Dedicated to Helping the Elderly

Thanks to the generosity of Mr Roger Ng, NTUC Rotary Silver Circle in Marsiling is now able to help the needy elderly improve their health and overall well-being. The Rotarian recently donated two Bio-cell Rechargers to the Centre, each one costing an estimated $7,000. The therapy machines help the body’s cells absorb greater nutrients and clear toxins from the system.

“These therapy machines help our body on a cellular level and revitalise the cells,” explained the 47 year old businessman, who has experienced its benefits first-hand. “I neglected my health in my younger years and my doctor told me that I would have a heart attack by the time I turned 50 if I didn’t take care of myself,” he recounted.

The main force behind Roger’s kindness is the desire to help the elderly and see them get well. The businessman has been donating to churches, temples and community centres for the past decade in an effort to give back to society.

Roger’s next project is to raise funds to buy an ambulance for the Centre. Working closely through his Rotary club, the Rotary Club of Bugis Junction and its President-Elect Laurent Levan and NTUC Young, he is planning a walkathon in April next year to collect donations. In spite of all his contributions to charity, Roger remains humble, saying simply, “I’ll be old one day, and hopefully then, someone will be there to take care of me.”

Rotary Charity Golf Tournament

9 June 2011 marked the beginning of Rotary Club’s inaugural Charity Golf Tournament. Held at Tanah Merah Country Club, the event was graced by Guest of Honour Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of NTUC Eldercare.

The organizing committee was headed by PP KK Tan of the RC Singapore West and strongly supported by Rotarians from other clubs, PP Lee Lye Wah, PP Jack Chuang, PP Dr Tan KK, PP Alex Eow, PP Eugene Lim, PP N. Mohan, PP Marvis Wong, PP Goh Seow Chee and PP Jack Tan.

Thanks to the strong support from members and friends, the event was a great success and raised more than $100,000. The day ended with a charity dinner and the funds raised will go towards the NTUC Rotary Silver Trust and Rotary Family Service Centre programmes.

Board of Directors (BOD) Retreat

More than 50 BOD members and key stakeholders from the 21 Rotary Clubs in Singapore participated in the annual Board of Directors Retreat at Orchard Hotel. Held on 28 May, the full day event aimed to help BOD members better understand the Charities Unit’s new code of governance and familiarise themselves with their roles and responsibilities.

Top on the agenda was a brainstorming session to seek input for the Foundation’s strategic plan for the next 10 years. In attendance was Mr Lim Boon Heng, who shared insights into the challenges facing the eldercare services in Singapore. NCSS was also a keen participant and gave members an overview of the social services sector, coupled with insights into new emerging trends concerning our community. Clubs were also encouraged to increase their corporate social responsibilities initiatives in an effort to help the community.

Launch of KidsREAD Programme

In conjunction with the National Library Board, Rotary Family Service Centre launched the KidsREAD programme on 12 March this year. Many families turned up for the event and children were treated to a special drama performance by theatre group ACT3. In attendance was Mr Arthur Fong, MP for West Coast GRC, who was the event’s Guest of Honour.

KidsREAD is targeted at children between the ages of 5 to 8 years and aims to develop and enhance their reading abilities. A total of 25 children will attend the weekly volunteer-driven programme till the end of 2011. The KidsREAD Reading Club is also supported by Rotary Club of Queenstown.

Extending a Helping Hand

Six months ago, Madam Alicia* was a happy housewife and loving mother when life dealt her an unexpected blow. Her husband, Mr Rosnan*, was sentenced to jail, leaving her with the difficult task of supporting the family and raising their five children. Madam Alicia was suddenly saddled with housing loans, hefty medical bills and the responsibility of financing her children’s education. Being unemployed, this burden would have been too great for her to handle, if not for the assistance of the Rotary Family Service Centre (FSC).

With the Centre’s help, Madam Alicia applied for the School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) for her three school-going children to provide for their daily needs and ensure the future of their education.

“When it comes to my children’s education, I cannot be stingy. I want my children to have a better future than me. I am willing to provide the best for their education with all I can. I am extremely grateful for the SPMF. With the rising cost of living, my family has to be very careful with our finances. The pocket money will go to buy food at the school canteen for them. I can now breathe easier.”

Madam Alicia is grateful to the FSC for assisting her in the application for the SPMF as well as for the provision of counselling service to her.

When Madam Alicia’s husband was released from the prison in July 2011, he found a job as a technician and the family’s finances improved. Mr Rosnan’s time in jail also allowed him to reflect on his actions and he has become a more responsible husband and father. Despite the improvement in the family’s financial situation, Madam Alicia is not one to rest on her laurels and is planning to return to the workforce to supplement the family’s income.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family

Hope for the Future

Mr Yusoff’s* life was once vibrant and happy. He had a stable job and looked forward to returning home daily to his wife. Even though Mr Yusoff’s two children lived overseas, they would frequently come home to visit. Life was simple but he was content.

All this changed however, when Mr Yusoff’s wife passed away. Devastated by the loss of his soul mate, Mr Yusoff quit his job as a chauffeur. The next few months proved difficult for the widower as his wife was his closest friend and companion. His relationship with his children grew strained and they soon stopped visiting him.

Mr Yusoff was referred to an agency for grief counselling and the agency in turn referred him to the Rotary Family Service Centre (FSC). As Mr Yusoff was facing financial difficulties as well, FSC stepped in to provide monthly food vouchers that were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Singapore West. The Centre also assisted him in applying to the Lee foundation for financial assistance.

These days, Mr Yusoff lives alone in a simple 3-room flat. Despite his circumstances, he actively goes to the nearby mosque for daily prayers and maintains a network of friends from the neighbourhood, who give him valuable support and encouragement. Mr Yusoff’s positive outlook is admirable and shows us that even though life may be tough, we should always pick ourselves up and make the best of what we have.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family

Eye and Dental Screening Project at Senja-Cashew Community Centre

As part of the launch of the new Senja-Cashew Community Centre at Bukit Panjang, a special eye and dental screening was held for elderly residents on 17 April. The Rotary Club of Sentosa, together with The Women’s Association and fellow member Dr Tony Wong helped screen 200 needy and elderly residents. Many fellow Rotarians from our club as well as other Rotary Clubs in Singapore, family members and friends volunteered to help out at the event.

Most residents opted to have only their eyes screened as they had a phobia of dentists. Those who did the dental screening were given complimentary tubes of toothpaste, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive as well as toothbrushes courtesy of The Rotary Club of Sentosa.

Residents who needed new glasses were given S$90 vouchers courtesy of Rotarian Francis Wong, the Rotary District 3310 District Simplified Grant, The Crocodile Foundation and the Avoidable Blindness Fund of the Foundation of Rotary Clubs.

The event was graced by Dr Vivien Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and District Governor Dr. K Abraham.

Domestic Violence, the Recognition Problem

This may be deemed as a controversial article by some, but it should be made clear that the contents do not serve to contravene the beliefs of any individual or organisation in any way. Treatment of the female gender has been the hot topic of discussion in many countries and amongst many NGOs. Even in developed Singapore women fall prey to domestic violence and various forms of abuse, many cases which remain unreported today despite a heightened educational level. Educational, media and religious institutions form the building blocks of every society and the unique inter-play of these instils what is acceptability. Women shun away from help many a times due to sheer ignorance, fear or assumed ambassadors of divine goodwill. The crux here – Recognition.

In an interview with Mr Hindran Maniam, counsellor of Rotary Family Service Centre, referrals by the police and sometimes neighbours form the bulk of abuse cases received. Social aspects often affecting these women’s acceptance towards violence include ignorance on rights (e.g. house confinement), attribution to fate, fear of lifestyle disruptions, a similar family history and culture, shame and financial security involving children. As counselling is mandatory only for court-referred cases, centres are unable to do much about abusers who do not turn up for scheduled sessions. The composite of these cases today remain largely skewed towards the lower income/education versus the higher income/education group. In handling the situation, victims either approach the police or for the latter group, obtain information through friends, helplines or the internet.

An important small step in stopping violence, our RFSC continues to provide assistance options, advice and ensure the safety of domestic violence victims.

While much more needs to be done through the local government-regulated and largely monopolistic mainstream media to recognize the issue of domestic violence, there are non-profit organisations working hard at enriching mindsets through education. Formerly known as UNIFEM Singapore, the UN Women National Committee of Singapore (UN Women NC Singapore), headed by Executive Director Ms Pia Bruce looks forward to working with more volunteers and businesses in spreading its cause. Championing empowerment, gender equality and the ending of violence against women, local student volunteers from 19 schools have been successfully involved in supporting its outreach programs.

UN Women NC Singapore has in place school talk programs, bi-monthly film screenings and In Conversation series, concerts as well as awareness initiatives via social media platforms e.g. Facebook. According to program manager Ms Mrinalini Venkatachalam, Singaporean women often face community disbelief when reporting spousal abuse. The lack of professionally trained personnel to handle such calls at police posts exacerbates the problem; these lines are manned by NS men who rotate posts weekly. On its future direction, UN Women NC Singapore hopes to reach out to Singaporeans of all ages to make them aware of the fact that domestic violence is not an issue that is only relevant to developing countries and that it can and does exist in developed countries such as Singapore.

For any questions or to express interest in UN Women NC Singapore’s outreach initiatives, Ms Mrinalini Venkatachalam may be contacted at Telephone: 6238 6763 or Email: mrinalini.venkatachalam@unifem.org.sg.

Ultimately, an individual has the right to decide on her options but this is objectively possible only if realistic alternatives to a recognized problem are made available non self-righteously, free from organisational or religious vested interest and women awakened to the realisation that they need help beyond the familiar societal realm they have grown up in.

This article is sponsored by UN Women National Committee of Singapore.