The influencer with over 300,000 Instagram followers is better known for her posts on fashion, beauty and travel. Now, hear Andrea Chong’s views on how we can build a #CityofGood.
Andrea Chong has a voice. When you have a thriving social media following and your very own media company at the age of 27, that’s a big platform for you to talk about issues close to your heart. Lately for Andrea, that includes giving back.
Earlier this year, her company donated $3,000 to the North West Youth Concert 2019 to support students from low-income families under the North West Student Support Fund (“We’ve always been supportive of anything that comes to education,” she explains). This December, she’s also collaborating with a local bakery to support Touch Community Services.
She tells us about her giving journey, and thoughts on how we can be a City of Good.
My most inspiring giving experience has been…
Building a house in Cambodia as part of Operation Hope Foundation’s ‘Build A House’ Programme. We spent 3 days in a village off Phnom Penh building a house from scratch! We had to build the windows, flooring and so on, and it was truly memorable because its success was through team effort – it really takes a village to make things work.
One cause I’m passionate about and why…
Access to education. I would not be where I am today without a good education. Being equipped with knowledge, language skills, and worldly know-how helps to open doors. That’s why my company supported NTUC Income’s OrangeAid (NTUC Income’s community development and involvement arm) in the past year by doing a coaching session for youth on how to use social media for personal branding.
One reason why it’s important for me to give back…
I don’t think we need a reason to give back, it should be second nature. When you are in a position to give, just give!
One way millennials can play a part in making Singapore a City of Good…
Spread the word. Every single person has influence, and if you can talk about causes that are important to you, or activities you’ve taken part in, people will notice and listen
One good thing I’m going to resolve to do in 2020…
Organise more talks and seminars that are open to everyone and anyone, as well as workshops with local social enterprises. We plan to hold community workshops every month with our followers and hope to include a session specifically focusing on wellness and mental wellness.
This month, I’m supporting Touch Community Services…
… Through a collaboration with local bakery In The Brickyard. I’m a huge fan In The Brickyard (their ondeh ondeh cake is my favourite), and when they asked if I would like to be a part of their ‘Icon of The Month’ movement – I said yes! Icon of The Month is a tie-up with a local ‘icon’ or personality. The latter will design a cake with In The Brickyard, with part of the proceeds going to a charity. Our cake ($50) is a blend of ondeh ondeh and pulut hitam, and 15% of the proceeds will go to Touch Community Services, which serves a range of groups including children, youth, families, the elderly and more.
Use your voice. Share about a cause or charity you love on Giving.sg!
