LAST WORD
Deborah Chew, the director of non-profit organization Project Happy Feet, which is behind Nov 13’s Slipper Race to raise funds for underprivileged children, shares her philosophies with Diane Wong.
When I was in Primary school, I wanted to be an architect. And that was only because my classmates wanted to be either teachers, doctors and lawyers, and I wanted a job that had more than two syllables.
I had a History teacher who considered 24.5 out of 50 marks a fail grade. I remember getting 24.5 and being devastated she simply wouldn’t round it up.
That taught me that in life, I shouldn’t look for sympathy marks, and hope that people will “round it up” for me.
Overcoming challenges that do nothing to help us focus on the work we do is most unsatisfying.
My friend Grace and I learnt about a hotel in Siem Reap that ran as a social enterprise providing vocational training to underprivileged youths and supported the local poor.
We decided to visit it and the schools they supported. We asked what we could bring and they said “slippers.”
It is most satisfying knowing that we have worked alongside the local community and empowered them to make real change to get out of the poverty cycle.
Education is something everyone should have access to, regardless of who they are or where they were born.
Dishonesty is my greatest pet peeve.
There is too much unhappiness in the world that stems from unrealistic expectations or greed. If we were to count our blessings, there is actually much to be happy about.
My philosophy in life has always been to live life without regrets. I believe every experience in my life has played a part in molding me into the person I am today.
Besides being able to speak better Mandarin, I wouldn’t change a thing because life has been pretty enriching!
Love is like a dance. You need to know when to take the lead, and when to let the other take the lead or you’d end up stepping on each other’s toes.
Nothing is more painful than childbirth. Although I’ve not experienced it, I can imagine the pain involved.
Whenever we’re hit with bad things that happen to us over and over again, it’s probably a lesson in life we’re meant to learn.
The idea is to change the way we approach the problem in order to see a change in results.
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Project Happy Feet thanks I-S Magazine and writer Diane Wong for featuring us!
