
Head of Marketing and Partnerships
Singapore Red Cross
Singapore
What connects us: a beautiful wedding in Tunisia, and so much more.
What does Singapore Red Cross strive to do?
The Singapore Red Cross operates locally and globally. Locally, we focus on supporting vulnerable communities such as the elderly, disabled, children and youth, as well as those who fall through the cracks of social safety nets. For example, migrant worker communities and vulnerable families. Across Singapore, we provide education and reading programs for youth because education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. We recruit blood donors. We are also becoming known for our psychosocial first aid services. Historically, we have been known for our first aid trainings, but now, access to psychosocial first aid is critical during the pandemic.Â
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your community’s work?
Most of our programs involved gathering people, but that has all changed. Group book readings for children, first aid programs in community parks, these were all suspended. Now we’re focused on critical programs such as bringing elders to the hospital for their medical sessions – with safety processes in place. We have also started new programs to fill new needs as a result of the pandemic. For example, we provide care packages with essential items for migrant workers, families that have lost their source of income during the pandemic, and elderly individuals living in isolation. Many people have come forward to help. Corporate partners and manufacturers are donating products, volunteers are packing the kits, and logistical companies are delivering these essential packages to the people and communities who need them most.
How does racial equity and social justice intersect with your organization’s work?
Singapore is very diverse. We have large Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian communities, as well as a large foreign population. There is a national effort to try to create a culture of understanding across the communities; for example, with a National Racial Harmony Day. Children are encouraged to learn the language of their mother tongues. There are four different language newspapers in Singapore: English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. All of our Red Cross programs are translated into these four languages to make them accessible by all groups.
What can people do to build stronger communities?
Any act of kindness, big or small, is so important. Red Cross volunteers who read story books for children help kids develop an interest for reading at a young age. Volunteers who come with their trucks to transport care kits ensure people living in isolation have essential items. These may seem like small acts at the individual level, but when all of it comes together, it has a huge impact for the community.
What brings you hope?
I believe there is something good in everyone. If we all do a little bit of good for the community around us, the world will be a better place. That makes me have hope. That’s why I’m in this line of work. I am also a mother and I am hopeful for my son – that the world will be a better place tomorrow than it is today, for him and the next generation.
Learn More about Nan-Ting
Learn more about the Singapore Red Cross and connect with Nan-Ting on LinkedIn.