The President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards (PVPA) 2024, held at Raffles Hotel Singapore, honoured 13 remarkable individuals and organisations for their dedication to giving back. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister Edwin Tong attended as Guest of Honour and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, respectively. Now in its 12th year, PVPA continues to be Singapore’s highest accolade for philanthropy and volunteerism, celebrating outstanding contributions across sectors.
With an impressive 294 nominations in 10 categories—a record increase from previous years—this year’s awards underscored the nation’s commitment to social impact. The ceremony introduced winners across three major categories: People of Good (Open), Leaders of Good (Adult), and Organisations of Good (SME), each showcasing inspiring stories of resilience and social change.
A New Collaboration with MSF Volunteer Awards
For the first time, PVPA joined forces with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Volunteer and Partner Awards (MVPA) to highlight exceptional dedication among MSF’s volunteers. Select MVPA nominees were included in PVPA 2024’s judging process, which featured a panel from the People, Private, and Public sectors.
Celebrating Leadership and Legacy
In the Leaders of Good (Adult) category, Dr. Sushilan Vasoo was honoured for his lifetime contribution to Singapore’s social service sector. With over five decades of pioneering work, Dr. Vasoo helped create sustainable support systems such as Family Service Centres and led initiatives with organisations like Allkin, Down Syndrome Association, and ACE Seniors. He also received the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award at the MSF Volunteer Awards this year, underscoring his impact as an educator and social leader.
Joining Dr. Vasoo in this category was Mr. Koh Juay Meng, a steadfast advocate for senior volunteerism. As Chairman of RSVP Singapore, Mr. Koh has driven senior volunteer initiatives, encouraging elder contributions to society through hands-on leadership and advisory roles across multiple charities.
In the Leaders of Good (Youth) category, Mr. Clarence Ching was celebrated for founding Access Singapore in 2019. His initiative, aimed at empowering disadvantaged students, has reached over 1,300 students, creating pathways for social mobility and personal growth.
Youth-Driven Impact with Project Oasis
Winner of the People of Good (Student) category, Ms. Pan Xi, has been a force for inclusion from a young age. Through Project Oasis, she has led efforts to support immigrant children’s integration by providing English lessons and fostering positive character development. Beyond this project, Ms. Pan Xi’s involvement extends to initiatives supporting underprivileged children and people with special needs.
Inclusive Enterprise with Foreword Coffee
Foreword Coffee, a winner in the Organisations of Good (Small & Medium Enterprise) category, stands as a beacon of inclusivity. This social enterprise focuses on inclusive hiring, offering training and employment for individuals with disabilities or mental health needs, and encouraging meaningful connections over coffee. Foreword Coffee’s community engagement efforts help reduce stigma and create a more welcoming workplace for all.
Singtel’s Ongoing Commitment to Special Needs Education
Singtel, the Organisations of Good (Large Enterprise) category winner, exemplifies corporate commitment to inclusion. Through the Singtel Touching Lives Fund, the company has raised over S$58 million since 2002, supporting the education of around 1,800 children with special needs each year, making a meaningful impact on young lives.
Sentosa: Leading the Way in Inclusive Destinations
In the Organisations of Good (Public Institution) category, Sentosa Development Corporation was honoured for its dedication to inclusive tourism and workplace culture. Sentosa collaborates with island businesses to promote inclusive hiring and provides training to create supportive work environments. The organization has also introduced accessible infrastructure, including Singapore’s first beach track, PWD-led accessible tours, and a fully accessible website.
Camp Cacti: A Collaborative Model for Youth Resilience
Winner of the City of Good category, Camp Cacti embodies the power of partnership. Through a collaboration between CapitaLand Hope Foundation and Yellow Ribbon Singapore’s network partners, Camp Cacti supports vulnerable children in building social and emotional resilience. The program has helped over 200 children improve their socio-emotional skills, with 75% of participants showing increased competence.
Mr. Herman Sing: A Selfless Journey of Community Service
Winner in the People of Good (Open) category, Mr. Herman Sing has volunteered for over 20 years. His commitment to organizing charity events didn’t waver, even after he donated 67% of his liver to a stranger, embodying true selflessness and resilience in his community efforts.
Ms. Kong Huay Siew: Dignity in End-of-Life Care
Ms. Kong, another People of Good (Open) honoree, began volunteering with HCA Hospice in 2017, dedicating over 1,500 hours to comforting patients in their final days. Her compassionate work as a Medi-Minder and Vigil Angel upholds the dignity of those nearing the end of life, offering essential support to both patients and their families.
Mr. Ellil Mathiyan Lakshmanan: Inspiring Cancer Awareness
In the People of Good (Senior) category, cancer survivor Mr. Ellil Mathiyan Lakshmanan channels his personal journey into advocacy, promoting cancer awareness through initiatives like Relay for Life and Cancer Can Give. His work encourages others to give back and provides hope to fellow cancer survivors.
Celebrating Organizations of Good
Among this year’s organizational honorees was Techlyon, awarded in the Organisations of Good (Small & Medium Enterprise) category. Through its human-centric marketing agency, AKIN, Techlyon amplifies the impact of non-profits by offering pro-bono projects and fostering collaborative solutions across industries.
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF), a winner in the Organisations of Good (Non-Profit Organisation) category, was celebrated for its extensive support of kidney patients. Operating 42 dialysis centers, NKF has been instrumental in raising public awareness and support for the renal community, furthering Singapore’s understanding of kidney health.
PVPA 2024 Award Categories and Winners
PVPA 2024 recognized exemplary contributors across four pillars:
- People of Good: Honoring everyday individuals who dedicate their time, skills, resources, connections, and stories to drive positive change in society. Categories include:
- Student (16 and below)
- Open (17-64)
- Senior (65 and above)
- Organisations of Good: Celebrating organizations that make a community impact aligned with the Corporate Purpose Framework. Categories include:
- Large Enterprise
- Small & Medium Enterprise
- Public Institution
- Non-Profit Organisation
- Leaders of Good: Recognizing changemakers who inspire and mobilize others to multiply their impact in society. Categories include:
- Youth (35 and below)
- Adult
The PVPA 2024 honorees exemplify the spirit of giving, resilience, and innovation, encouraging others to build a compassionate and inclusive Singapore.
