A Lesson In Giving

Goh Sin Tub died 5 to 10 years ago. Before he died, he wrote this inspiring article for us:

SOME PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE RICH, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THEY HAVE

In the early '80s, Brother Kevin Byrne, then principal of Singapore's St Joseph's Institution, and I started raising money from alumni and the other supporters for the school's new campus on Malcolm Road (near Toa Payoh). Our campaign was based on an optimistic premise that we could convince our supporters to give the school the biggest charity donation of their lives -- at least $1000, a generous sum in those days. Our target was to recruit 3000 such supporters, which would raise $3 million.

As the ambitious scheme gathered momentum, we had our low moments -- but we had our high ones too.

I remember when the first replies arrived. Brother Kevin and I were working on our newsletter, which would serve as a reminder of our appeal. We stopped to read the mail.

One of the first envelopes gave promise of good things. The backflap presented the sender's particulars in embossed letters, including a personal logo in color. I recognised the name: a successful and academically accomplished graduate of the school. The address was in the affluent District 10. Though still young, the sender was already a high-income earner, and we thought he was good for at least $10,000, most likely more.

I let Brother Kevin have the pleasure of opening the letter to receive the big donation. He was silent as he scrutinized the contents.

The man did not donate even one cent. "Still," the saintly Brother Kevin said, "at least he took the trouble to write to us - explain his situation and wish us well."

The man wrote that right now things were tight. He had just invested over $500,000 in a condo. He concluded sadly, "So it looks as if for the next few years, until I have paid off my mortgage, I won't be able to give anything to charity. Nevertheless, I shall pray for you. May God bless you."

"And we expected a bonanza from him," I said, expressing my disappointment.

One of the next letters we opened rewards us. But that initial donation to our cause filled me with both awe and misgivings.

"A thousand-dollar cheque!" said Brother Kevin, so delighted he did not at first notice who sent it. I did. It was from Joe Gomes - someone I knew well.

I did not recall including his name on our 'hit' list; someone else on our committee must have added it. Yes, Joe had always been well-disposed toward our school, but in my mind I had him classified as someone who help out in funfairs and charity shows rather than hefty direct donations - he was definitely not in the four-figure league that was our target.

Joe was not your average well-off alumnus (or your average academically successful Josephian, for that matter). Indeed, at the time he sent us his donation, he was working as caretaker of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, for which the church provided him a modest allowance and an equally modest behind-the-church accomodation. You could say he was as poor as the proverbial church mouse.

I expressed my concern to Brother Kevin. "Why, when Joe needed a heart-bypass a few years back, we passed the hat around to help him pay his bills. I'll have to speak with the man. We may have to discreetly hand him back his donation." Brother Kevin agreed.

The next morning, which happened to be Sunday, I caught Joe alone after the last church service.

"Joe, we want to thank you for your generous donation, but..." I began.

"Have to help, what! My duty, you know. You're all doing good work, helping to build our new school, helping so many students in future. How can I just stand by, not do my bit - as far as I can?"

I cleared my throat and lowered my voice. "Please don't be angry, but I have to ask you, Joe. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. Can you really afford to donate such a big sum?"

Joe did not reply at once. His eyes searched mine. Was he insulted by what I said? My question suddenly seemed so offending! I hope he did not think I was looking down on him. I looked back at him anxiously.

I was relieved to see a twinkle in his eyes - and to hear his light-hearted reply:

"Don't worry Mr Goh. I'm not kosong (empty), you know. I still have a few hundred dollars left in my savings account!"

Brother Kevin's eyes also glistened when I told him what happened.

Joe's reply became a spring of encouragement to all of us involved in the fund-raising. Now we knew for sure: our cause had strong support. With people like Joe on our side, we are invincible. In time the school was built.

We had learned much from our close encounters with the rich and poor. Brother Kevin summed it up for us: "Being rich isn't about having money, is it? Some of us will always be poor, some always rich - no matter how much or how little we have."