Visit by Commissioner of Charities, Dr Ang Hak Seng

Commissioner of Charities, Dr Ang Hak Seng, and representatives from MCCY visited us at Agape Village (AV) on Friday,12 October 2018, to meet and understand the voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) on the ground better.

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“Who is Caritas Singapore?”

“Caritas is Charity in Latin” shared Gordon Pinto, GM of AV, Caritas Singapore. He shared with Dr Ang and representatives from MCCY about the 27 charities and social service organisations under the umbrella of Caritas Singapore and how our member organisations* have been working together in their various fields of work, seeking to touch lives. He also explained how Caritas has helped to pave the way for increased collaboration between our various member organisations especially those co-located at AV.

Serving regardless of geographical boundaries, regardless of race, religion or nationality.

Every person matters. Reaching out regardless of race, religion or nationality and geographical boundaries has been key in the services and programmes offered. After a short presentation in the morning, Dr Ang toured the village, stopping in to visit Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations (ABLE) rehabilitation and respite centres, Mamre Oaks Day Activity Centre, and had the opportunity to interact with their beneficiaries.

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A visit to Big Love, a Child Protection Specialist Centre by Montfort Care.
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Gordon Pinto, General Manager of Caritas Singapore – Agape Village, sharing with Dr Ang and representatives from MCCY about how the Mount Alvernia Outreach Dental and Medical Clinics at Agape Village reach out to the wider community.
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Elisa Ooi, Programme Executive from ABLE, sharing about the programmes and services offered by ABLE’s respite centre.
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Joseph Lim, Centre Manager of Mamre Oaks Day Activity Centre, sharing about the services and programmes offered to the adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Dr Ang and representatives from MCCY visiting the various specialised rooms at Agape Village (eg. Cooking and Baking Rooms, Dance Studio, Training Rooms etc.).

Building a community that recognises giving as a shared responsibility.

Dr Ang shared his delight to learn that we are grounded in common values in our outreach to those in need. It was clear also that more than just building a culture of giving, we were trying to build a community that recognises giving as a shared responsibility.

We are truly humbled by his keenness to meet those on the ground to understand the issues better and by his service to the community. Thank you, Dr Ang for coming by to better understand Caritas Singapore and our efforts in living the social mission on the ground.

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*Member organisations refers to the 27 charities and social service organisations under the umbrella of Caritas Singapore. For the full list, visit www.caritas-singapore.org/who-we-help.