Making a Difference: One Relationship at a Time

by James Ong, Director, REI Singapore

“Circumstances reveal the character of a person.”

These past three years, I’ve come to experience how situations and circumstances help bring out potential and new dynamics in the relationships we have with people.

Unexpected Invitations

Three years ago, I received the invitation from REI President & CEO, Doug Erdmann, to help set up the REI Singapore office. I had crossed paths with Doug some 13 years prior but had not worked closely with him. In the months that followed, after multiple discussions, a trip to visit REI field staff in Vietnam, Laos and Uzbekistan, and a visit to REI’s HQ in Colorado, USA, I grew in conviction that serving with REI to “build people to build nations” was a mission I would focus on this season of my life.

In 2023, I met Josiah Ng at conference where he was conducting a workshop I attended. At the end of the session, I thanked him for the insightful workshop and asked for his contact to stay in touch. Half a year later, when the REI Country Leader Retreat was held in Singapore, a friend recommended I invite Josiah to lead a workshop for us on Communicating Impact.

Tricia and Josiah Ng (REI staff heading to Uzbekistan) leading a workshop in Singapore

At the retreat, Randy Vernon, REI’s country leader for Uzbekistan, connected with Josiah. In March 2025, Josiah responded to an invitation to be a visiting lecturer at Samarkand International University of Technology (SIUT) for three weeks and was joined by his wife Tricia. (See here for Josiah’s reflections: https://www.resourceexchangeinternational.org/post/a-four-year-old-asks-why)

SIUT faculty appreciated Josiah’s contributions and asked him to consider returning. REI’s Uzbekistan team also found Josiah and Tricia a joy to relate with and work alongside, resulting in Randy asking them to consider becoming field staff.

Josiah and Tricia Ng with their two young boys

Fast forward to today, Josiah and Tricia are preparing to head to Uzbekistan in early February 2026 with their two boys. They completed their month-long pre-field training at REI HQ and are in the final stages of the packing and moving. We are excited for them to intentionally choose to step out of their comfort zones and invest in the young adults of Uzbekistan.

Breakthrough

With our current fundraising efforts and the Josiah and Tricia’s impending departure, opening of REI Singapore’s bank account became more urgent. Over the last two years, we’ve tried our best to open a business bank account. However, banks have been less inclined to open accounts for nonprofit organizations whose main source of income is donations, after recent high-profile money-laundering court cases.

The Singapore government’s strong stance against the financing of foreign extremist activities have also caused banks to be more cautious when dealing with clients sending money overseas.

After rejections by three banks, we were becoming keenly aware of just how stringent the banks were when evaluating applications to open a business bank account.

Some of Singapore's skyline

With the latest application, we’ve had multiple rounds of requests of documentation and declarations. In previous weeks, I had hoped we could end the year on a positive note by having our bank account application approved despite there not being any hint this would happen.

To my surprise, I received an email from the bank on December 30th informing me that our application was approved and details on setting up the account would follow the next day. The elation and relief at having reached our goal after a challenging two-year process is a memorable marker in this journey.

I’m also thankful for the growing number of individuals who have chosen to give financially toward the work of REI. I am humbled and grateful to each donor who has given, regardless of the amount.

Growing REI Singapore’s Capacity

Lim Tai Toon is another Singaporean who has been involved with REI. He recently participated on the short-term professional team to the Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. He has also stepped up to be on the Board of Directors for REI Singapore. We are in talks with two other individuals we hope will join the board to grow the diversity, experience and networks available to us.

Lim Tai Toon teaching at KAFU

Lim Tai Toon is Singaporean who has started and run businesses all over the world. He has recently gotten involved with REI by participating on the short-term professional team to the Kazakh-American Free University in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. He has now stepped up to be on the Board of Directors for REI Singapore. We are in talks with two other individuals we hope will join the board to grow the diversity, experience and networks available to us.

As our REI Singapore team is taking shape and our capacity grows, I’m looking forward to what we will do together in 2026 to launch even more volunteers into the nations.