Merlion Project

Merlion Project
Human Library:
Get inspired with us

Everywhere, we see stories of quick success

But we don’t talk about the other side of the story: how do people deal with failures?

What if we had an open and honest conversation about tough challenges and building resilience?

Join us as we chat with our guest speakers on how they deal with failure and challenges, delving into topics like entrepreneurship, mental health and sustainability.

OUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Our sessions aren’t the typical they-speak-we-listen scenarios. 

Instead, we invite you to shape our session. 

Our sessions are two-way dialogues with our guest speakers, designed for personalized conversation. 

What are some burning questions you’d like answered? You don’t have to keep them inside, we invite you to ask, and even share your own personal experiences and thoughts. After all, people only see the top of the iceberg, but it’s time to find out what really happens underneath.

Let’s get inspired together!

EVENT DETAILS

We will be having physical sessions every 3rd week of the month, starting from May 2024.

Sign up to secure your seat!

Date: Saturday 19 Oct 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: The Caffeine Experience,
1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-20/21 The StarVista 138617

An ex-offender and a prison officer come together to open a cafe.
How does the story go?
Matthew Poh is an ex-offender turned entrepreneur, and owner of The Caffeine Experience (TCE). He transformed his pain into a mission to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society.
At 23 years old, he was beginning to run his interior design firm, but he was also introduced to drugs, becoming a drug addict and dealer.
"One moment I was at the top, the next felt like I was being pushed off a cliff, hitting rock bottom."
Going to prison was life-changing. With the support of his prison officer Hilary Lo, Matthew decided to co-found The Caffeine Experience (TCE). They will have 5 outlets by the end of this year.
”Failure is not final; rather, it’s an opportunity to change and improve.“

Click the poster on the right to sign up on Eventbrite.

Date: Sunday 17 Nov 2024
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: 5 Seventeen studio
115A commonwealth drive #05-17 singapore 149596

Before Barry Yeow became an artist, he was trapped in a cycle of criminal activity, going in and out of prison.
But in 2011, he attended art classes while in prison and took a liking to it, venturing into the different forms including painting, sculpturing, pottery and batik.
After being released in 2015 for good behaviour, he became a gallery owner and art teacher. Barry has exhibited his work in local and international exhibitions. He also volunteers for talks, forums and workshops held in schools and prisons.
Throughout his experiences, Barry maintains one key lesson: where there is life, there is still hope.

Click the poster on the right to sign up on Eventbrite.

ORGANIZER

The Merlion Project (@merlionproject) is a ground-up initiative aimed at collating and celebrating stories of struggles and success. “Life is a journey; we don’t always get it right the first time.”

Gallery

TESTIMONIALS

OUR speakers

Nichol Ng

Nichol Ng

Nichol Ng is the co-founder of The Food Bank Singapore, and CEO and Managing Director of X-Inc Pte Ltd.
"We had to pivot (during COVID) by changing our main business in distribution as quickly as possible to survive and emerge stronger."

Kent Teo

Kent Teo

Kent Teo is the founder and CEO of Invade. "I always believe the more hardworking you are, the luckier you get. You have to stay focused and things will happen."

Joyce Orallo-Lim

Joyce Orallo-Lim is the founder of Chokmah.
"I remember all the discouraging comments I received for wanting to study the arts. Some said it was a waste of time and that it had no future. I'm glad I took that leap of faith despite it all."

Dr Lim Hui Zhen

Dr Lim Hui Zhen is the founder of Thrive Chiropractic.
Her goal as a chiropractor is to help others not just survive, but thrive, and be the best version of themselves.

Ramesh Krish Kumar

Ramesh is the co-founder and food scientist at Asmara.
Ramesh was awarded Singapore’s National Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2022 for his innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, and serves on the Board of Directors at *SCAPE.

Lee Gim Siong

Lee Gim Siong is the founder of Smitten Ice Cream Bar.
Smitten is located at Simpang Bedok and is halal-certified.

Ken Tan

Ken is a founder of Fish Sh-nack, Doco Donburi and Hororok Soups & Stews.
Hororok Soups & Stews is located at International Plaza.

Koh Jia Sheng

Jia Sheng is the co-founder of Circus Academy of Singapore and Circus of Altrades.
He was featured in The Straits Times “30 and under: Young Singaporeans to Watch” in 2020.

Sharifah Fazzeleen

Sharifah Fazzeleen is the founder of The Organic Room.
It provides facials and sugaring services which are holistic, nurturing and results-oriented treatments.

MEET OUR TEAM

SPECIAL THANKS