27 Mar 2008: Singapore. 6.20 a.m. Here at the lobby of YWCA. I am actually waiting for breakfast. Luc, my room-mate, is still asleep. We have different sleep habits. He sleeps late and wakes up late. I do the opposite.
I guess this is part of getting past 60. Luc is a much younger man. He jogs early evening. I can only manage to take a brisk walk down to Orchard Road, the best part of it I missed last night because I took the wrong turn. I ended up near Bercoolen road. I promptly turned back.
We are here for a workshop on individual giving and mass marketing. We have had interesting discussions since Monday. The participants, around 30, are enthusiastic about the topics. I am particularly impressed with the presentation of Jack Sim, president of the World Toilet Organization. He has done quite a job promoting globally the cause for better sanitation.
His slides on include one showing him as a boy doing the improper sanitation thing on the road. I was followed by a slide showing a very modern Singapore. He was able to put awareness about the need for proper sanitation to all significant global fora, including Davos. Impressive!
My co-participant, James Lo, of Kuching Habitat, was also quite impressed with the intensity that Jack put for his cause. He put his marketing savvy to this worthwhile cause.
I think that's at the back of everyone's mind: how to put poverty housing in the consciousness of those who have the political and economic power to make a difference. I have sensed renewed intensity on the part of my colleagues to pursue this advocacy this time armed with more marketing knowledge and insights from Usha Menon, Joseph Scaria and other resource development specialists from Habitat for Humanity.
While the sessions were going on, I was thinking about Malaysia where I am recently assigned to be Interim National Coordinator. Now I have a better idea on how to formulate a resource development plan for the National Organization and the affiliates. I am aware this assignment in Malaysia has come when I am about to turn 66.
Hope I will a few more vital things on the way to 66.
