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Project SMILE, our one-of-a-kind community arts project conceptualised and pioneered by Lawrence Khong, earned him high honours at the SIP-Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 Award Ceremony on 14 December 2007. This annual award, which was introduced to Singapore in 2006, was founded by the Switzerland-based Schwab Foundation to recognise the work of individuals who have set up enterprises that tackle social issues.
To date, Project SMILE has successfully impacted the lives of more than 2,400 participants both locally and overseas, giving them the opportunity to serve their community in a meaningful way. In turn, through their participation, the project has touched the hearts of over 11,000 disadvantaged beneficiaries in day care centres, homes and hospitals. In the course of doing so, it has involved many volunteers from primary and secondary schools, and tertiary institutions, plus those from the boy¡¯s home, the children¡¯s home and even people with special needs, roping them in to do their individual part for the community. Lawrence, along with two other social entrepreneurs, were the three finalists contending for this prestigious award at the ceremony. They include Mr Kenny Low, Founder of City Harvest Education Centre, a non-profit private school for students taking the O-level examinations, and O School, a performing arts centre that teaches and trains individuals and dance teams from polytechnics and universities in street dance, and Mr Alvin Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Bizlink Centre Singapore, a job placement agency for the disabled. Mr Low was named the SIP-Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 at the award ceremony which was held at Holiday Inn Park View Hotel in Cavenagh Road. The award ceremony was the highlight of a two-day Social Innovators¡¯ Forum by non-profit organisation, Social Innovation Park. The above article is based on information featured in The Straits Times news article ¡®BUSINESS WITH HEART: HE'S WELL-SCHOOLED¡¯ (15 December 2007).
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Lawrence, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Entertainment, was recognised for his significant contribution to the society through his brainchild, Project SMILE or Sharing Magic In Love Everywhere. Together with his daughter, Priscilla Khong, they embarked on this novel community initiative, fuelled by their desire to do their part for the community with their magic talents, since 2002. This unique project essentially teaches and trains volunteers in the art of performing magic to spread the joy and wonder of this art form with the less privileged in the society and bring smiles into their lives.
