DOERS

Singaporean teens have been helping in overseas crisis situations since they were in kindergarten. Over the past pandemic year, the siblings have directed their efforts homeward.

How freegan, Mr Daniel Tay adopted a more frugal lifestyle to reduce his carbon footprint and find fulfilment rescuing discarded food.

Since setting up home in Bedok Reservoir estate in 2005, Madam Sandy Goh has, without fuss or fanfare, organised community initiatives to help and engage residents. The Covid-19 pandemic has since motivated her to do more to support her community through the difficult times. Her hope is for the efforts to help build a strong ‘kampung’ culture and create a caring community.

When cancer strikes young children, the suffering is hard on both the child and family members. While medical treatment in Singapore is excellent for the child, little attention, however, is paid to the family’s emotional needs. To help fill the gap, Ms Lesli Berggren, who lost her son to complications that arose after beating cancer, launched charity LOVE, NILS in memory of him.

Friends Joyce Tong and Christabel Ng, both 17, spent their December school holidays last year volunteering and reaching out to three girls in the Chai Chee community, providing academic coaching as well as fun and games under KidzCare @ Kembangan-Chai Chee’s ‘Homework Club’ programme.

Ms Jewel Yi will be the first to point out that being kept in a room for months — even at a hotel — can be a prison. The occupational therapist believes there’s more to do to improve the lives of migrant workers in Singapore, and it starts with friendship.

The environment is often overlooked in the dialogue involving Covid-19. Waterways Watch Society reminds us of the importance of preserving and protecting our waters — even in a pandemic.

At the mental health front of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Ong Bee Yong has led her team from the Crisis Relief Alliance in serving the mental and emotional needs of healthcare workers and the migrant worker community.

Beng Who Cooks delivered about 100 poke bowls a day at the height of the Circuit Breaker to those in need, earning the “People of Good” award at the President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Award 2020 Special Edition – Our Finest Hour in the City of Good.

To help lonely and isolated seniors during lockdown, Ms Eleanor Yap set up Project BUDDY to connect seniors with people who could provide a listening ear.

Two-time breast cancer survivor Aunty Amy works more than 10 hours a day sewing masks for vulnerable groups as a volunteer with Masks Sewn With Love.

He was locked up five times before he was 25. But Mr Firdaus Abdul Hamid changed his life after a road accident almost killed his family. Now, he works with ex-offenders and youths to help them get back on track.

While homeless transgender women and those living with HIV can count on The T Project for safe refuge, Ms June Chua looks forward to the day her shelter is redundant.

Enabling families and individuals to overcome discrimination and restore their dignity is a long but rewarding journey for the chairman of Prison Fellowship Singapore.

How one woman chooses to spend Sunday mornings knocking the doors of one- and two-room rental flats to provide food, a clean home, and a haircut

Helping those with special needs experience something different through horse-assisted therapy sessions run by RDA Singapore.

Inspired to help their community, three young Singaporeans set up a buddy-matching system to support neighbours in need with everyday errands, learning how to use WhatsApp, and a little kindness.

Staying in 24/7 at Boys’ Town during the Circuit Breaker could’ve been a tinderbox waiting to ignite, but Dr Roland Yeow and his team turned it into an exercise in bond-building.