The annual President’s Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards (PVPA), conferred by the President of Singapore, celebrates individuals, leaders, organisations, and communities who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to giving.
The People of Good category honours Singapore’s everyday individuals who have positively impacted society by giving their time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony. We introduce 2025’s four People of Good Award winners who are making a powerful difference in our community.
Natania Tan – Youth-Led Generosity Making Waves Across The Island
Natania Tan founded You(th) Can Do It! (YCDI) in 2022 to commit to making community service more accessible and meaningful for young people in Singapore. The youth-led initiative has grown to a team of 70, partnered with over 50 community organisations, and mobilised 1,200 volunteers from 80 schools. An additional 3,000 youths have been engaged through various outreach efforts.
YCDI fosters a strong, growth-oriented culture, with returning volunteers stepping up as leaders – demonstrating sustainability and impact. Teachers have observed increased empathy and maturity in students.
Looking ahead, YCDI aims to strengthen ties with community enablers including the BAGUS Together network, diversify funding, expand to more Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), and incorporate Bridges’ Transition Model into its leadership development.
Kaamil Mansoor – A Young Leader Championing Mental Resilience
Kaamil Mansoor believes every youth deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered. Once struggling with confidence, he found purpose through Bethesda Care Services’ (BCS) youth programmes which showed him the power of community.
As the leader of Project Resolute in YMCA Youth for Causes 2024, Kaamil demonstrates an inspiring commitment to building mental resilience among youth by championing outreach efforts with his team through the ‘How’s Life’ campaign and video featuring how Bethesda Care Services has impacted youths.
The efforts reached over 6,000 people and raised an impressive S$87,000, fostering a caring community, and also championing mental well-being. Kaamil now aims to mentor peers, join the Youth Corps Leadership programme, and build lasting platforms to support youth.
Melissa Lim – Representing Fellow Patients and Caregivers On The Global Stage
Motivated by her own recovery and caregiving experience, Melissa Lim founded the Brain Tumour Society (Singapore) (BTSS) in 2014 to support patients and caregivers facing brain tumour conditions.
Under her leadership, BTSS has grown to over 300 members, offering befriending services, community events, financial aid, and education. The organisation also raises public awareness and advocates for stronger community support.
Internationally, she represents Singapore at global summits, has co-founded the Asia Pacific Brain Tumour Alliance, and contributes to international advocacy and collaboration. Looking ahead, she plans to invest in succession planning and expand BTSS through the Next 10 Years Legacy Fund, focusing on care coordination and post-discharge support for brain tumour patients and caregivers.
Quek Soo Hoon – A Nurturing Mentor and Community Builder
Inspired by the potential of the children she worked with, Madam Quek Soo Hoon started Ulu Pandan Stars to offer more than academic support, creating a nurturing space where youth volunteers serve as mentors and role models.
The initiative now engages over 80 youth volunteers who provide one-on-one guidance to 50 students, focusing on academic support and values-based development.
Madam Quek also co-founded the Kampung Spirit Fund through the Community Foundation of Singapore which has benefitted more than 6,200 individuals across diverse causes, including disadvantaged youths, women’s shelters, migrant workers, and overseas humanitarian programmes. She has also served on the board of the Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC).
Congratulations to the winners of PVPA 2025 – People of Good
Congratulations once again to the People of Good winners for your remarkable contributions to society. We’re excited to see how your journey of giving continues to uplift the community.
We invite readers to explore the stories of our other PVPA 2025 award recipients — the Leaders of Good, Organisations of Good, Communities of Good, and City of Good Award winners — whose impact is equally inspiring.
