Category: ActivistsPage 1 of 2
Michael Raimondo: Filmmaker from South Africa Visits Singapore to Tell Beautiful Stories of Humanity
“I get to ask strangers about the meaning of life – why we are here, what is our purpose, and how we find enlightenment – and that’s profoundly changed how I live and the way I see the world. I’m constantly humbled by the wisdom and humility of ordinary people.”
“When you personally see how hard it is for displaced refugees to find their footing and survive, what more to earn a living, you tend to appreciate your life more. You instantly feel a need to help in whatever way you can.”
“I would always get judgemental stares from my male counterparts. I’ve even experienced ‘mansplaining’ by boys who were convinced that I wasn’t as good as them. They’d make snide comments like, ‘You sure you know this? You don’t look like you understand.’”
“I started volunteering in the gender advocacy scene at 16 because of my single mother. Growing up, I witnessed her financial and mental health struggles as she became both the sole breadwinner and homemaker almost overnight.”
“Age 15, fascinated by the Pixar movie Wall-E which inspired an idiosyncratic habit of collecting toilet rolls, I kickstarted a national environmental initiative – ToiletRollSG – with the aim of recycling cardboard toilet rolls to be sold…”
“A lot of people fail to understand that most of the time, the situation these parents are in is not a matter of choice for them. They are in survival mode. It’s not that they don’t have initiative or don’t want the best for their kids. They’re just trying their best to make ends meet.”
The Singaporean artist who does graffiti, street art and murals talks about the hidden meaning behind his works and being an agent of change.
Kai: Former National Boxer Steps Back in the Ring to Aid the Fight Against Child Cancer in Singapore
People of Legends | “On days where I feel unmotivated and don’t feel like running, reminding myself that there are people out there who believe we can raise money and fight for a cause really gives me drive. It gives my punches more depth, and my jabs have more meaning now.”
Humans of Sentosa | “When I started paddleboarding back in 2014, I remember seeing lots of trash floating on the water. One day, I decided to bring a trash bag with me and started picking up trash. People thought I was crazy for collecting rubbish out at sea on my paddleboard…”
Humans of Sentosa | “Here, you get to see hawksbill turtles that come to lay their eggs and dolphins that swim around our coast. It’s very cool.”
In our very first episode of A Singapore Story, we find out from non-profit ‘Hey, You Got Mail!’ why it was important for them to send personalised, handwritten letters to the elderly in Singapore’s nursing homes.
“Art tells people who we are, and represents what’s important to us. It is a visual language that cuts across cultures and languages.”
“We believe that nothing can recreate the feelings of warmth when one holds a personalised handwritten card. We want to share that warmth with the seniors…”
“You don’t have to be a bully. You don’t have to act tough just so that people will think you are strong. You can be strong while still being empathetic.”
Through “In My Shoes”, I hope to remove that financial barrier and give every kid in Singapore equal opportunity and access to proper (sports) footwear.
I show up everyday, with the belief that there needs to be more love in this world and a redefinition of what it means to be a leader…to be human.
I’ve always believed that if you felt passionately about a cause, you should do something about it. Don’t just say you care but do nothing. Action speaks volumes. I’ve always been drawn to issues of conflict involving refugees, so that’s why I continue to do the work that I do.
Looking to do good? Here’s a list of organisations that you can support to make the world we’re living in a better place.
There’s nothing complex about how I’m going about doing it. I don’t have to be a politician or impact the world in some grand way. If I can just be a friend to somebody, especially somebody in need, that fills my heart with joy…
We want to let these kids see the light in their situations so that they don’t focus on their parents’ problems. By linking them up with mentors who are there to provide healthy influence in their lives, hopefully these kids will be motivated to move towards a positive direction.
