在新加坡到底谁是穷人?
In Singapore Who are the real POOR people? Every month CDAC automatically deduct 50 cents as donations from my salary because I am a Chinese but why is such funds available to non-chinese? I know Pinoy SPR can get help from CDAC too.
Government will take care of the poor
[email protected]
SINGAPORE — As the Government seeks to look after the less fortunate and “leave no one behind”, self-help groups will continue to play very important roles in assisting families and improving social mobility, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Speaking at the Chinese Development Assistance Council’s (CDAC) 20th anniversary dinner yesterday, Mr Lee said the CDAC is already moving in this new direction, as he paid tribute to the council’s efforts over the years. The CDAC used to only help students who were “double poor”: Those who came from poor families and had poor results.
But now it helps students from low-income families regardless of their results, to help those who are doing well to excel. Mr Lee said: “We’re extending CDAC education programmes to students from JCs, ITEs, polytechnics, arts schools and students not in mainstream education system. We’ll focus on developing character not just academic performance of students from lower-income households. “We will equip workers with more advanced skills and parents with the knowledge of financial management, and help them to not only do better in school but also to be more successful in life.”
While there were some Singaporeans who felt that self-help groups should not be restricted by race when they were first set up, Mr Lee said such groups — including the CDAC, the Singapore Indian Development Association, Mendaki and the Eurasian Association— have proven effective. “They are all successful because they understand the unique circumstances and concerns of respective communities. They
address issues candidly, without raising racial and religious sensitivities. They can rally members of community to help one
another out, whether as volunteers or donors,” he said.
Mr Lee also emphasised the importance of individuals making the effort to help themselves, saying Singaporeans should ask if they need help, and that there will always be a helping hand. He also encouraged Singaporeans to step forward and help others “in big ways or small”, such as by making a donation, volunteering one’s time, working with the Government, and starting a voluntary welfare
organisation or social enterprise or joining one. “When you get back on your feet, help others get back on theirs,” said Mr Lee, noting
the examples set by CDAC beneficiaries Bryan Ong and Teo Lung Hiang, both of whom were singled out for special mention yesterday.
Mr Ong had joined the CDAC’s Student Service Centre in 1999 to prepare for his exams. Now a third-year student at the National University of Singapore and a scholarship holder, he is an active CDAC volunteer and has authored a motivational book for youths. Mdm Teo, meanwhile, took up a CDAC Skills Training Award and became a hairstylist. She now provides free haircuts to the elderly at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Neighbourhood Link and students from low-income families at the CDAC.
Mr Lee said he hoped both of them would inspire more Singaporeans to help the less fortunate.
In Singapore Who are the real POOR people? Every month CDAC automatically deduct 50 cents as donations from my salary because I am a Chinese but why is such funds available to non-chinese? I know Pinoy SPR can get help from CDAC too.
Government will take care of the poor
[email protected]
SINGAPORE — As the Government seeks to look after the less fortunate and “leave no one behind”, self-help groups will continue to play very important roles in assisting families and improving social mobility, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Speaking at the Chinese Development Assistance Council’s (CDAC) 20th anniversary dinner yesterday, Mr Lee said the CDAC is already moving in this new direction, as he paid tribute to the council’s efforts over the years. The CDAC used to only help students who were “double poor”: Those who came from poor families and had poor results.
But now it helps students from low-income families regardless of their results, to help those who are doing well to excel. Mr Lee said: “We’re extending CDAC education programmes to students from JCs, ITEs, polytechnics, arts schools and students not in mainstream education system. We’ll focus on developing character not just academic performance of students from lower-income households. “We will equip workers with more advanced skills and parents with the knowledge of financial management, and help them to not only do better in school but also to be more successful in life.”
While there were some Singaporeans who felt that self-help groups should not be restricted by race when they were first set up, Mr Lee said such groups — including the CDAC, the Singapore Indian Development Association, Mendaki and the Eurasian Association— have proven effective. “They are all successful because they understand the unique circumstances and concerns of respective communities. They
address issues candidly, without raising racial and religious sensitivities. They can rally members of community to help one
another out, whether as volunteers or donors,” he said.
Mr Lee also emphasised the importance of individuals making the effort to help themselves, saying Singaporeans should ask if they need help, and that there will always be a helping hand. He also encouraged Singaporeans to step forward and help others “in big ways or small”, such as by making a donation, volunteering one’s time, working with the Government, and starting a voluntary welfare
organisation or social enterprise or joining one. “When you get back on your feet, help others get back on theirs,” said Mr Lee, noting
the examples set by CDAC beneficiaries Bryan Ong and Teo Lung Hiang, both of whom were singled out for special mention yesterday.
Mr Ong had joined the CDAC’s Student Service Centre in 1999 to prepare for his exams. Now a third-year student at the National University of Singapore and a scholarship holder, he is an active CDAC volunteer and has authored a motivational book for youths. Mdm Teo, meanwhile, took up a CDAC Skills Training Award and became a hairstylist. She now provides free haircuts to the elderly at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Neighbourhood Link and students from low-income families at the CDAC.
Mr Lee said he hoped both of them would inspire more Singaporeans to help the less fortunate.
