Charity ...

I read from the papers this morning and learnt that yet another well respected charity organisation faces inquiry over the misuse of funds. This time its Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre. I am certainly hoping that the result would not be all negative as I recently realised that in Singapore, those once enthusiastic hearts working and donating for charity are slowly fading and withering away, turning away from possible donations and volunteer works.

Ever since the inquiry and subsequent findings of the misuse of funds at NKF(National Kidney Foundation ), Singaporeans are unwilling to part with their money for a good cause. A once charitable country has now turned otherwise due to the many cases on mishandling of public donations amounting to millions of dollars.

Ren Ci's Honourary CEO , Venerable Shi Ming Yi, has so far done quite a bit for not only the hospital but for charity in Singapore. Forget the dangerous stunts at charity shows which I strongly disapprove of but remember that he has given sick patients a place to rest, recuperate and he has also helped to create awareness for the unfortunate not only in Singapore but in various parts of the world. As reported in The Straits Times on 31 August 2001, Venerable Ming Yi will never forget his sacred vows as a monk despite being a CEO for Ren Ci.

What if the inquiry indeed uncovered a misuse of funds in the charity organisation, would it not cause a more severe dent to the already tarnished charity scene in Singapore? We cannot blame donors for not being charitable, the hard earned money gets misused for all the wrong reasons. From previous experiences with ex-NKF's Mr Durai's golden taps and first class travels, who would want to contribute to such extravagant expenditure?

Charity (defined by American Heritage Dictionary as 'a provision of help or relief to the poor or almsgiving) is often misused by many these days but let's think again, if everyone in Singapore stops giving to charities, how then do people who are genuinely unfortunate survive? Can we just leave them alone and let them suffer?

For me, I try to give what I can. Every dollar counts for an ailing person but if eventually my dollar ends up in the wrong hands of a fraudster, at least I believe in my heart that I have already done my best to help and the only person who has to fear will be the fraudster himself. I strongly believe in the saying ' When one dies, he brings nothing with him to his grave but only the good and bad things he has done in his life would follow him eternally.'

With this saying, I hope Singaporeans can still maintain the charitable heart to give and share what they can still afford. Remember, every dollar means a lot to someone really in need. If you still think you are paranoid in giving to charity, you may do it in another way, head towards your nearest 4D outlet and try your luck, at least this way, it comforts us to know that Singapore Pools devote surplus earnings to community causes whose outcomes improve the well-being of the community in significant and relevant ways.

By the above sentence, this is by no way an encouragement for you to bet heavily. Always remember to play responsibly, if not you'll end up the person in need. As stated on the website of Singapore Pools, the eventual outcome of a bet should not adversely affect your finances or lifestyle.