The Tweeter (Jan-Mar 2013)

YOUR COMMUNITY BULLETIN OF KEMBANGAN - CHAI CHEE

January - March 2013

INSIDE Our Next Door Hero

LOVING KEMBANGANCHAI CHEE OUR HOME

An extraordinary woman – Mdm Kamala delights in helping the needy, for it gives her a sense of purpose in life

Brothers In Arms Willing Hearts’ treasurer Mr Charles Liew shares their passion for helping the underprivileged

The Kaleidoscope Looking Back At An Eventful Year at Kembangan - Chai Chee (K-CC)

Friend Us @ www.facebook.com/kembangan.chaichee

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ADVISOR’S NOTE

WEL C TO O OME FIRS UR T ISS UE Dear friends,

Hello and greetings to all of you!

At the heart of all that we do here in Kembangan-Chai

for those who are immobile and unable to tend to their

Chee, we hope that we will be able to build a home

basic hygiene can and will go a long way.

and a community where we can relate to each other

We are building up our understanding of the range of

not just as strangers but as friends. At the same time,

needs and taking stock of the help available. What is most

we hope that we will also be able to identify with our

important is that we hope that you can step forward to help

neighbourhood and environment.

with a little of your time. The more volunteers we have, the

A big part of this effort lies with reaching out, being

greater our reach. Perhaps neighbours along the same

involved and aware. Our community activities aim to bring

street or apartment block could combine to be responsible

people together so that we can get to know more of our

for particular outreach ‘ministries’? You can help while at

neighbours. The community garden in our interim park

the same time get to know each other better.

in Kembangan is a good example. Neighbours who have

It is when we reach out and care that we begin to

seen each other for years without ever speaking to each

build something special. And I hope that in our own

other have begun to know each other through a common

small ways, we can begin to build a home that we can

activity. Even a simple activity like our brisk walks is a

all love and be proud of.

useful opportunity for our multi-generational families to get together to be active and healthy.

When we stop being strangers and begin to relate to each other as people whom we know and hopefully regard as friends, that is when a community begins to grow.

We also hope that you can join us in reaching out to help those who may be in need in our community.

Sometimes we tend to look afar when finding opportunities to participate in such activities. The reality is that we can make a difference to the lives of those who live within our community. Simple acts like helping us distribute meals to those who may be in need, keep old folks company when they may not have family to depend on, help clean up flats

Warmest regards to all!

Tan Chuan-Jin

January - March 2013

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CONTENT 3 5

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Advisor’s Note Our Next Door Hero

12 Social Commentary Making a difference in our neighbourhood.

Mdm Kamala shares with us why she enjoys helping the needy, and how it gives her a sense of purpose.

14 Know Your Neighbourhood

The Kaleidoscope

15 The Loudhailer

A glimpse into what happened in our neighbourhood in 2012.

10 Brothers in Arms

Willing Hearts’ treasurer Mr Charles Liew shares why they have a passion for helping the underprivileged.

What you didn’t know about Chai Chee Estate.

The latest news and happenings around our neighbourhood.

16 Our Learning Journey

Starting Meaningful Conversations.

17 Dirty Laundry

We want to hear from you!

19 Glimpse into the Future Calendar of events from January – March 2013

Chief Editor PROF TEO CHENG SWEE JP PBM Editors RAHUL KUMAR JANAK SHAH & NORAMI ALIZA HARON Creative Directors LENA CHOO & LEE NGEE CHEW Writer MONG SAN PING Editorial Coordinator RAINE LEE Business Relations TYLER LIM Chief photographer SHENG YEE ZHER Photographers AW SEE KWAN & TAN WAN LEE Publishing Consultant REGENT MEDIA PTE LTD Managing Editor BEN POON Editor MICHELLE YEE Art Director JUNLONG LOH Production Executive JOVIN LOW Printer KHL PRINTING CO PTE LTD For advertising enquires, please email sales@regentmedia.sg No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the Publisher.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are corect and up-to-date at the time of printing. Same details are liable to change. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions in this publication.

OUR NEXT DOOR HERO

LABOUR OF LOVE KAMALA (60) CLEANING SUPERVISOR

At 60, Mdm Kamala shows no signs of slowing down. While other folks her age are taking life easy after spending more than half of it working hard for their families, she is up to her neck juggling various roles. Apart from being a dedicated mother and grandmother, she also leads a team of workers in keeping the entire neighbourhood clean, and to top it off, she is also a tireless volunteer who thrives on helping the needy. She tells us why she is dedicating her life to community service, and how it gives her a sense of purpose.

WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO BE A VOLUNTEER? KAMALA: Frankly, I think it is just my nature to want to help others.

Apart from rendering support to KCC, I am also always ready to help the residents-especially the elderly who are not able to handle certain tasks on their own. Some of them have even called me to help clear their toilet pipes and change their light bulbs, as they do not have the financial means to hire the services of a plumber or electrician. If it is within my means, I will definitely help each one of them to the best of my abilities.

WHAT MADE YOU INTRODUCE VOLUNTARY WORK TO YOUR GRANDCHILDREN? KAMALA: My grandchildren are aged nine, eight and five respectively. I decided to get them involved because they currently do not have much activities aside from school, so I felt that it might be a good idea to get them involved in doing something meaningful, rather than just staying home to play games and watching the television. I also think that by exposing them to voluntary work, it will have a positive impact on their lives.

YOU ARE ALSO THE CLEANING SUPERVISOR OF YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, AND ENSURE THE OVERALL CLEANLINESS OF THIS AREA. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE CONSEQUENCES IF NO ONE DOES WHAT YOU DO, AND WHAT DO YOU RECKON WILL HAPPEN TO THE ESTATE? KAMALA: I cannot imagine how the estate will be like without anyone clearing the rubbish and sweeping the place for even one day. We accumulate approximately five-tonnes of rubbish a day, so I would think that the place would be absolutely horrible if no one cleans it! I can picture mountains of rubbish piling up at all the void decks within the estate. Keeping our estate clean requires conscientious effort and commitment, and I am proud to say that so far, my team and I have been able to maintain a high level of cleanliness. And we truly enjoy and take pride in doing what we do.

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THE KALEIDOSCOPE

Jan 2012 - Spring Cleaning and Rice Distribution

Jan 2012 - Town Day

Feb 2012 - Lunar New Year Temple Visit

Mar 2012 - Rang De Holi - Festival of Events

Mar 2012 - Ping Yi Garden Main Upgrading Programme

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Apr 2012 - Seniors Day Out. Picnic @East Coast Park

Apr 2012 - Community Sports Club Mass Briskwalk

Apr 2012 - BabyShow

May 2012 - Senior Citizen Executive Committee Line Dance

Jul 2012 - Dumpling Feast

Jun 2012 - Sriville & Eunosville Durian & Fruit Party

Jul 2012 - K-CC Heritage Day

Jul 2012 - Ramadan Porridge Distribution

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THE KALEIDOSCOPE

Aug 2012 - National Day Observance Ceremony

Aug 2012 - National Day Dinner

Sept 2012 - K-CC Multi-Racial Lantern Festival

Sep 2012 - 03@Park Telok Kurau North NC

Sep 2012 - Kampong Ubi CC Management Committee Blood Donation

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Sep 2012 - Charity Golf

Oct 2012 - Ansar RC Navratari Celebrations “Multi-Racial Turn Out of 1300 people!

Oct 2012 - K-CC Hygiene Day

Oct 2012 - Community Forum

Nov 2012 - Let’s Clean Our Town

Oct 2012 - Multi Racial Lantern Festival

Nov 2012 - Seniors Activity Centre Gift of Sound Project

Nov 2012 - Jalan Senang NC: Pets Carnival

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BROTHERS IN ARMS

GOING

THE EXTRA MILE The team behind Willing Hearts clearly has a passion for helping the underprivileged. Willing Hearts’ treasurer Mr Charles Liew shares the company’s philosophy with us.

Incepted in February 2005 by Mr Tony Tay, Willing Hearts was initially started to continue his mother’s philanthropic acts of providing free meals to the poor – especially to the elderly and young children, who do not have the means to meet their basic needs. After she passed away, Mr Tay was determined to carry on her mission of helping the less fortunate, and that was how Willing Hearts came about.

Today, seven years on, Willing Hearts is a registered society that provides food to more than 25,000 people on a monthly basis – the recipients include children and adults from the heartlands, and elderly from the Church of St Francis of Assisi. Apart from giving out free meals, Willing Hearts also renders support and assistance to the needy, and individuals who have been displaced in society.

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Q&A Q1. CAN YOU GIVE US AN INSIGHT INTO WHY WILLING HEARTS WAS STARTED? CHARLES: Our founder’s mother had been providing free meals to the poor and less privileged for sometime and after her passing, she left behind a substantial quantity of brand new cooking utensils for her son who took it that she wanted him to continue with her mission. Willing Hearts then started from his home kitchen in 2003 and was officially registered in 2005.

them allay fears of not having their daily meals thus bringing some comfort to them.

Q2. WHY WAS KEMBANGAN CC CHOSEN OUT OF SO MANY OTHER CCS IN SINGAPORE, TO BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAMME? CHARLES: In a meeting with Dr.C.S Teo, he requested meals for several poor families who needed help. We started with less than 100 beneficiaries in Kembangan CC and to-date we are serving 250 meals daily. We also learnt that grassroot advisor Mr Tan Chuan-Jin has been working the streets and void decks in the wee hours to find out more about the needy in his ward and we deeply appreciate the efforts by the MP and his team to help those who are in need in this constituency, which blends well with Willing Hearts’ mission. Together we help

Q3. WHAT ARE WILLING HEARTS’ LONG TERM PLANS AND HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CONTINUE HELPING RESIDENTS? CHARLES: We will provide free meals to the old and new beneficiaries untill they are able to stand up on their own. We will also assist them in starting small businesses to get back into society and children who need help in their studies will also be attended to in terms of free tuition and pocket money.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Willing Hearts continues to be a volunteer based, non-profit organisation. Our main activity is the provision of daily meals to an average of 2,500 people daily through more than 25 distribution centres in various parts of Singapore.

In order for the needy to benefit from our efforts, a pool of dedicated and committed active volunteers will be required.

For those who are interested to help at the main kitchen or the packing stations, please come and visit us at our Soup Kitchen 50 Genting Lane, #04-06 Cideco Building Singapore 349558.

If you have any query, you may contact 9873 2288 (Charles) or 9690 2086 (Tony).

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SOCIAL COMMENTARY

RIGHT HERE IN

OUR BACKYARD You have heard about the orphan child of Cambodia, the child beggar of India and the dying child in Africa. Your heart has ached or you have at least sympathised upon hearing the tales of homelessness, helplessness and hopelessness.

We have counted our blessings time and again for calling Singapore our home. A place where elderly sleeping on the streets, women in torn and tattered clothes, youths compelled into criminal activities, children being exploited for labour, toddlers malnourished and babies abandoned are a rarity rather than the norm.

It is ironic that in a world so connected through technology and media, we have become so much more isolated.

Many do not know the name of their neighbours. They do not know if there is a nurse or a doctor that lives nearby that they can call in case of emergencies. They no longer inform their neighbours when they go overseas so that they can help keep a watch over their homes while they are away.

While we debate passionately about gender inequalities, the preservation of rainforests, effects of global warming and our ozone layer, we remain unaware that

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in a home just several metres away from ours, the couple is debating just as passionately whether to use the last $20 to pay for the electricity so that it does not get cut off or buy some instant noodles and biscuits for the family.

As we look outwardly towards the rest of the world, the developing countries, we seem to ignore the silent pains, agonies and struggles of those living close by us.

There are those that could use some help right here in our own backyards.

There is the elderly man who needs help in having his free lunch pack delivered to his home. There is the elderly aunty who needs someone to accompany her to the doctor once a month. There is the 5 year-old who is not attending kindergarden because his parents cannot seem to afford the fees. There is the school going child not doing too well in his studies but parents cannot afford his tuition fees.

It is not difficult to for us to identify

who these friends in our community are.

Being connected to the people within our community will be the first step towards becoming more aware of the issues that we can help to solve.

The solutions many times are not difficult. Most of the time, the solutions are already existent.

Free meal programs, medical subsidy schemes, financial assistance, free tuition or fee subsidies and even employment assistance are already in place. Many are already benefitting from these but with more eyes, ears and helping hands, we can identify many more who may not have come forward yet or who may need that extra bit of encouragement to tell them it’s alright to seek help.

One does not have to step forward with monetary contributions. Simple gestures such as guiding the people we know of towards the channels willing to serve them, putting aside an hour each Sunday to help distribute meal packs, adopting a lonely elderly resident to visit once in a while and sharing some human warmth or volunteering to tutor the young in studies and sports for a couple of hours a week are sufficient.

Lets put our hands together to make a better home, where we not only return to for a night’s sleep and seclusion but a home where we are surrounded by people we know, we have bonds with, love, care and concern for and feel comfortable sharing our space with.

Be a volunteer Join Kembangan-Chai Chee Please call Kampong Kembangan CC (Tel: 64496022) Kampong Ubi CC (Tel: 67427281) or simply log on to: www.ourcommunity.gov.sg / www.pa.gov.sg

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

WHAT YOU W: DIDN’T KNO : ate About Chai Chee Est

etable Market. eg V to in d te sla an tr be may 1. Chai Chee in Hokkien ng Chai Chee. po am K , ge lla vi l al sm a 2. Was originally where the Singapore nd ou ar ll hi gh hi a on d 3. The Village was locate Before the hill was d. te ca lo tly en rr cu is e tr Anti-Tuberculosis Cen reach the centre. to ll hi e th n w do k al w d to leveled, one would have ha ily farmland over ar im pr as w ea ar e th d, develope 4. Before the estate was a series of rolling hills. ing of the first 40 ild bu e th h it w s 60 19 e in th 5. Development started he blocks consisted T e. or ap ng Si of rt pa n er HDB blocks in the east mostly of rented units. ent – Rollei Cameras, m oy pl em e id ov pr to ilt 6. 3 factories were bu Bearing (NMB). re tu ia in M n po ip N d an Varta Factories ies once were has or ct Fa ta ar V d an as er Cam 7. The site where Rollei hai Chee Technopark.

C ng ti is ex e th be to d pe been redevelo Post Headquarters ng Si to e m ho so al as w k 8. Chai Chee Technopar ya Lebar premises.

Pa ng ti is ex s it to ed ov m before it site till today at al in ig or s it at es at er op 9. NMB Factory still Chai Chee Avenue.

Upper Changi ew N g on al d te ca lo as w inus 10. Chai Chee Bus Term ices used to ply their rv se s bu 9 ch hi w om fr Road from 1975 – 1985 d 401. Blocks an 8 15 , 40 , 20 , 13 – cluded routes. The bus services in at the site today. d an st ly ib ss po 27 d an 26, 25

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THE LOUDHAILER

ATTENTION

ALL RESIDENTS! The latest news and happenings around our neighbourhood.

UPGRADING @ KAMPONG KEMBANGAN COMMUNITY CLUB Kampong Kembangan CC (KKCC) will be commencing its cyclical maintenance programme (CMP) soon in hopes of providing residents with renovated amenities including improved toilets and hall/rooms. The renovation is scheduled to be complete around the middle of 2013. Other highlights include a new themed cafĂŠ, an AXS machine, as well as WiFi services in KKCC.

UPGRADING @ KAMPONG UBI COMMUNITY CENTRE Kampong Ubi Community Centre (CC) has just completed the Cyclical Maintenance Project. The new additions include two kitchens - one Halal and the other, non-halal - both equipped with baking facilities. The multi-purpose hall is now fully equipped with Audiovisual screen support. The toilets have also been upgraded for easy cleaning and maintenance. Lastly, the building has also been given a fresh coat of paint, which brings the aesthetic aspects of this community centre up a notch. Visit the CC and discover the many amenities available!

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OUR LEARNING JOURNEY

STARTING MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS

The term ‘small talk’ is commonly used for first conversations.

Now as small as ‘small talk’ seems to be, it is often the most important thing we do.

Take a moment to reflect on the first conversation you had with your spouse, best friend or in-laws. Had that conversation been any better or worse off, would things have turned out different?

I love to listen in to some of this ‘small talk’ that goes around us. I often share this incident during my training programs.

At 6.30pm one evening, I was in the elevator with two other neighbours with the elevator going up. Obviously they were familiar with each other but not too close as they struggled to break the awkwardness as they made the initial eye contact and smiled with a little nod of the head. Finally, neighbour ‘X’ plucked up enough courage to make the first move.

He looked at neighbour ‘Y’ and asked, “So… going home?” 6.30pm in the evening, the elevator was going up. Obviously he was going home. I wondered how much more awkward the conversation get could.

Neighbour ‘Y’ replied, “Yes… and you?”

Now isn’t that the same as the last time you asked a friend coming out of a restaurant or at a hawker centre if they had had their meal?

Conversations are easy once you

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get them going and have established common topics of interest. It is the starting that is usually the most difficult.

So what we can note here are three great ways to start conversations.

1. ADDRESS THE SHARED SITUATION People are most comfortable in talking about things that are not too personal and yet do not require them to think too much. Talking about shared situations are great as the situation becomes a common denominator between both parties and therefore less threatening.

Some ways to open conversations by addressing shared situations would be: • You seem to have just moved in. How do you find the neighbourhood ?

• You look exhausted. Must have been a tiring day.

• You stay on the lower floor of the building.

Does the noise from the MRT tracks bother you too?

2. COMPLIMENT THE PERSON (SINCERELY) Everybody loves compliments especially when they are sincere. So go ahead, spot something worth complimenting about the person and tell them. Make their day. Be careful not to overdo it or get too personal though.

• Wow, that is a really cute puppy you have there.

• Were you cooking some curry last evening? It smelled really good.

• What fragrance do you use?

Smells lovely.

3. ASK FOR OPINIONS AND FEEDBACK In addition to compliments, people also love hearing their own voice. We tend to have an opinion about a lot of things and we feel good when our opinions are heard. So leverage on that and be genuinely curious and interested and you ask for feedback and opinions.

• What do you think about the current upgrading works taking place?

• Do you find the estate to be infested with more pigeons of late?

• So what are the better food choices at coffee shops around here?

ADDITIONAL TIPS: • Keep questions open ended where possible.

• Be sensitive to the person’s comfort level. If they show signs of stress or discomfort, take the initiative to move on to another topic of discussion • Be genuinely interested – maintain good eye contact, nod in agreement or acknowledgement • Provide verbal cues such as “oh?”, “really?”, “is that so?” to encourage them to keep talking.

• Pain topics such as fair hikes, the weather and long waiting times are popular in conversations as they are emotional, allow for empathy and are often easier to gain consensus and agreements for. They help to align, bond and develop rapport. Just ensure you take it all with a pinch of salt as not all sharing in such conversations may be factually accurate.

Go ahead, try out these simple small talk strategies and start connecting with your neighbours and make more friends around the community. Practice makes perfect.

Happy talking!

DIRTY LAUNDRY

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Calling all residents of K-CC – If you have a pressing question that requires an answer, or if you simply want to share your feedbacks and ideas on how to make our neighbourhood a more pleasant place to live in, write in to us now! Even if you just want your grievances to be heard, we want to hear from you!

Write in to us at the following address:

KAMPONG KEMBANGAN COMMUNITY CLUB 5 Lengkong Tiga, 417408 Singapore Email: pa_kampongkembangancc@pa.gov.sg

KAMPONG UBI COMMUNITY CENTRE 10 Jalan Ubi, 409075 Singapore Email: pa_kampongubicc@pa.gov.sg

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GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE THE FOLLOWING LIST IS A SNAPSHOT OF EVENTS FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 2013

Date

13 Jan 2013 (Sun)

19 Jan 2013 (Sat)

27 Jan 2013 (Sun)

Time

Event

Venue

10am to 7pm

K-CC Community Day 2013

Chai Chee Estate

6.30pm to 10pm

Ping Yi Garden Block Party

Blk 54 Chai Chee Multi Ping Yi Garden RC Purpose Court

8.00pm to 9.30pm

Lunar New Year 2013: Ang Pow Giveaway

Community Development Welfare Fund & K-CC Grassroots Organisations

Participants are pre-registered and will be informed by mail

K-CC Grassroots Organisations

Tickets will be made available nearer to date at Kg Ubi CC -67459919, Kg Kembangan CC - 64496022

KU CCMC & Grassroots Organisations

Invitation will be extended to residents. Please call Kg Ubi CC for more details nearer to date.

Blk 25A Chai Chee

Qian Xi Restaurant K-CC LNY 16 Feb 2013 7.00pm ( 4th Floor Dinner 2013 (Sat) to 10.30pm @ Tanjong Katong Complex)

Mar 2013

2.00pm to 6.00pm

Kg Ubi CC Open House

Kg Ubi CC

Organiser

Ticketing Details

K-CC Grassroots Organisations

All are invited.

Approach Kg Ubi CC or Kembangan CC for ticketing details.

$2/ticket Approach RC members/centre for more details.

Please contact our staff for more details on upcoming events and ticketing details.

Kampong Ubi Community Centre – 67459919, Kampong Kembangan Community Club – 64496022

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Established in 1969, Hock Lian Seng has undertaken and completed wide range of civil engineering projects for both the public and private sectors in Singapore. We carry out civil engineering works for bridges, expressways, tunnels, Mass Rapid Transit (“MRT”), port facilities, water and sewage facilities and other infrastructure works. The Group has successfully completed Kim Chuan Depot, one of the world’s largest underground depots with housing capacity for up to 77 trains, for the Circle Line in 2007.

The Group has added property investment and development activities in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors as principal activities. With the recent lands purchase at Gambas Crescent and Kaki Bukit, the Group will develop multiple-user light industrial factory units for sale. The Group has commenced sale of the development at Gambas Crescent and will be expecting to launch sale of the development at Kaki Bukit. The Group together with a JV Partner have also secured a residential land parcel at Dairy Farm Road and is expected to launch for sale of the residential development in Mid-Year 2013.

80 Marine Parade Road #21-08, Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269 Tel:+65 6344 0555 Fax: +65 6440 9049 Website: www.hlsgroup.com.sg Email: info@hlsgroup.com.sg