Buy Cards and Create Jobs for the Disabled

Some time ago, I went down to Bizlink so I can understand their goals and motivation better. When I heard their concept, I was immediately swayed.  Bizlink Center is a non-profit organization that provides employment placements and job assessments for people with disability (PWDs).  But not all PWDs are ready to adjust to working without help so Bizlink also runs a sheltered workshop to provide work as well as serve as a work training environment.

I loved their concept because it’s not about just handing out money to PWDs, it’s about finding them a job or letting them have a chance to earn their own keep. The independence and dignity that they gain is worth so much more than just a monetary handout. Besides, hopefully, they would eventually be able to gain enough skills and courage to integrate into the mainstream society.

The Bizlink workshop sources jobs for it’s workers such as data entry, packing of goodies, inserting letters into envelopes, telemarketing, making gifts and so on. They try to keep the jobs coming in so they the PWDs have work and they can receive salaries,CPF and other work benefits. Other than taking jobs from outside companies, Bizlink tries to create jobs on their own. And one of this is through greeting cards.

They have done Christmas, Chinese New Year and even Ang Pows for companies for many years and in the recent years they are trying to expand it to the retail market. Every single step is executed by PWDs. I had the fortune of seeing the original artwork that the cards had been adapted from. The artists all had a wide range of background and ages. Just to name a few – Artist Francesca Tan and Lim Teck Mong have paraplegia, Gillson Tan has down syndrome, Yeo Ah Guan has dementia but all of them are so talented!

Even the packing and arranging of the greeting cards are done by PWDs. I was at the workshop but didn’t want to capture their faces or any close ups as a large number of PWDs are still really shy about themselves and how they look.

To help them as an individual is really easy. Just buy greeting cards to support them! Each card is only about S$1 and you can buy them at the following locations:

Toy Outpost – Plaza Singapura, 8 Orchard Road #07-11B Singapore 238839

Toy Outpost – Vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #02-27 Singapore 098585

Toy Outpost – *SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link #02-16 Singapore 237978

Toy Outpost – Jurong Point, Jurong West Central 2 #03-05 Singapore 64888
Call 62498128 for more info or visit their website at www.gift.org.sg

You also view the video below for more information.

Video is also viewable at http://youtu.be/iEf5oyuvXf4

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Comments

  1. January 27, 2011 / 8:05 pm

    Thanks for articulating the needs and dreams of this disadvantaged community Bizlink serves to your generation through the new media. Much appreciated, and touched that your generation cares too.

    Rgds,

    Alvin Lim
    CEO, Bizlink Centre Singapore Ltd

    • January 28, 2011 / 1:06 am

      Alvin,

      Thanks. It was a pleasure getting to know the concept and the people behind Bizlink. I’m truly impressed with the success rate of your employment scheme and think that letting the PWD’s gain their own independence and dignity through a job brings in so much more benefits to them compared to a simple handout. Keep up the good work!

  2. January 27, 2011 / 8:05 pm

    Thanks for articulating the needs and dreams of this disadvantaged community Bizlink serves to your generation through the new media. Much appreciated, and touched that your generation cares too.

    Rgds,

    Alvin Lim
    CEO, Bizlink Centre Singapore Ltd

    • January 28, 2011 / 1:06 am

      Alvin,

      Thanks. It was a pleasure getting to know the concept and the people behind Bizlink. I’m truly impressed with the success rate of your employment scheme and think that letting the PWD’s gain their own independence and dignity through a job brings in so much more benefits to them compared to a simple handout. Keep up the good work!

  3. Chua Chun Hao
    March 18, 2011 / 2:05 pm

    I totally agree with the concept of Bizlink, which is one that many should adapt to and learn from. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for life”. Hence their practical approach to the problem. My time here at Bizlink has taught me a lot, and has shown me that you’re only truely disabled when you have stopped trying to work with what you got.

    • March 29, 2011 / 5:41 pm

      I think Bizlink does shed a brand new light on what is viewed as “disabled”. As long as one is willing and opportunities are present, then the possibilities are endless!

  4. Chua Chun Hao
    March 18, 2011 / 2:05 pm

    I totally agree with the concept of Bizlink, which is one that many should adapt to and learn from. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for life”. Hence their practical approach to the problem. My time here at Bizlink has taught me a lot, and has shown me that you’re only truely disabled when you have stopped trying to work with what you got.

    • March 29, 2011 / 5:41 pm

      I think Bizlink does shed a brand new light on what is viewed as “disabled”. As long as one is willing and opportunities are present, then the possibilities are endless!

  5. selina chan si wan
    December 21, 2011 / 8:42 pm

    hi mr alvin wong i dozen want to lost this job in bizlink . i want learn more think . but jacquelin & kris refew me .

  6. selina chan si wan
    December 21, 2011 / 8:42 pm

    hi mr alvin wong i dozen want to lost this job in bizlink . i want learn more think . but jacquelin & kris refew me .

  7. Carol Heng
    January 3, 2012 / 6:28 pm

    Hi Selina,
    We have spoken to your mother about why Bizlink cannot take you in. Perhaps you want to check with your mother ?

  8. Carol Heng
    January 3, 2012 / 6:28 pm

    Hi Selina,
    We have spoken to your mother about why Bizlink cannot take you in. Perhaps you want to check with your mother ?

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