Our founder, Koh Seng Choon, grew up in Singapore and lived here for several years before earning advanced degrees in business and international studies overseas. Although coming from a humble background, Seng Choon achieved

success and when he came back to Singapore in the mid-90s, he set up his own consultancy business helping SMEs break into foreign markets.

At the same time, he wanted to give back to the community. This started with the occasional volunteering, including conducting entrepreneurship classes for prison inmates. Seeing the plight of those in abject poverty, he felt there was a more sustainable way to solve this problem besides donating time and money. A full-fledged foodie (like most Singaporeans), Seng Choon decided to merge his love for food with a poverty-fighting business model.

Project Dignity (PD), one of Singapore's early social enterprises, began operations with its first initiative, Dignity Kitchen™. In 2010, there were only 2 people working at the kitchen. 14 years on, the social enterprise has now grown to an 85-strong team of full and part time staff, 75% of whom are from marginalized communities. PD even has a branch in Hong Kong with just as big a team.

No day is the same working in a social enterprise like Project Dignity. Seng Choon usually starts the day by making his rounds with a morning greeting in sign language to his Special Needs (SNs) staff in the Kitchen and office.

As he sits in the dining hall of the foodcourt reviewing his appointments and work to do for the day, he will welcome all patrons by showing them the place and sharing his mission as well as many interesting stories of why and how he started PD. With his charming personality, he always makes the patrons (young or old, rich or poor) feel welcome and at ease with him.

He works long hours, tirelessly building PD to become a place where SNs can be trained and skilled in the Food & Beverage industry to find gainful employment.

He also conducts “Learning Journeys” to Students and Youths in Singapore and Hong Kong to help cultivate a compassionate heart for the less fortunate.

His personal sacrifices can be seen in the time, financial stability, and emotional and mental health aspects. The long hours and time away from his family and friends, the missing important family events, holidays and social gatherings, all of which to help others less fortunate than self.

Although the job can be emotionally and mentally taxing at times, struggling to cope with the stress and burnout, he still continues to find his work for the SNs to be deeply rewarding and fulfilling. He was and still is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the lives of the disabled and disadvantaged.

He believes that anyone can develop life skills, secure and maintain remunerative employment, and develop to their fullest potential. In enhancing social integration and inclusiveness through educational outreach with schools and corporations, he believes that he can foster an inclusive environment for the everyone.

Seng Choon’s contributions are immeasurable in his commitment to ensure the viability of PD Singapore and HK as it is his personal decision to ensure its continuity to serve the people with SNs by returning dignity to such marginalized people in the society.

Seng Choon received an award from the World's 50 Best- Champions of Change last year which he had spent the entire amount bringing his HK and Singapore staff to a scrumptious meal and a day outing at @ Resort. Seng Choon knows that the SNs staff hardly have the opportunities or means to go for holidays or have a nice meal, and by bringing them to experience a fun day out with colleagues is one of his many ways where he demonstrates his care and love for this unique group of people.