Conversations with Whizzard #2 —— The Giving Grandpa

In December 2020, hours after surgery for 4 blocked arteries, Lee woke up gasping for air, unable to breathe—it was a life-altering moment that forced him to re-evaluate life and priorities.

The Inclusive Playground—Nobody Plays Alone

"Thanks to our good doctors and nurses, I'm fine now," Lee Woon Chiang (Uncle Ringo) —better known as Uncle Ringo—begins our chat. So, what sparked Uncle Ringo Trading Private Limited , a brand now synonymous with joy and childhood?

Rewind to 1984: "As a 1st-time father, the birth of my child inspired me to create a world where no one plays alone—a physical metaverse you could say.”

From Humble Beginnings: From a small carnival with just a few rides, Lee has broken geographical and cultural boundaries, enriching lives across borders, in schools and places of worship too. He is also the only Asian recipient of the Golden Pony Awards then—often considered the Oscar for Carnivals.

Beyond the Carnival

As Uncle Ringo's influence grew, so did its mission. It wasn't just about fun anymore; it was about fostering a kinder, more inclusive society.

• Schools: Its 'Kampung Spirit' has enriched over 100 schools, from the heartlands to international and private schools, with celebratory events like Family Days and milestone Anniversaries.
• Faith Communities: Religious centres from churches to mosques to temples and even synagogues have adopted Lee's vision into their community outreach and fundraising events too.

Uncle Ringo's reach has extended beyond carnivals, proving that joy and community can be cultivated in various settings.

The Kindness Movement

Uncle Ringo has powered over 1,000 events, advocating kindness and inclusivity. Some recent milestones include;

• Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023: Singapore’s largest New Year countdown event, in partnership with Trip(.com)
• SG Cares Giving Week 2022: Above 1,500 attended, including children from vulnerable families, for an afternoon of free rides and food.

When a brand transcends its commercial origins to become a movement, it has the power to touch lives in profound and unexpected ways. Lee, the old Victoria boy, has done just that, partnering with and giving to the likes of Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM), Willing Hearts and SG Cares to make a broader impact —all while keeping a low profile, seldom appearing in the limelight.

Dr. William Wan, the esteemed leader and head honcho of SKM acknowledged, “We're very fortunate to have Mr Lee’s generous contribution for so many years.”

His Journey and Challenges

But even as Uncle Ringo was changing the world, Lee realised he had some personal changes to make as well. Lee's tireless dedication is well-known, but it came with a price. "I missed out on my daughter Joyce's growing years," he admits. The pandemic, however, offered a rare pause, a chance to reconnect. "It's brought me closer to my family," he shares.?

Regrets and Resets

He’s learnt to slow down. Sometimes life throws you a curveball to help you find your way back home. The pandemic was Lee's reset button, a stark reminder of life's true priorities, bringing him closer to family.

"Our kids are losing their eyesight to screens," Lee warns, concerned about digital obsession among youth.

He's particularly worried for his 2 preschool grandkids, aged 2 and 4, as Singapore's digital age faces a vicious cycle.

The Domino Effect—Digital's Dark Side

• Myopia Crisis: Singapore leads the world in childhood myopia. Over half of kids here develop myopia by 12, reaching 80% by 18. (NUHS)
• Health Fallout: Excessive screen time also fuels obesity and mental health problems, leading to further complications. (WHO)

Lee hopes for a collective effort with young parents to balance digital convenience with real-world experiences, especially for the youngest among us.

"If my heart fails me again," he adds, "I hope they grow up to communicate well with humans, not just machines."

The Future and Beyond

In a tech-driven, isolated world, where does Uncle Ringo fit?

"We must evolve without losing our essence, the future involves blending AR and VR to enrich, not replace, real-world interactions." Joyce asserts as they explore collaborations with tech leaders and startups to create fun experiences. Playing in moderation too, of course.

In this digital age, the craving for community transcends race and religion.

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East Meets West Meets East

As Uncle Ringo celebrates its 40th year and adapts to the digital age, it's also setting its sights on exciting new projects, both technological and geographical. Lee and daughter are seriously looking at SEA and rest of Asia. "It's a land of endless possibilities," Lee notes, expecting a conservative 150% growth in the next 2 years as they scale new heights in a global playground.

China's booming middle class and openness to Western entertainment make it a natural market. With Lee's prior major projects across Shanghai and Jiangsu, Uncle Ringo is poised for untapped potential post-Covid.

China’s Potential

Huge Middle Class: of 500M, mostly in lower-tier cities, is eager for new experiences and willing to spend on leisure. It's also the world's No.1 tourism market with RMB 2 trillion (S$370 billion) revenue in 2022, driven almost entirely by domestic travel.

“We're exploring partnerships with the best of East and West in related fields, to better modernize and integrate with both the young and the new.” says Joyce. Expansion goes beyond scaling with software, there’s also cultural integration.

Let Kids Be Kids

Entering its 40th year, Lee's mission to bring joy to children remains unchanged.

"Let children be children, no one can buy back childhood," Lee concludes.

As this conversation ends, that new journey of a thousand miles begins, with a single step. Isn't it time we adults do something about it, together?

??Journey With Us ??

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We are different and better. So are you.

In the pursuit of collective progress, by?Wilkie Soh , founder & CTO of Whizzard Asia.?Article powered by his team of whiz-kids and wizards.

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