As a responsible corporate citizen, Keppel has in place a Group-wide programme through which it harnesses the Group's diverse resources into a network of volunteers, known as the Keppel Volunteers.

Each Keppel Volunteer brings specialised skills and talents, as well as their business units' professional expertise in a common effort to imbue the Keppel Group employees, with a sense of community service.

This programme was an idea seeded by Executive Chairman Lim Chee Onn himself and kick-started by a dedicated group of Keppelites in October 2000. The first adopted charity was the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN).

On 27 November 2002, Keppel Corporation's community efforts were recognised nationally when it garnered the prestigious Outstanding Corporate Volunteer of the Year award.

Since its inception, the Keppel Volunteers programme has been warmly received by Keppelites, and continues to grow in terms of membership and projects.

Keppel's adopted charity – APSN
APSN comprises five schools: Chaoyang School, Katong School, Tanglin School, Delta Senior School and the APSN Centre for Adults.

As APSN's benefactor, Keppel believes not only in providing financial support, but in playing an active role in the development of the students. In line with this philosophy, Keppel Volunteers visit the schools regularly and help out in their weekly activities. These activities range from social competence excursions to familiarise the students with the public transport system, to cooking classes, and art & craft lessons. Apart from weekly activities, the Volunteers also organise special events that aim to help the students of APSN assimilate into society.

Hydroponics farm
In 2007, Executive Chairman Lim Chee Onn hosted a luncheon for the APSN Executive Committee joined by representatives of the Keppel Scholars Alumni Association and Keppel Volunteers to explore ideas for further collaboration. A key area was the development of the Centre for Adults (CFA) to help boost the employability of APSN’s clients. The session gave rise to a joint pilot project for a hydroponics farm by Keppel Volunteers and APSN.

The farm, which serves as a sheltered workshop as well as a means to create a revenue stream for the CFA, was launched on 18 January 2008. Participants are able to acquire skills in hydroponics farming such as seeding, transplanting, harvesting, cropping, packaging and selling the produce.

Recycling project
Keppel Volunteers also collaborated with APSN to revive a recycling project in 2007. This project allows CFA’s clients to collect unwanted materials, recycle them and eventually sell the items through the centre’s thrift shop. Through this project, participants enhance their interaction skills with the public as well as their teamwork ethics. Keppel Volunteers also encourages Keppelites to be proactive in the collection of used items as well as to assist in raising awareness of the thrift shop and boosting its sales.

Creative Arts Programme
In 2007, Keppel Volunteers embarked on a long-term collaboration with the Practice Performing Arts School in Singapore, founded by the late Kuo Pao Kun and Goh Lay Kuan, to introduce arts and culture related activities to the APSN children via a pilot Creative Arts Programme (CAP).

Two CAP workshops were held which featured performances by the students of Chaoyang School. CAP helps the APSN students to develop their psycho-motor abilities as well as to provide them with an avenue for creative expression.

Model programme
The Keppel Volunteer programme has been recognised as a well-structured programme and has been cited at public forums as a model example for corporate volunteerism. Some of these public forums include the 'Public Service in Action for the Community', 'Singapore 21: Heartbeats in Action' and the 'National Volunteer Conference 2002'.

Keppel will continue its efforts to spread the spirit of volunteerism throughout the Group and make it a living reality for all Keppelites.

Be a Keppel Volunteer
Experience a more enriching and meaningful life by being a Keppel Volunteer. Sign up today!

For more information on Keppel Volunteers, visit: www.keppelvolunteers.com or e-mail volunteer@keppelvolunteers.com.