
Love in Action: A Caregiver’s Journey to Legacy
Ryan Lee’s Journey of Love and PurposeOne thing Ryan Lee will never forget is helping his late father through times of deep vulnerability.
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Ryan Lee’s Journey of Love and PurposeOne thing Ryan Lee will never forget is helping his late father through times of deep vulnerability.
Rachel and Bryan’s Family Story of GivingAt her grandfather’s funeral, young Jerlyn quietly sat down and began to sketch. What emerged was a tender portrait of him holding her as a baby, a simple drawing that spoke volumes.
David Lim knows what it means to lose confidence – and to slowly rebuild it.In 1998, after leading the first Singapore Mount Everest expedition, David developed a rare nerve disorder that left him with permanent weakness and mobility challenges. Even simple movements became a struggle. Walking required intense effort, and the loss of independence chipped away at his confidence.
Everyday Heroes of Philanthropy is a new content series celebrating the people in our community whose giving is guided by heart, purpose, and a deep belief in making a difference.We begin with the story of one of our donors Mr Choo Heng Thong, whose quiet generosity is creating a legacy of compassion – one that will continue to touch lives for generations to come.
Five-year-old Levon Sim dreams of becoming a doctor. But for children like her, the path of learning isn’t always easy.Raised by her grandmother, Judy, who is her sole caregiver, Levon faced early challenges in school. She couldn’t recognise the alphabet, and coming from a Chinese-speaking background, English was especially difficult. When a social worker flagged her developmental delays, Judy knew Levon needed extra support – but she wasn’t sure where to turn.
June never imagined that she would stand at a crossroads between life and the death penalty. A series of choices led her to a moment that could have ended everything—but instead, she was given a second chance. She served a five-year prison sentence, an experience that forced her to reflect, grow, and redefine her future.Since her release in 2019, June has been rebuilding her life with courage and determination, reconnecting with her family, and proving that transformation is possible. With the support of New Life Stories’ Family Strengthening programme, she is not only healing but also helping others find hope.
A stable home environment is crucial to overall well-being, particularly for families with children. Lower-income families often encounter hurdles in achieving homeownership, which may include the inability to accumulate sufficient savings for a down payment, or to keep up with mortgage payments.Following his divorce, Mr Borhan was forced to sell his matrimonial home in 2007. The flat was sold at a loss, leading to debts that he spent the next decade servicing. As they were unable to afford a new house or qualify for a rental flat, Mr Borhan and his three children spent the next 10 years moving between relatives’ homes. At one point, they lived with his brother’s family, where 13 people crowded into a four-room flat.
The Mid-Autumn Festival held special significance for the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) team this year. They joined trainees at APSN Centre for Adults (CFA) for a creative lantern painting activity, transforming simple lanterns into vibrant artworks. The event served as an excellent icebreaker, sparking conversations and even some impromptu dance performances.Â
Michael Binger relocated to Singapore in 2007 in search of fresh professional opportunities and a change of scenery. Now, sixteen years on, the ex-Vice President of South APAC at Under Armour has not only built a thriving business but also embarked on a meaningful journey of philanthropy, to make a lasting impact in the local community.Finding a Home in Singapore
Philanthropy is more than just a gesture of goodwill; it’s a journey towards making a lasting impact on society. For the founders of the Maanas Cares Foundation, Manoj, Sreevidhya and their children, Aditya and Nitya, this journey began with a vision of creating a legacy of compassion and support for those in need. Partnering with the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), they have transformed their philanthropic aspirations into tangible action, supporting a range of causes that are close to their hearts.For over two decades, the founders of the Maanas Cares Foundation have given to charitable causes. A few years ago, they decided to deepen their impact, to make a more significant and enduring contribution that would extend beyond their lifetimes. As working professionals at the peak of their careers, they found it challenging to dedicate the necessary time to support these activities. This led them to seek out an organisation with a proven track record to handle the administrative aspects of their philanthropic efforts. That’s when they discovered CFS.