AMPlified Issue 22 — April 2014 by AMP_Singapore

EVENTS

From 13 January to 14 February, the Adopt a Family and Youth Scheme (AFYS) Radio Campaign returned to the airwaves through MediaCorp radio station, WARNA 94.2FM, to raise funds for disadvantaged families under the scheme. The daily interviews and weekly two-hour 'live' talk shows highlighted the challenges faced by the AFYS families as well as the assistance rendered to boost their efforts in achieving self-reliance. With the combined efforts of the WARNA deejays and big-hearted individuals who pledged their support through the telepoll lines, AMP raised more than $125,000 in total during the five-week campaign. AMP would like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts in uplifting the lives of underprivileged families. You can still lend your support by calling the telepoll lines at:

1900 112 4020 for a $20 donation 1900 112 4050 for a $50 donation The telepoll lines will be open until 29 June 2014. You can also donate through our free Donorbox app available for download at the AppStore and Google Play.

ENGAGING THE YOUTHS by Muhammad Sirajuddin Jamat

The new Young AMP President, Mr Muhd Shamir Abdul Rahim (left). Mr Saktiandi Supaat (far left) retired after serving three years as President of Young AMP.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat retired as President of Young AMP in January 2014 after serving ten years as a member of its Board of Management. Succeeding him is Mr Muhd Shamir Abdul Rahim, who previously served as Vice-President of Young AMP for three years. Mr Saktiandi’s resignation follows the amendment made to Young AMP’s Constitution in 2011, which limits the maximum term of presidency to three years, to allow for leadership renewal. In recent years, Young AMP has focused its activities on project collaborations and career development programmes for youths and young professionals. Under the new leadership, it will explore several new strategies to engage this group further, including the formation of ‘cloud’ interest groups, where volunteers can come together to contribute to the community through loosely-structured interest groups, which will give them greater flexibility in contributing their time. Some of the key activities planned for the year include the relaunch of the Muslim Youth Intelligentsia Series, the expansion of Windows on Work (WoW), and partnerships with The College of Alice & Peter Tan (University Town, National University of Singapore) and Central Singapore Community Development Council, among others. Young AMP also welcomes student societies in all educational institutes that are keen to collaborate on select projects and initiatives. © Association of Muslim Professionals. Permission is required for reproduction.

YOUNG AMP BOARD OF MANAGEMENT (AS OF JANUARY 2014) PRESIDENT Mr Muhd Shamir Abdul Rahim Managing Director Sypher Labs Pte Ltd VICE PRESIDENT Mr Hazni Aris Sales Manager Zurich Insurance Singapore MEMBERS Mr Fauzulkabir Darke Assistant Associate Director OrangeTee.com Pte Ltd Mr Muhd Syakir Hashim Undergraduate National University of Singapore Mr Ridwan Abbas Deputy Editor (ASEAN) Asia Insurance Review Ms Sofiah Su’aad Jamil PhD Candidate Australian National University NEW APPOINTMENTS Mr Aminur Rasid Executive, Madrasah Policy & Planning Strategic Unit Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) Ms Fezhah Maznan Academic Staff Republic Polytechnic Mr Shafiee Razali Youth Worker YouthReach

Little Big Hearts

by Nuramalina Abdul Ghani

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APR JUN 2014 From left: Brothers, Nabil Wafi and Najmi Hafi, from Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 986C came out as the highest collectors for the pledge drive. Mohd Firaz Mohd Fadzli from Kidz Meadow Kindergarten and Cedric Tan from Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 979C, were the second highest collectors for the pledge drive. Anaqy Syabiel from Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Woodlands was the third highest collector for the pledge drive.

In the latest pledge card drive organised by AMP, students from ten different schools raised more than $25,200 towards its Ready for School Fund (RFS). The Fund aims to assist disadvantaged school-going children in their educational pursuit. The schools involved in the RFS Pledge Card Drive 2013 were: • • • • • • • • • •

Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 979C Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 986C Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Woodlands Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Yishun Kidz Meadow Kindergarten @ Pasir Ris East Spring Secondary School Hong Kah Secondary School Lianhua Primary School Jurongville Secondary School West View Primary School

AMP would also like to commend the efforts of our top collectors: HIGHEST COLLECTORS Nabil Wafi Bin Mohd Nasral Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 986C Najmi Hafi Bin Mohd Nasral Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 986C 2 ND HIGHEST COLLECTORS Mohamed Firaz Bin Mohamed Fadzli Kidz Meadow Kindergarten Cedric Tan Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Buangkok Blk 979C 3 RD HIGHEST COLLECTOR Anaqy Syabiel Kidz Meadow Childcare @ Woodlands

AMP hopes that the young pledge collectors will continue their charitable efforts and be empathetic towards the plight of their peers from underprivileged backgrounds.

Good financial planning is essential to prevent you from going into debt by overspending or overestimating how far you can stretch your income. Here are some tips to ensure how you can effectively manage your finances:

Track your monthly spending

Save your receipts, record your cash purchases and credit card deductions each month to give you an idea of how much of your income is being spent on what. If you own a smart phone, there are free apps which you can download to help you do the tracking.

MANAGING YOUR

Develop a personal or household budget

F I NA NC E S

Develop a budget which states how much you intend to spend on different items at the beginning of every month. At the end of the month, compare your actual spending against the budget. This allows you to make necessary adjustments to your spending habits to ensure that you spend within your means.

by Saiful Nizam Jemain

Start a savings or emergency fund

Save for a rainy day. Put aside 10% of your monthly income towards your savings or emergency fund so that you will be financially prepared should any unforeseen circumstances arise.

Pay your monthly bills on time to avoid late charges

Take note of when your bills are due and pay them as soon as you receive them. This way you can avoid any late or penalty fees. If you know anyone who needs advice on debt issues, please call the AMP Helpline at 6416 3960 on weekdays from 10am to 5pm.

EVENTS

AID NEEDED by Muhammad Timuzi Adnan

On 5 November 2013, a mission from Singapore departed for Istanbul – Gazientep – Kilis, which lies on the Turkish-Syrian border, to reach out to the displaced Syrian refugees in Turkey. The team was told that the official number of displaced Syrians in Turkey is reported to be at least 600,000, while the unofficial count may reach over a million. Many Syrians have fled their country, leaving their prized possessions behind, either because the bombs have destroyed their homes, or it has become too unsafe to stay put. The mission sought to initiate a call to action to provide these refugees with their basic needs, which include food, clothes, shelter and

education, until they can regain their independence. At the same time, the mission visited two schools, supported by a Turkish aid agency, Kimse Yok Mu (KYM), in Kilis. The team also went to a daily food distribution centre where warm food is served to about 1,000 refugees every day. They then spent the following day distributing basic food essentials and blankets to ten families oppressed by these circumstances. During their mission there, the team visited the outskirts of a refugee camp called “The Container City” at the Syrian border with Turkey, where some 20,000 Syrians were accommodated. At the same border, there is a four-kilometre long queue of trucks waiting to get into Syria to unload their

The writer (centre, wearing a cap) with the Syrian children at a school supported by Turkish aid agency, Kimse Yok Mu.

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APR JUN 2014

goods for sale. The team was told that it takes about four days for the trucks to cross the border due to the closure of other border crossings, thus badly impacting the Syrian economy. To extend humanitarian aid to these refugees, the Muslim Expatriates Network (MEX), a member of the AMP Group, together with SimplyIslam.sg, has jointly embarked on a fund raising initiative known as the Aid to Syrian Refugees in Turkey (ASRIT).

The initiative aims to raise $500,000 through various charity activities by the end of this year. At the time of writing, over $130,000 has been raised through ASRIT’s various fundraising activities. Proceeds from the fund will be channelled towards KYM to strive towards their mission of ensuring the refugees’ protection from starvation, recuperation from severe injuries and the children’s education and survival. To find out more about how you can contribute towards the fund, do visit www.asrit.sg. Muhammad Timuzi Adnan @ Tim Alden sits on the Board of Management of the Muslim Expatriates Network (MEX). The opinions expressed in the article are his own.

The mission visited some of the families affected by the Syrian civil war to distribute basic food essentials and blankets.

SPOTLIGHT

Building A Better Future by Suhailah Sapuan

6 5 1

AMP

As the old adage goes, life has its ups and downs. For Mdm Noraffizah Othman, 43, her family went through one of the darkest moments in their lives about two years ago when Mdm Noraffizah's husband turned to moneylenders to pay for some of their household expenses. With her husband as the sole breadwinner for their family of seven, they were struggling to manage their finances. Out of desperation, he borrowed from both licensed and unlicensed moneylenders, which resulted in their family being continuously harassed when their repayments fell short, affecting them psychologically and emotionally. A large portion of their monthly household income had been used to settle their outstanding loans, leaving little for their children as well as their household expenses. Things gradually took a turn for the better when Mdm Noraffizah decided to approach AMP for assistance, especially for her childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s socio-educational needs.

ÂŠ Association of Muslim Professionals. Permission is required for reproduction.

AMPlified caught up with Mdm Noraffizah recently, and she reflected on the challenges her family faced and how they had managed to overcome the trying period.

AMPlified: How did your family cope with the challenges you faced then?

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APR JUN 2014

It was a very challenging period for my family. With the constant threats we received, we were very fearful to even step out of our home. On top of that, our financial situation was worsening. There was a time when our food stock was so low that I had to ration the food so that it would last for the rest of the week. My children’s educational needs were my biggest concern. I was really worried when my children were not performing well in school. I then decided to provide a home-based babysitting service and take simple food orders. In addition, my husband works as a taxi driver on weekends for supplementary income.

AMPlified: Why did you seek assistance from AMP? I approached AMP as I was concerned about my children’s socio-educational needs. Under AMP’s Adopt a Family and Youth Scheme (AFYS), we were given a comprehensive range of assistance which exceeded my expectations. My children truly benefited from the tuition assistance provided, and their grades improved tremendously. My eldest child has also gone on to pursue a diploma and will be graduating from the polytechnic soon. I hope that she will be able to secure a job upon graduation and help contribute to our household income as well as have a better future for herself.

es ah h wis ffiz ily P a AM Nor fam m her ued d M d ntin ss an co cce r su thei urs Being in AFYS, the best times we have had as a family was in avo during the family events held every quarter, which gave us the e r a opportunity to explore new places and activities, spend time together d n and consequently strengthen our bond – something we do not often do. e fo tter . We also acquired many useful, lifelong skills that have made an impact on our be ture lives and this is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. Apart from AFYS, my husband and I also receive moral and emotional support through AMP’s Debt fu Advisory Centre (DAC). We are now better able to manage our finances and pay our outstanding loans more efficiently.

AMPlified: How do you plan to improve your FAMILY’S FINANCIAL SITUATION? Currently, we are renting out a room in our home as an additional source of income for our family. Our financial situation is slowly improving. The challenges and struggles we went through have made us realise the importance of financial management and education. I am more than grateful for the assistance rendered by AMP.