Final Post - BZSE

This will be my final post!

So today I am going to share about some of my experiences in the three years of BZSE.

Firstly, awesome classmates! Really one batch of friendly and caring people with great dreams and lovely passion for the society.

Secondly, awesome teachers! Though sometimes we are really dying from their assignments and work but after all the hard work put in, regardless of the grades, we learn many things from it and it is through hard work than we realized the importance of knowledge and the things that can never be taught in lectures!

Thirdly, BEST COURSE! In these three years, there are happiness, sad, angry, sweet, touching and lovely moments that I could never forget. The first trip to Cambodia, the first time we stay in Ourspace to do work, conflicts in group projects, dying from writing essays, etc

Last but not least, knowing the meaning and purpose of the existence of Social Enterprise! <3

Week 16: Trip to Dignity Kitchen

Today, I will be sharing a short post on my takeaway from Dignity Kitchen.

I am truly impressed the way it help the physically and mentally challenged people. Below are some of the key learning points that I learnt:

To be determine! In order to succeed, determination is a very important factor in life. From Mr Koh Seng Choon, I realised that he is one person that I truly admired. He mentioned "People with disability are enabled in many ways". If they want to do something, they can do it because they have more determination than the rest of us, the 'normal' people.

It is not what we learn from the people there, it is the spirit that WE learn from them. They are disabled but they can achieve more than what we can.  

The second learning point is that have big dreams but take small steps. It is important to go step by step to achieve your goal rather than putting unnecessary stress on yourself. And with the little steps that you take you will see improvements and that is the motivation that will keep you going! 

There are many many lessons that I have learnt from Mr Koh and his people! I will definitely make a second, third and more trips down to Dignity Kitchen! GREAT FOOD AWESOME PEOPLE! <3 

Week 15: Singapore Could Take Regional Lead in Social Enterprise

Singapore Could Take Regional Lead in Social Enterprise

  

Singapore International Foundation (SIF) held the forum "Ideas for a Better World" on 29 February 2012, with the intention to addresses the need to nurture new generations of social entrepreneurs. I have been to forums like this and I have to say that such forums are definitely meaningful and useful as it provides a platform for youths with the same interest and passion to share ideas and network with each other. Also, many experienced and successful entrepreneurs are more than willingly to share valuable ‘tips’ with the youths.

In the world today, more and more youth are thinking of starting up their own social enterprise as they see social enterprise as a bridge between democracy and capitalism as they develop a sense of togetherness in a community by providing a means to engage in social welfare. And also our generations are definitely working towards a more socially minded society and it actually cultivates youths to initiate a national spirit of social entrepreneurship. This is so as more youths are exposed to the social problems that is surfacing and happening around us and the world.

Globalisation is one that causes more social issues but is one that helps to bring more people together and to be determined to make a change in the world today. I feel that in time to come more and more youths will be more risk taking and have good social entrepreneur spirit. This is so as our generation and the future generations will become more and more socially conscious and more and more innovative and creative in dealing with social issues that needed to be addressed.  

And I believe that even though Singapore is just a ‘red dot’ in the eyes of many, there are still a lot of things we can do and in fact we can do better than the rest. Social enterprise benefits the society in many ways, in Singapore as individuals are becoming more socially conscious, they realised the potential growth of this sector. Also, this actually helps to cultivate good culture practice by building up a caring and loving society in Singapore.  

Personally I feel that the education of good values is more important than getting good grades and decent certificate. Therefore, more of such forums should be held in Singapore, and not forgetting about our social media, ideas can be shared more easily over the internet.

I believe that with the support and the active involvement of our government, people and schools, aSingapore will be able to take lead in the Social enterprise sector! 

References:

Young Up Starts. (2012). Singapore could take regional lead in social enterprise: Mechai Viravaidy. Retrieved February 1 2013, from http://www.youngupstarts.com/2012/03/05/singapore-could-take-regional-lead-in-social-enterprise-mechai-viravaidya/