International pop singer Sun Ho is known for her humanitarian efforts in some parts of Asia. Widely recognized as a skillful counselor who has, to date, counseled thousands of people, this shining star still finds every opportunity to help people, especially the less fortunate.

International pop singer Ho Yeow Sun (also known as Sun Ho) is widely known for her achievements in the music arena. Since stepping into the entertainment world in 2001 with her first studio release, Sun With Love, she has experienced a considerable level of success and recognition for her contributions to the music industry. She has five platinum-selling Mandarin albums, five American dance singles that have scaled to the top of the US Billboard and UK MusicWeek charts, and numerous other accolades attributed to her in her illustrious music career to date. Most recently, she was appointed the Music Ambassador of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and she was invited to sing the official theme song of the Shanghai 2007 Special Olympic Games. Considering that she is not a Chinese citizen, this is truly a great honor in recognition of her profile as both celebrity and humanitarian.

One would imagine that all her time and effort would be focused on her music, with all that she has achieved in her pop career. But there is another fascinating facet of Sun that makes her unique from all the other artists in the industry: her work as a humanitarian.

Prior to her foray into the pop arena, Sun was widely recognized as a skilled counselor who has helped thousands of people with their emotional problems. Her warm personality, coupled with a genuine love for others and a practical, no-nonsense approach to counseling has proven to be very effective in helping individuals, couples, families, etc, walk out from the various difficult issues they face in their lives.

Sun says, “Before I was a singer, I was first a counselor. Helping others will always be one of my greatest passions in life … I hope that as I develop my music career worldwide, it will also increase my platform for humanitarian work.”

Her passion is demonstrated most clearly through her financial contributions. Since her third studio album was released in 2003, Sun has pledged more than half of her royalties from the sales of her music to the building of schools in less fortunate areas of Asia.

So far, her efforts have led to the construction of four primary schools, learning centers, libraries and child care centers. Her goal? To have the opportunity to raise up at least 100 fully equipped schools in her lifetime. She believes emphatically in the role of education in bringing lesser fortunate children out of the clutches of poverty, and says, “Education is one of the keys … I believe it provides the basis for these children to dream bigger dreams and to envision themselves walking out of their less-than-comfortable circumstances to achieve what they could never have possibly imagined. Education empowers them to believe and to dream.”

Her music career has opened up many other avenues for her to help those who may be down and out. Sun has been frequently invited to radio and TV programs to counsel people “live” on air both in Singapore and in other Asian countries.

Many times, she has received letters and emails telling her how her lyrics, music and advice have helped various ones to heal emotionally and to find strength to move forward in their lives. One time, she was really touched to receive an email from someone who was planning to commit suicide, but ditched the idea after hearing Sun on a live radio counseling program. Another time, Sun received a diligently handwritten letter from a student studying in one of the schools that she has set up, thanking her profusely for her contributions that have enabled her to have a fighting chance for the future. These little gestures from the recipients of Sun’s philanthropy prove that her good works are indeed seeds sown on good ground that will bring about a great harvest in the lives of the children and the less fortunate.

REACHING OUT TO MEDAN, INDONESIA

As part of her humanitarian efforts in Asia, Sun recently channeled part of her album royalty contributions to Medan, Indonesia. Sun discovered that a children’s center and a rehabilitation center needed much help to continue their work there. So she directed efforts into helping these centers. As such, they named the centers after her: Sunshine Medical and Children Center, and the Bukit Doa Taman Getsamane Sunshine Rehabilitation center.

The Children Center contains both a kindergarten-cum-playschool as well as a separate day care center. Just two months ago, the center started work on a new building behind the existing location so they could serve more children, but due to a lack of funds, construction had to be stopped midway.

But now with the much-needed funds from Sun, the children’s center can contain more children and thus reach out to more people in the community.

At the helm of these centers is a dedicated couple, Johnny and Tina Seragih who oversee the day-to-day operations. Together with their team of workers, they conduct daily activities for the children as well as for the clients from the rehabilitation center.

Here is the latest account of Sun’s humanitarian efforts there.

SUNSHINE MEDICAL AND CHILDREN CENTER

Somewhere along the outskirts of Medan, Indonesia, lies a haven for children, especially those from poorer families. Nestled on a hill and surrounded by natural greenery, the children center has about 200 students under its care. The kindergarten currently has close to 40 students in its enrolment.