Singapore, 7 May 2021 – If President of City Sunshine Club (CSC) – CDL’s employee volunteering arm – Foo Chui Mui could describe her volunteering experiences in one word, it would be “fulfilling”.
“You get to see the best in humanity when you see people help others,” she beams.
She recounted an outing that CSC organised for the elderly, where she was struck by a colleague’s spirit of volunteerism.
“We planned to bring the elderly residents to watch Cantonese opera, and there was an 80-year old resident who really wanted to go,” she explained. “As he was immobile and we didn’t have a wheelchair, we dissuaded him. However, a colleague readily volunteered to carry him on his back throughout the trip – up and down the shuttle bus, to the theatre and even to the restroom.”
“I was humbled by the extra mile he took just to bring joy to another person. I learnt from him that voluntarism is not about us but all about serving others even when it is inconvenient or costly to us,” she reflected.
Championing volunteerism and community work
A long-serving CDL employee for over 20 years, Chui Mui balances different roles at work.
As Head of Customer Service, she works tirelessly to spearhead service excellence; while as CSC President she leads community outreach initiatives for various beneficiaries, ranging from elderly who live alone to children with life-threatening illnesses.
As President for 17 years, Chui Mui’s responsibilities also include aligning and balancing the interest of Company and staff when planning programmes and activities.
“We adopt a bottom-up approach – staff members in the CSC Executive Committee (Exco) have a say in the planning of community events, and I will ensure that their voice is heard and affirmed by senior management,” she explained. The trust and support from CSC Advisors, comprising CDL’s Group General Manager, Group Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, are a blessing she treasures.
Prior to joining CSC, Chui Mui was no stranger to volunteering work. When she was a student at Temasek Junior College, she participated actively in the Lion’s Club community services and provided free weekly English, Chinese and Mathematics tuition to children from low-income families in her school’s neighbourhood. At the National University of Singapore, she volunteered at camps for children and youths affected by autism and spastic cerebral palsy through the university’s Rotary Club, a network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackle humanitarian challenges.
Her passion for volunteering was reignited when she joined CDL in 2001, as the then Head of Customer Relationship Management when the then President of CSC invited her to participate in a food distribution at Indus Road. Shortly after, Chui Mui was invited to serve in the Club’s Exco and in 2005, she accepted the role of President.
City Sunshine Club President Foo Chui Mui (extreme left) at a recent WeCare Festive Packs distribution initiative for needy households in Limbang, graced by Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Finance (centre). She was joined by CDL Group General Manager Mr Chia Ngiang Hong (third from left) and CDL Head of Green Building and Technology Application Mr Allen Ang (third from right).
Making a difference to vulnerable children
In 2004, Chui Mui initiated the children’s character programme in collaboration with the now defunct We-sharecare Children Society (Singapore), a neighbourhood children’s centre in Yishun that mentored children from disadvantaged families. Intrigued by the transformation of some of these children who were school dropouts, she rallied like-minded volunteers to step up as mentors and befrienders to the needy children. To date, the programme has benefited children residing in Yishun, Potong Pasir, Serangoon North and Limbang.
“I learnt through 17 years of voluntarism with children that the little that we contribute to our young friends will one day bear fruits, unbeknown to us,” as she recounted how the programme has motivated and shaped the values of these children that carry them to adulthood.
“It’s very heartening to hear that these kids who come from broken families do well in life – some are now policemen, hairdressers and even social workers,” she muses.
A brush with cancer in 2007 has deepened her passion to do more for terminally ill individuals. Blessed by the support of CDL’s senior management and colleagues, Chui Mui brought fundraising to greater heights with the introduction of the CDL Challenge element at Assisi Hospice’s signature community fundraising event, Assisi Fun Day, which CDL co-organises. In 2017, the inaugural CDL Challenge initiative raised over S$76,000.
Onward
Enlightened by the frailty and transient nature of life, Chui Mui cherishes opportunities to bring cheer and joy to the various beneficiaries of CSC, including Assisi Hospice and Arc Children’s Centre. She will continue her journey of looking out for the less fortunate in the community.
“Inspirational heroine Corrie ten Boom once said that the measure of a life, after all, is not its duration but its donation. Indeed, making my day count for others no matter how small it can be, is to me a blessing and a thanksgiving,” she smiles.
Visit these websites to find out how to support Assisi Hospice and Arc Children’s Centre.