A letter from our Founder
The Greenrail Project is a signature program of the Ng Foundation, a not for profit private operating foundation that I set up to advance social betterment. The Greenrail Project focuses on sustainability, stewardship, and empowerment through education, and underpinned by the power of “Be.” Be is among the shortest words in the English language and tied for the shortest complete sentence, yet one of the most authoritative calls to action and belief.
Be Humble. Be Kind. Be Who You Are. Be Compassionate. Be Empowered. Be Adventurous.
“The Greenrail Project” name is inspired by my experience at the Catholic High School in Singapore. Rev. Fr. Edward Becheras, founder of the school in 1935, was far ahead of his time. He presciently believed that bilingual education represented the future, a very uncommon view for the time.
“The way of the Catholic High School is a way made of two rails – Chinese and English, free from any entanglement, straight to its end. Happy are those who follow, they shall obtain the scope of a sound education – Rev. Fr. Edward Becheras.”
Boys of the school wear green pants/shorts, hence The Greenrail Project name is born.
I grew up in Singapore during the early years of nation building after she gained independence in 1965. I was very fortunate to receive a sound and well-rounded education, and even luckier to land a first job with a prestigious global accounting firm, Arthur Andersen Singapore. They gave me the opportunity to experience working in China, Indonesia, and, in early 2000, transferred me to their Silicon Valley office in California, which changed the trajectory of my life completely.
My work travels shaped my mind and perspectives tremendously.
I was awed by the richness of global cultures, struck by poverty I saw in places, and angered by evidence of discrimination, injustice, and racism I witnessed and experienced, which purported to dictate whom one could love and how one should act and feel to fit into an arbitrary model. These experiences perhaps were necessary to fuel my resolve. I became determined to help right some of these wrongs, to lift the less fortunate, in my own way, without the entanglement of societal norms.
My late mother, Lee Yew Khim, born in the 1930s, had no formal education as society then did not deem she needed one. Yet, she is the most principled, kind, compassionate, generous, and forgiving woman I know. She believes in making sure I had the opportunities and environment to grow that she didn’t.
My late father, Ng Hai Tong, also born in the 1930s, saw his education cut short because his help was needed with the family business started by my grandfather. I always think of him as a start-up founder / college dropout of his time — the 1950s. He gave me ample freedom to determine my path in life and never interfered with my major life decisions — what I should major in college, my career path, etc. He fully supported my move to California, even though I know, deep down in his heart, he didn’t want me to be 8,000+ miles away from family in Singapore.
The vision for The Greenrail Project is, in part, in memory and honor of my parents and the values they imparted on me. I hope I can do them proud.
I benefitted tremendously from the gracious support of many people in my career — they trusted a fresh out of college me, they introduced me to global business and travel, they signed on as the first major client of my then scrappy startup, they believed, and joined our team when we were just a band of motley crew. Thus, Greenrail Project is about stewardship and paying forward, paving the way for the next generation, especially those in less privileged situations, to learn global business and be connected to global markets. Most importantly, I hope the young people of these communities will have the opportunity to receive a good education and gain critical skills — whether vocational, artistry, in life, or in technology. I hope to then watch them lift the quality of living in their communities and create a positive, perpetuating cycle.
I hope you will “Be” with me on this journey, in different ways, on board on The Greenrail Project. Let’s make the world better and brighter. And greener, of course.
Until every aspiring entrepreneur has access to equal opportunity,
Arden Ng Thiam Poh