2007-01-28
7:50 p.m.
Tribute to a humanitarian worker
"Social Work provides us a lot of training, but opportunities to apply our training and make a difference is only our opportunity. This is where being a humanitarian worker, sums it up so well. Let's always serve humanity and bring hope to the many that look to us to make that difference." - Geri Lau, Secretary General, Singapore Red Cross (1995 - 2007)
12 years. That's the amount of time she devoted herself to the organisation. That's how much time she spent dedicating herself to the work of the Movement, committing herself to touching the lives of those she chose to serve.
The above quote that she sent me in an email touched me deeply. I am sure those who know the context in which it was given would be touched deeply by it too.
At the end of the day, she's right. There are many that look to humanitarian workers to make that difference. Thank you, Geri, for having made a difference to MY life.
The SRC will miss you. And so will I.
=======================================
REJUVENATION - SRC 50th Anniversary Song
Lyrics - Delta Tango
Music - Yi Ming
Voice over - Delta Tango
Singers - Chang Chin Hoon, Ong Kok Leong
This song is dedicated to Mrs Geri Lau, Secretary General, Singapore Red Cross (1995 - 2007).
(Spoken)
The year is 1863.
The humble town of Solferino,
saw the beginning of
the largest Humanitarian Movement
in the world.
(Sung)
The cold wind blows
over the desolate fields;
the embers are aglow.
On the fields are scattered shields,
guns, cannons, weapons and bodies of every kind,
the wreck and damage enough to boggle the mind.
The night is dark,
the scenario stark.
One man, alone, walking through the fields.
He sees it all, his heart stands still.
Chorus
What is this I see
right before my very eyes;
a light that is brighter than the brightest skies?
The Red Cross is a brilliant light
shining in the darkest night.
This light must never die
for on it many hopes lie.
(spoken)
Eighty six years have passed.
Since that fateful day in Solferino.
Far away in a distant shore,
a group of people are gathered
to celebrate the birth
of a British branch of the Movement.
The Singapore Red Cross Society was born!
(sung)
For fifty years since that day,
we have worked and we have toiled
to bring humanity to every soil.
We work for all
so that man may stand tall.
For every step that we take,
we know that there is a big difference we make.
For fifty years we have grown
as our achievements have shown
There is no other way
but the way we have walked.
Chorus
What is this I see
right before my very eyes;
a light that is brighter than the brightest skies?
The Red Cross is a brilliant light
shining in the darkest night.
This light must never die
for on it many hopes lie.
People come from different walks of life.
Many worlds, yet one family.
In the lives of the less fortunate that we serve,
we see warmth and rebirth.
The VAD - our wisdom and our pillars;
The RCY - our vision for the future.
Our volunteers - our strength and our hope
No other way could we have coped.
Chorus
What is this I see
right before my very eyes;
a light that is brighter than the brightest skies?
The Red Cross is a brilliant light
shining in the darkest night.
This light must never die
for on it many hopes lie.