Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts
36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963.
Tel: 3757794/5
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SPEECH BY MR CHAN SOO SEN, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY (PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE & MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT), AT THE SINGAPORE BUDDHIST WELFARE SERVICES CHARITY FUND-RAISING DINNER FOR BRIGHT VISION HOSPITAL AT WTC EXPOSITION HALL 3, SATURDAY, 14 FEB 1998, 7.00 PM
Good evening
Venerable Kuan Yan
President, Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services
My Parliamentary Colleagues
Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon & Dr Michael Lim
My Parliamentary Elders
Mr Ch’ng Jit Koon & Mr Teo Chong Tee
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very happy to join you this evening for the Charity Dinner to raise funds for Bright Vision Hospital. Bright Vision Hospital is the result of the vision of the late Venerable Yen Pei. The late Venerable wanted to build a hospital to serve the poor, the aged and the terminally ill, as well as to provide day rehabilitation care for the frail and those recovering after hospital stay. Most regretably, the late Venerable was unable to initiate the project personally. However, his disciples and followers, lead by Venerable Kuan Yan, is initiating the project in his memory.
I am indeed impressed by the tremendous response to this evening’s Charity Dinner. This is the largest Charity Dinner that I have seen. The late Venerable’s vision is timeless. It is based on the Buddhist spirit of compassion, and care for the less fortunate and dispossessed. This spirit is an important basis for a gracious and compassionate society that we hope to build for Singapore.
Singaporeans are generous in donating to charitable causes. This is true in good times and in bad. Even when many feel "the market is bad", Singaporeans are still prepared to give generously. The challenge to Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) raising funds is to:
The Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services have passed the two tests brilliantly. We can see this in the tremendous response tonight.
Other than money, volunteers are also vital for the success of the Bright Vision Hospital. This is another strength of the Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services. In addition to physical suffering, loneliness is equally painful for the old and the terminally ill. We see many visitors in maternity hospitals, but hardly any in convalescent hospitals. Volunteers are vital in helping to relieve both physical suffering and loneliness. They can befriend the patients, visit them, and help cheer them up. This raises the spirit of the sick and can help them towards recovery. The volunteers themselves can derive much satisfaction from such compassionate and life-saving act.
To succeed in a major undertaking like the Bright Vision Hospital, we must integrate the skills of the caring professionals, enthusiasm of the volunteers, support of the donors and the need of the community. Also, this integration must be sustained over the years. The Hospital has to raise funds possibly every year, mobilise volunteers probably every week, and ensure good management everyday. However, we are confident that the Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services can and will face up to the challenges. You have done so in the many good programmes you have undertaken.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you for your strong support to this worthy cause. Keep the spirit up and be prepared to cross every mountain and water. You will derive strength from the unique and good feeling in your heart that tells you "I have done the right thing". I wish you good health and every success.
Thank you.
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