fuyumi

ALL he wants is a fresh start.

And Mr Vincent Lam, founder and former head of the scandal-tainted charity Youth Challenge, is now ready to move on - four months after his resignation from the organisation he had headed for 22 years.

The 45-year-old former policeman told The New Paper yesterday about his plans to set up orphanages abroad - the same day the charity's new management committee announced its plans to start afresh with proposed changes in its constitution and a new leader at its helm.

Mr Lam said: 'I do not feel any bitterness, resentment or anger about all that has happened. I think it's wonderful that we're all starting afresh.'

The charity had been in the spotlight since early this year after the Commissioner of Charities released a damning report, revealing serious lapses in the handling of finances and corporate governance.

POLICE REPORT

A police report was lodged soon after by the charity's management committee on what it said was an unauthorised electronic transfer of some $15,000 from the charity's accounts, which was supposedly used to pay wages.

The police has since reviewed the complaint and decided not to take any action. No criminal charges will be filed against Mr Lam, although the committee said yesterday it is still considering civil action.

Does he feel vindicated by the news?

He said: 'Like I had said from day one, my conscience is clear. There's nothing to feel vindicated about when I never did anything wrong.'

Mr Lam appeared relaxed when he met The New Paper at the Amara Hotel.

He had just finished a meeting to discuss his plans to set up an orphanage in either Zimbabwe, Myanmar or Mongolia.

'I have been talking to several contacts, including an architect, an engineer and a retired school principal, to help me design a children's home to meet the needs of children in a developing country.'

Mr Lam said it was an idea he had been toying with since he led a group of volunteers from Youth Challenge to Zimbabwe in June last year.

'We had gone to distribute food to the children in one of the villages. I was particularly moved on the day we cooked noodles for them.

'To us, it was just soggy instant noodles, but some of the children queued for up to four hours just to get a bite. Some had not eaten for at least two days.

'I pledged to myself then that I need to do more to help such kids. And now that my time with Youth Challenge is over, it's time to fulfil this pledge.'

Mr Lam has even thought of a name for his project - the Amazing Grace Children's Village.

He doesn't intend to draw a salary, but hopes to serve as a volunteer.

'I'm done with being a salaried worker. I don't want to be tied down. I want to enjoy the freedom.'

Mr Lam said he hasn't decided how he will earn an income, but may rent out his three-storey terrace house in Sembawang.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

He said the scandal has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

'For the first time in over 20 years, I had reunion dinner during Chinese New Year at home with my parents and sister.'

Earlier, he said he used to spend festive occasions either at work or abroad.

'In the past, I would go to work at 8am and come home at 11pm. These days, I finally have time to smell the roses, get a proper night's sleep, finish reading a book and have dinner with my family every week.'

Mr Lam said he has gone on several holidays alone in the past few months to Malaysia and Thailand.

He has also been attending bible classes at church and was baptised in early April.

Financially, he said he has been surviving on his savings.

He declined to say how much he had spent so far.

'I don't need a lot. I spend about $800 a month on food and transport every month, which is what I have been spending previously anyway. Occasionally, my parents even give me a few hundred dollars.'

Mr Lam also said that friends and contacts have not shunned him since the scandal broke. He is still in touch with some ex-volunteers of the Youth Challenge.

He said: 'A 17-year-old boy I used to work with sent me an SMS recently asking for help on how to go about doing volunteer work to help refugees in India. So I gave him some contacts and ideas.

'I'm touched that despite all that has happened, these kids still come to me for advice.'

He said a group of about 30 ex-volunteers have even come together to write a book about their experiences in Youth Challenge and what they have learnt from him.

'They told me that they intend to name the book, SuperDad. I was so moved to hear that.'

TIMING NOT RIGHT

But when asked if we could contact any of the volunteers involved in the book, Mr Lam said the timing wasn't right yet.

When asked how he felt about the charity's appointment of Ms Hong Won Young as its new executive director, Mr Lam smiled and said: 'So long as the new leader can take the charity to new heights, I'm fine with anyone taking over.

'To inspire young people, lead by example. If you need to carry tables and chairs with them, do it. I hope that the new leader will be dedicated and not be afraid to get her hands dirty.'

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