The chance to make a difference in your community

By Caroline Kheng, ChFC

Carol Kheng and Matt Parker, The Exodus Road CEO

At the 2018 MDRT Annual Meeting, MDRT members raised $252,000 for The Exodus Road, an organization that fights human trafficking. The donation will fund more rescues of those who are suffering and vulnerable.

I’m so honored and appreciative of my fellow MDRT members’ generosity and attention to this often uncomfortable issue. I feel fortunate that, as an MDRT member through the MDRT Foundation, I can take a stand against this tragic violation of human dignity.

I admit, initially, I knew little about the reality of human trafficking. Like many MDRT members, I’m from an urban area. In Singapore, where I live, there’s little to no publicity about human trafficking, and I suspect it’s true in other cities in the world.

In reality, human trafficking is a pervasive worldwide problem. We may be walking past the victims of it during our everyday lives as they provide forced labor in domestic work and factories. There are anywhere between 20 million and 40 million modern slaves. They endure serious physical and mental health risks, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The majority of victims are young women and minors. Focusing on human trafficking is indeed an eye-opener to a world I never knew existed.

MDRT Foundation’s reach

I can’t turn away from those in need, and neither can MDRT members worldwide, who are caring leaders making a difference in their communities. The MDRT Foundation is one way for members to do that. This past year, the MDRT Foundation awarded $1.3 million to 300 charities in 34 countries on five continents.

I encourage MDRT members to apply for an MDRT Foundation grant to provide much-needed financial assistance for the deserving charitable organizations you work with. The application deadline for grants is September 1. For me, it’s so gratifying to be able to help both my clients and my community. I’m thankful that MDRT and its Foundation let me do both.

Make a difference. Apply for an MDRT Foundation grant by September 1!

Caroline Kheng, ChFC, of Singapore, is an MDRT Foundation Trustee and Silver Knight. She’s been an MDRT member since 1998.

• Read more about the MDRT Foundation.
• Donate to the MDRT Foundation.