Q:  Who are the people in the FireFly Mission ?
A:   We are group of people, some young and some old, male and female, who understand that we are indeed a privileged lot, with the means and the capacity to give, particularly to the less fortunate ones.

Q:  Who are in the Executive Committee ?
A:   A group of volunteers from various professions who wish to bring love and joy to the less fortunate. More information can be found in our website: www.fireflymission.org. 

Q:  What is the core value of FireFly Mission ?
A:  We practise the Buddhist value of giving without any conditions.

Q:  What is the history of FireFly Mission ?
A:   Started in year 2000 as a subcommittee in Buddhist Fellowship to encourage overseas humanitarian work.  Our first overseas project, “Song of Apsaras” focused on health and community welfare in Myanmar. It was known as Firefly Mission from 2003. Registered as a society (ROS Ref. No.: 1062/2005) on 1^st October 2005.

Q:  Are you affiliated to any organizations ?
A:   We are not affiliated to any other organizations. However, we work closely with Buddhist Fellowship, Venerable monks from the Burmese Buddhist Temple, Kong Meng San Phor Khark See Monastery Youth Ministry and Ehipassiko Chanting Group.

Q:  Where is the place of business ?
A:   Our registered address is as follows: 3 Hume Avenue #08-05, Singapore 598719
 

Q:  How many volunteers are there in FireFly Mission ?
A:   We have more than 30 volunteers’ coordinators and 200-300 volunteers whom we can call upon at anytime.

Q:  How can one be a volunteer with FireFly Mission ?
A:   Please fill up the Volunteers/Donation form, or drop us an email at enquire@firelfymission.org. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Q:  Who are the recipients / beneficiaries ?

A:   The materially poor regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Our focus is in the poor countryside of our less developed neighbours, such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and Thai-Border.
 

Q:  What are the successful projects so far ?

A:   Completed projects: Free Schools at Bilin and Shwegyin, Myanmar & Students’ Hostels at Houy-Pla-Lhod, Maesot, Thailand and Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh.

      On-going projects: Construction of Free School at Bogalay, Myanmar & Penny for School Programme in schools at Myanmar.
 

      Accomplished Overseas Missions:

Q:  How big is your project?

A:   The values of our projects vary; they usually are less than S$50,000. In event project costs exceed S$50,000, they will be executed in phases. It is thus very manageable to ensure there is no abuse of funds.
 

Q:  How do you assess and select each overseas project?

A:   Our evaluation is based on our overseas partners' recommendation of the potential recipient. We will make a visit to assess before committing to the recommended project.

Q:  Can I link up overseas’ projects worthy of support with FireFly Mission ?

A:   Yes, if it meets the criteria above, we will request the proposer to assist in coordinating the project.

Q:  How do you raise funds for each project?

A:   Our volunteers are also donors. In addition, they raise funds from friends and relatives. We also sell fruitcakes and other products on special festive occasions.

Q:  How can I make donations to FireFly Mission ?

A:   You may make cash donations by filling up the prescribed Donation form. The cash donation may be one time donation or monthly inter-bank giro. When you donate, you will be issued an official numbered receipt, and if donation is for a specific project, we will indicate on the receipt.

Q:  Is my donation tax-exempted?

A:   Tax-exemption is given to charity organizations which are also designated as Institutions of Public Characters (IPCs). FireFly Mission is currently not an IPC yet. As a new organization, we will need to build up our credential to be designated as such. We need your support to build up the credential.

Q:  Do you accept donations in kind such as used computers, old clothes and books ?

A:   We accept used working computers as well as printers or scanners. Due to storage limitations, we only accept used clothes and books on project basis. Prior to overseas mission, we also accept donations of medicine and new stationery to be distributed to clinics and students at the destinations.

Q:  How do I donate used computers to FireFly Mission ?

A:   Please contact our computer coordinators, whose contact emails and telephone numbers are stated in our website.

Q:  How do you disburse the funds ?

A:   We disburse funds directly to our partner organizations. The funds are usually remitted in stages after satisfactory progress at each phase.

Q:  How can I be sure that my donation does not go into staff salaries and benefits ?

A:   We are a 100% volunteer charitable organization. Nobody gets paid in this organization. Our overhead is 0% because we work from our home or at volunteer’s office premises, wherever is convenient and is free of charge.

Q:  What controls do you have to ensure that the volunteers disburse the funds honestly?
A:   The collection of donations and its disbursements is audited by an independent person (internal auditor) NOT associated with any project that is benefiting from the donation. This is to ensure absolute transparency and objectivity. The internal auditor is elected during our AGM.

Q:  Earlier, you mentioned of traveling overseas to assess the suitability of a charitable project.  Who pays for the traveling expenses ?

A:   The cost of such traveling and its attendant cost is 100% borne by the volunteers. In other words, the volunteers donate both the time and money. This selfless giving is as a result of the volunteers’ recognition that they are in such a privileged position to give than to receive.

Q:  How do you pay for transportation, packing and other miscellaneous costs incurred for your projects ?

A:   All the operating costs mentioned above are raised or sponsored by our core volunteers or members. We also organize regular short trips to Malaysia, and the balance fund from such trips is also used to pay for some of the operating expenses. 

Q:  How do you publicize your organization and its activities ?
A:   Our main publicity engine is our website, and our regular email updates to our members and volunteers. We also conduct regular sharing sessions in various organizations. So far we have been invited to share our experiences in Buddhist Fellowship, Awareness Place, Singapore Buddhist Mission and others.