Dearest all!
The personal fundraising project lasted only 5 days. Ended 10/4 and I have already fw the monies to the IC. Guess how much was raised? I was quite surprised. My target was only 1/3 of it. π Curious as to the figure raised? Hv a peep at this thanksgiving clip below!
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What made Mui suddenly do this?
I happened to browse through HER World special edition on Wednesday which featured SG top 60 women’s interview for SG60th celebration. After reading some, I was thinking “ Hey! I am also SG60! Let me interview myself “ since this was my spontaneous Fund raising project done in lightning speed.
So here I am. MAD Mui - the interviewer and also the interviewed SG60 lady of the year 2025. π
Hope you will enjoy it!
Transcript version!
1. *How did you get started with this Mandalay 7.7 Fundraising?*
When the earthquake happened on 28/3/25 and shook not only Mandalay but also to as far to Bangkok , made me watch the news with much shock & disbelief. Seeing the massive destruction in Mandalay brought back fond memories of the *first* time I was in this town way back in 1998.
Myanmar happened to be my *FIRST* overseas mission trip with YWAM. It was an interesting 7- week trip for the team of 7 of us going to to country with 7 states and 7 regions. It was in this country that I witnessed 2 little miracles of God.
I love numerology but not into it. lol. The number 7! The magnitude of 7.7 stirred in my ❤️So 3 days after the quake on Sunday evening, I made my *FIRST* fundraising newsletter called Mandalay7.7
2. *What is a meaningful lesson you’ve learned from this M7.7 Fundraising?*
One of the meaningful lessons is to cherish the circle of rings of friendships and bonds while on earth π
*Family* is an innermost circle that we cannot choose but born into!
*Schoolmates* formed a pretty lasting impression in my formative youth days . Interestingly , from primary to secondary to JC, all my schools start with the letter “R”! Back in those days, the word “elite” schools was never in our vocabulary! These school mottos “Ready to Serve”, “ Daughters of a Better Age (Filae Meloris Aevi in Latin) & “Hope for a better age (Auspicium Meloris Aevi), perhaps instil in me that sense of giving back to society.
*Colleagues* became my next outer ring of circle of relationships. My finance colleagues remained a fond memory of my working career. But after ten years in the credit work,I decide to take a break of about 3 years with the blessing of my hubby. In 1997, I quit the bank & in 1998, I explored a mission place for not one week but 7! Yes - To Myanmar I went!
** Business & employees** became the next ring of relationships when I recovered from the 3 year sabbatical leave in 2000. Now that I am retired, some of them became friends instead. We meet for kopi nowadays instead of boss - staff relationships.
*Sports Kakis*- Tennis remains my first love. But now as one age, chasing after a holey ball in This fast growing pickleballl became a new pastime since 2019. As one age, the balls became smaller and lighter like the ping pong ball! So now thanks to a new ring of sports friends
*Church Family* - My spiritual family supported me during the ups and downs of life.
The response of this fundraising sent to the above selected rings of loved ones and friends was so heartwarming. You are the ones who made my day!
3 Why do people play, run or sing for charities?
*Sports Kakis*- Tennis remains my first love. But now that I have passed 60, I play more pickleball & pong ball! So thanks to a new ring of sports friends -new phase of life! The R school called Retirement & Recreation .
One of my PB friends who responded to the M7.7 flyer excitedly wrote “Mui! I would love to join you ! When is this???”
And I replied “Oh no game. Play on own! Lol. But just contribute or pray!”
So thanks to all my sports friends- you always made me laugh ! The Bible says ““A Merry heart is a good medicine” Now you know why I play the ball games 4 times a week! But we not only play but pray…. And Pay it Forward! Thank You ALL in this charitable giving!
4. How have your ideas of “Charity” changed over time?*
I am an accountant in training. I used to take accountabilty in charitable organizations pretty seriously ever since the NKF scandal of golden tap and the peanuts salary of charities CEO came to light back in 2005. I tend to questioned every move of fundraising. For example, how much actually goes to the recipients after deducting all other cost in big charitable organizations.
As a credit person , my appetite for risk is low. I prefer to give loans than to take loans . I rather not to be a servant to the lender! Hence I am one who is not so thick skinned to ask people for money towards the cause for charity.
Charity used to be a “dirty “ word. Only those who are weak need to be helped, isn’t it?
My view of charity has changed to a less skeptical mindset over time. I still do buy tissue papers from the elderlies or handicapped, knowing how much they do profit from the $1 for 1 little pack.
Charity to me is now giving with eyes opened without expecting anything in return. Learning to be willing to be scammed once perhaps but not twice? Learning about giving the person a benefit of doubt on the need of the money.
Charity is also a word for Love. Now that I am 60, my skin had just became thicker in love. I have overcome my shyness to ask others for money for a specific cause like this M7.7. π My first attempt in Fundraising! A big thank you to all my donors here!
5 *Can you describe the moment when you realized that your fundraising was going to be a success?*
I would used the word “Exhilarated?” The little sound of the incoming apps sounds like “Ka-Ching!”
6 *What impact do you hope this M7.7 project will have on those who received the call to donate via the personal newsletter?*
As this is my First attempt at a Fundraising, I was a bit apprehensive on how my selected precious friends would take it upon receiving my newsletter. The thought of them avoiding me subsequently did strike me? Like those of insurance agents or MLM resellers. Because many of us do not like to be approached to buy life policies or MLM products or give donations.
I just want to express my heartfelt thanks to all my donors for taking time and effort to come alongside with me to just make a little difference to some folks who are affected by the Act of God In Mandalay. I believe that whatever amount that was raised would go towards bringing a beacon of HOPE to some of the suffering . We may not be able to heal their emotional traumas of loved ones lost but at least we can help a little on their physical lost by providing food , water and or shelters through this donation drive.
We hence humbly appreciate the true meaning of standing in solidarity with those in need. Through a simple act of giving. Giving what we can out of our heart spontaneously & unreservedly. For the Bible exhorts us to give cheerfully and not to despise the offering even though it may be peanuts to some. For the Lord loves a cheerful giver and He looks not at the amount but the heart of the giver like the story of the widow’s mite.
During this 5-day project, some responded to me that they had already contributed to other channels. It warmed my heart so much realizing that the* Spirit of Giving* is so alive among my circle of friends. And I am just one of the channels and proud to be one of them.
To all my fellow donors for M7.7, you have made my day in the Ka-Ching sounds! And may whatever amounts raised bring about a ripple effect of HOPE to some recipients miles away.
7 *Any Last Muisings on this M7.7 Quake?*
I wished that the quake would have occurred in the regions where the major scam centres are located? But those areas seemed unscathed !
If only the scam buildings collapsed, if only Internet disrupted, if only PCs destroyed, if only human trafficked scammers run for their lives in the quake to their freedom! This quake would not be seen as a curse but a blessing as no longer would some gullible Sporeans be scammed no more!
If only Perhaps another aftershock to shake that scammer regions? What a weird •IF ONLY -afterthought!
Conclusion
