This morning at 10.00am sharp, the SDA team led by Desmond Lim and anchored by Aloysius Chan arrived promptly at their designated Block 613, Elias Road, to kickstart another meaningful morning of interacting with the residents. Desmond educated and shared information with the Members and Shadow Town Councillors about certain structural providence of necessities around the estates, and what to keep a lookout for, such as the correct locations to place the incense burners, why certain blocks have more CCTVs etc.
Having been briefed, the Members, together with Shadow Town Councillors Lim Kim Soon and Derrick Tan as well as DLs' Caring Community members Thomas Tan etc took the elevator up to level 18, the highest floor of this HDB block where the house visits began.
 |
Other than that, the members of DLs' Caring Community, which is a registered charity organisation, were on standby to identify families that required assistance. The DLs' members then undertook to chat with the families in-depth on their problems and offered assistance in any way possible. Reaching out to the elderly members, especially those residing alone, has been the forte of the DLs' Caring Community, but on this visit they also undertook other tasks targeted at helping a couple of individual families addressing their concerns directly.
Residents of the block, regardless of race or religion, from those residing in 5-room flats to those residing in 4-room flats, spanning across very varied demographics, were relatively receptive in receiving the visits of the friendly SDA team. Many of them came over to offer their handshakes, halting their meals to do so; others opened their doors in wide welcome so that they could chat more comfortably with the Members and Shadow Town Councillors. Even the families or individuals who had reservations initially began to warm up and open up to the interaction session once they saw that it was the familiar SDA team.
Besides addressing their issues, the residents were also happy to share their thoughts and feelings on certain policies being implemented recently. A general concern from most of the residents centred around the influx of non-locals into the country, posing threats against them or their children in terms of career opportunities, education opportunities etc.
"Sometimes it is important to just do one's best and not over-promise," quips a *Mr. Andrew (name changed to protect privacy), "Otherwise, it would be like a toothpaste commercial, where everything is 100% shiny perfect!"
Some residents have also expressed displeasure that they were not informed when there were changes or additions of amenities around the estates. As residents here, they feel that they have a right to know, for instance, why there were suddenly so many CCTVs around the blocks, etc.
By 12noon the SDA team and DLs' Caring Community members have accomplished their tasks and touched base with all 18 floors of residents, offering warm-hearted listening ears as well as a hand or shoulder to the residents, and noted down all their concerns.
They continued their mission towards Elias Mall, about 7 minutes' walk from Blk 613 Elias Road, where they continued to spread the care by chatting the people up, understanding their concerns and disseminating more copies of the informative pamphlets.
A debrief and brain-storming session over tea concluded yet another meaningful interaction / outreach program by the SDA today.
The event is covered by SDA's field reporter Elle Chen.
For feedback and comments, please feel free to visit our Facebook page here or leave your comments here. If you would like to be a part of this meaningful initiative, please feel free to get in touch too.
No comments:
Post a Comment