At the start of 2020, the Sage team was unanimous in our commitment to exemplify a strong ethos of Service. This consisted of 2 key elements: (1) to be inclusive, and (2) to give back to community tangibly.
When the pandemic hit, we conducted numerous mediations, many on a pro-bono basis. We saw first-hand the impact of the economic crisis: the disrupted commercial deals, the anguish and anxieties of sudden unemployment, and the strain on family ties.
I saw the passion of my Sage teammates to use our skills to help. They worked tirelessly to build a platform to support virtual mediation. Regardless of status and time zone, they went the extra mile for every enquiry, working hard to listen and find ways to accommodate the unprecedented conditions we now operate in.
2020 has been tiring and testing. Like many others, I will be happy for this chapter to close. But, I am also thankful. Through this crucible, our young team has revealed our values and priorities, and we’ve drawn closer.
As Christmas draws near, we want to open our hearts further. And so, we conceived “Project C”.
C stands for many things. Some are notoriously depressing: “Coronavirus”, “Circuit Breaker” and “Covid-19”. But, many more are uplifting: “Christmas”, “Compassion”, and “Community”.
Through Project C, we want to help more individuals and organisations overcome the disruptions in their lives through communication and charity. We hope to use our amicable conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving skills to transform the personal and organisational crises of those in our community.
From now until 28 Feb 2021, for disputes up to S$250,000, Sage will be lowering the rates of our mediation services by more than 85%. For those who need more assistance, they can reach out privately. Lack of financial means should not be a reason for not seeking the help of a mediator.
In addition, we will be donating the fees collected from Project C to our charity partner, the Children’s Wishing Well (CWW).
CWW provides educational and skills training to children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Most of them are in low-income families. Their parents may be ill, incarcerated, or otherwise absent from their lives. With the restrictions put in place due to the pandemic, these children often had to bear added difficulties on their tiny shoulders. Without ready access to digital devices, it was easy to lose connection. The super-dedicated CWW team have been working hard to reach out and assist. But, with the economy still showing signs of strain, it is likely that more families will encounter challenges and demands on CWW’s services are set to grow.
Consistent with the spirit of mediation, we strongly believe that we can transform difficulties by giving everyone the right skills, support, and opportunities. This applies especially for the young. Our target is to raise S$20,000 to support CWW’s work through Project C.
Please help us to pass the word on Project C around to those whom you know may need mediation assistance. They can request for a mediation here. More information on Project C can be found on our dedicated webpage at https://sagemediation.sg/project-c/.
If you are interested in contributing to Project C, please contact us directly via email at enquiries@sagemediation.sg.
Together, let’s make Christmas 2020 a time to celebrate.
– Aloysius
