The word philanthropy comes from the union of two Greek words, philos which means “loving” and anthropos which means “human being”. This etymology is fitting since many view philanthropy as personal initiatives set up to improve the welfare of society, such as the scholarships which Kenneth Kam sponsors.
Helping other people and donating to charity have always been integral parts of the Kenneth Kam identity. The maverick Forex trader can recall that as a child he was struck by the plight of an elderly beggar outside a wet market, and pleaded with his mother to spare a few coins. That encounter sparked within Kenneth a need to give back to society.
Even though he is now a recognised trader in charge of an impressive portfolio and multiple personal brands, Kenneth still remembers his personal struggles with financial security. He was 45 when he suddenly found himself out of job, and the experience was unpleasant, to say the least. Inspired by his experiences and now equipped with the means to do so, Kenneth turned his attention towards philanthropic pursuits.
Philanthropy represents for Kenneth a natural progression from mere charity. The distinction between the two is that the former attempts to eliminate poverty through its root causes, while the latter tries to directly soothe the misery of poverty. While he was happy to help the old man of his childhood, he realised that the latter was only given the opportunity to feed for the day. To allow people in need to be empowered and gain skills to feed themselves and generate additional value, Kenneth came up with personal initiatives.
One such initiative is the Kenneth Kam Scholarship, granted to undergraduates of the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at the prestigious Singapore Management University. Established in 2016, it aims to provide tuition subsidies to students in need, and inspire them to excellence. Promising candidates are shortlisted by the university before being personally interviewed by Kenneth.
The three current recipients of this scholarship have all proven to be high-performing individuals potentially capable of taking the lead in creating a better tomorrow.
Ben*, as a final-year student, had been actively juggling schoolwork, community service, and searching for employment opportunities. Now, between attending classes and distributing food to the elderly around Singapore, he has also managed to secure full-time employment with a regional merger and acquisition advisory firm. As a beneficiary of the Kenneth Kam Scholarship, Ben says, “I am thankful to be able to continue serving the community without having to worry about my family’s financial constraints.”
Colin is a hardworking student with an interest in entrepreneurship. A “deeply grateful” beneficiary of the Kenneth Kam Study Award, he has been able to spend less time working and more time participating in educational school activities instead. Colin has also managed to obtain a dream internship in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. Kenneth’s grant did not just allow Colin to become more financially independent, it also inspired him to help the less fortunate as much as possible.
Adam is highly motivated and eager to achieve greatness in his ventures. Before being awarded the scholarship, he was stretching his limits by working part-time while actively participating in various co-curricular activities and community projects. Adam is thankful for Kenneth Kam Study Grant subsidising his personal expenses as it allows him to focus on his key priorities: academic excellence and community service.
Kenneth is hopeful that these candidates will achieve their dreams and become tomorrow’s leaders, helping others in turn. Besides the above-mentioned scholarships, he has also established a fund in the Duke-NUS Medical School to help aspiring medical students manage their tuition fees. To him, philanthropy sponsors contributors who will then sponsor other contributors, creating a virtuous cycle. It is a gift that keeps on giving.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of individuals.
Authored by Kenneth Kam
Produced by Callio Media