On May 10, 2014, 20 members of the Soka Volunteers Group (SVG) supported the official opening of a new centre in Jurong of the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD), one of SGS’s long-time community partners.
Named “SPD@Jurong”, this facility supports early intervention programmes for clients in the western region of Singapore. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the Guest of Honour of this joyous occasion.
With hearts filled with the spirit of service, SVG volunteers arrived early in the morning and joined their SPD friends in their preparations for the event. They performed roles, such as ushering, directing traffic, as well as operating a booth for visitors to try their hand at hama beads making. Their bright smiles and dedicated efforts brought joy to everyone around them.
SGI President Ikeda applauds the endeavours undertaken by volunteer welfare organisations, such as the SPD, for society. In his 2014 Peace Proposal, President Ikeda wrote: “I am confident that community activities, volunteer and NGO undertakings—as well as the simple act of people who are themselves suffering reaching out to others in need—can all generate an upward spiral of joy. Together with the kind of dialogue touched on above, these efforts can propel us towards the establishment of a society in which all people’s dignity is fully realised.”
