Simply A Nice Expression, comprises 4 students from National University of Singapore who got to know each other and were inspired to serve the less fortunate through an overseas community service trip. They envisioned setting up a social enterprise that would sustain itself based on the quality and demand of the product, not on charitable hearts.

First, the team would teach the beneficiaries various methods of making the card accessories and then sold the cards by allowing the customers to “build-their-own” cards. All the beneficiaries who were involved in making the card accessories were also paid for their services. As some of the beneficiaries needed more motivation to focus and produce the cards, the team also implemented a system of breaks to cut down fatigue and also to encourage them to be more proactive in their work.

The team sold about 2,000 cards raising about $15,862.15 for Simei Care Centre. Their project, also known as kHEARTs (pronounced as “cards”) is now a stable source of income for 15 to 20 members of Simei Care Centre. The team is also planning to visit Simei Care Centre on a regular basis to monitor the progress of kHEARTs.

This is a real showcase of a sustainable social enterprise that the team has built and it will continue to benefit the beneficiaries and the VWO in the longer run.