Firefly Mission is 100% volunteer-driven. For this reason, we often refer to our members as volunteers. Many have been involved in the work of the organisation and its overseas projects for many years. As like-minded volunteers, our members have over time forged a strong bond of friendship among themselves as would kalyana-mitta (spiritual/admirable friends).
We come from all walks of life. We have university lecturers, professionals, business owners as well as salaried workers among us. Many are retirees. Almost a standard feature is the participation of a whole family. Several members/volunteers plan their annual holidays around the overseas missions of FFM.
The members of the Executive Committee and other active participants are a good cross-section of our membership profile:
President
Yee Kong is an Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He is one of the founding members of Firefly Mission and is instrumental in charting the growth of the organisation since its inception in 2001. His wife, Mok Siang is highly supportive and together with their 4 children are frequent participants in FFM’s overseas humanitarian missions.In fact, their extended family with multi-generational members, including his 82-year old mother and an uncle, are always involved in FFM activities one way or another.
Vice-President | Laos Project Coordinator
William spent 30 years with Citibank and The Gillette Company and is now a business consultant, specializing in business process improvements. Since retiring, he and his wife, Corina have become active FFM volunteers. They are our regular hosts for the FFM Exco/Coordinators meetings.
Vice President | Cambodia & Thailand Projects Coordinator
Meng Seng is a retired police officer. He first joined the FFM trip to Myanmar in 2004 and then volunteered to be Country Co-Coordinator for Cambodia and Thailand projects.
Vice President
Rene works in the financial service sector. He was previously the coordinator for the annual Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) kathina to Taiping, Perak (Malaysia). His wife, Mui Mui, is also an active volunteer, always ready to lend a hand whatever the task.
Treasurer | Sri Lanka Project Co-Coordinator
Siew Kiang is one of the founding members of FFM. She retired from the banking industry after working for over 20 years. She took up employment again with a voluntary welfare organisation for two years before retiring a second time in August 2013.
Assistant Treasurer| SBS Kathina Coordinator
Arnold is a Director of Marketing & Business Strategy with a listed Singapore company. He is a civil engineer by training, which makes him a good fit for the numerous construction projects undertaken by FFM. In the wake of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, he led the first FFM team on-the-ground in Myanmar just two weeks after the storm. His is also a whole family involvement; he and his wife, Patsy, both their mothers and children are regular participants.
Secretary
Michelle was in the paint industry for 13 years and left her general management position to devote time to her family and volunteer for FFM activities. Her husband, Daniel, is also an active FFM volunteer and their 3 sons are now regular participants of FFM overseas missions.
Assistant Secretary | Website Administrator
Janet spent 35 years working in the electronics industry specialising in Sourcing and Procurement in Southeast Asia region. Since retiring in 2015, she has been an active FFM volunteer in both local and overseas works.
Committee Member | Publicity & Creative Coordinator
Jee Peng does project management in the manufacturing industry. He is unofficially the ‘Creative Director’ of FFM producing the annual presentation videos and all external publicity materials.
CNY Event Coordinator | Myanmar Sponsorship Program Coordinator
A veteran legal recruiter by profession; Melinda started volunteering with FFM since their family’s 1st FFM trip in Dec 2013. Well supported by her husband, Wilson Toh and daughters, Alphina and Seraphina, this family is active in overseas and local FFM activities.On weekend, Melinda and Wilson also volunteer as Dharma Teachers with Kong Meng San Dharma School.
Nepal and India Projects Coordinator
Marc Leow is currently working as an IT manager in a US Tech company. He is supporting the activities in Nepal and India and has started volunteering with FFM since Oct 2015.
Bhutan Project & Sponsorship Program Coordinator
Serene is an experienced business leader with over 20 years in the IT industry. Her strong track record of delivering outstanding results and building strong teams constantly has earned her a reputation as a true top performer in a high performance organisation. Together with her 2 daughters, Vanessa and Vivienne, they are active supporters of FFM participating in overseas trips since 2013. Serene wishes to apply Buddhism principles in her life and is ready to contribute to FFM projects.
Local Project Coordinator
After 10 years in the audit and finance industry, Meiti switched to the real estate industry for a more balanced life. She wants to apply Buddhism principles of developing wisdom and practising compassion in daily her life. She finds in FFM a track record that convinces her that she too can contribute actively to the aspiration of “… together we light up the world”.
Committee Member | Mindful Hiking Coordinator
Committee Member | Project Coordinator
Committee Member | Project Coordinator
Bob Ang was a Chemical Process Engineer / Production Manager in PCB & Hard Disk Plating Industries for more than 30 years. Now, works as a Free Lance Engineering support specialise in Plant-based Environment Friendly cleaners.
Bob is a member of Tzu Chi, an Exco member of Community Emergency & Engagement group (C2E) with Keat Hong CC and a volunteer in Uttamayanmuni Buddhist Temple.
Bob has actively participated in FFM mission trips & other activities and his wife Wendy has joined in some of FFM trips. His inspired daughter June has contributed to our local FFM charity drives and gatherings.
Committee Member | Project Coordinator
Committee Member | Project Coordinator
COORDINATORS
Singapore Project Co-Coordinator
Marcus works in the engineering sector and is an active volunteer in a range of organisations including Hospice, Riding for the Disabled and Singapore Association for Mental Health.
Malaysia SBS Retreat Coordinators
Bee Geok, a sister of Yee Kong, is an active volunteer in her own right. She works in the banking industry and is currently the Co-Coordinator for the annual SBS Retreat together with her husband, Eric.
Bangladesh Project Coordinator
Goh Kuan Seng retired over 10 years ago after working for 30 years with Singtel. He used to handle their sales support for India market for over 5 years, skills which make him a natural choice as the FFM coordinator for Bangladesh projects. Bro Goh’s own passion in photography started almost 20 years ago, owning his first expensive digital camera back in year 2000. Naturally, he is photographer of choise for most FFM events and Mission trips. His wife, Ai Lan is also an active supporter of FFM, together with their two sons too.
Myanmar Project Coordinator
Kim Lye worked in the banking industry for 33 years and retired in November 2013. Together with his wife, Leh Kian, they have been volunteers with FFM since 2011.