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Challenge The Normal | Yang Long Tan | TEDxNUS


hi everyone

hi everyone so I actually this auditorium looks very

so I actually this auditorium looks very

so I actually this auditorium looks very familiar to me like I remember the last

familiar to me like I remember the last

familiar to me like I remember the last time I was here in this auditorium

time I was here in this auditorium

time I was here in this auditorium I was probably sleeping at the back of

I was probably sleeping at the back of

I was probably sleeping at the back of the lecture or something but it’s a

the lecture or something but it’s a

the lecture or something but it’s a different view here so anyway I will

different view here so anyway I will

different view here so anyway I will start in January this year so some does

start in January this year so some does

start in January this year so some does this day in January this year where I

this day in January this year where I

this day in January this year where I remember one of those days where I

remember one of those days where I

remember one of those days where I didn’t want to do anything you know you

didn’t want to do anything you know you

didn’t want to do anything you know you ever had one those days you just didn’t

ever had one those days you just didn’t

ever had one those days you just didn’t want to do anything for the day and I

want to do anything for the day and I

want to do anything for the day and I was sitting my living room in from my

was sitting my living room in from my

was sitting my living room in from my computer and I was just scrolling

computer and I was just scrolling

computer and I was just scrolling through Facebook aimlessly

through Facebook aimlessly

through Facebook aimlessly I’m sure someone first can identify see

I’m sure someone first can identify see

I’m sure someone first can identify see some nodding hits already so I was

some nodding hits already so I was

some nodding hits already so I was scrolling through Facebook M Lesley and

scrolling through Facebook M Lesley and

scrolling through Facebook M Lesley and then suddenly there’s this poster by NUS

then suddenly there’s this poster by NUS

then suddenly there’s this poster by NUS society that stood up for me

society that stood up for me

society that stood up for me this poster was just there and it caught

this poster was just there and it caught

this poster was just there and it caught my eye because there’s this line written

my eye because there’s this line written

my eye because there’s this line written on the poster that that kind of struck

on the poster that that kind of struck

on the poster that that kind of struck me and this line set this it says be the

me and this line set this it says be the

me and this line set this it says be the lonely wolf no longer come and sign up

lonely wolf no longer come and sign up

lonely wolf no longer come and sign up for this event and there and then I felt

for this event and there and then I felt

for this event and there and then I felt a little bit uneasy in a sense that you

a little bit uneasy in a sense that you

a little bit uneasy in a sense that you know be the lonely wolf no longer think

know be the lonely wolf no longer think

know be the lonely wolf no longer think about what message that is subtly trying

about what message that is subtly trying

about what message that is subtly trying to bring across and if we are not

to bring across and if we are not

to bring across and if we are not careful will not realize that there is a

careful will not realize that there is a

careful will not realize that there is a certain message being brought across

certain message being brought across

certain message being brought across through this sentence that it is not

through this sentence that it is not

through this sentence that it is not okay to be a lonely wolf think about it

okay to be a lonely wolf think about it

okay to be a lonely wolf think about it a lone wolf is just someone who prefers

a lone wolf is just someone who prefers

a lone wolf is just someone who prefers doing things alone but is it really not

doing things alone but is it really not

doing things alone but is it really not okay that you have to come for an event

okay that you have to come for an event

okay that you have to come for an event like that and so every day in our lives

like that and so every day in our lives

like that and so every day in our lives certain messages are always being

certain messages are always being

certain messages are always being brought across the words that we are not

brought across the words that we are not

brought across the words that we are not aware of and if we’re not careful we’re

aware of and if we’re not careful we’re

aware of and if we’re not careful we’re not realize that there is this normal

not realize that there is this normal

not realize that there is this normal being constructed for us all the time

being constructed for us all the time

being constructed for us all the time and this whole thing about a normal is

and this whole thing about a normal is

and this whole thing about a normal is going to be the core of my speech today

going to be the core of my speech today

going to be the core of my speech today which I hope all of us will be able to

which I hope all of us will be able to

which I hope all of us will be able to gain something from sometimes this whole

gain something from sometimes this whole

gain something from sometimes this whole idea of a normal affects our attitudes

idea of a normal affects our attitudes

idea of a normal affects our attitudes as well so your ever had a moment where

as well so your ever had a moment where

as well so your ever had a moment where you know your friend did something

you know your friend did something

you know your friend did something completely crazy and off-the-cuff and

completely crazy and off-the-cuff and

completely crazy and off-the-cuff and then you just look at your friend say it

then you just look at your friend say it

then you just look at your friend say it don’t be retarded ah but right go right

don’t be retarded ah but right go right

don’t be retarded ah but right go right I see some nodding hits really I also

I see some nodding hits really I also

I see some nodding hits really I also got I also got so I’m not I’m not an

got I also got so I’m not I’m not an

got I also got so I’m not I’m not an exception I have nothing against the

exception I have nothing against the

exception I have nothing against the word retarded okay I’m not a social

word retarded okay I’m not a social

word retarded okay I’m not a social justice warrior or anything

justice warrior or anything

justice warrior or anything but I want to at least bring offers to

but I want to at least bring offers to

but I want to at least bring offers to think a little bit deeper about why we

think a little bit deeper about why we

think a little bit deeper about why we use the word retarded we use the word

use the word retarded we use the word

use the word retarded we use the word retarded to denote that something is

retarded to denote that something is

retarded to denote that something is deviant something deviates away from the

deviant something deviates away from the

deviant something deviates away from the norm when your friends does something a

norm when your friends does something a

norm when your friends does something a bit not so normal you use the word

bit not so normal you use the word

bit not so normal you use the word retarded sometimes someone you might not

retarded sometimes someone you might not

retarded sometimes someone you might not really like that’s something you you

really like that’s something you you

really like that’s something you you again don’t really like you just use the

again don’t really like you just use the

again don’t really like you just use the word retard describe and when we use the

word retard describe and when we use the

word retard describe and when we use the word retarded to denote a deviant act

word retarded to denote a deviant act

word retarded to denote a deviant act something that’s not normal and so many

something that’s not normal and so many

something that’s not normal and so many of us also use it in association with

of us also use it in association with

of us also use it in association with some communities in Singapore what

some communities in Singapore what

some communities in Singapore what happens though I have been a volunteer

happens though I have been a volunteer

happens though I have been a volunteer in the special education community for a

in the special education community for a

in the special education community for a few years 3 I’ve learned many lessons

few years 3 I’ve learned many lessons

few years 3 I’ve learned many lessons through all my successes and failures

through all my successes and failures

through all my successes and failures but some of the moves and during lessons

but some of the moves and during lessons

but some of the moves and during lessons I’ve learned came because of this whole

I’ve learned came because of this whole

I’ve learned came because of this whole idea of challenging the normal and today

idea of challenging the normal and today

idea of challenging the normal and today I will share all of us what are the

I will share all of us what are the

I will share all of us what are the normals that we can challenge and how

normals that we can challenge and how

normals that we can challenge and how can we go about doing it so my entire

can we go about doing it so my entire

can we go about doing it so my entire journey with API send the Association

journey with API send the Association

journey with API send the Association for persons in special needs a local NGO

for persons in special needs a local NGO

for persons in special needs a local NGO started in 2015 during National Day

started in 2015 during National Day

started in 2015 during National Day Parade arm during National Day Parade

Parade arm during National Day Parade

Parade arm during National Day Parade and during this entire journey I was

and during this entire journey I was

and during this entire journey I was observing National Service backpack bed

observing National Service backpack bed

observing National Service backpack bed at Point time and my job was to be the

at Point time and my job was to be the

at Point time and my job was to be the chaperone of a group of student and

chaperone of a group of student and

chaperone of a group of student and teacher performers from 80 s n so at the

teacher performers from 80 s n so at the

teacher performers from 80 s n so at the time at my job every week was just to

time at my job every week was just to

time at my job every week was just to bring them from Sun tech city to the

bring them from Sun tech city to the

bring them from Sun tech city to the Padang and then bring them back and you

Padang and then bring them back and you

Padang and then bring them back and you know back then I was just serving

know back then I was just serving

know back then I was just serving national service and if I were to ask

national service and if I were to ask

national service and if I were to ask all the guys in this room who self NS

all the guys in this room who self NS

all the guys in this room who self NS what’s the one thing you wanted to do on

what’s the one thing you wanted to do on

what’s the one thing you wanted to do on a Saturday

a Saturday

a Saturday bukhan right yeah you just wanted a

bukhan right yeah you just wanted a

bukhan right yeah you just wanted a Booker and go home and not not not do NS

Booker and go home and not not not do NS

Booker and go home and not not not do NS on a Saturday um by that point in time I

on a Saturday um by that point in time I

on a Saturday um by that point in time I my hands go a little bit itchy and in

my hands go a little bit itchy and in

my hands go a little bit itchy and in hak-kan some people might call this japa

hak-kan some people might call this japa

hak-kan some people might call this japa but I see toe which is it already

but I see toe which is it already

but I see toe which is it already nothing better to do I thought to myself

nothing better to do I thought to myself

nothing better to do I thought to myself you know since I have this chance to

you know since I have this chance to

you know since I have this chance to have my life paths crossed with them why

have my life paths crossed with them why

have my life paths crossed with them why not

not

not I do something a bit extra and and so

I do something a bit extra and and so

I do something a bit extra and and so what I decided to do was this gratitude

what I decided to do was this gratitude

what I decided to do was this gratitude project you know if I can do some

project you know if I can do some

project you know if I can do some thank-you cuts for the students and

thank-you cuts for the students and

thank-you cuts for the students and teachers

teachers

teachers and maybe they were appreciate it

and maybe they were appreciate it

and maybe they were appreciate it there’s something extra but I also

there’s something extra but I also

there’s something extra but I also wanted me make it a bit more special

wanted me make it a bit more special

wanted me make it a bit more special what if I can get the Prime Minister to

what if I can get the Prime Minister to

what if I can get the Prime Minister to sign I can get the Prime Minister the

sign I can get the Prime Minister the

sign I can get the Prime Minister the sign thought because if you’re amazing

sign thought because if you’re amazing

sign thought because if you’re amazing right so I decided to send an email to

right so I decided to send an email to

right so I decided to send an email to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who are

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who are

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who are saying hey could you sign some bloody

saying hey could you sign some bloody

saying hey could you sign some bloody cuts um I uh he never replied so I think

cuts um I uh he never replied so I think

cuts um I uh he never replied so I think my email got my email probably got lost

my email got my email probably got lost

my email got my email probably got lost in like um you know that the thousands

in like um you know that the thousands

in like um you know that the thousands of meals he gets every day so I thought

of meals he gets every day so I thought

of meals he gets every day so I thought to myself up if the big boss the one

to myself up if the big boss the one

to myself up if the big boss the one maybe one of these cookies were agree

maybe one of these cookies were agree

maybe one of these cookies were agree yeah so I decided okay it’s an NGO a PSN

yeah so I decided okay it’s an NGO a PSN

yeah so I decided okay it’s an NGO a PSN who is the most logical choice the

who is the most logical choice the

who is the most logical choice the Minister for Social and Family

Minister for Social and Family

Minister for Social and Family Development which some of you would know

Development which some of you would know

Development which some of you would know to be Minister time trajan so I Facebook

to be Minister time trajan so I Facebook

to be Minister time trajan so I Facebook message Minister thank you engine and to

message Minister thank you engine and to

message Minister thank you engine and to my great surprise he actually agreed to

my great surprise he actually agreed to

my great surprise he actually agreed to meet me to sign or 30 cuts and so we

meet me to sign or 30 cuts and so we

meet me to sign or 30 cuts and so we arranged for timing to me and I went to

arranged for timing to me and I went to

arranged for timing to me and I went to his office and he actually signed out

his office and he actually signed out

his office and he actually signed out the cuts in front of me now we also had

the cuts in front of me now we also had

the cuts in front of me now we also had a five minute conversation which I was

a five minute conversation which I was

a five minute conversation which I was struggling to make convo but then aside

struggling to make convo but then aside

struggling to make convo but then aside that aside right right who I mean how

that aside right right who I mean how

that aside right right who I mean how often you go to the minister’s office

often you go to the minister’s office

often you go to the minister’s office dude watching sign cards yeah so he also

dude watching sign cards yeah so he also

dude watching sign cards yeah so he also agreed to hold this cut set saying thank

agreed to hold this cut set saying thank

agreed to hold this cut set saying thank you a PSN which I thought was a really

you a PSN which I thought was a really

you a PSN which I thought was a really really wonderful gesture and the next

really wonderful gesture and the next

really wonderful gesture and the next two weeks are I actually invited the

two weeks are I actually invited the

two weeks are I actually invited the principals of both special education

principals of both special education

principals of both special education schools so it’s not really clear I’m so

schools so it’s not really clear I’m so

schools so it’s not really clear I’m so sorry yeah to come down and present the

sorry yeah to come down and present the

sorry yeah to come down and present the thank you cards to them and I think

thank you cards to them and I think

thank you cards to them and I think you’re all really really excited to

you’re all really really excited to

you’re all really really excited to receive a cut with a picture of Minister

receive a cut with a picture of Minister

receive a cut with a picture of Minister time truncheon and so my entire journey

time truncheon and so my entire journey

time truncheon and so my entire journey with a PSN started because of this this

with a PSN started because of this this

with a PSN started because of this this entire experience and this brings me to

entire experience and this brings me to

entire experience and this brings me to my first enduring lesson I want to share

my first enduring lesson I want to share

my first enduring lesson I want to share if office there’s nothing inherently

if office there’s nothing inherently

if office there’s nothing inherently normal about roles every row has certain

normal about roles every row has certain

normal about roles every row has certain expectations attached to it but there’s

expectations attached to it but there’s

expectations attached to it but there’s nothing normal about that if I had a

nothing normal about that if I had a

nothing normal about that if I had a scepter the normal expectation of my row

scepter the normal expectation of my row

scepter the normal expectation of my row as a soldier who just booked up and do

as a soldier who just booked up and do

as a soldier who just booked up and do nothing beyond my job then perhaps I

nothing beyond my job then perhaps I

nothing beyond my job then perhaps I would not have done some of the

would not have done some of the

would not have done some of the important projects I did and even be

important projects I did and even be

important projects I did and even be here talking to all of you so remember

here talking to all of you so remember

here talking to all of you so remember this you have the power

this you have the power

this you have the power your rules whether you’re student

your rules whether you’re student

your rules whether you’re student whether you’re an associate or whether

whether you’re an associate or whether

whether you’re an associate or whether you’re teacher so on and so forth

you’re teacher so on and so forth

you’re teacher so on and so forth quantify it to make it fulfilling for

quantify it to make it fulfilling for

quantify it to make it fulfilling for yourself and more importantly for the

yourself and more importantly for the

yourself and more importantly for the people around you

people around you

people around you so besides rules what else what else is

so besides rules what else what else is

so besides rules what else what else is it that we can challenge the normal of

it that we can challenge the normal of

it that we can challenge the normal of so fast forward a few months after the

so fast forward a few months after the

so fast forward a few months after the the National Day celebrations I

the National Day celebrations I

the National Day celebrations I continued linking I’ve a PSN and by then

continued linking I’ve a PSN and by then

continued linking I’ve a PSN and by then I had ready form a team of friends stood

I had ready form a team of friends stood

I had ready form a team of friends stood the work on this whole entire project

the work on this whole entire project

the work on this whole entire project and I asked a PSN what are some of your

and I asked a PSN what are some of your

and I asked a PSN what are some of your needs a PS and replied our our

needs a PS and replied our our

needs a PS and replied our our beneficiaries have some they need help

beneficiaries have some they need help

beneficiaries have some they need help with your linguistic abilities could you

with your linguistic abilities could you

with your linguistic abilities could you do something about it so my team and I

do something about it so my team and I

do something about it so my team and I will get that together hey what can we

will get that together hey what can we

will get that together hey what can we do to improve the linguistic abilities

do to improve the linguistic abilities

do to improve the linguistic abilities as all of us want the English lessons

as all of us want the English lessons

as all of us want the English lessons but I mean you know English lessons yeah

but I mean you know English lessons yeah

but I mean you know English lessons yeah not the best option to me so in the end

not the best option to me so in the end

not the best option to me so in the end we came out this really crazy idea it’s

we came out this really crazy idea it’s

we came out this really crazy idea it’s crazy I did it I think none of us really

crazy I did it I think none of us really

crazy I did it I think none of us really thought it would ever work out and yeah

thought it would ever work out and yeah

thought it would ever work out and yeah you can give me a guess what is crazy

you can give me a guess what is crazy

you can give me a guess what is crazy idea is I think of the MC would have

idea is I think of the MC would have

idea is I think of the MC would have introduced it a bit and no it wasn’t I’m

introduced it a bit and no it wasn’t I’m

introduced it a bit and no it wasn’t I’m emailing in our ministers you can just

emailing in our ministers you can just

emailing in our ministers you can just go around emailing ministers all the

go around emailing ministers all the

go around emailing ministers all the time like that yeah but it was poetry we

time like that yeah but it was poetry we

time like that yeah but it was poetry we decided to use poetry now if I were to

decided to use poetry now if I were to

decided to use poetry now if I were to ask all of you how many of you think

ask all of you how many of you think

ask all of you how many of you think that you are good in poetry or that you

that you are good in poetry or that you

that you are good in poetry or that you can teach poetry and raise your hands

can teach poetry and raise your hands

can teach poetry and raise your hands really and one is I expect that I will

really and one is I expect that I will

really and one is I expect that I will not do but is my point

not do but is my point

not do but is my point my point is that poetry is normally

my point is that poetry is normally

my point is that poetry is normally associated with something that is so

associated with something that is so

associated with something that is so high and mighty something that’s so

high and mighty something that’s so

high and mighty something that’s so inaccessible um something that how can I

inaccessible um something that how can I

inaccessible um something that how can I do it right but through the next few

do it right but through the next few

do it right but through the next few months we actually a plan and execute

months we actually a plan and execute

months we actually a plan and execute that close to 10 workshops based on

that close to 10 workshops based on

that close to 10 workshops based on poetry so during our workshops you will

poetry so during our workshops you will

poetry so during our workshops you will base it on by metaphors similes rhyme

base it on by metaphors similes rhyme

base it on by metaphors similes rhyme and we’ll use that to engage the

and we’ll use that to engage the

and we’ll use that to engage the beneficiaries of a PSN i can remember

beneficiaries of a PSN i can remember

beneficiaries of a PSN i can remember sometimes some people will tell me a

sometimes some people will tell me a

sometimes some people will tell me a young long you sure you only use poetry

young long you sure you only use poetry

young long you sure you only use poetry to teach them or not you should they’ll

to teach them or not you should they’ll

to teach them or not you should they’ll get there not and you see there are

get there not and you see there are

get there not and you see there are normal ideas of what poetry is and there

normal ideas of what poetry is and there

normal ideas of what poetry is and there are also normal ideas for what

are also normal ideas for what

are also normal ideas for what communities can achieve and what people

communities can achieve and what people

communities can achieve and what people can achieve and if you set them and if

can achieve and if you set them and if

can achieve and if you set them and if you refuse to challenge them then I’m

you refuse to challenge them then I’m

you refuse to challenge them then I’m afraid so many wonderful things and so

afraid so many wonderful things and so

afraid so many wonderful things and so many meaningful projects would not be

many meaningful projects would not be

many meaningful projects would not be accomplished and the journey was a

accomplished and the journey was a

accomplished and the journey was a really really beautiful one I remember

really really beautiful one I remember

really really beautiful one I remember one of the workshops yeah this is me

one of the workshops yeah this is me

one of the workshops yeah this is me leading all the workshops by the way but

leading all the workshops by the way but

leading all the workshops by the way but I remember there was another workshop

I remember there was another workshop

I remember there was another workshop where I wasn’t teaching are leading the

where I wasn’t teaching are leading the

where I wasn’t teaching are leading the workshop like this but I was uh I was

workshop like this but I was uh I was

workshop like this but I was uh I was partnering one of the beneficiaries and

partnering one of the beneficiaries and

partnering one of the beneficiaries and we were playing a game where all the

we were playing a game where all the

we were playing a game where all the beneficiaries had to write a poem by

beneficiaries had to write a poem by

beneficiaries had to write a poem by names not advanced lesson to the crap

names not advanced lesson to the crap

names not advanced lesson to the crap already did rap home and then they had

already did rap home and then they had

already did rap home and then they had to cut out the words of the poem and

to cut out the words of the poem and

to cut out the words of the poem and then we jump up to form a new poem so we

then we jump up to form a new poem so we

then we jump up to form a new poem so we call it poetry of quicken or jumbo door

call it poetry of quicken or jumbo door

call it poetry of quicken or jumbo door the first form to form a new one so my

the first form to form a new one so my

the first form to form a new one so my beneficiary was Phoenix to me and she

beneficiary was Phoenix to me and she

beneficiary was Phoenix to me and she was just the poor must read job but up

was just the poor must read job but up

was just the poor must read job but up but she didn’t know what to form the new

but she didn’t know what to form the new

but she didn’t know what to form the new poem to be so she just kept very quiet

poem to be so she just kept very quiet

poem to be so she just kept very quiet and I tried to encourage her and

and I tried to encourage her and

and I tried to encourage her and suddenly out of nowhere she started

suddenly out of nowhere she started

suddenly out of nowhere she started laughing

laughing

laughing she started piecing the words together

she started piecing the words together

she started piecing the words together and and and then started laughing again

and and and then started laughing again

and and and then started laughing again I was like why you laughing

I was like why you laughing

I was like why you laughing out of nowhere you were a bit confused

out of nowhere you were a bit confused

out of nowhere you were a bit confused at first and I looked at the new centers

at first and I looked at the new centers

at first and I looked at the new centers that she formed and on it it said

that she formed and on it it said

that she formed and on it it said excited eating friends and family and so

excited eating friends and family and so

excited eating friends and family and so then then you know we both laughed and I

then then you know we both laughed and I

then then you know we both laughed and I asked her so you’re your mama dead first

asked her so you’re your mama dead first

asked her so you’re your mama dead first yeah I mean she she has a bomb I have no

yeah I mean she she has a bomb I have no

yeah I mean she she has a bomb I have no idea why yeah but you know little more

idea why yeah but you know little more

idea why yeah but you know little more and by the way this moments actually

and by the way this moments actually

and by the way this moments actually captured on screen so it was very nice

captured on screen so it was very nice

captured on screen so it was very nice picture to share but moments like that

picture to share but moments like that

picture to share but moments like that really show you how the beneficiaries

really show you how the beneficiaries

really show you how the beneficiaries have improved linguistically and

have improved linguistically and

have improved linguistically and improving their confidence since the

improving their confidence since the

improving their confidence since the first lesson and more importantly the

first lesson and more importantly the

first lesson and more importantly the kind of friendships that have been

kind of friendships that have been

kind of friendships that have been forged because of this entire project so

forged because of this entire project so

forged because of this entire project so this brings me to my second and during

this brings me to my second and during

this brings me to my second and during lesson for office which is that there’s

lesson for office which is that there’s

lesson for office which is that there’s nothing inherently normal about ideas

nothing inherently normal about ideas

nothing inherently normal about ideas whether ideas about projects ideas about

whether ideas about projects ideas about

whether ideas about projects ideas about people nothing inherently normal about

people nothing inherently normal about

people nothing inherently normal about them go out and challenge those ideas

them go out and challenge those ideas

them go out and challenge those ideas even the most ludicrous ideas using

even the most ludicrous ideas using

even the most ludicrous ideas using poetry to engage communities of

poetry to engage communities of

poetry to engage communities of intellectual disabilities they’re not an

intellectual disabilities they’re not an

intellectual disabilities they’re not an Ludacris in fact they can be the new

Ludacris in fact they can be the new

Ludacris in fact they can be the new normal

normal

normal and so upon challenging the normal

and so upon challenging the normal

and so upon challenging the normal normalities of rules normalities of

normalities of rules normalities of

normalities of rules normalities of ideas the next thing I want to share for

ideas the next thing I want to share for

ideas the next thing I want to share for of us is how can we see what is normally

of us is how can we see what is normally

of us is how can we see what is normally what is not that perspective that glass

what is not that perspective that glass

what is not that perspective that glass that lens so in the next um in during

that lens so in the next um in during

that lens so in the next um in during the entire project a PSN I was also

the entire project a PSN I was also

the entire project a PSN I was also doing an internship with HP you know the

doing an internship with HP you know the

doing an internship with HP you know the printer and computer company how many

printer and computer company how many

printer and computer company how many use HP here oh man I see so many apples

use HP here oh man I see so many apples

use HP here oh man I see so many apples okay but oh yeah I was interning at HP

okay but oh yeah I was interning at HP

okay but oh yeah I was interning at HP and I was just in our in done back then

and I was just in our in done back then

and I was just in our in done back then wasn’t a very big role but I already had

wasn’t a very big role but I already had

wasn’t a very big role but I already had an aspiration early on if I can somehow

an aspiration early on if I can somehow

an aspiration early on if I can somehow bring HP and a PSN together would be

bring HP and a PSN together would be

bring HP and a PSN together would be amazing right

amazing right

amazing right aha I mean I’m just saying it done am I

aha I mean I’m just saying it done am I

aha I mean I’m just saying it done am I going to ship a global and MNC together

going to ship a global and MNC together

going to ship a global and MNC together if a local NGO and she also don’t know

if a local NGO and she also don’t know

if a local NGO and she also don’t know but I just had the idea so there was one

but I just had the idea so there was one

but I just had the idea so there was one day where I found myself at this dinner

day where I found myself at this dinner

day where I found myself at this dinner with hitch peace social impact committee

with hitch peace social impact committee

with hitch peace social impact committee which is basically they are CSR team

which is basically they are CSR team

which is basically they are CSR team community our corporate social

community our corporate social

community our corporate social responsibility so I was in that dinner

responsibility so I was in that dinner

responsibility so I was in that dinner and I remember that I was sitting at a

and I remember that I was sitting at a

and I remember that I was sitting at a sign no because it done you cannot be

sign no because it done you cannot be

sign no because it done you cannot be the VIP so you get a leftover of the

the VIP so you get a leftover of the

the VIP so you get a leftover of the mean food and stuff I was I was in I was

mean food and stuff I was I was in I was

mean food and stuff I was I was in I was in that dinner table and I remember that

in that dinner table and I remember that

in that dinner table and I remember that the committee was talking about some of

the committee was talking about some of

the committee was talking about some of the challenges they faced in HP so one

the challenges they faced in HP so one

the challenges they faced in HP so one of the main challenge was they wanted to

of the main challenge was they wanted to

of the main challenge was they wanted to get more HP employees to volunteer how

get more HP employees to volunteer how

get more HP employees to volunteer how can you increase volunteer engagement

can you increase volunteer engagement

can you increase volunteer engagement they are they asked the whole table so

they are they asked the whole table so

they are they asked the whole table so then then I thought no I know how to do

then then I thought no I know how to do

then then I thought no I know how to do video montages I can write well why not

video montages I can write well why not

video montages I can write well why not I do something about it maybe it’s my

I do something about it maybe it’s my

I do something about it maybe it’s my chance to bring HP a PSN together also

chance to bring HP a PSN together also

chance to bring HP a PSN together also so I raised this idea how about in the

so I raised this idea how about in the

so I raised this idea how about in the next few months during my internship I

next few months during my internship I

next few months during my internship I go for every other social impact events

go for every other social impact events

go for every other social impact events I will video everything I will put a

I will video everything I will put a

I will video everything I will put a video montage after it I will do a nice

video montage after it I will do a nice

video montage after it I will do a nice write-up and then you can send it to

write-up and then you can send it to

write-up and then you can send it to your employees and maybe more people be

your employees and maybe more people be

your employees and maybe more people be interested so the social impact leader

interested so the social impact leader

interested so the social impact leader looked at me and I go it doesn’t only

looked at me and I go it doesn’t only

looked at me and I go it doesn’t only talk so much I hold a bucket quiet

talk so much I hold a bucket quiet

talk so much I hold a bucket quiet ha uh and energy said ok I I don’t mind

ha uh and energy said ok I I don’t mind

ha uh and energy said ok I I don’t mind letting you try out I says you’ll be

letting you try out I says you’ll be

letting you try out I says you’ll be doing this extra for free is anything HP

doing this extra for free is anything HP

doing this extra for free is anything HP can do for you

can do for you

can do for you there was the chance you know

there was the chance you know

there was the chance you know the chance so I said I am doing a

the chance so I said I am doing a

the chance so I said I am doing a project AP I said could you support me

project AP I said could you support me

project AP I said could you support me of it and I just I just gave her the

of it and I just I just gave her the

of it and I just I just gave her the details and stuff and to my pleasant

details and stuff and to my pleasant

details and stuff and to my pleasant surprise

surprise

surprise HP agree so in the next few months I

HP agree so in the next few months I

HP agree so in the next few months I literally went down every HP social

literally went down every HP social

literally went down every HP social impact event put my little phone up and

impact event put my little phone up and

impact event put my little phone up and video every moment and spent hours doing

video every moment and spent hours doing

video every moment and spent hours doing video montages for HP and after of this

video montages for HP and after of this

video montages for HP and after of this events their shadows won’t digest if all

events their shadows won’t digest if all

events their shadows won’t digest if all the employees in HP Singapore but more

the employees in HP Singapore but more

the employees in HP Singapore but more importantly my team and I we managed to

importantly my team and I we managed to

importantly my team and I we managed to bring HP and a PSN together so one of

bring HP and a PSN together so one of

bring HP and a PSN together so one of those events that we managed to do

those events that we managed to do

those events that we managed to do collaborations with was when HP actually

collaborations with was when HP actually

collaborations with was when HP actually sponsored a brick making session with a

sponsored a brick making session with a

sponsored a brick making session with a PS n HT sponsor and our cost of it they

PS n HT sponsor and our cost of it they

PS n HT sponsor and our cost of it they provided close to 20 volunteers and the

provided close to 20 volunteers and the

provided close to 20 volunteers and the the beneficiaries at a PS n could

the beneficiaries at a PS n could

the beneficiaries at a PS n could actually learn how to make brick

actually learn how to make brick

actually learn how to make brick something that they would never get a

something that they would never get a

something that they would never get a chance to so other collaborations

chance to so other collaborations

chance to so other collaborations include we were planning this carnival

include we were planning this carnival

include we were planning this carnival they reached out to more than 10,000

they reached out to more than 10,000

they reached out to more than 10,000 people with a TSN and HP was one of the

people with a TSN and HP was one of the

people with a TSN and HP was one of the title sponsors they even provided close

title sponsors they even provided close

title sponsors they even provided close to 200 HP employees on that Saturday

to 200 HP employees on that Saturday

to 200 HP employees on that Saturday again I had no idea why anyone booked on

again I had no idea why anyone booked on

again I had no idea why anyone booked on a Saturday but HP is pretty amazing

a Saturday but HP is pretty amazing

a Saturday but HP is pretty amazing employees so I did a lot of other

employees so I did a lot of other

employees so I did a lot of other fascinating collaborations as well for

fascinating collaborations as well for

fascinating collaborations as well for example there’s one time where there’s

example there’s one time where there’s

example there’s one time where there’s this HP computer called the sprach

this HP computer called the sprach

this HP computer called the sprach computer going google it after this

computer going google it after this

computer going google it after this session if you have time I pitch this

session if you have time I pitch this

session if you have time I pitch this computer to a PSA we try to convince

computer to a PSA we try to convince

computer to a PSA we try to convince them that this computer could actually

them that this computer could actually

them that this computer could actually transform classroom teaching and

transform classroom teaching and

transform classroom teaching and classroom learning arm yeah a lot of

classroom learning arm yeah a lot of

classroom learning arm yeah a lot of this fascinating collaborations happen

this fascinating collaborations happen

this fascinating collaborations happen just because of that dinner that their

just because of that dinner that their

just because of that dinner that their particular night so this brings me to my

particular night so this brings me to my

particular night so this brings me to my point which is though the wall is not a

point which is though the wall is not a

point which is though the wall is not a solid block reality is malleable this

solid block reality is malleable this

solid block reality is malleable this you know sometimes we see things is very

you know sometimes we see things is very

you know sometimes we see things is very prominent very fixed you know everything

prominent very fixed you know everything

prominent very fixed you know everything so normal and we don’t see it in

so normal and we don’t see it in

so normal and we don’t see it in ourselves to have this impetus to

ourselves to have this impetus to

ourselves to have this impetus to challenge it but let us remember this

challenge it but let us remember this

challenge it but let us remember this none of us in this room are detached

none of us in this room are detached

none of us in this room are detached spectators subjected to some crazy

spectators subjected to some crazy

spectators subjected to some crazy notion of normal

notion of normal

notion of normal remember this all of us are thinking

remember this all of us are thinking

remember this all of us are thinking active participants of reality thinking

active participants of reality thinking

active participants of reality thinking active participants on reality and if we

active participants on reality and if we

active participants on reality and if we can look beyond the conventions of roles

can look beyond the conventions of roles

can look beyond the conventions of roles challenge the archetypes of ideas daring

challenge the archetypes of ideas daring

challenge the archetypes of ideas daring instead to shape this wall that is a

instead to shape this wall that is a

instead to shape this wall that is a soft and malleable of reality and I

soft and malleable of reality and I

soft and malleable of reality and I really believe that some of the greatest

really believe that some of the greatest

really believe that some of the greatest problems of in our world today can be

problems of in our world today can be

problems of in our world today can be faced with confidence thank you very

faced with confidence thank you very

faced with confidence thank you very much

much

much [Applause]

”

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