01/03/2015
About This Movement:
Call it intelligent and sustainable charity. This is not a donation, donors don't lose a cent. The only thing given to beneficiaries will be a chance to further their studies.
This is a platform to connect those who wish to further their education but don't quite have the financial means to, with those who can and want to empower the former to pursue further education by providing interest-free education loans.
Conceived by 2 professors at National University of Singapore, the concept hinges on 3 simple rules:
- The loans are interest free, to be paid back when beneficiaries have the capacity to do so (e,g upon employment), and in manners that suit beneficiary (e.g micro-installments)
- The fees are to be paid directly to the institute of education (college/polytechnic/any other institute)
- Depending on ability, beneficiaries are to partake in this scheme and become a "donor" upon being able to do so (e.g several years after employment and financial security)
Education breaks the poverty cycle. It enables the ascension of the socio-economical ladder. It changes lives, not just of the individual receiving the education, but the well-being of his or her family and loved ones.
There are many competent individuals who shy away of such life changing education, simply because they cannot afford to, or because there are only so many scholarships available (which often get snapped up by the people who are least in need of them).
This project aims to help those with aspirations but who might not be able to afford them to keep the flame burning, and not to give themselves "second best".
The 3 rules of the project ensure the following
- Interest free loans ensure that donors don't lose a cent. This form of donation also encourages beneficiaries to take ownership of their own education and how well they do, and not to shy away from such a "scholarship" for fear of feeling "paiseh". Ultimately, it is the beneficiaries own money, time-traveled.
- Fees paid directly to the recognised institute of study ensures the funds will go where they are should.
- The condition of beneficiaries having to do the same when able creates an ever amplifying cascade of loans. Donors aren't just empowering an individual, but every subsequent beneficiary along the line.
To date Teach A Man To Fish has financed the college fees of a handful of students mostly from the National University of Singapore, as well as the Singapore Institute of Management, who have gone on to graduate and are now employed full time.
We can't guarantee that you're definite to be a beneficiary, but please leave a personal message and like this page if you would like to be registered in the system. Teach A Man To Fish is currently working with NGO giant Give Asia, and with a greater number of requests, this movement can be publisized and invested in by the sponsors of Give Asia; which in turn will only lead to a greater number of beneficiaries. This is as the staff at GIve Asia are IT and business graduates who are volunteers, and therefore any such funding to further establish this portal has to be backed by a demand.
