Our Story

Awful Grace is like pain. It is not what we want, but it is that which we absolutely cannot do without if we are to grow to the full stature of who we were created to be. There is an inherent paradox in Awful Grace which some might see as a contradiction.

It is awful because it is not often something we would desire. It is grace because it comes without merit. In accordance with the definition, it can be at one and the same time unpleasant, dreadful, awe-inspiring, impressive, reverential, or dangerous. It is awful grace because it is grace that is never earned, but bestowed on us and ultimately for a purpose that brings us way beyond the point and place we would have ever dared venture on our own.

The lessons gleaned from the pain that awful grace produces is rewardingly richer than any lesson learnt in the safety of a classroom. Many across the ages have been undeserved recipients of such a grace. Just from the narrow vantage point of the Aeschylus quote on learning and wisdom, the depth of learning beyond the pedestrian is worth the risks.

Central to every story are its characters who make the story and develop its plot. As stewards – be it volunteers, donors, recipients, or staff – our roles are crucial if the story is to have meaning.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Christine Tan

Christine is the Founder of Awful Grace. Together with volunteers at Awful Grace, she works with prisoners and their families, and at-risk youths, in addition to other disenfranchised communities in Singapore and around the world. She is passionate about establishing a global social purpose movement that addresses social injustices.

Christine is a clinical counsellor and traumatologist. Her counselling credentials include a Post-Graduate Diploma and a Master of Arts in Counselling. She is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (USA) in Psychology and in Business Administration and holds a Masters in International Relations from Baylor University.

Soon Pek Quann

Pek Quann believes in supporting marginalised communities regardless of ethnicity, religion and gender. With a background in finance and accounting, she spent the earlier part of her career in the corporate and investment banking arena. She is now involved in the financial and operational aspects of a private resort organisation.

Imran Khwaja

Imran is a Partner at Tan Rajah & Cheah. He is mainly engaged in Dispute Resolution including areas of arbitration, commercial law, employment, insolvency, Islamic law, defamation, club law and constitutional law. A very large part of his practice consists of family law and he also runs a Syariah law practice particularly in family law. Imran is an Associate Mediator of the Singapore Mediation Centre and he also serves as Mediator for Inadequate Professional Services Complaints for the Law Society of Singapore. He is also a Mediator for the Healthcare Mediation Scheme. He has also been appointed to the Panel of Child Representatives of the Family Justice Courts. He is one of few lawyers who runs a Family Collaborative Practice in which disputes are dealt with and resolved by way of a friendly, non-contentious, negotiated settlement, assisted by lawyers.

Nambi Viswalingam

Nambi is a lawyer with an interest in family law. He is also an accredited mediator. He has been a board member of a non-profit organisation for more than a decade. He enjoys working with youths and has been a mentor for several youths for more than 11 years. He is passionate about journeying with youth-at-risk and the marginalised communities.

Adele Tan

Adele is qualified as a lawyer at the English Bar and Singapore Bar. Her professional experience spans across 15 years in the banking industry with local and international banks.

In recent years, apart from Awful Grace, she has spent time volunteering with Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Patient Care Centre, Willing Hearts, St. Ignatius Church and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

Sumitri Menon

Company Secretary

KK Lim & Co

Auditor

Park Crescent Services Pte Ltd

Secretariat