Stars come out at volunteer conference

Michelle Yeoh and Jet Lee spoke about why they became volunteers at a Luncheon Plenary at the 21st IAVE World Volunteer Conference in Singapore on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

In a relaxed interview conducted on sofas, Jet Lee explained why money did not make him happy. The actor said, when he made his first million, he wanted to make two, and when he made 2 million, he wanted 10 million. The 1 million that made him happy one year became a source of pain the next year. Finally, he found happiness in the teaching of the Buddha, who discovered happiness in helping others. However, that enlightenment did not inspire him to action until the Asian tsunami, which almost took his life, and made him realize he had to act now before it was too late.

Talking about the One Foundation, Jet said he spent two years searching for the most pressing need in society. Money did not seem to be the most important problem - even the richest country in the world had enough problems to keep its numerous NPOs and volunteers busy. In China he called on everyone to donate 1 yuan and 1 hour a month. At the same time, in the next 20 years China will not need money, which is why he set up an academy to train the leaders of the next generation. Jet said he believed everything starts from the heart - when the heart starts beating, every moves. 

Michelle Yeoh said road safety was a virus with a vaccine that still killed or seriously injured at least 2000 children every day. In different countries, Michelle and Jet worked together to call on people to wear motorcycle helmets and put on their seat belts. Michelle added that she works together with experts and engineers, she lobbies to build political will, and pushes to implement guidelines on the ground. In her documentary, she filmed empty seats in the UN to shame the leaders who were not concerned with road safety and also went out on the streets to see the situation. 

Jet said the simple ideas were the best, for example the One Foundation had raised 300 million yuan in the last year, but had also recruited the equivalent of that amount in volunteer effort. Quoting Lester Salamon’s research, Jet Lee said 140 million people in 37 countries volunteered, which would make up the 9th largest country in the world. The value they produced was US$400m. Although many people say they do not have the time to volunteer, Jet said he had never believed it - the problem was his heart was not beating. If a boy was chasing a girl, Jet said he would alway find the time to woo her. “Don’t tell me you have no time!” he said. 

Jet said people in the public eye who volunteered were dealing with a double-edged sword. They had to be careful not to cause more harm as well as help. Finally, he said everyone has two hands, they are able to help themselves and their families with one, and contribute to society with the other.