For his efforts in promoting Singapore in Eastern Europe through working with children and youth, Dr Damian Yap (Heart for Youth Founder and volunteer) has been conferred the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) Award (Click to read the Press Release or Event report). On 19 May 2005, SIF Patron and President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Mr S R Nathan, presented him with the individual award at the ceremony in Singapore, while the group award was won by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

(Left) Heart for Youth founder, Dr Damian Yap receiving the Award from SIF Patron, H.E. Mr SR Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore.

(Right) Heart for Youth volunteers Drs Damian Yap and Eva Yap-Todos with the President of the Republic of Singapore and Patron of SIF, Directors and members of the Board of Governors of SIF. The Yap family is standing behind. Click here to see a short video of the presentation.

SIF Executive Director, Dr Tan Tay Keong, read out the following citation, "Dr Damian Yap, a cancer research scientist with the University of Cambridge, has been committing to many notable community service projects in Eastern Europe. Of which, he has set up "Heart for Youth" in Romania to help support the development of family homes for orphans. Together with his wife, Dr Eva Yap-Todos, and several volunteers, they organise summer camps for the Romanian youths to teach them English and to encourage them to perform community services. At his English classes and conversations with the youths, Dr Yap introduces Singapore to them with illustrations of the garden city and portraits of our people. Interestingly, the story of Singapore had inspired the Romanian teenagers to pick up litter on the streets of their village."

In President Nathan's speech, he noted that there are "many Singaporeans who are contributing extensively towards the betterment of communites abroad by their own independent efforts. They have probably not noticed that their efforts and contributions have also gone towards helping others to become aware of Singapore."

He continued to "congratulate Dr Damian Yap and the Singapore Armed Forces for being conferred the SIF Award for 2005. Dr Yap and the SAF have done Singapore proud and brought much good will towards Singapore in this region and beyond. I thank them for following their convictions with determination, courage and fortitude."

Mr Sever Cotu, Charge d'Affaires and Minister Counselor of the Romanian Embassy in Singapore referred to Dr Damian Yap as "a great unknown humanitarian soldier who battles for the well-being of the less fortunate". Amidst laughter and applause Mr Cotu also acknowledged the contribution of Heart for Youth volunteer and wife of Damian Yap, Dr Eva Yap Todos; he "considers Dr Yap a fortunate man whose efforts were already rewarded by those whom he helped by offering him an excellent better half whose shares his passion, initiative and hardwork". Mr & Mrs Cotu also presented Dr Damian Yap with a token of appreciation in recognition of his work in Romania.

In accepting the award, Dr Damian Yap thanked all those who helped and supported him, especially his parents, family and friends (many of whom were present at the award ceremony). He also shared about how his wife and her family inspired him to help orphans in Romania. Punctuating each thanks with "drip, drop", Damian showed that everyone who had helped him, were in fact, like himself, each contributing their own tiny drop to the "vast ocean of both needs and opportunities" and echoing the words of Mother Theresa reminded everyone that "oceans, however immense, are made up of tiny drops".

Click here to read the message sent by Princess Marina Sturdza on the occasion

Damian also was interviewed on Prime Time Morning (Channel News Asia on 19 May 2005 - click here for a 10 min video recording) and on FM93.8 (19 May 2005) and Radio Singapore International 1 (Bahsa) as well as the subject in several newspapers (including the Straits Times, The New Paper , Lian He Zhao Bao and Business Times) and Magazines (SALT, Singapore Magazine, ST National Day issue, BB News).