Inspired Interns: A Story of Books, Belongings, and a Bigger Purpose

Sometimes, the smallest transitions in life can spark the biggest change. For our interns at our office in Singapore, the inspiration for their latest initiative came from a life stage many of us know well, families downsizing their children’s belongings as they leave for college or university. What began as a simple idea quickly became a meaningful charity drive, connecting colleagues, clients, and partners in a ripple effect of generosity.

The Children’s Charity Book Drive for Palawan, an intern-led initiative in partnership with Lionheart Farms and its foundation Gabay Kalinga, mobilized the entire office, and beyond. Over 150 kilograms of children’s books, toys, and clothing were collected and shipped to underserved communities in rural Palawan, Philippines, where these resources are already helping children learn, play, and dream bigger.

500+ Books, Dozens of Voices, One Shared Goal

This was a collaboration of interns, colleagues, clients, and vendors who came together to share what they could. From picture books to puzzles, from gently worn clothes to heartfelt notes, every item told a story. Over 500 books were donated, crossing borders not just physically, but emotionally.

What made this drive special was the spirit behind them. Our interns championed the cause, removed barriers, and ignited meaningful conversations across teams. They made giving personal. Their initiative turned a daunting logistics task into a unifying experience rooted in empathy and shared vision.

A Moment Amplified by the ACF Mission

The timing couldn’t have been better. The initiative coincided with the Amicorp Community Foundation’s “Do Your Bit” campaign, which amplified the momentum and helped frame the drive within our broader mission: community empowerment, not dependency.

At ACF, we’ve always believed that lasting change comes from within. That’s why we partner with organizations like Gabay Kalinga, who don’t impose solutions, but instead co-create them with local communities. This donation drive became a living example of that philosophy in action.

Continuing the Spirit of Giving

The story doesn’t end with one shipment. If you feel inspired by this effort, we invite you to Adopt-A-Cause through ACF. Whether you're an intern, executive, or external partner, we can help you organize your own initiative, locally or globally, with real, measurable impact.

Because when individuals come together with a shared purpose, there's no limit to what can be achieved.