• Having grown up in a kampung, Madam Fannie Koh, 45, believes strongly in a close-knit society. “I aspire to create a kampung atmosphere in my community. A safe space where no one is a stranger, where we help and support each other, where children are free to run around and play outdoors,” reminisces Fannie, who certainly walks her talk and is a familiar figure around the neighbourhood. Friendly, open-minded and approachable; residents find it easy to open up to Fannie. Fannie understands the importance of having a social support network. “I’ve suffered some setbacks in my life. I know what it’s like to be sad and helpless. I’ve had help and support in the past and I would like to be there for others now,’ explains Fannie. “Sadness is, well, sad. My aim in life is to help contribute towards a happy, smiling community,” adds Fannie. Her positive attitude is certainly contagious. “More than often, overcoming challenges takes a team, and in this community, we work closely with fellow volunteers and partners to make this neighbourhood a trustworthy and reliable one to grow up and live in. Today, Fannie is a fountain of energy and enthusiasm. A teacher by profession, the mother of three is also an active grassroots volunteer for over 15 years and wears many hats. Fannie is the Chairperson of Kaki Bukit Community Development Welfare Funds (CDWF) and Vice-Chairperson of Kaki Bukit Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC). She works hard to ensure every resident receives the support they need, even if it is just someone to talk to. “Every little bit helps,” stresses Fannie. #PeoplesAssociation #CelebratingSgWomen
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    Having grown up in a kampung, Madam Fannie Koh, 45, believes strongly in a close-knit society. “I aspire to create a kampung atmosphere in my community. A safe space where no one is a stranger, where we help and support each other, where children are free to run around and play outdoors,” reminisces Fannie, who certainly walks her talk and is a familiar figure around the neighbourhood. Friendly, open-minded and approachable; residents find it easy to open up to Fannie. Fannie understands the importance of having a social support network. “I’ve suffered some setbacks in my life. I know what it’s like to be sad and helpless. I’ve had help and support in the past and I would like to be there for others now,’ explains Fannie. “Sadness is, well, sad. My aim in life is to help contribute towards a happy, smiling community,” adds Fannie. Her positive attitude is certainly contagious. “More than often, overcoming challenges takes a team, and in this community, we work closely with fellow volunteers and partners to make this neighbourhood a trustworthy and reliable one to grow up and live in. Today, Fannie is a fountain of energy and enthusiasm. A teacher by profession, the mother of three is also an active grassroots volunteer for over 15 years and wears many hats. Fannie is the Chairperson of Kaki Bukit Community Development Welfare Funds (CDWF) and Vice-Chairperson of Kaki Bukit Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC). She works hard to ensure every resident receives the support they need, even if it is just someone to talk to. “Every little bit helps,” stresses Fannie. #PeoplesAssociation #CelebratingSgWomen
  • “Wherever we can go, we will go.” - Chua Chu Kang (CCK) resident Watch how Guo Qi, constituency manager from CCK CC created opportunities for seniors to mingle and enhance inter-generational bonding with the families and neighbours, all in a day out in the city! #PeoplesAssociation #ThereForYou #SingaporeRediscoverVoucher
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    “Wherever we can go, we will go.” - Chua Chu Kang (CCK) resident Watch how Guo Qi, constituency manager from CCK CC created opportunities for seniors to mingle and enhance inter-generational bonding with the families and neighbours, all in a day out in the city! #PeoplesAssociation #ThereForYou #SingaporeRediscoverVoucher
  • Remember the feeling of exploring a new place with a group of people you never met before? Though we may not be able to enjoy overseas tours, the experience is still very much alive. Mr Low Teck Lee, volunteer of 21 years, enjoys bringing this experience to residents through RC tours. He cites that it is more than a tour, it is also a great avenue for the community to bond as many get to meet their neighbours that they may not be familiar with. With COVID restrictions kicking in, it became arduous to get residents together and enjoy the tours that they love. So his team adapted rather enthusiastically and decided to resume their fond experience virtually instead. After months of preparation, they managed to arrange a Peranakan Virtual Tour for residents in Bukit Batok East. Mr Alvin Yapp, owner of The Intan - Celebrating all things Peranakan! and host of the Peranakan Virtual Tour, was initially against the idea of virtual tours but is now a proponent of it. “I realize that it can be an intimate session. I can share more stories with the participants and they are not distracted by wefies or selfies”, he shared rather candidly. He conducted the virtual tour for about 40 participants and added that “It was great to bring this experience to those who may not be able to leave their homes due to mobility issues.” When asked if there were any challenges dealing with virtual programmes, Mr Low remarked, “It actually helped us to embrace technology more than ever. More elderly residents are now adept in using platforms like Zoom. We are continuing to reach out to more residents who may not be digitally savvy so that they can enjoy this experience with us.” #PeoplesAssociation #LiveLifeWithPA #ACaringCommunity
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    Remember the feeling of exploring a new place with a group of people you never met before? Though we may not be able to enjoy overseas tours, the experience is still very much alive. Mr Low Teck Lee, volunteer of 21 years, enjoys bringing this experience to residents through RC tours. He cites that it is more than a tour, it is also a great avenue for the community to bond as many get to meet their neighbours that they may not be familiar with. With COVID restrictions kicking in, it became arduous to get residents together and enjoy the tours that they love. So his team adapted rather enthusiastically and decided to resume their fond experience virtually instead. After months of preparation, they managed to arrange a Peranakan Virtual Tour for residents in Bukit Batok East. Mr Alvin Yapp, owner of The Intan - Celebrating all things Peranakan! and host of the Peranakan Virtual Tour, was initially against the idea of virtual tours but is now a proponent of it. “I realize that it can be an intimate session. I can share more stories with the participants and they are not distracted by wefies or selfies”, he shared rather candidly. He conducted the virtual tour for about 40 participants and added that “It was great to bring this experience to those who may not be able to leave their homes due to mobility issues.” When asked if there were any challenges dealing with virtual programmes, Mr Low remarked, “It actually helped us to embrace technology more than ever. More elderly residents are now adept in using platforms like Zoom. We are continuing to reach out to more residents who may not be digitally savvy so that they can enjoy this experience with us.” #PeoplesAssociation #LiveLifeWithPA #ACaringCommunity
  • Do you agree that education is one of the contributing factors in breaking the cycle of poverty?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ To Grace Ong, helping families in need starts from alleviating and empowering them with knowledge and skills, especially in the children, so as to have an equal head start in life. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It all began with one child, making an impact one at a time. Before I knew it, we started a tuition programme that has been running for the past six years, for the children in the neighbourhood, shares Grace, Chairperson of MoCa - Moulmein-Cairnhill Community Development & Welfare Committee and an active volunteer for over 20 years.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Grace shares that although the programme requires a high level of commitment from parents, children and volunteers, the cause is worthy. Since its inception, she has witnessed many children who have progressed to higher education. ⁣⁣ She also applauds many volunteers who have supported this cause and firmly believes that mentoring is a win-win journey, both the mentors and mentees. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ While we only have 24 hours a day and spend most of these hours working, I always find joy in volunteering. To me, it’s an alternative form of stress buster, says Grace, who recalled a recent rough patch at work. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ She added that volunteering has become a source of joy, especially when she witnessed how their collective efforts became an assurance to families that they are not left behind. Grace adds, While we are giving to the community, the community is giving to us too because when we see our passion turns into something good, our lives are more fulfilling too.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #PeoplesAssociation #ThereForYou #CelebratingSgWomen
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    Do you agree that education is one of the contributing factors in breaking the cycle of poverty?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ To Grace Ong, helping families in need starts from alleviating and empowering them with knowledge and skills, especially in the children, so as to have an equal head start in life. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ "It all began with one child, making an impact one at a time. Before I knew it, we started a tuition programme that has been running for the past six years, for the children in the neighbourhood", shares Grace, Chairperson of MoCa - Moulmein-Cairnhill Community Development & Welfare Committee and an active volunteer for over 20 years.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Grace shares that although the programme requires a high level of commitment from parents, children and volunteers, the cause is worthy. Since its inception, she has witnessed many children who have progressed to higher education. ⁣⁣ She also applauds many volunteers who have supported this cause and firmly believes that mentoring is a win-win journey, both the mentors and mentees. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ "While we only have 24 hours a day and spend most of these hours working, I always find joy in volunteering. To me, it’s an alternative form of stress buster," says Grace, who recalled a recent rough patch at work. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ She added that volunteering has become a source of joy, especially when she witnessed how their collective efforts became an assurance to families that they are not left behind. Grace adds, "While we are giving to the community, the community is giving to us too because when we see our passion turns into something good, our lives are more fulfilling too."⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #PeoplesAssociation #ThereForYou #CelebratingSgWomen
  • Dennis Lum, Charmine Cham and their respective families were among the first to move into the Sunshine Gardens, a new estate in Brickland constituency. Last month, together with 30 other families, they took part in the “Food Drive with Love” initiative by Brickland Sunshine Residents Network (RN) to provide food ration packs for the less privileged residents in the estate. ⁣ ⁣ Dennis shares, My wife and I felt that, while we may not be able to help people living far away, we can still reach out to neighbours living in this same estate. ⁣ ⁣ “Food Drive with Love” was started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic by Eric Goh, Vice-Chairperson of Brickland Sunshine Residents Network and his members. Eric explains, Five years ago, we were all strangers, new to this estate. We hope that the RN can help to connect residents and build friendship, but in times of need, pull resources together to help the less fortunate. ⁣ ⁣ Fellow RN member, Melvin Ho adds, Some of our residents were affected by Covid-19 and had difficulty making ends meet. Immediately we thought that the RN can initiate a food drive to help then tide over the difficult period. ⁣ ⁣ Eric emphasises, In newer estates, we are well connected through technology and social media like Facebook and Block WhatsApp Chat groups. However, it is also important for us to be able to bond in person and look out for each other is a trait of a closely knitted community. This is why we want to rally fellow neighbours and create opportunities for them to contribute to the community that we live in. ⁣ ⁣ Responding to the call is resident Charmine who learnt of the initiative through the Block WhatsApp Chat. She adds, We bond through peace times, and now when we learnt that some neighbours are facing difficulties, I support the act of stepping forward to help in possible ways.⁣ ⁣ #PeoplesAssociation #ACaringCommunity
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    Dennis Lum, Charmine Cham and their respective families were among the first to move into the Sunshine Gardens, a new estate in Brickland constituency. Last month, together with 30 other families, they took part in the “Food Drive with Love” initiative by Brickland Sunshine Residents Network (RN) to provide food ration packs for the less privileged residents in the estate. ⁣ ⁣ Dennis shares, "My wife and I felt that, while we may not be able to help people living far away, we can still reach out to neighbours living in this same estate." ⁣ ⁣ “Food Drive with Love” was started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic by Eric Goh, Vice-Chairperson of Brickland Sunshine Residents Network and his members. Eric explains, "Five years ago, we were all strangers, new to this estate. We hope that the RN can help to connect residents and build friendship, but in times of need, pull resources together to help the less fortunate." ⁣ ⁣ Fellow RN member, Melvin Ho adds, "Some of our residents were affected by Covid-19 and had difficulty making ends meet. Immediately we thought that the RN can initiate a food drive to help then tide over the difficult period." ⁣ ⁣ Eric emphasises, "In newer estates, we are well connected through technology and social media like Facebook and Block WhatsApp Chat groups. However, it is also important for us to be able to bond in person and look out for each other is a trait of a closely knitted community. This is why we want to rally fellow neighbours and create opportunities for them to contribute to the community that we live in." ⁣ ⁣ Responding to the call is resident Charmine who learnt of the initiative through the Block WhatsApp Chat. She adds, "We bond through peace times, and now when we learnt that some neighbours are facing difficulties, I support the act of stepping forward to help in possible ways."⁣ ⁣ #PeoplesAssociation #ACaringCommunity