By Cheow Sue-Ann, The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Restoring the eyesight of needy elderly and getting their lives back on track is what keeps Dr Marcus Ang going.

For the past 10 years, Dr Ang, 37, has been bringing his equipment to needy elderly and giving them free eye check-ups.

The ophthalmologist came up with this idea of helping the needy when he realised in his years of practice that some patients sought help only when it was too late.

During one of his house visits, he met a patient who had cataracts in both eyes and could see only light and vague shapes.

But after treatment, the patient was able to see clearly again. Said Dr Ang: "It sounds cliched, but some of the patients will really cry.

"To be blind and unable to engage in daily tasks, to suddenly being able to see and function again is something so powerful," said Dr Ang, programme director of the Mobile Eye Clinic (MEC) organised by the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology and Standard Chartered Bank.

 
He was one of eight recipients of the President's Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards (PVPA) 2017.   He won in the individual (adult) category.

This year marks the sixth iteration of the awards and the first time they were presented by President Halimah Yacob. The ceremony was held on Wednesday night (Nov 29) at Shangri-La Hotel.

The awards recognise organisations and individuals who have set benchmarks of excellence in encouraging the spirit of giving in Singapore.

The winners this year were selected out of a total of 115 nominees.

The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) winner is Greenpac, which provides environmentally friendly packaging and logistic solutions. It also builds corporate social responsibility (CSR) elements into its business structure.

CEO Susan Chong said Greenpac hires ex-convicts and individuals with physical disabilities. For example, one of its employees is a young woman who is deaf and mute.

Ms Chong said although this posed challenges to work operations initially, the decision to hire her more than paid off.

"When you hire people who are in difficult situations... it ends up being better for business, because they treasure the chance and will work harder."

"SMEs think that they can't do much because they have shallow pockets, but actually with little changes to their structure, they can do a lot," said Ms Chong.

The winner in the "kampong spirit" category is an initiative called It's Raining Raincoats.

Founded by Ms Dipa Swaminathan, it provides migrant workers with donations of raincoats, food and other basic necessities, in addition to creating awareness of the issues they face.

SOURCE: THE STRAITS TIMES SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS LIMITED. REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION.