Paying It forward through adventure

Trained as an electrical and electronics engineer, Johann has been with the non-profit Engineering Good in key roles from 2014 until he stepped down from the CEO role in 2022. An avid cyclist who knows no boundaries, he cycled from Turkey to New Zealand over 18 months, and he was also a member of the Singapore Everest Expedition 1998 Team.

He has served as a Board member for the Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) and is now a Board member of NLB Singapore. If you come across Johann in the wild please let his wife know, she’s been looking for him.

I still remember vividly the newspaper photo of a Singaporean trudging through waist deep water with his backpack on his head amidst the amazon jungle like environment taking part in a Raleigh Expedition. That photo left a very deep impression in me and I had this dream of joining such a Raleigh expedition ever since then. My opportunity came when my hall senior Ling Lee introduced me to the Raleigh Selection weekend and soon I was off to my three-month adventure in Uganda in June 1996. It was an eye opening and adventurous three months.

After I came back from the expedition, I was all fired up and took part in Operasi Raleigh Batam – Geranting Expedition, went on to organise Selection weekends, took part in the inaugural Let’s Take a Walk, was the deputy expedition leader of the Inner Mongolia Expedition Phase 1 in 1999 and part of the recce team for Tibet expedition. I was also part of the pro-tem Committee whereby we set out to bring Raleigh to be a registered Society. I took a long break from active participation subsequently due to family commitments and recently became more active again as now my kids are all bigger and have more time on hand.

I was bored barely into a year working as a network engineer. I chanced upon an article by Dr Tan Chi Chiu about his Raleigh International expedition to Mongolia and responded to the call for selection. One muddy weekend and six months later, I was part of 93D Siberia. After I returned from Siberia, I volunteered with the locally organised Operasi Raleigh Batam in 1997. Later that year, while waiting for a doctor's appointment, the idea of doing something simple yet challenging for a good cause came to me.

With a group of like-minded Raleigh folks, we started “Let's Take A Walk” (LTAW), with the aim to raise $36,000 by walking 36 hours, 100km around Singapore. While I missed some major action when I was away in the US to further my studies, I quickly caught up with Raleigh’s activities when I returned to Singapore. My love (for community and adventure) affair continued with Operation Mingalaba 1999, Operation Tashi Deleg 2001, Project Climb On 2002, and more LTAWs.

Raleigh gave me a break when other adventure possibilities turned me down. Raleigh opened my eyes and heart to the many possibilities to learn and to give. Raleigh brought me to many of you, whom I am proud to have as friends and privileged to do meaningful things together. I'm inspired to do this so that we can continue our love affair together.

Fresh out of school after three years of Applied Chemistry in 2001, looking for adventure and meaning, I found Operation Tashi Deleg. I am thankful for the opportunity to step out of the “Singapore Bubble” and experience the adventure in a unique way. I am even grateful for finding the”one kind” people to experience it with. A lifetime later, still looking for adventure and meaning, I find myself back where it all started to continue the journey of the adventure and paying it forward, Raleigh Singapore style.

(Tai Tng is the right-most gentleman in the photo)

While I often joke about being “allergic” to the outdoors and sunlight, I have always enjoyed meeting people, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the community.

I was first introduced to Raleigh through the Let’s Take A Walk (LTAW) event in 2019, thanks to Bridgette, who gave me the opportunity to volunteer. That experience left a deep impression on me as I witnessed the determination of the walkers and the meaningful impact of raising funds for those in need. Since then, I have continued to be involved in LTAW in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

It is a privilege to now serve as Secretary for Exco 2025–2027, and I look forward to supporting Raleigh in achieving its goals and making a positive difference together.