Over the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the nation, inciting anxiety and completely disrupting the way we live and work. The impacts of COVID-19 are significant, and the more vulnerable among us are disproportionately affected. We witnessed how various communities are presented with challenges of job loss, isolation, financial difficulties and domestic tensions. However, as a country, we have also worked together to come up with solutions and relief efforts for our friends and neighbours who are going through difficulties.

On 29 April 2020, Temasek Trust launched the oscar@sg fund with an anchor donation of S$10 million from Temasek. I am grateful for the many organisations and individuals who have since come forward to also lend their support to the oscar@sg fund, with donations totalling S$14.7 million. The oscar@sg fund was set up to offer direct financial support to meaningful ground-up projects seeking to address community needs that have arisen from the present COVID-19 crisis. This initiative was inspired by the many positive examples of individuals, non-profits and businesses that have stepped up to help our communities from the ground up during this unsettling period. 

The oscar@sg fund supports projects that embrace the values of Ownership, Sustainability, Care, Assurance and Resilience (oscar). We have received more than 140 applications to date and each of these applications is focused on an idea to serve our communities in need. In this special edition of the Temasek Trust Newsletter, you will see five of such great ideas that we have enabled since we launched the oscar@sg fund – from delivering meals for vulnerable groups and serving holistic care for the homeless, to designing activity kits for the elderly and a special ‘light up’ for healthcare workers, and even a ‘Stay Home Music Video’ performed by the differently-abled. There are indeed many stories of unsung heroes who are working behind the scenes that celebrate our spirit as one collective body. 

Temasek Trust has been operating as a responsible steward of philanthropic assets since its inception in 2007. At this time of crisis, we are humbled that we can serve alongside our people as an active citizen in social impact. There is still a long way to go for us to recover fully. But with an unbroken spirit, we will get there together. Please keep safe, be well and stay positive. 

Regards,
S Dhanabalan