Giving back through books: The SG store supporting charity

It may be the season of goodwill, but Randall Chong lives the generous life year-round. From a pile of secondhand books in his grandfather’s spare room to a thriving social enterprise in Chinatown, his journey over the past nine years is one of care, community, and conviction. As founder of Books Beyond Borders (booksbeyondborders.org), Randall reveals how he turned a simple love of reading into a movement that gives back.

You launched Books Beyond Borders in 2016. What was life like for you then, and how did books fit in?
Back in 2016, I felt pretty stuck. I was thinking about leaving my job, but had no clear idea of what to do next. Then, around Christmas, a friend handed me a book with a note on the cover: “Do one thing that scares you next year.” I took the message as a challenge and it gave me the push I needed to book a one-way ticket to Nepal for my first-ever solo backpacking trip. I’ve always loved reading, and deep down I carried the hope that one day I’d start a business of my own.

What inspired you to take the leap?
While trekking in Nepal, I met a 16-year-old porter named Madan. He shared how he used to walk hours each day just to get to school, but had to drop out to work and support his family. His story stayed with me. When I returned home to Singapore, it was with the need to do something tangible to support schools in Nepal, so I decided to take one year off to help raise money so that kids like Madan could complete their education. I had a pile of books at home and thought why not resell them on Carousell and channel the proceeds? That small idea became the seed for Books Beyond Borders.

Left: Setting up business in the early days

Why focus on girls’ education especially?
Education is something many of us in Singapore take for granted, but in Nepal, it isn’t always accessible. Girls, in particular, face extra barriers, whether from poverty, cultural expectations, or just being born in the wrong place at the wrong time. I believe that when you educate a girl, you uplift a family and eventually a whole community. Supporting their education in Nepal felt like a direct and meaningful way to make an impact.

You began in your grandfather’s spare room …
Yes! He had a spare room in his HDB flat, and that became my first “warehouse.” I began with about 200 books – all donations from friends and family. The early days were very scrappy. I’d spend my evenings sorting, cataloguing, and posting books online on Carousell. Orders were packed in recycled envelopes and hand-delivered around the island. It was simple but exciting because every book sold felt like one small step towards making a difference.

Did friends and family pitch in to help?
A good friend helped me kickstart the brand in the first year. After that, it was mostly me running the show, though my family stepped in when I needed extra hands. I’d never run a business before, but I’d been involved in a few small tech startups, which gave me some useful insight into how businesses work and what it takes to scale an idea.

Right: Kriti is currently completing Grade 12

What were your biggest challenges at the start?
Definitely cash flow. Running a small operation without external funding meant that every dollar mattered. I had to balance the bookstore with paying bills and sending money to Nepal. What kept me going was the community; I had loyal customers who believed in me, and their support made the difficult days a lot easier to get through.

How has Books Beyond Borders grown?
I’ve moved from my grandfather’s spare room to a cosy bookstore opposite Maxwell Food Centre, and now there’s a small team of part-time staff. We’ve grown beyond just selling books. Today we also sell handmade goods like pouches and bags, all sustainably made by women who are mothers of some of the children that we support. Doing this creates opportunities for artisans in Nepal to earn a fair income.

How do you choose which books to stock, and how do you price them?
It’s easy to collect books, but it’s challenging to always collect the books that people want to buy! We take in gently-used books, focusing on quality and relevant titles. Pricing is affordable, usually $5 to $25, because accessibility matters. Five percent of our profits go into funding girls’ scholarships, while another portion helps us keep the bookstore running.

Girls in Nepal face extra barriers

Do you return to Nepal often?
Yes, every year. One of our scholars, Kriti, is now completing her final year of Grade 12 in Kathmandu. When I first met her, she was extremely shy and could barely communicate in English. Today, she helps lead various projects in her hostel and has grown into a confident young woman. For me, her story is a reminder that education isn’t just about certificates, it also builds confidence and opens up a sense of possibility for these girls.

How has this journey impacted you personally?
It’s taught me patience, resilience, and humility. Running a business, whether a social enterprise or a traditional for-profit, isn’t glamorous. It’s long hours, constant problem-solving, and plenty of setbacks. I’ve gained a lot of respect for business owners who keep going despite the challenges. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t pour from an empty jar. Giving is important, but it’s just as important to stay financially stable if you want to create a lasting impact.

How can ANZA readers get involved?
With Christmas coming, picking up a gift or two from our collection is a meaningful way to support. Every purchase goes further than you think. Readers can also donate their gently used books to us (just make sure to check our giving guide online first). Every contribution helps us keep the lights on at the bookstore while extending our support to those in need.

Finally, what’s your favourite book, and why?
I have three that I always come back to. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer reminds me that life is short, and it pushed me to take that first trip to Nepal, which changed my life. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl grounds me to focus on what truly matters, which is purpose over profit. And Shoe Dog by Phil Knight tells the raw story of Nike’s early struggles and failures. It highlights that building a business is supposed to be hard, and setbacks are part of the journey. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I’ll reach for these books.

Presents With Purpose

Make your gifts more meaningful with items that give back to Singapore and more.

Left: Strait Lights Right: A Raft of Otters

1 Strait Lights
Strait Lights creates meaningful gifts – thoughtful in design, crafted with care, and inspired by place – with proceeds helping to empower women across the region. We love their delicate bracelet collection featuring pretty pieces crafted with Japanese glass and 24K gold-plated beads, shaped by the Singapore landscape.
straitlights.com

2 A Raft of Otters
Shopping at A Raft of Otters helps fund diverse causes ranging from female empowerment to environmental protection and animal welfare. Their boutiques in Joo Chiat and Tanglin Mall are brimming with stunning homewares, accessories, and art. Even their cotton tote bags carry purpose, with 100 percent of profits channelled to animal research.
araftofotters.com

Left: The Salvation Army’s Re:Nue. Right: The Social Space Shopfront

3 The Salvation Army’s Re:Nue
Through its social enterprise Re:Nue, The Salvation Army processes and sells donated items in its family stores, with proceeds directly supporting the organisation’s charitable causes. From pre-loved books to homewares and fashion finds, you’ll uncover budget-friendly treasures that make one-of-a-kind presents.
 salvationarmy.org.sg

4 The Social Space
The Social Space creates multi-concept spaces to inspire social-impact champions. Their Bugis-based cafe is an ANZA fave, serving up food, drinks, sustainable homewares, and reusable essentials. They also employ differently-abled people to acquire skills and put their talents and skills to a good cause.
thesocialspace.co