Nothing shines brighter in the midst of adversity than light born of hope, courage, perseverance and generosity. These beacons guide us forward, as we put one foot in front of another, toward a better future. Here we share these portraits of purpose – of people whose light shine even brighter in the face of challenges.
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Can a bank’s business helpline become a lifeline?
The phones were silent at DBS BusinessCare in Hong Kong. With business at a standstill due to the virus, their customers seemed to have little need for assistance.
The team knew that SMEs were hurting. Already reeling from months of social unrest, the lockdown had added to their burden. To make things worse, these cash-based businesses couldn’t even rebuild income by going online.
So the team took action.
Why not reach out to help customers instead of waiting for them to call?
One such customer was Solidar Suisse. The Swiss NGO was working to help impoverished communities in Cambodia and Bangladesh – some of the hardest hit in the region.
The BusinessCare team helped to set up QR code payments and internet banking facilities, allowing Solidar Suisse to receive donations easily, as well as to access funds from their headquarters in Zurich. With the assistance, the NGO was able to continue their work.
It was, as one customer put it, “warmth in the middle of a chilly winter’s night”.
Learn MoreCan a bank’s business helpline become a lifeline?
The phones were silent at DBS BusinessCare in Hong Kong.
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Can a bank plant the seeds of hope in Taiwan’s farmers?
Time was running out for Guo Zheng Zhi.
When the pandemic hit and supply chains stopped running, the Taiwanese farmer was suddenly faced with a drought of customers. And as each day ticked by, Guo knew his entire harvest was at risk of going bad.
Hearing about the circumstances faced by local farmers like Guo, DBS immediately sprang into action.
Working with social enterprise Goodwill Foods, DBS and its employees made bulk purchases for clients and themselves, rescuing over a ton of fruits and vegetables.
For Guo, the help was like a bout of timely rain.
Learn MoreCan a bank plant the seeds of hope in Taiwan’s farmers?
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Can a bank fight a virus by putting frontline workers in front?
As the virus loomed over Singapore, many seniors were forced to shelter at home. Without access to vital care, they were vulnerable.
Care professionals from social enterprise Homage stepped up to protect their wellbeing.
With a fresh grant from DBS Foundation, Homage’s care professionals were well-equipped to carry out swab test at nursing homes and other care facilities safely.
Meanwhile, Homage also introduced new mobile medicine, tele consultation and medication delivery services to meet a surge in request from families.
So seniors could get the care they need. And be safe from the virus. And know that they are not alone.
Can a bank fight a virus by putting frontline workers in front?
As the virus loomed over Singapore, many seniors were forced to shelter at home.
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What happens when a bank serves up a bowl of human kindness?
For the Goh family, fishballs are life.
Over the last 30 years, patriarch Got Heng Hock, a second-generation hawker running ‘Million Fishball Noodle’, has been serving up nearly 400 bowls of noodles a day; but when the virus hit, his customers stayed home, sales plunged - his family’s livelihood was under threat.
So when he was invited to participate in the DBS Stronger Together Fund initiative, he said yes without hesitation. In fact, once he learnt his noodles were going to the elderly and lower-income families, he lowered his prices and made bigger portions.
“I was happy to be part of the programme. I now have orders, and I can help the needy at the same time.”
“When you’ve been hungry before, you know how it feels. This is my bit to help,” he said.
Learn MoreWhat happens when a bank serves up a bowl of human kindness?
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Actually, it’s the virus that’s got a test for us.
It’s testing our ability to work together, as human beings, as societies and as nations.
The simple truth is that none of us can pass this test alone.
We must stand together to reach out and think, feel and act beyond ourselves.
When we do, portraits of courage, perseverance and generosity emerge.
Supporting businesses to help them fight another day.
Working with partners to put food on the tables of the hardest-hit among us.
Taking care of our people so they can continue to give of their best.
To bring more of what the world needs today.
For all of us. For all our tomorrows.
Together.
Actually, it’s the virus that’s got a test for us.
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Can a bank save lives by beating a deadline?
As more cases of the virus began to emerge across China, the pressure was on for Sichuan-based textile manufacturer Yibin Grace.
To produce masks and other medical supplies for the entire province, Yibin Grace needed raw materials from abroad. But time was running out as global supply lines were closing day by day.
At DBS, the team knew Yibin Grace needed to remit payment to bring in supplies as soon as possible.
But paperwork would usually take a week or more, which would be too late. Pulling together multiple departments, DBS pushed through the funding in just days.
Easing the pressure on the company, and providing much-needed masks for 81 million people in Sichuan.
Learn MoreCan a bank save lives by beating a deadline?
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With Covid-19 exacerbating food insecurity, DBS and The Food Bank Singapore are launching a virtual food banking app to enhance support for individuals and families affected by the crisis.
“DBS loan support enables us to look to the future with confidence. To focus on where we will go versus where we have been. To reinvest in our people and look to grow. To evolve and adapt to new norms - investing in new growth areas namely therapeutic horticulture, e-education and e-commerce “ – Mr Samuell Ang (left), chief executive officer, Edible Garden City
Meet Satish Senthil Kumar (left) our Assistant Workplace Manager, and Thiru Ramamorthy (right), Cleaning Team Lead from Chye Thiam Maintenance. They are among our deeply-valued essential frontline staff who keep our office environment clean and safe during this Covid-19 outbreak. Satish ensures that essential facilities are running smoothly on a daily basis. Thiru usually supervises the cleaning operations, but now volunteers to take on more cleaning work so older workers are at less risk of being exposed to the virus!
"Everything I do is with passion. Without passion, I don’t think I will serve the community today. My passion is with the elderly. When I do community care, I can talk to the elderly. I really feel fulfilled and contented and every day I go home with a smile on my face." Ms Lily Teh, Homage Care Specialist who helps with Covid-19 swab tests.
“As a social enterprise, not many lenders make the effort to understand what we do, our business model, and the impact we have on the community. At the onset of the virus outbreak, the first thing on our minds was to preserve jobs and make sure that our employees’ livelihoods would not be affected in a big way. ... The loan from DBS was very timely in helping us ensure we had the cash flow needed to continue our operations, retain and even upskill all our staff.” – Mr Walter Oh, co-Founder of Boxgreen
“As a Safe Management Officer at DBS, my duty of care is for the safety and health of the employees, which is of utmost importance to DBS and our community. Less exposure, more safety ... and while I keep the workplace safe, I also ensure I protect myself so that I can keep my home safe for my family. I hope others will share the same view and do their part to keep themselves and others safe.” – Mr Michael Lim
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“I am in the process of developing an app. We are also going to go on Facebook Live, so that we can interact more with our customers. This is what it means to do business. No matter the situation, we remain decisive, and we move accordingly.” - Mr Wong Hing Kong, director, Unidbox Hardware
“I learnt that Singaporeans are very kind. … While I was delivering the food, I saw volunteers from many different organisations going around the block as well. It really surprised me. I've never seen this side to Singapore, and I'm proud to be one of them as well.” - Rahim Bin Abu Bakar, who helps deliver meals to those in need
“If anyone of us needs help, all we need to do is ask, and help will be there. Like how I am getting food delivered to my door now. I am grateful to DBS and The Food Bank Singapore for helping me through this time.” – Madam Josephine Low, beneficiary of The Singapore Food Bank’s “Feed the City – DBS Edition” programme
“When you’ve been hungry before, you will know how it feels. This is just a bit that I can do to help fellow Singaporeans,” Mr Goh Heng Hock, who runs Million Fishball Noodle at a Kim San Leng coffeeshop, helps provide meals for those in need as part of The Singapore Food Bank’s “Feed the City – DBS Edition” programme
“The food provided is very nice. It tastes homemade. We also get fruits, juice and sometimes milk. We are in a very critical situation (because of Covid-19). We can’t work, so we cannot expect to get a full salary. The sponsored meals are very helpful – we don’t have to worry and can remit more of our salary to support family back home.” – Mr Kumarasamy Velumani, 34, a migrant worker who gets his meals from ItsRainingRainCoats’ Project Belanja – DBS Edition programme
"During the circuit breaker period, many seniors were looking for someone to talk to. Most of these seniors are living alone or with their partners in rental flats. The LB Virtual Befriending@SAC – Singapore’s largest-ever virtual befriending volunteer initiative by DBS and Lions Befrienders – is a good platform to help them out of social isolation and prevent their health or mental state from deteriorating." – Mr Andy Shee, senior centre manager, Lion’s Befrienders
