My name is Anson Ng, and I come from a humble background. I was adopted by a financially disadvantaged family and didn’t have the privilege of a good education. As a result, I attended SAF Boys School, and after my service, I ventured into the preowned car sales industry. I eventually started my small preowned dealership in 1996 through hard work and determination.
In 2001, I was introduced to Mun Fut Tong Nursing Home by Dr Uma Rajan, who became my guiding light in giving back to the community. This encounter marked the beginning of my active involvement in various charitable organizations. Over time, my journey led me to extend my support to hospices, where I am dedicated to providing comfort and assistance during the last rites for patients in need.
I first learned about the Silent Heroes Award through a past finalist. Winning the Silent Heroes Award in the Outstanding Adult category in 2021 was a tremendous honour. It was a validation of my efforts to help others. More importantly, it inspired me to continue making a positive difference.
Since its inception in 2018, Hao Ren Hao Shi (HRHS) has experienced remarkable growth. We started with over 130 beneficiaries and more than 50 volunteers. As of May 2023, our organization has expanded significantly, reaching over 1,000 beneficiaries and engaging over 300 dedicated volunteers.
HRHS is driven by the desire to improve the lives of underprivileged and needy families by providing essential supplies and provisions. We want to foster a culture of volunteerism where children, youth, families, and communities come together, driven by a shared purpose. I wish to create a society where individuals are empowered to make a difference and where convenience, confidence, joy, and hope are instilled in the hearts of both beneficiaries and volunteers.
The core beliefs of Joy, Hope, Confidence, and Convenience are deeply significant to me. They are rooted in the principles of “3 Acts of Goodness” and “4 Givings.” By doing Good deeds, speaking Good words, and thinking Good thoughts, we can bring positivity and compassion into the world. Giving confidence, hope, joy, and convenience to others fosters empathy and creates a more compassionate and upright society.
The motivation behind starting Hao Ren Hao Shi was twofold. Firstly, I wanted to impart the value of giving back to society to the younger generation. By engaging schools in our distribution efforts, we aim to teach young individuals about the importance of volunteerism and the joy of helping others.
Secondly, I sought to foster stronger bonds among families and friends by encouraging them to volunteer together. Volunteering becomes a meaningful activity that brings people closer and strengthens our community.
One of my proudest moments at Hao Ren Hao Shi was when we established a partnership with Lian Hua Primary School in 2019 for school provision distribution. I’d like to share an inspiring anecdote from one of our student volunteers: In June 2021, seven-year-old Shakthipriya Saravanan exemplified compassion by setting up a “Share and Care” corner in her neighbourhood as part of a charity project at Lian Hua Primary School. She used her $400 savings and received contributions from her parents to begin stocking the corner with essentials like rice, instant noodles, and cooking oil. As word spread, school volunteers and residents donated more items, such as bread and Nutella. The corner became a source of free groceries for those in need, leaving beneficiaries grateful and appreciative. It was a reminder of how small acts of kindness can have a tremendous impact.
A significant challenge in Hao Ren Hao Shi is a shortage of dedicated volunteers, particularly in logistics. To overcome this, we are looking into employing full-time staff to manage the charity’s daily operations, ensuring smooth coordination and implementation of our initiatives.
Through my experience as the founder of this volunteer organization, one valuable lesson I have learned is the importance of assembling the right team of people at the right time. Surrounding yourself with dedicated individuals who share your vision and values is crucial to the organization’s success. Each team member brings unique skills and perspectives, contributing to the collective impact.
Beyond my work as a silent hero, one of my passions is gardening, mainly cultivating Lotus flower plants. I find inspiration in the resilience and beauty of the Lotus. Like the Lotus, which grows directly out of muddy and murky water to produce exquisite blossoms, I believe we all possess the innate ability to rise above challenges, overcome adversity, and radiate positivity and light into the world.
More fun facts about me – I enjoy preparing and sharing delicious meals with others. There is something incredibly fulfilling about bringing people together through nourishing and enjoying food.
Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for the future. We are actively preparing to launch the Mobile Charity and Community Mart projects. These initiatives will allow us to extend our reach and provide essential supplies and provisions to even more individuals and communities in need.
My advice for those interested in positively impacting their community is to choose charity work that aligns with their interests and passions. When genuinely passionate about a cause, it fuels your dedication and commitment to making a difference. Find an area where you can contribute your skills, knowledge, and expertise and where you feel a deep connection. This will make your efforts more fulfilling and increase the likelihood of creating meaningful and sustainable change.
To my future self, I would like to say, “Anson, well done! We are all on this journey of doing good together. Continue to stay true to your passion, purpose, and commitment to making a positive impact.
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