Small Acts, Big Hearts: World Kindness Day And The Singapore Kindness Movement
Today (13 Nov) is World Kindness Day, an international observance day celebrating love, compassion and kindness.
While Singapore first began observing World Kindness Day in 2009, we've had our own version of it since the 1990s: Namely, the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM).
How did SKM start?
Answering to then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's call to build a gracious society, the Singapore Kindness Movement was formed in 1997 to encourage Singaporeans to live graciously through acts of kindness in their daily lives.
The SKM Mascot
The SKM mascot, Singa the Kindness Lion, is a familiar face to Singaporeans both young and old. But did you know that he wasn't originally designed for the SKM?
Singa's original design in 1982. | IMAGE: SINGAPORE KINDNESS MOVEMENT
In 1982, Singa was created to be the mascot of the National Courtesy Campaign (NCC), and was known as Singa the Courtesy Lion.
Singa in 2001. | IMAGE: SINGAPORE KINDNESS MOVEMENT
When the NCC was officially subsumed under the Singapore Kindness Movement in 2001, Singa became the SKM's official mascot, receiving a design update in the process. His new look featured a red heart (adapted from the SKM logo) on his shirt, replacing the smiley face, which had been the NCC's main icon.
Singa in 2009. | IMAGE: SINGAPORE KINDNESS MOVEMENT
He later received a minor design update in 2009, which gave him a pair of green pants.
Singa's current design, as of 2014. | IMAGE: SINGAPORE KINDNESS MOVEMENT
Most recently, Singa's design was completely overhauled in 2014, giving him a modern design with a more "human" body shape and a yellow gerbera (symbolising appreciation) on his shirt.
SKM Campaigns
To inspire Singaporeans to express kindness in their daily lives, the SKM has launched several campaigns over the years that highlight the power of kindness. These include:
- Shorts3, a collection of 3 short films inspired by Wes Anderson's evocative storytelling which celebrate the power of human connection
- B-GREATER, a music video by local rapper Danial Bawthan (better known as Wheelsmith), which explores interactions in a neighbourhood and encourages Singaporeans to be better versions of themselves
- A partnership with Our Grandfather Story to create a series of videos with profile features revolving around stories of good within our community
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