Operation De-COVID-19 Cheque Presentation Ceremony

In 2020, our migrant workers were negatively impacted when COVID-19 found its way to our shores. As cases soared and quarantine measures kicked in, our migrant workers faced isolation and obstacles to maintaining their livelihood.

To support them, the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS) started Operation DE-COVID-19, a fundraising campaign that sells T-Shirts specially designed by 10 local designers from different design arenas.

These T-shirts carried special slogans of encouragement to unite and fight against COVID-19. They were sold at $38 per piece. All proceeds from those sales would be donated to the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund to financially support our migrant workers during these difficult times.

The Cheque Presentation Ceremony on 3 February 2021 was the culmination of the campaign’s hard work; a private event with safe-distancing measures was held at the Migrant Workers’ Centre with some of the designers and partners involved in attendance.

Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, was the Guest-Of-Honour for the ceremony.

Opening Speeches

Professor Keat Ong, President of SIDS and one of the designers for the T-shirts, gave the opening address. He shared how he was inspired to start the campaign ‘one rainy day’ when he heard about the rise in COVID-19 cases. From there, he set out to collaborate with the best in the local design industry to launch Operation De-Covid-19. He thanked the participating designers and partners for their hard work and support.

Professor Keat Ong giving his speech. Photo © SIDS

After a video presentation, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Chairman of Migrant Workers' Centre spoke next. On behalf of the migrant workers, he expressed gratitude for the SIDS’s help in raising funds and explain how those funds will help support the migrant workers, including the distribution of essential items and face masks to protect against the virus.

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang giving his speech. Photo © RenoTalk

Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, gave the third and last speech to kickstart the event. He thanked all who helped to support Operation De-COVID-19 and shared his observation at how badly the migrant workers were affected by the pandemic, as most of them were stuck between work, their health, and providing for their families back home. He also expressed his optimism that the funds raised will help migrant workers get back on their feet and support their loved ones.

Minister Zaqy Mohamad giving his speech. Photo © RenoTalk

Cheque Presentation

We congratulate the SIDS and Operation De-COVID-19 for raising $15,000 for the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund! Professor Keat Ong and Minister Zaqy Mohamad presented the cheque bearing the amount to Mr Yeo Guat Kwang.

Photo © RenoTalk

Presentation of Certificates

Certificates of appreciation were presented to the designers and partners present, who played major roles in the campaign’s creation and success.

Four of the ten designers who designed the T-shirts for sale were present to receive their certificates, presented to them by Professor Keat Ong and Minister Zaqy Mohamad.

• Professor Keat Ong, Keat Ong Design
• Mr Damian Tang, National Parks Board
• Ms Janice Wong, Janice Wong Singapore
• Ms Kelley Cheng, The Press Room

Photos © RenoTalk

Certificates of appreciation were also presented to campaign partners who were present for the event. This was to thank them for supporting the campaign and our migrant workers.

• RenoTalk Pte Ltd, for being the official media partner for Operation De-COVID-19. Check out our article and video through the links below!
• Admira Pte Ltd
• ATEC Design and Construction
• The Floor Gallery
• Hitachi Asia
• Idee Etcetera
• ISH Interior Design Holdings Pte Ltd
• Ramen Keisuke

Our Certificate of Appreciation! Photo © RenoTalk

A certificate of appreciation and a gift box containing all 10 T-shirt designs were presented to Minister Zaqy Mohamad to thank him for gracing the campaign.

Photo © RenoTalk

The event ended with a group photo outside the event hall, followed by specially prepared bento lunches.

Read our article on Operation De-COVID-19 here.

Watch the video we did for Operation De-COVID-19 here.

More photos at our Facebook post here!