The world celebrates Earth Day on 22 April, and Rouge paid an early tribute to the event by featuring people who are making a difference to the world.

 

First up, the Naked Hermit Crabs, a group of nature lovers who spread their message of conservation and awareness by bringing people on guided walks along shores such as Chek Jawa’s.

 Guests Ivan Kwan and November Tan spoke about the rich biodiversity of life in Singapore waters, especially along our Southern Shores. The Rouge team paid a visit to Pulau Semakau with November, and contrary to popular belief that the island is a wasteland because of its function as a landfill, it is actually a haven to a rich variety of coral life and marine creatures.

 

 Eunice was tickled by the fact that she shared something in common with a Giant Reef worm whose genus name was - Eunice! And to her surprise, she was conferred the status of Honorary Naked Hermit Crab!

To learn more about the Naked Hermit Crabs or to join one of their walks, check out their blogsite: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/

If you’re interested in taking part in a nature walk to Pulau Semakau, or other islands, log onto www.wildsingapore.com.

 

 Social entrepreneur and founder of Studio You, Lois Ng, recounted her struggles in building a business from scratch for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. Lois’ hope is to empower them with skills that will help them be recognized as contributors to society and not dependants of charity.

 Studio You designs and makes gifts such as cards, tile clips and tile magnets that are fit for both the retail and corporate markets. And true to Lois’ spirit of generosity, a Tile Story clip was given to everyone in the studio. Check out http://you.com.sg/ to find out more about Studio You and their products!

 

 Finally, we caught up with One Singapore president, Vernetta Lopez, and co-founder of One Singapore, Michael Switow. One Singapore’s belief is that people in this modern age have the means and the ability to make poverty history. Besides raising awareness and inviting individuals to join their cause, One Singapore also takes concrete action by reaching out to those in need.

 

 To learn more, Eunice accompanied Vernetta to Little India and came face to face with the squalid conditions that foreign workers, who have been swindled by rogue agents with the promise of work, live in.

 One Singapore is doing all it can to alleviate the workers’ situations by providing them food and shelter, and you can do your part to end poverty by visiting http://www.onesingapore.org/ and finding out how you can help.