A heart for lonely prisoners and children going hungry

Two Singaporean of the Year finalists embody the spirit of selflessness with self-initiated projects that benefit society

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent

Dr Roger Tan may never meet the men he writes to daily. But they know him well - his is a familiar voice from the outside world.

Over the past 31/2 years, Dr Tan has penned more than 26,000 letters in the form of emails to Changi Prison inmates, offering them news about the outside world and gentle reminders that they are still a part of it.

Some stay in touch after their release. Once a month, Dr Tan gathers this group to volunteer together under the H Project, a nonprofit he started in 2022.

"It's better than if we just go out and makan," he said with a laugh. "It's more meaningful."

In June, the H Project joined a Singapore University of Social Sciences programme that helps startups grow by providing them with resources like mentorship and access to funding.

Dr Tan, 48, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in 2024. He is determined that the H Project - H stands for hope - outlives him.

He published a collection of his daily emails - Dear Inmates: Daily Emails To Prisoners - in May.

Dr Tan is a finalist for The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award, given to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to society.

This can be through achievements that have put Singapore on the world stage, or by going beyond the call of duty to selflessly improve the lives of others in the community, among other ways.

The award, now in its 11th year, is presented by UBS Singapore.

A car accident in 2013 left Dr Tan, who worked at a bank in risk management, seriously injured. He was in a body cast for six months and had to learn to walk again.