursday, 9 March 2017
—
Former Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong sets up Foundation
Foundation aims to help needy children achieve their sporting dreams, set to benefit at least 100 disadvantaged children in first year
After serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Potong Pasir for 27 years, former six-term MP Mr Chiam See Tong looks set to continue serving the community in an all-new capacity – as a Patron of the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation.
The Foundation was officially launched on 9 March in the Chamber of the Old Parliament House, a venue where Mr Chiam first took his oath as a Member of Parliament in January 1985 after winning the Potong Pasir seat at the 1984 General Elections.
Mrs Lina Chiam, who served one term as a Non-Constituency MP from 2011 to 2015, is also a Patron of the Foundation.
The objectives of the Foundation are as follows:
- To help build the character of children and youths from needy families through their participation in sports.
- To advocate on behalf of the value of sports for under-resourced children and youths in the community.
- To build key athlete, corporate, and community relationships that increase sport opportunities for under-resourced children and youths.
- To develop programmes and services to supplement and complement national initiatives for children and youth sports development in Singapore.
Said Mr Chiam, who turns 82 on 12 March: “Our children are our future, and we must provide them with as many opportunities as possible, so that they will find many paths towards being successful, patriotic Singaporeans. Sports is a unifying tool for nation-building and in building strong community bonds. We must continue to find ways to work together as a community, and to continue having faith in our children, and in believing in them.”
The Board of the Foundation will be chaired by former national swimmer and one-time world’s fastest over the 50m freestyle Mr Ang Peng Siong and co-chaired by Mr Jose Raymond, who is currently a Vice-President of Singapore Swimming Association.
Said Mr Ang: “This is a positive step for sports in Singapore. The aim of the Foundation is to find ways to help children achieve their sporting dreams, and to give them the added help. Sometimes, a timely intervention can alter the course of one’s life tremendously and in more ways than one.”
Timely intervention and support is something which Mr UK Shyam would identify with. Singapore’s record holder in the 100m sprints who will serve on the Board of the Foundation, Mr Shyam said: “My years as a sprinter was always filled with challenges, especially from a financial perspective. I was lucky that I had people around me like Uncle Peng Siong and Jose who were always around to provide help. It is important to give our young needy children a helping hand when they need it most, and it is our hope that become our national champions of the future.”
Added Camilla Chiam, who will serve as a Director of the Board: “My father always believed in using sports as a force for good. He held the tenet that one’s true character is reflected and on full display when playing sports, whether on a recreational or competitive level. Through the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation, we intend to provide disadvantaged youths the accessibility to various sporting activities and in doing so, inspire them to discover their joy and passion while building strong life skills through sports.”
Besides Mr Ang, Mr Raymond, Mr Shyam and Ms Chiam, the following also serve on the Board of Directors of the Foundation:
- Edna Leong
- Riduwan Matni
- May Ooi
- Leonard Thomas
- James Aruldoss
- R Sasikumar
The Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation, which was registered as a society, will also be undergoing the necessary due processes to be registered as a charity with Institution of Public Character (IPC) status.