Our Executive Committee

President Daniel TAN Daniel Tan Tai Leng first joined MINDS MYG, the volunteer arm of MINDS, as a volunteer in 1998, and since then, he has served in numerous leadership roles. In 2002, he led the planning of one of the biggest camps for the beneficiaries, in collaboration with a few other VWOs. As the Chairperson of the Central Committee since 2007, he initiated the setting up of the 8^th and 9^th projects under MYG, increasing the number of beneficiaries to beyond 210, and aligned each project's service provision to better cater to the changing needs of the beneficiaries. Today, he is also serving in the Executive Committee of MINDS, as well as a couple of Sub-Committees. Daniel is also active in the international volunteerism scene. He first went on a three-week expedition to build a school in Tibet in 2001. In 2006, he was in Namibia to build a school and some viewing hides in a national park. In 2009, as Expedition Director, he led a team of 50 Singaporean youths to India to build a hospital for the local tribal community. Today, as the President of Raleigh Society, he focuses on youth development through adventure-learning. While in college in the US between 2002 and 2006, Daniel was actively involved in various service communities. He served as the President of the Singapore Students Association, a Peer Advisor in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme, a Leadership Team member in the Alternative Spring Break programme, and an Intern in the Asian Liver Centre. Daniel was awarded the University of Michigan Outstanding Student Leader Award and the Michigan Campus Compact Commitment to Service Award in 2005. For all his work, Daniel was recently awarded the HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Leadership Excellence and Community Service in 2009.
Vice President Lai Sheau Wen Sheau Wen's introduction to overseas expeditions and volunteering beyond the shores of Singapore began in 2001 with Raleigh's Operation Tashi Deleg. Having spent more than 10 years volunteering with the elderly, children, and intellectually disabled in Singapore, Sheau Wen was looking for an opportunity to expand her volunteering services and experience beyond Singapore and found her answer in Raleigh's Operation Tashi Deleg – a 3 week expedition to Songduo, Tibet. The experience in Tibet so inspired her that upon her return, she continued to participate actively in Raleigh's activities, to share her belief in growth and development, through the process of serving others. Having stepped down as President to assume the Vice-Presidency in Raleigh, Sheau Wen hopes to devote her time to other interests – sharing her experiences with next generations of Raleigh members, developing the international volunteerism sector in Singapore, and a personal pursuit to share her journal writings of her life experiences in a book. A lawyer by profession, Sheau Wen aspires to be a legal eagle with a heart!
Secretary Rahayu Passionate about sports and adventure since Rahayu was 9, her life has revolved around them, both professionally and personally. Rahayu had the cake and she ate it too. She is one of those who consider her job as a vocation. Landing a job at NUS (and previously in Temasek Polytechnic) as a sports administrator,she hope that she has reached out to youths through sports and will continue to do so. To keep herself relevant, keeping fit and healthy inevitably became a by-product. Still pursuing her personal interest in nature and adventure, trekking/mountaineering trips will still appear on her annual leave plan. Local and overseas adventure races may spring up every now and then too. Raleigh has provided her with an avenue to pursue all of the above. The society's mission is self-explanatory. Work aside, the friendships forged and the spirit of camaraderie within the committee were enough reasons for her to stay a second term.
Treasurer Maode Hon Ever since leading a service-learning trip to Sri Lanka in 2005, Maode has become a strong advocate of experiential and service-learning. Having been a teacher in first Republic Polytechnic and later Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Maode has been working with youths through his career. Maode leapt on the change to be involved in Operation Vannakam, the first overseas expedition that Raleigh Society is organizing since eight years ago. He joined the executive committee of the society shortly under the completion of the expedition. His involvement with Raleigh Society gives him even more opportunities to reach out to youths. Through the various programmes that the society offers, Maode hopes to inculcate the values of service and giving in the youths he encounters.
Member Adeline Leong An outdoor enthusiast who is also an avid lover of the arts, Adeline has been with Raleigh Society since 2008. Seemingly dichotomous, what Adeline finds energising are the opportunities for learning and sharing through experience and expression. In Raleigh, Adeline believes in the cause she serves and serves the cause she believes in, and hopes to help create opportunities for more in the community to do the same.
Member Kathy Xu "I went to Tibet in 2001 with Raleigh Singapore as a Venturer and met many other like-minded individuals which ultimately prompted a keenness and awareness for the world at large. Having come out fresh from life in Junior College after the A level examinations then, the expedition proved memorable and came to shape many of the decisions in my life thereafter. I started volunteering with the Children's Cancer Foundation weekly during my time in the National University of Singapore and continued as an ad hoc volunteer upon graduation, helping out with planning and running of ad hoc activities and events for the cancer children and their families such as camps and Children's Day games. Having chosen the path become a teacher eventually after graduating from the University, I grew to love the job and interactions with the youths at school more and more and feel compelled to be a part of shaping and moulding these individuals into useful citizens of the world. This prompted my decision to work with the at risk youths with Raleigh Society Singapore and hopefully be able to enthuse a spirit of giving and awareness for the world at large with the youths who have so much to offer. My hope is that I can continue to spark an interest in my students and the youths I work with, to give onto society and for them to be active givers in the world we live in, while inspiring others with their conscious efforts and actions to work for a better world as well."
Member Eileen Goh Spurred by the love for different cultures and the travel bug, Eileen joined Operation Tashi Deleg in Tibet in 2001 as an Advance Party and Phase 1 venturer. Having been active in local community work since her junior collage days, the 3 weeks experience in Songduo, Tibet shaped her interest in overseas community work. With the belief that we have much to be grateful for living in Singapore, Eileen hopes to see a younger generation that is more compassionate and giving. Beside Raleigh, Eileen volunteers with a local organization that sends medical relief missions to disaster or poverty hit areas in the region. So far, she has served in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan and Japan. Eileen hopes to combine her love for the outdoors with the passion for international volunteerism and influencing more people to do the same
Member Ong Wei Lin Wei Lin discovered her keen interest in international volunteerism and Service-learning since her first expedition to Laos PDR in her varsity days. The opportunity left such an impact that led her to be involved in subsequent expeditions to Thailand, China and India. It was the sincere exchange of stories and smiles that made every expedition unique for her. Being part of Raleigh has been a privilege and platform in her continual learning journey, where she finds simple joy in the shared experiences and the friendships forged.
Member Sebastian Chen Sebastian has been active in the local and international volunteering scenes since 2004. He took part in the NCC Youth Expedition Project to Tamil Nadu in 2004, which worked closely with NCC India and students from St Jospeh College to replace attap roofs with zinc roofs in the villagers' homes. He has also been actively involved with the Inter-Generational Affinity Project that helps the elderly living in one-room flats to paint and clean up their flats for the last 8 years. In 2009, he took part in Operation Vannkam as a Group Facilitor to lead youths to build a hopsital in India. He also assisted in the facilitation for Operation Vannkam in 2010. He believes in experiential learning through learning from others.
Member Jocelyn Tong