Speech by President Halimah Yacob, Patron of SPD, at the SPD Donor Appreciation Reception

Ms Ong Toon Hui, President of SPD

Ms Chia Yong Yong, Member of SPD’s Board Advisory Panel

Friends and supporters of SPD

It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to the Istana for the SPD Donor Appreciation Reception. This evening, we gather to honour the generosity and giving spirit among some of SPD’s strongest supporters, while also getting acquainted with new friends. As SPD’s patron, I am delighted to see so many familiar as well as new faces.

The last few years have not been easy for many of us. The pandemic has greatly disrupted many sectors, including the charity sector. Their operations were affected in many ways, from delivering services and programmes, to engaging volunteers and organising fund-raising activities and gala dinners. SPD was likewise not sparred from the impact of the pandemic. With the suspension of in-person services and physical fundraising events, SPD had to adapt quickly and be innovative in their service delivery.  For instance, SPD pivoted swiftly to provide remote intervention so that the beneficiaries could continue to receive uninterrupted care. Their fundraising team also stepped up on online activities by conducting more campaigns and organising virtual events to raise funds.

I am extremely heartened that many Singaporeans, even amid the uncertainties, continue to give generously, just like what all of you have done for SPD. Many of you found ways to support SPD’s work in the community despite the challenging economic situation. It is with your support that SPD is able to provide comprehensive support to persons with disabilities, including its commitment to build a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities under the Enabling Masterplan 2030. For example, one key area where SPD has taken a leadership role, is in raising the awareness and adoption of Assistive Technology (AT). For persons with disabilities, AT is a powerful enabler that helps them to overcome barriers and participate more fully in work, school and everyday life. Over 260 persons with disabilities were empowered in the last financial year through SPD’s Specialised Assistive Technology Centre. Beyond the Specialised ATC, SPD also collaborated with partners to set up nine satellite AT Loan Libraries in Institutes of Higher Learning and at the Singapore National Eye Centre, the first that is based in a healthcare institution.

With an annual operating budget of about $40 million, SPD continues to dedicate much effort in raising the needed funds to ensure that no one with a disability is denied the support needed. And because you continued to give generously, SPD was able to provide care to over 10,500 persons with disabilities of all ages last year. They include areas such as early intervention and education support for children and youth, as well as day care, therapy services and various employment support for adults and seniors with disabilities.  

Your support continues to be very important. With an ageing population and more children identified to have developmental needs, the work of social service agencies such as SPD will become even more critical. But it will take more than just the Government or any social service agency to uplift the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Strong partnerships that leverage collective strengths and resources are key in tackling societal challenges and creating better outcomes for society.  

I hope that you will continue to give generously and sustainably. Only through sustained and sustainable giving can we achieve long lasting societal impact. In offering support over time, you would be able to see how your contributions help to empower persons with disabilities to find independence and dignity in life. An example of someone helped is Mdm Wong Sow Fong, who has multiple medical conditions including hearing loss in her right ear. Without family and social support, Mdm Wong was driven to the brink of depression. It was through SPD’s financial assistance and supportive counselling that Mdm Wong’s emotional state got better, and she also received help with the daily necessities. Mdm Wong is now enjoying a better quality of life through the strong support of her social workers from SPD.  

Another beneficiary who has benefitted from SPD is 22-year-old Chong Hong Yun, who has autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. He attends SPD’s Day Activity Centre  three times a week. Hong Yun used to hurt himself when he could not get what he wanted. Through consistent intervention from his training officers, the frequency and intensity of Hong Yun’s meltdowns and self-injurious behaviours were reduced. Recently, Hong Yun picked up leathercrafting through an initiative by his training officers and the SPD Sheltered Workshop. This has helped him to improve his fine motor skills and increase his ability to focus on tasks. It may not be possible for some persons with disabilities to hold full-time jobs due to the severity of their disabilities. Hence SPD’s Sheltered Workshop plays a meaningful role in allowing them to earn an income and  achieve independence.

When you give sustainably, you are also empowering charities to organise and structure their programmes with a longer-term view and an assurance of on-going support from friends like yourself in the community. One of the main feedback from charities is that donations can be sporadic which makes it challenging for them to sustain long-term programmes. Hence, long-term sustainability is very important. Beyond corporate social responsibilities, it makes good business sense for businesses to embark on sustainable giving. It enhances brand image, generates goodwill among customers and stakeholders, attracts talents and builds strong organisational culture. Companies and individuals must also be intentional in choosing who to give to, so that they know their funds will be used responsibly and impactfully.

A good example of a long-time supporter and friend of SPD is the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation. The partnership between APB and SPD started back in 2001, with the Foundation supporting SPD’s rehabilitation centre, assistive technology services, and case management programmes in the earlier days. Recognising the importance of education as a social leveller, the Foundation works closely with SPD to award scholarships to empower outstanding youths with disabilities since 2004. The APB Foundation has committed over $2 million dollars to date, to enable 55 youths with disabilities to pursue their aspirations. The impact of the scholarship has been far-reaching as many scholars who have graduated went on to attain success in their fields. For instance, paralympians Yip Pin Xiu and Toh Wei Soong are some notable recipients of the scholarship. Without such scholarships and strong support, it will be challenging for them to achieve their full potential.

Charities that invest in strong governance make transparency and accountability to stakeholders fundamental in how they run their programmes. These organisations are also backed by strong board and management teams that commit to using resources effectively and prudently. As Patron of SPD, I am proud to say that SPD is one such organisation. SPD received the Charity Governance Awards in 2012 and 2016, as well as the Charity Transparency Awards for five consecutive years since 2016. These awards attest to their exemplary governance practices and standards.

With the global pandemic and geo-political climate significantly affecting lives in recent times, we have seen how vital it is for everyone in the community to step up and to lend a helping hand to those in need for a whole-of-community effort.  For that, I thank all of you once again for your readiness to do your part to uplift the vulnerable among us. It is indeed heartening to witness so many corporates and individuals rallying to lend their strength and voice to a meaningful cause. It is because of like-minded allies like you that SPD can continue to carry out its mission and for our society to make greater strides towards being one that is more caring and inclusive, where no one gets left behind.

In closing, I hope that Singaporeans will continue to lend their support to causes that serve the vulnerable groups. Beyond the impact that it brings to our beneficiaries, your giving will also inspire our generation and those after us to do their part to build a society that they wish to live in. I hope that you will continue to partner SPD to transform the lives of more persons with disabilities and their families.