Singapore International Foundation Award -
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Published on: 7/19/2006
Last Visited: 10/14/2007
For his efforts in promoting Singapore in Eastern Europe through working with children and youth, Dr Damian Yap (Heart for Youth Founder and volunteer) has been conferred the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) Award (Click to read the Press Release or Event report).On 19 May 2005, SIF Patron and President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Mr S R Nathan, presented him with the individual award at the ceremony in Singapore, while the group award was won by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
(Left) Heart for Youth founder, Dr Damian Yap receiving the Award from SIF Patron, H.E.Mr SR Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore.
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At his English classes and conversations with the youths, Dr Yap introduces Singapore to them with illustrations of the garden city and portraits of our people.Interestingly, the story of Singapore had inspired the Romanian teenagers to pick up litter on the streets of their village."
In President Nathan's speech, he noted that there are "many Singaporeans who are contributing extensively towards the betterment of communites abroad by their own independent efforts.They have probably not noticed that their efforts and contributions have also gone towards helping others to become aware of Singapore."
He continued to "congratulate Dr Damian Yap and the Singapore Armed Forces for being conferred the SIF Award for 2005.Dr Yap and the SAF have done Singapore proud and brought much good will towards Singapore in this region and beyond.I thank them for following their convictions with determination, courage and fortitude."
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Mr Sever Cotu, Charge d'Affaires and Minister Counselor of the Romanian Embassy in Singapore referred to Dr Damian Yap as "a great unknown humanitarian soldier who battles for the well-being of the less fortunate".
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Mr & Mrs Cotu also presented Dr Damian Yap with a token of appreciation in recognition of his work in Romania.
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In accepting the award, Dr Damian Yap thanked all those who helped and supported him, especially his parents, family and friends (many of whom were present at the award ceremony).He also shared about how his wife and her family inspired him to help orphans in Romania.Punctuating each thanks with "drip, drop", Damian showed that everyone who had helped him, were in fact, like himself, each contributing their own tiny drop to the "vast ocean of both needs and opportunities" and echoing the words of Mother Theresa reminded everyone that "oceans, however immense, are made up of tiny drops".
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Heart for Youth volunteers, Damian Yap and Eva Yap Todos were in Singapore from 15-23 May 2005 for the Award Ceremony at the kind invitation of the Singapore International Foundation.
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