For the longest time, I had been afraid to engage socially, in a deep meaningful way. Meaningful in terms of mobilising work that helps others. I was spending years doing all this research on human development (to counter check if I had lost my mind). Up until yesterday, I was still thinking that this morning I was going to compile a list of research about human care, development, service (presumably to give authority to this work). I was still seeking permission to do something so fundamentally simple and intuitive.

So this is my conclusion and conviction: There is no need for a justification to care for a stranger.

And the longer we wait, the longer the other person in need is in suffering. And if we can bring some relief to the suffering of others, let’s do it.

Peng-Ean Khoo
April 4, 2016