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"If I have $1,000 to celebrate life or make life great for others, I will definitely choose to make life great for others. I have always believed that helping people will make my life worth living. One story that inspired me was that of my neighbour, Ms Tan.
My neighbour, Ms Tan, is always cheerful and optimistic. Even though she is visually handicapped, she has never given up on herself. Instead, she works as a foot reflexology therapist. I admire her never say die attitude. As a normal person, I would feel ashamed if I did not help the needy. Thus, if I have $1,000 I will extend a helping hand to the less fortunate, and that is to go into a small business.
The whole idea of the business is to raise funds for the less fortunate, such as the handicapped. Parts of the profits would be donated, while parts of it will go back into business to sustain and grow so that it can help more people.
"If you have $1,000, are you sure you want to set up a stall to help the needy?" Mum asks. I have been inspired by Ms Tan, hence I am determined to set up a stall selling cookies and cakes, with the help of my older sister, Zi Ling. "Yes Mum, Wouldn't you give us your support?" I ask, in an attempt to seek her approval.
She replied: "You must have enough capital to set up a business, even if it's a small one. If you are sure of doing it, I will definitely support you." I say to Zi Ling: "Yeah, Mum agreed! If we have $1,000 I think we will have enough money to set up the stall if we add part of our savings. "
I feel that setting up a stall is not an easy task. Thus we will first conduct surveys to find out the flavour, and the type of cookies people prefer. We will also find out which place has more crowds. Well, many things have to be done and I think the entire process will be tiring. After all our research, our stall, Handi-Pastry, will be ready. Actually the word, "Handi" comes from the word "Handicapped".
I hope that when we first start our business, many people will come to our stall, mainly because the food is delicious. More customers will come when they know Handi-Pastry is set up to raise funds for the handicapped.
I hope that it will only take a short period of time for us to raise funds and that the business will grow and help more people. Zi Ling and I will be delighted if "Handi-Pastry" is of help to the handicapped.
If I have $1,000 Zi Ling and I would set up "Handi-Pastry" because we believe that it can help the less fortunate."
- Lee Yi Xin, River Valley High School "
This article won a $1,000 cash prize in the "Life is great!" essay competition organised by Great Eastern.
Click here to find out more about the competition
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