For Immediate Release
Singaporean Photographer, Jimmy Lam
Produces ‘Lives in the Balance’ Photo Book
In Aid of Street Children in Asia
Singapore investment banker galvanizes his friends from the financial institutions
to give todestitute children in Asia through his photo book
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Singapore investment banker and avid travel photographer Jimmy Lam, whose photography has graced several international magazines has produced a photo book that is both celebration and elegy. Entitled Lives in the Balance – The Street People of Asia, this coffee-table book aims to bring to light the plight of the destitute and homeless living in nine Asian cities in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Published by Marshall Cavendish and not-for-sale to the public, Jimmy has distributed the 1,000 limited edition complimentary copies to bankers, investors, fund managers and selected CEOs in Singapore and overseas with the hope of stirring them into action. Specifically, he has named World Vision Singapore and Empower (US-based charitable foundation) as beneficiaries towards any charitable donation arising from the purpose of this exclusive photo book. |
Through World Vision Singapore in partnership with other World Vision offices in Asia, copies of the book have also reached high-net worth individuals in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, India and Sri Lanka. The US-based foundation, EMpower, has also presented the books to their Wall Street foundation members.
Said Lam: “The main reason we want to do this is to raise awareness of extreme poverty in Asia amongst those in the financial and corporate industry who have the clout and ability to help in very tangible ways. We hope this book will motivate them to contribute to charities that are geared towards helping alleviate poverty in countries where Singapore is neighbours with.”
Galvanizing the support of the financial and banking industry in Singapore, a by-invitation only photo-exhibition will be organized to showcase selected photographs from Lam’s book. We cordially invite your journalist and photographer to cover the Opening Reception on Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 6:00 pm at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Level 2, Kiwi Lounge.
Mr Jose Isidro N. (Lito) Camacho, Vice Chairman for Credit Suisse First Boston (Non-Japan Asia) will be officiating the opening as the Guest-of-Honour. Mr. Camacho was also the Secretary for the Department of Finance in the Philippines from June 2001 to November 2003. He has also held senior positions at Deutsche Bank A.G. and Bankers Trust Co. in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore.
Other guests invited include the senior management from Credit Suisse, UBS, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, Citigroup and GIC.
The coffee book also features foreword contributions by World Vision International’s President Dean Hirsch, which underlies the overarching landscape of poverty in Asia. The book will also feature contributions by Watt Santatiwat, Senior Vice President (Office of President and Partnership Coordination) and Acting Regional Vice-President (Asia Pacific Regional Office) as well as messages from National Directors from Philippines, India and Singapore.
Please do not hesitate to contact Miss Mindy Chee, Communications Manager at mindy@worldvision.org.sg or Tel: 6221 1040 to RSVP your availability to the above event or to request for additional information.
Help us make the world a better and safer place for children.
Media Contact Persons Ms Elaine Tan |
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Children in Crisis – Some Facts about Asia
- The Asia-Pacific region is home to around half the world's children
- 40% of them live in poverty
- Tens of millions of them live homeless on the streets (UNICEF)
- Around 127 million of them are working (ILO)
- Around one million of them are working in the sex industry (ECPAT)
For more information on World Vision Singapore’s Children in Crisis project in Asia, log on to http://worldvision.org.sg/st_childrencrisis.php
About Jimmy Lam
Jimmy Lam is a portfolio manager who has a great passion in photography. As an established photographer, he is an associate of the Royal Photographic Society, and whose works have been published and sold on Amazon.com. “Lives in the Balance” is Lam’s third photo book installment, after two of his earlier works, entitled Greater Tibet and Faraway Faces were published by Marshall Cavendish and the former Times Publishing in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Lam’s images pulsate with heartfelt tales of toil, faith, love, joy and aspirations of the street people living in Asia. Every photograph is a reminder of how blessed we are living in a safe and prosperous country like Singapore, and to inspire those with the resource and might to extend kindness and compassion to the less privileged living in impoverished neighbouring countries. Published by Marshall Cavendish, 1,000 copies of “Lives in the Balance” were fully funded by Lam and his friends from the financial sector in Asia.
About World Vision
World Vision is an international Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
Serving more than 100 million poor and most vulnerable in 97 nations; benefiting 2.7 million children through child sponsorship.
About EMpower
EMpower is a US-based, not-for-profit organization that ties the resources of Wall Street’s Emerging Markets professionals with the vitality of community-based social sector initiatives in developing countries.