I was stunned to learn recently that the Peninsula is slightly bigger than the area of the city-state of Singapore. However while I share my neighbourhood with 134 999 others, Singapore crams 5,076,700 people in! One of the most densely populated countries in the world. Although when you are there, Singapore's planning is so good that you never have a sense of being crowded.
In that island, Singaporeans cram business, education and recreation --and charity support. According to research from Singapore's National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), almost one quarter, one in four volunteer. Their research says a mere two years ago, it was less than a one in five volunteered.
The overall percentage of financial donors fell marginally but average annual donations per person are up to $331 from $300 in 2008. So while fewer people donated money last year, those who did, gave more. Roughly 60 per cent of the donations were made to the major religious groups on the island: Mahayana Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.
The median income of all employed persons, full-time and part-time, is S$30 000. So giving as a per cent of average income is about 1.1%. NB 21 percent earn below S$14 400 per annum.
The World giving index listed Singapore as equal 91st in the world for "Overall Giving" along with Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Peru, Mali and France.
The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)'s chief executive Laurence Lien said he was 'delighted' that more people than ever before 'stepped up to the challenge to give more of their time and money.' 'During the deep economic uncertainty, people see needs more obviously,' said Mr Lien
My question is how did they do it? To go from 20% of the population to 25% in two years is phenomenal. What was the secret?
