Distinguished Guests

Friends & Fellow Singaporeans

Tonight marks the "hopeful" beginning of this year’s President’s Challenge. The poem concert performance that we just had, so wonderfully put together through the efforts of the many volunteers from diverse backgrounds and talents, some coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, sums up well the essence of the President’s Challenge – that all of us, whatever talents and resources we have, and no matter what the circumstances, can contribute something in this effort in reaching out to help others in need and to touch lives. That is why I too was persuaded to join in and make my contribution by playing my part for the concert.

This year’s President’s Challenge will be held in rather trying circumstances. With a difficult economy and a nation still reeling from the SARS outbreak, this year’s Challenge takes on added significance. More than ever, in such tough times, the less fortunate in our midst will have their worries and will need that extra help and support. It is in such times that hope must be kept alive for those who are counting on us to give them hope. It also behoves all of us to confront the tough questions that we must ask of ourselves as a society – what place in our hearts, and how big a heart, do we have for the needy and the disadvantaged who are our fellow citizens?

This will be the 4^th year we have the annual President’s Challenge. Each year, I am heartened by the numerous partners and multitude of volunteers who have spontaneously stepped forward to support the President’s Challenge. They have put in much hard work, and a lot of "heart" in their involvement.

Each year, I am also particularly glad to see the participation and involvement of Singaporeans from all walks of life in the various events under the Challenge. This year’s Challenge will have even more avenues for community participation and involvement, through the many events and activities lined up. We will also have a roving exhibition and a public education effort to help focus attention on the many needs around us. We hope to challenge organisations and individuals alike to step out and do something to help others in need, in whatever ways they are comfortable, big or small.

Since its inception in 2000, the President’s Challenge has helped more than a hundred low profile and under-supported charities. Over the last 3 years, more than $13 million have been raised, with $6.3 million from last year’s Challenge. This year, I hope the Challenge can raise some $7 million to help 45 charities.

I am deeply conscious that this is a challenging target, as times are hard – but I am hopeful that it is attainable. The SARS episode has shown how Singaporeans are able to rally together – volunteers coming forward to help those on home quarantine; others who got together to encourage those in the frontline in the fight against SARS; and the generous outpouring of support to the Courage Fund – we can be proud of this display of the Singaporean spirit to overcome, whatever be the challenges. And if we can raise more than the $7 million target, we will be able to help even more than the 45 charities that we have committed to support – for there may be many smaller charities struggling to raise funds in the current circumstances.

It would be remiss of me to end without making a special mention of some of the people who have made tonight’s event possible. My special thanks to Desmond Sim, who contributed the poem; to Wild Rice’s Project Chilli Padi for staging the poem performance together with the many volunteer participants including the children from the APSN’s Delta Senior School; to Onion Design for putting together the President’s Challenge Exhibition which is launched as part of tonight’s concert; and most of all, to Ms Rosemary Chng who has helped to string this concert and the exhibition together, and who will be leading her volunteer team of some 70 President’s Challenge "ambassadors" in the public outreach effort.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Ms Lim Soo Hoon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development and Sports, for again chairing and spearheading the organising of this year’s President’s Challenge. She and her Organising Committee have been working hard, and I expect they will be working even harder over the next 3 months, to bring us the many exciting and fun activities of this year’s President’s Challenge, which I will formally launch on 29 August. I also want to record my personal appreciation to Singapore Pools, the Challenge Sponsor for the 4^th year, for its generous support to cover the administrative costs of the President’s Challenge. With their contribution, we are able to channel every dollar raised to the benefiting charities.

Let us all contribute in whatever ways we can to this year’s President’s Challenge. Let us bring a message of cheer and hope to those who look to us in these times of anxiety and uncertainty. Thank you.

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