On March 13, 2024, Ronita Paul, a former nurse, and Geraldine Lee, a volunteer coordinator, were jointly honored as The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2023 for their dedication in founding the Arc Children’s Centre, which provides daycare for children battling cancer and other critical illnesses.

The center was established in 2011, following a heartfelt encounter when Paul met a 14-year-old boy at Assisi Hospice who expressed the need for such a facility. After he passed away months later, Paul vowed to create the center, and Lee joined her in this mission.

At the award ceremony held at UBS Singapore’s academy, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the award to the two women. They received both a trophy and S$20,000 in cash for their remarkable service to the community. In her acceptance speech, Paul reflected on their journey, stating, “What we do at Arc is but a mere drop in the ocean,” acknowledging the collective efforts required to support these families.

President Tharman highlighted the significance of the finalists’ long-term commitment to making extraordinary contributions to society, urging others to find and nurture their inner motivation to serve the community.

The Singaporean of the Year award, organized by The Straits Times and presented by UBS, aims to recognize individuals or groups that significantly improve the lives of others. In its ninth year, the award featured six finalists, including prominent figures like sprint queen Shanti Pereira and community leader Sandy Goh.

In addition to the main winners, each finalist received S$5,000, with sponsorship from UBS and other partners like Singapore Airlines and Millennium Hotels and Resorts. The Singaporean of the Year also earned a five-night stay at a Millennium property and business class tickets with Singapore Airlines, while the other finalists received a three-night stay and economy class tickets.

Edmund Koh, president of UBS Asia-Pacific, commended Lee and Paul for their courageous decision to establish the daycare center in their later years, emphasizing that anyone can create a positive impact, regardless of age or background.