Businessman Keith Chua, 64, is a trustee of a fund which has given away millions to causes in education, healthcare and heritage. The executive chairman of ABR Holdings, the food and beverage firm that owns Swensen’s in Singapore, credits his family and his Christian faith with inspiring him to be a philanthropist.
His great-grandmother, Mrs Lee Choon Guan, also known as Madam Tan Teck Neo, was founding president of the Chinese Womens’ Association. She died in 1978 after years of giving generously to promote education for girls and protect women and children.
Mr Chua said: “My parents were also very generous individuals and their generosity caught my attention. The simple act of being able to help someone else gives me a sense of meaning.”
Today, Mr Chua is a trustee of the Mrs Lee Choon Guan Trust Fund, started by his great-grandmother in 1974 with a $1 million donation. In 2011, Mr Chua set up the SymAsia Nehemiah Foundation with an initial $1 million pledge. Named after the biblical figure Nehemiah, the foundation supports social entrepreneurship, mental health initiatives and other causes.
Mr Chua, a member of the Asia Philanthropy Circle, is a keen supporter of social entrepreneurship. He believes that these entrepreneurs, whose businesses set out to achieve a social mission, can be powerful agents of change in society.
Another area close to his heart is supporting research, which he believes will drive understanding and progress. For example, the Mrs Lee Choon Guan Trust Fund has donated over $2 million to the National University of Singapore’s Arts and Social Sciences faculty to promote research that can improve the provision of social services.
Mr Chua is one of 25 philanthropists featured in a book released last week by the Asia Philanthropy Circle, a charity that brings together donors to collaborate and address social problems.
Its director Stacey Choe told The Straits Times it hopes to inspire others to give by showcasing the impact philanthropists in the region have had in effecting large-scale changes.
Indonesian billionaire Dr Tahir, founder of the Mayapada Group, and the Philippines’ Grace Tan Caktiong, who co-founded fast-food chain Jollibee with her husband Tony, are among philanthropists featured in the ASEAN Impact 25 book.
The Tahir Foundation has pledged $100 million to fund healthcare programmes in Indonesia, besides supporting education, refugees and other causes. The Jollibee Group Foundation has a programme to feed malnourished schoolchildren in the Philippines, among other help initiatives.
Other philanthropists from Singapore featured are Mr Laurence Lien, Dr Mary Ann Tsao and Mr Teng Ngiek Lian.
Mr Chua said it is not true that one needs deep pockets to do good, “but I think anyone can make a difference. It’s not just about giving money – you can also give your time, skills or other resources.”
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 31 March 2018