Growing up in a middle-lower income family where my father was the sole breadwinner with my
mum doing some part-time jobs on and off, I feel that even with this little money we had, we had a
pretty decent life. We had a nice flat to live in and proper food on the table every day and that made
me believe that it is the same everywhere else in Singapore. I was naive enough to believe that
there were NO poverty in Singapore. I mean if I compare with places like Africa or even some of the
slumps I saw on Hong Kong TV dramas, Singapore really looks pretty decent right?
You know what they said about ignorance is bliss? I guess they are pretty right this time. A good 20 -
30 years has passed and I have gotten more in touch with what is happening in Singapore. As
much as I thought there is no poverty in Singapore, I'm actually seeing it in Singapore NOW! Just
look at the situation of a house I visited recently with the North East Community Development
Council. I mean this is not the first time I am seeing such situations considering that I've always been
in touch with community services projects back in the days when I was part of Lions Club Singapore
as well as doing my part during my school days. Despite not being my first time, I can't say I am not
surprised at the situation. Can you imagine staying at such a place?
The place was so old and rundown that many youngsters might not even have seen as a power switch before.
A strong sense of nostalgia isn't it.
While I'm standing in the house soaking myself up in sense of nostalgia and feeling all poignant,
channeling my inner Lang Leav to write a poem, it hits me that this place is actually someone's
house where they eat and sleep in everyday.
I can't help but to feel how fortunate we are and at the same time a sense of shame because all we
are "suffering" from everyday are our typical first world problems such as internet too slow or went
and queued for hours but failed to get that limited edition shoes that we always wanted while there
are people out there that do not even have food on the table or living in a house where most people
wouldn't bear staying in. Because you know, no aircon. LOL. #firstworldproblemmuchright
Don’t' say I exaggerate hor, just see for yourself.
So thanks to the good people at North East CDC, they have launched a new program - A-Better-
Home @ North East. Yeah, it's the same good people that I've covered a few other stories for
recently which includes Heart Baker as well as Get Healthy. As you can see, there are a lot of things
happening in Singapore and there are many good people who are willing to do their part for others. I
mean I might be getting my hands dirty but the war journalist is just as important as anyone in the
war right? Okay lah, or at least I choose to believe so.
A-Better-Home @ North East is an inaugural pilot programme by the North East CDC to improve our
less privileged residents’ living environment. A group of contractors will provide pro bono services in
repairing and replacing broken fixtures such as damaged doors, dislodged tiles, faulty electrical
wiring; as well as carrying out painting works.
North East CDC has teamed up with 7 Contractors to provide pro bono and/or subsidised repairs for
these less privileged residents. These socially-conscious contractors have donated $350,000 in
services to assist 300 under-privileged households. This pilot collaboration would run till March
2019. The initiative complements North East CDC’s existing Home Needs programs such as Project
Refresh where volunteers helped less-privileged residents to spruce up their homes.
The scheme has made homes safer for seniors such as 76-year-old stroke
patient Mr. Tan and his Wife. The couple has to put up with a leaked toilet system and
the paint on their walls were peeling. Mr. Tan, who has difficulties walking and
speaking, relies on his wife, 69-year-old Mdm Lee, to take care of him. They recently welcomed
Chinese New Year with a rejuvenated home as the contractors had fix their toilet leakage and
repaint their home.
Mayor of North East District, Mr. Desmond Choo is excited that different
stakeholders are coming together readily to tackle community problems. He said,
“While national programs such as Home Improvement Program (HIP) tackles essential
repairs, there are residual and exceptional needs that can be tackled by the
community. Through this collaboration, we can create safer and better homes for less-
privileged residents and strengthen community self-help and resilience.”
I know such effort of helping one at a time might not change the whole country overnight but like the
starfish story we help who we can with what we have even if it's one at a time.
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