"Care and Share" programme helps needy residents in Jalan Kayu

SINGAPORE: Using the "many helping hands" approach is how the Jalan Kayu constituency intends to assist its needy residents. This approach ensures help can be sustained.

The constituency launched a Care and Share programme on Sunday morning, where more affluent residents can donate food items to their neighbours.

The groceries will be collected and distributed to needy families every two months.

The needy families are those with a capita income of less than S$450 per month.

Awang Johari, a beneficiary of the programme, said: "It helps reduce my monthly expenditure cost. It provides some relief... to help me cope with the cost of living and so if they give me food items, I’m happy."

The Care and Share programme started in June within four Residents’ Committee at Jalan Kayu.

Families can make a one—time donation or pledge to continue contributing for six months.

Seventy families have made the commitment to contribute for six months. Collectively, these contributions form a substantial resource from which the constituency can draw upon.

Some 200 needy families have benefited from the Care and Share initiative so far. Contributions have come from about 120 families, who are residents of Jalan Kayu. With the official launch of the programme, organisers hope more residents will step forward and contribute.

The programme allows residents to show empathy and to extend assistance beyond their own families and households.

Organisers hope the beneficiaries can pay it forward and become a donor too one day.

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, an MP with Ang Mo Kio GRC, said: "When one family is the beneficiary, it doesn’t mean that (the recipient family) are always in need all the time. Things might be better for them and they might become a donor family.

"What is important is that we respect one another and recognise people can move up and down the social ladder and I hope this can engender magnanimity and respect for one another."

Present at the launch of the Care and Share programme was Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has just returned from his visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Lee presented hong baos and goodie bags to needy residents.

More than 1,500 residents also participated in Jalan Kayu Day, which aims to promote family bonding and neighbourliness among residents.

—CNA/ac