Over the past few years, Teo has already raised over SG$90,000 through fundraising exhibitions and dinners and doesn’t plan on stopping there. The young teenager is determined to contribute to a positive society and does that a tad bit at a time.

“I never really understood the significance and impact of charity until my family trip to Cambodia. When I was six, my parents took my brothers and I on an educational trip with the mission to help underserved families through donations and volunteering. It was here that I came face-to-face with the harsh realities of impoverished communities. I saw kids as young as I was in tattered clothing, selling items on the streets. It was heart-wrenching, and I had a strong desire to help but I didn’t know how,” Teo says.

The memory of his trip to Cambodia stuck with Teo for many years and were the seeds that blossomed into Tad Charity in 2017.

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“Tad is about starting small, and how charity is not determined by age or bank balance. Tad Charity also nurtured my love for art, as it was always a hobby I was interested in, but I realised I could sell them to raise funds to help the children I had met in Cambodia,” Teo recollects.

Apart from a few art lessons from the neighbourhood community centre, he picked up the hobby and dabbled with a range of paints, from acrylic, oil, and watercolour, to even candle smoke. “I had to prove to my parents I was serious about using my art to further the charity, by completing almost 25 paintings as a benchmark,” says Teo. This was not just beneficial to the fundraising, but the rigorous practice further improved Teo’s journey as a self-taught painter.

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Teo also understands the drawbacks of being the sole artist and wants to encourage others to join the virtuous cause. This is where he got the idea of his Tad talks, where he shares his experiences of doing charity work with his peers in school assemblies and fundraising events to motivate them to turn their hobbies into acts of charity too.

With the help of the PVPA recognition, Tad Charity is now in the process of becoming a registered non-profit organisation in Singapore, expanding its fundraising capabilities and community reach.

“I also imagine my responsibility and role in philanthropy to evolve,” he says.

Teo may have many plans for fundraising events in 2022 but will also need to balance his time and responsibilities as a student getting ready to sit for his GCE O level examinations. He aspires to pursue medical research when he’s older to contribute towards a more positive society.

Seeing the benefits of charity, mutual aid and rallying others in support of a better cause, Teo is convinced the key to doing good is starting small and starting early. "For me at least, I never believed that charity was about money and how much you give—it is about how much you are willing to make a difference," shares Teo. 

One Step At A Time

The founder of Tad charity might not have a lot of years under his belt, but he has a lot of experience and wisdom that came with the rigour of fundraising. Here are his three tips on how all of us can take a little time out of our day to do a little good in the world. 

1. "Anyone can do good if they choose to. It is something that is not dictated by the circumstances we are subjected to, but by our individual choices. Whether that is by contributing financially within our affordability or contributing our time to volunteer in-person—no task is too small. I’ve even witnessed young children giving up their entire ang baos to donate for a good cause."

2. "Be the small spark that sets off the bigger difference in society. Make it a point to count your blessings and be grateful for what you have. Even teaching someone else about what you know helps. If you love to play computer games, you can volunteer to teach someone about computers and help to broaden their perspective." 

3. "Learn to be more appreciative and empathetic towards others. Everyone has their own fight, so if we can encourage others to see the bright side while giving them generous praise, it will only lift their spirits and reassure them to continue on their journey. Even for us, a simple 'like' or 'share' on the Tad charity Facebook page or for other initiatives goes a long way to spread positivity, and boosts our morale."

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