Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:  How are you raising funds for this project?

A:   Through Private Appeals to our members, volunteers, friends and relatives. Buddhist organizations such as Wat Palelai, Wat Ananda and Poh Ern Shih are also appealing to their members and devotees to donate funds to FFM.

Q2:  How can donations be made to FFM?

A:   Either by “Cash”, Cheque to “Firefly Mission” or by interbank transfer to our DBS account. When you donate, please give us your names and indicate the donation is for Cyclone Nargis project. An official numbered receipt will be issued. We will also post all our donors names in our website www.fireflymission.org.

Q3:  Is my donation tax-exempt?

A:  No. Firefly Mission is a Registered Society but not an IPC.  Tax-exemption is only given to charity organizations that are engaged in local charity projects, and which are approved as Institutions of Public Character (IPCs).

Q4:  Do you accept donations in kind?

A:   We did for a short period until 16 May when Kong Meng San Phor Kark See 88 Recycling Unit kindly offered to help us appeal for biscuits, milk powder, rice and medicine for the victims. The response has been overwhelming and our first team of volunteers going to Myanmar from 17-20 May, will be taking / air-freighting them for distribution to the victims. The balance of the donated goods will be distributed during subsequent follow-up trips. It is anticipated that several more trips will be made in the next couple of months.

Q5:  Why are you reluctant to accept more donations in kind?

A:   Several factors are deterring us from accepting them:

·          Lack of storage space

·          High Cost of storage - Destruction of sea ports in Myanmar is inhibiting sea freight (shipping by containers is more cost effective than air freight). It may be months before goods can be shipped and spoilage during warehousing is another big issue.

·          High cost of transporting goods by air to Myanmar

·          Limited resources to sort and pack

We fully appreciate the kindness and compassion of many donors who wish to contribute goods, but for practical purposes, cash donation is still preferred.

Q6:   Press reports say donors are being stopped from distributing emergency supplies to the victims. How are the FFM volunteers going to handle this?

A:   We have contacted our local contacts/partner organisations who will assist us in this respect, to ensure supplies reach the grassroots community directly.  Our relationship with these contacts has been built over the 8 years of FFM’s involvement in education and community projects in Myanmar.

Q7:  How will you be disbursing the funds raised?

A:   More food and other emergency supplies will be purchased in Myanmar by our volunteers while they are there. We intend to focus on providing basic needs and livelihood to the victims in the first “Relief” phase of our project. In the second phase, we will assist in reconstruction of homes, schools, community halls etc.

Q8:  Who pays for the traveling, lodging and living expenses of your volunteers who make such mission trips?

A:   The cost of travelling and any attendant expenses are 100% borne by our volunteers. In other words, the volunteers donate both their time and money. This selfless giving is as a result of the volunteers’ recognition that they are in such a privileged position to be able to give.

Q9:  How do you pay for shipping, packing and other miscellaneous expenses that are incurred for your projects?

A:   All the operating costs mentioned above are raised or sponsored separately by our core volunteers or members.

Q10:  Which part of Myanmar will the distribution be conducted
A:   Bogalay, the worst hit province will be the main focus of our Relief and Rehabilitation work.
We will also cover some other villages and townships in the  Irrawady Delta area, as well as outlying areas of Yangon.

Q11:  Who will be the recipients of the emergency supplies?
A: Any affected victims, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

Q12:  Will the goods be detained by the government?
A:   We do not anticipate facing this problem. Our local contacts and partners in compassion, will help us ensure that all items are distributed directly to affected victims.

Q13:   When will the first team be leaving for Myanmar to deliver the emergency supplies
A:  The Team will be departing by Silkair Flight MI 512 for Yangon on 17 May 2008. They will also be assessing the situation there to ascertain what kind of further assistance is needed.

Q14: What is FFM’s plan for the earthquake victims in China?

A:   As FFM is a small organization that presently has with no experience or linkages with China, we would prefer to leave other organizations and NGOs to provide assistance. We will focus our attention on helping the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

About FFM

Q15:  Who are the people in the Firefly Mission (FFM)?
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.

Q16:  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. 

Q17:  What is the core value of FFM?
A:  We practise the Buddhist value of giving without any conditions.

Q18:  What is the history of FFM?
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 became known as Firefly Mission from 2003 and was registered as a society (ROS Ref. No.: 1062/2005) on 1^st October 2005.

Q19:  Are you affiliated to any organizations?
A:   We are not affiliated to any other organizations. However, we work closely with Buddhist organizations such as Buddhist Fellowship, Poh Ern Shih, Wat Palelai, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery Youth Ministry and Ehipassiko Chanting Group of Wat Ananda.

Q20:  Where is the place of business?
A:   Our registered address is as follows: 3 Hume Avenue #08-05, Singapore 598719
 

Q21:  How many volunteers are there in FFM?
A:   We have more than 30 volunteer coordinators, over 100 members and 200-300 volunteers whom we can call upon at anytime.

Q22:  How can one be a volunteer with FFM?
A:   Simply 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.

Q23:  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.
 

Q24:  What are the successful projects so far?

A:   Completed projects: Free Schools at Bilin, Bogalay and Shwegyin, Myanmar & Students’ Hostels at Houy-Pla-Lhod, Maesot, Thailand and Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh.
On-going project:  Education Programme for children in Myanmar.

 Accomplished Overseas Missions:

Q25:  What is the scale of your projects?

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

Q26:  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.

Q27:  Can I link up overseas’ projects worthy of support with FFM?

A:   Yes, the FFM Committee will evaluate the proposal. If it meets the criteria above, we will request the proposer to assist in coordinating the project.

Q28:  How can I be sure that my donation does not go into staff salaries and benefits?

A:   We are a 100% volunteer driven 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.

Q29:  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.

Q30:  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.

Q31:  Are there plans for FFM to become a registered Charity instead of a registered Society?

A:   Yes, the Executive Committee has agreed for an application to be made to the Commissioner of Charities to change FFM’s status into a charitable organization. Submission will be done soon.