Uniting Efforts Yield Results: Local Heroes Demonstrate How Collective Action Aids More Singaporeans in Distress
In March, during the fasting month of Ramadan, Mdm Sarimah Amat, a 58-year-old homemaker from Yishun, demonstrated unwavering dedication on a humid afternoon. Despite the persistent rain, she directed volunteers in unloading groceries, overseeing the distribution under the void deck. These essential items, seemingly insignificant, proved vital for the 120 beneficiary families.
Mdm Sarimah's efforts extend beyond the isolated event. A simple phone call to an elderly neighbor, revealing their desperation with only $10 left in the bank, served as a reminder of the difference a helping hand can make. Her initiatives rely on the strength of the community, with the assistance of regular volunteers, neighbors, nearby merchants, and public agencies.
The Yishun Central Merchant Association sponsored the groceries for one such event, while a grant from the People's Association helped cover the costs. These strategic partnerships have facilitated the growth of Mdm Sarimah's grassroots initiative, Project Pencil.
Project Pencil has two wings - one operating at Nee Soon Central Community Club (CC), offering free weekly tuition sessions for over 50 children, and another, Yishun Seventy One, which caters to the needs and social well-being of residents. CC provides space for the silat training, a meaningful activity that keeps children engaged and grounded.
"If I didn't have help from these agencies, I don't think I could reach so many children," Mdm Sarimah admits. "My tuition classes would probably still be under the void deck, without proper desks or chairs for the children to use."
The humble beginnings of Project Pencil can be traced back to 2014, when a friend approached Mdm Sarimah to help collect pencils for 30 children in a Thai orphanage. This simple act evolved into a more significant mission, providing stationery and learning materials to children in orphanages globally.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Ms P Keerthana, an educator, focuses her community engagement efforts on bridging the generational gap, particularly strengthening connections between seniors and youth. Since 2021, her non-profit organization, GenLab Collective, has designed and implemented intergenerational programmes, fostering understanding and shared experiences.
Her team collaborates with various organizations to create opportunities for seniors and youth to interact. In March 2023, GenLab held GenDate at the National Library Building. These sessions encourage meaningful conversations based on shared themes, such as technology and its impact on lives.
Such partnerships enable GenLab to reach a broader audience and create more impactful conversations. They are actively seeking further collaboration opportunities, particularly with active ageing centres, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
ACROSS GENERATIONSWhile Mdm Sarimah and Ms Keerthana initially come from different walks of life, they share a common goal - serving the community. The Singapore Government Partnerships Office, established in 2024, plays a crucial role in encouraging such initiatives and supporting Singaporeans in making a positive impact.
The office connects citizens, organizations, and government agencies to co-create solutions, provides resources, and invites proposals for potential partnerships. By doing so, it encourages community leaders to bring forth innovative ideas that can contribute to the nation's development. Ultimately, it fosters a cohesive and resilient society through strengthened community ties.
Mdm Sarimah's initiative, Project Pencil, not only focuses on educational support but also expands to home-and-garden initiatives, as evidenced by the community events she organizes under void decks.
Meanwhile, Ms P Keerthana's non-profit organization, GenLab Collective, aims to bridge the generational gap, creating programs that bring together seniors and youth, pertaining to lifestyle activities such as sharing experiences and conversations about technology's impact on lives.
