There is a special place in every Singaporean’s heart for all things aerospace, whether you know it or not. It could be the sense of pride from the country – despite its tiny geographical size – nabbing international acclaim for both our airport and national flight carrier, our love for travelling, or just that airplanes are really cool.

Here are a bunch of fascinating Singapore aerospace facts that you may not know about, which will have you beaming with even more pride. 

1. SG is internationally nicknamed “Aerospace City of the Future”

Seletar Aerospace Park is a dedicated industry cluster with room to house aerospace companies of the future.
Image credit: JTC

Despite how small we are as a nation, we have one of the biggest and most diverse aerospace ecosystems in Asia. Singapore is home to over 130 aerospace companies and service providers, from globally leading MNCs to renowned homegrown aerospace players like SIA Engineering Company and ST Engineering.

In fact, we were the overall winner for all 3 editions of fDi Intelligence’s “Aerospace Cities of the Future” ranking, outperforming every other city in getting investments and being an attractive location for innovation. 

2. SG’s aerospace industry supports global sustainability efforts

Sustainable aviation fuel can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.
Image credit: Finnair

Singapore’s aerospace industry has made strides in supporting global sustainability efforts. Some of the developments that contribute to greener skies include:

• Adopting solar technology in aerospace facilities to generate cleaner energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Providing a conducive testbed for the use of sustainable aviation fuel, which are made from renewable materials like animal waste fat and used cooking oil.
• Developing capabilities for aircraft electrification.

3. SG is home to global aerospace heavyweights

In school, you know you’re doing something right when all your peers are clamouring to be your project group mate. Similarly, Singapore is killing it because all the globally leading aerospace companies have their sights set on us. 

Not only have world-renowned aerospace giants like Airbus, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce set up in Singapore, they have also established campuses here which serve as their regional hubs. Image adapted from: Airbus, The Boeing Company via Facebook, Air Cargo Week

The proof is in the pudding: we are the regional hub for aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing. Plus, the top 3 global aero-engine companies in the world – GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce – have all set up operations here on our lil island.

Guess our geographical size is not a deterrent, with aerospace companies citing Singapore’s pro-business environment, skilled workforce, innovation capabilities, connectivity, and strong ecosystem among the reasons why they have decided to have their Asia-Pacific hubs here. A slay for local aerospace professionals past, present, and future. To see why global businesses choose to call Singapore home, check out the Economic Development Board’s Instagram.

4. SG manufactures & services mission-critical aerospace components

Engineers involved in complex MRO activities at Pratt & Whitney (left) and Thales (right).
Image adapted from: Aviation Week, Thales Group

How to tell that you’re a cut above the rest: big name companies hit you up for high-level missions. Thanks to the quality of Singapore’s workmanship, some of the most complex components in aircraft are manufactured right here.

For instance, engine components and avionics. In fact, we are the lead manufacturing location for titanium fan blades used in new generation aero-engines for large passenger planes like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. See, it even sounds ridiculously cheem. 

Aerospace manufacturing and servicing at Safran.
Image adapted from: Safran Landing Systems Services Singapore, Safran Group

You’d also be surprised to find out that companies from around the world send their aircraft and engines here just for them to be serviced. This is part of aerospace MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), a process which is critical to the operational safety of aircraft and ensures that you can get from point A to point B smoothly. Cue the Smooth Operator song, indeed.

Pratt & Whitney’s engine MRO expansion (left) and ST Engineering’s new green and smart facility (right) – new additions to our growing manufacturing and MRO landscape.
Image adapted from: Association of Aerospace Industries via LinkedIn, Flight Global

Our manufacturing and MRO landscape is only going to become more vibrant and high-tech. Here are some new developments as we speak.

• Pratt & Whitney, a global top aero-engine company: expanding its Singapore MRO capacity for aero-engines by a whopping two-thirds.
• ST Engineering, the largest independent airframe MRO company in the world: opening a brand-new facility incorporating green and smart technology features at Changi Airport.

Make sure to follow the Economic Development Board LinkedIn page to get the latest updates on the aerospace industry.

5. SG’s aerospace industry accounts for 10% of global MRO output

Image adapted from: SIA Engineering Company

In 2022, Singapore’s aerospace industry output, including manufacturing and MRO, grew 25% year-on-year to support the recovery in global air travel, reaching $13.1 billion. Sure, that sounds like a huge amount of money. But to give you a gauge of just how impactful our aerospace industry is, just know that it contributed to a whopping 10% of the global MRO output.

On top of that, Singapore’s aerospace industry output continued to grow at 16% year-on-year in 2023, and the skies ahead are looking bright.

6. SG is home to a strong aerospace R&D and innovation ecosystem

GE Aerospace’s Loyang facility is the first MRO facility worldwide that has been approved to use metal additive manufacturing for commercial aircraft engine component repairs.
Image credit: Flight Global

Big-shot aerospace companies like Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce have set up R&D centres here to develop and deploy manufacturing & MRO technologies. 

Plus, in 2022, GE Aerospace’s Singapore facility became the world’s first in using metal additive technology to fix engine parts – making customisation for complex repairs a breeze and cutting repair time in half.

The Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) fosters collaborations between leading aerospace players and local SMEs, enabling innovation from research to application.
Image credits: AAIS

Our local unis and research institutes under A*STAR also boast some next-level aerospace research capabilities and facilities. Think wind tunnel facilities, fancy advanced materials labs, robotics, and additive manufacturing expertise.

All these developments mean that you can expect an exciting career in aerospace, working on and alongside technologies such as additive manufacturing, robotics, and the industrial internet of things. Who knows, maybe your true calling is to become a big-shot scientist or engineer to develop the next big thing in aerospace tech!

7. SG has a dedicated neighbourhood for aerospace companies

Most of us only know Seletar as a place with fancy eateries and lookout points to see planes take off, or see Seletar Airport as an alternative to Changi Airport for flights to KL. In reality, the space is also home to Seletar Aerospace Park, a vibrant aerospace ecosystem consisting of MNCs, large local enterprises, and SMEs. 

Image credit: JTC

It’s called an industry cluster – much like the business and financial districts we’re well familiar with – except for aerospace companies. These firms not only undertake manufacturing and MRO, but also training, research, and other engineering operations. Imagine the flow of knowledge that is made possible given the concentration of aerospace companies in a single location.

Fun fact: the process of developing the former Seletar Air Base into a modern facility was quite the feat. For example, the Singapore Armed Forces had to be called in to clear bomb relics.

Seletar Aerospace Park also houses Bombardier’s largest MRO facility in the Asia-Pacific.
Image credit: Korea Biz Wire

Another powerhouse which has set up shop in Seletar Aerospace Park is Bombardier, which quadrupled the size of their aviation facility in Singapore. The new facility has spaces dedicated to all things aerospace – from airframe and engines to painting and interior refurbishment – and services business jets in the region.

8. Aerospace students in SG get hands-on experience with actual aircraft

The learning spaces simulate airplane hangars, replicating the real-world environment of your future workplace. Office cubicle, who?
Image credit: Temasek Polytechnic

Tinkering around with planes is a dream job that many people have had since childhood. Since it’s rooted in STEM disciplines, you may think that choosing this field of study means rote theory learning all day, every day; and that you won’t get to even come close to an actual airplane engine till you do land a job in the industry.

Major bragging rights for current students and alumni: our polytechnics and ITE offering aerospace courses have actual aircraft and facilities that allow you to get hands-on experience with the very systems you’ll be working on at your eventual job. Imagine being asked what your FYP (Final Year Project, not For You Page) is and answering, “Oh no biggie, just fixing an actual plane engine!”.

Image credit: Singapore Polytechnic

Besides the hands-on experience, these schools also have virtual learning through immersive 360° VR simulations. Talk about taking e-learning to the next level.

Guess what? Almost 2,000 students graduate from aerospace-related programmes every year. Locals also find aerospace very attractive – for every 10 jobs in our aerospace industry, 7 are taken on by locals!

9. SG’s airshow is recognised as the most influential in Asia

If you love the aerial display segment in every NDP, you’re gonna have a ball at this full-fledged exhibition. Debuted in 2008, this public event sees industry peeps showcasing the latest and greatest in aerospace and aviation tech.

Attendees get to marvel at the soaring exhibits, get up-close with actual engineering masterpieces, and find out more about the thrilling field that is a dream career for many. Mark your calendars, Singapore Airshow 2024 is open to the public on 24th and 25th February. 

Image credit: MINDEF

It’s quite the astonishing feat for Singapore’s airshow to be recognised as the most influential in Asia, drawing a crowd of more than 100,000 trade and public visitors from around the world in 2018, before the pandemic hit. A similar turnout is expected for Singapore Airshow’s upcoming 2024 edition. 

Beyond the cool exhibits that folks get to enjoy, industry insiders also look to the Singapore Airshow as a congregation of the brightest in the biz. Think of it as the premier event to forge alliances and collaborate to achieve even more remarkable wins in all things aerospace.

Let your career take flight in the aerospace industry

We’ve waxed lyrical about Singapore’s aerospace industry long enough. By now, it’s clear that working in this field is equal parts exciting, rewarding, and boundless in terms of continuous evolution. When people wish you a career that soars to great heights, you can take it literally with a job in aerospace.

Image credit: ITE College Central

For existing tertiary students who are living their best life studying their dream course, be very excited for all the opportunities coming your way. If you’re still in secondary school, don’t be jealous of your seniors. Local polytechnics and ITE have various aerospace engineering, tech, and avionics courses awaiting your entry.

If you’re curious about prospects in the aerospace industry, check out the MyCareersFuture Industry Salary Guide.

Image credit: Singapore Aero Engine Services via Facebook

Already embarked on your career path but curious to explore aerospace? The good news is, it’s not a die-die must-have to have an aerospace background. Mid-careerists with a background in tech and engineering would gain a leg-up as their skills are highly transferable. 

Singaporeans also get to benefit from aerospace training programmes developed by SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore. So whether you’re looking to kickstart or convert your career into the meaningful field of aerospace, we have plenty of opportunities and resources here in Singapore. Chalk that up as yet another flex!

Find out more about careers in Singapore’s aerospace industry

This post was brought to you by the Economic Development Board.
Cover image adapted from: MINDEF, Temasek Polytechnic

The post 9 Coolest SG Aerospace Facts That Singaporeans Can Flex About That You Probably Didn’t Know appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

It’s common to see potted plants lining the corridors of our housing estates, adding a splash of green. Some take it a step further and let their green thumbs flourish at community gardens. 

Well, the sustainable kings and queens of this Bukit Batok community garden, called Cosy Garden, have cultivated one that’s here to impress, growing their own basil, chilli, asparagus, even adding sculptures and a koi pond for that full zen garden effect.

A mini GBTB between 2 HDB flats  

This community garden is the passion project of some Jurong-Clementi residents who decided to grow their own fruits like watermelon and starfruit and veggies like cauliflower and kale. Trust us when we say it’s rather impressive, especially if you struggled to grow taugeh for school. It’s a legit miniature Gardens by the Bay complete with metal sculptures on display amongst the flora and fauna.

Between blocks 106 and 107, Cosy Garden is split into 2 sections. Visitors coming from the nearby Bukit Batok MRT station will probably spot a shiny chrome sculpture resembling a whale’s tail sticking out of the ground first. That’s the area that resembles a Japanese zen garden, complete with metal sculptures donated by a member of Bukit Batok Residents’ committee.  

Moving further in, the huge overhanging willow tree and rock garden complement the zen aesthetics even more. You might even forget that you’re still in Singapore for a sec. That is, until you smell someone cooking their dinner a few floors up. A reminder that you’re still between 2 HDBs in Bukit Batok.

Image credit: Nicholas Ong

You’ll then reach the gated area where you’ll see rows and rows of buds, shoots, and saplings. Residents often share extra locally-grown veggies and fruits with one another at potlucks and birthday parties. Nearby schools even organise day-trips to Cosy Garden to learn about how vegetables and herbs are grown here. 

A “so-fish-ticated” setup with a koi pond & terrapins

Behind the tall metal fence, residents have also been raising terrapins in a little pond under the shade. 

But the most eye-catching feature would most probably be the koi pond with it’s mini waterfall, powered 24/7 by a renewable energy loop that makes sure these fishies are safe even if there’s a district-wide blackout.     

Just keep swimming right? 

They’ve even got a rainwater harvesting system that tides the garden through hotter seasons. But that’s not all, their crops and animals are protected by intelligent rodent traps that sends an alert to residents when a pest is caught. 

The aviary (top right) has since been repurposed to a hydroponic display.

The minds behind this neighbourhood project also added a metal shed with sofas and chairs for residents-turned-farmers to take a break in. They even installed solar panels from a local startup, they power the shed’s lights and fan. With a cool shaded area to chill out and listen to the calming sounds from the koi pond, we get why they chose Cosy Garden as its name.  

Pebble garden with statues donated by residents.

A local told us there used to be over 20 birds in their aviary. There was even talk of a long-tailed myna capable of Hokkien and Cantonese. Unfortunately, following 3 consecutive noise complaints from a resident working as a cab driver who worked night shifts, all of their fine feathered friends had to be rehomed. 

Take a zen walk through this Bukit Batok community garden

Kept secure under electronic lock and key and surrounded by CCTVs, the fruits and veggies the tended to by residents who water and prune them until its time to harvest. Don’t think any otters are breaking into the here any time soon, either; the place is lined with tall metal fencing and special rodent traps. 

If you’re planning on heading down to see this NParks award-winning community garden for yourself, it’s gonna take a bit of prep. We were lucky enough to have visited when a resident was watering the garden and he was happy to let us in for a quick look-see. 

What time does Cosy Garden open?
According to Google, it’s open on weekdays from 9am-5pm, but if no one’s around you’ll only be able to view the garden from outside.

How do I enter Cosy Garden?
You have to email the Constituency Director at Bukit Batok CC and request a visit to the Cosy Garden.

How to get to Cosy Garden?
Take exit D after alighting from Bukit Batok MRT, cross the road from there it’s a 450m walk to Cosy Garden which is located in between blocks 106 & 107.  Alternatively, it’s a shorter walk from bus stop 43371 at block 109 which serves 66, 176, 188, 868E & 941 

Address: Behind 106 Bukit Central Road, Singapore 650106
Contact: 6569 7769 | email Bukit Batok CC  

For more local gardens: 

• Gardens By The Bay’s new playground
• Jurong’s Clusia Cove
• Gardens & hiking trails in the South

Photography by: Shawn Low 

The post This Community Garden In Bukit Batok Has A Koi Pond & Art Sculptures For Westies To Zen Out appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

The term “YOLO” has been used liberally among many over the past decade. It’s no surprise why – with mounting pressures of mugging through studies, finding a job, and settling down plaguing many millennials, the mantra of “you only live once”, reminds us that we need to stop and smell the roses once in a while. 

But there’s also a misconception that being spontaneous comes with way too much risk. To debunk all that, these 5 Singaporeans share the most YOLO things they’ve ever done, and why it was worth it. 

1. Got an open-sea diving licence to surprise BF

Image credit: @chlobigail

Open-sea diving is something many wish to conquer, but truth be told, it’s easier said than done. Water that goes deeper than the eye can see, “breathing” underwater, and of course, the possibility of marine creatures that feel a little chompy – this puts diving high up on the “balls needed” portion of any bucket list. 

True enough, 24-year-old Content Strategist Chloe Chew’s heart was in her throat when she was about to plonk into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia for the very first time. “I get chills everytime I have to put on that heavy tank,” she shared. 

The mission? Get a diving licence to surprise her then-boyfriend who was a diving enthusiast. The task? Dive – on an impromptu solo trip to Cairns. “I was super scared because the boat looks low, but when you jump in it’s actually quite high up and you will sink quite far down.

“When u see the corals at the Great Barrier Reef – wah!” – Chloe.
Image credit: Ocean Safari
Image for illustration only.

Nevertheless, she said that the entire experience was life-changing – and not just because she got to surprise her ex later on with a diving trip. “It cost me $1,000 to do that, which was very painful for me at the age of 21, but it was at that point that I realised there was so much more to see out there in the world.” 

Chloe cited meeting folks from various backgrounds during her diving trip, giving her a different perspective that life needn’t be all about study, work, and settling down. “My diving instructor gave me a lot of advice on how to live as a 21-year-old, which is not just study. It was very different from an Asian perspective, which I appreciated,” she said. 

2. Moved out from parents’ home during Circuit Breaker

Moving out from our parents’ home is on the bucket list for most Singaporeans. But it only took 48 hours for Steph Leong, a 33-year-old Project Manager, to make the jump into pure independence. 48 hours into the infamous Circuit Breaker (CB), that is. 

Steph always had dreams to live independently from her parents, and after realising that the uncertainty of the CB could delay her goals indefinitely, she decided to “test the waters” by checking herself into a hostel first. After all, the CB would present her the ultimate test of independence.

Steph hopes to soon rent an entire apartment on her own.
Image for illustration only.

As she settled into her hostel room, one of the biggest fears nagging at her was money. As she’d have to scrape through in order to pay rent, she decided she’d do anything to make it work. 

Besides, she recalled, “My initial plan was to move back after CB, but decided to rent a room after staying on my own for 2 months. It was very transformative as I finally had my own time and space to think about a lot of the things I wanted in life. I also got to set my own standards in terms of housework and how I wanted to do things. 

The entire experience taught her how to prioritise her needs versus her wants, and Steph gleamed, saying it was the best decision she ever made. She quipped, “Initially I had a lot of doubts; a lot of people say paying rent is like throwing away money. My reply to them is, I see it as paying for my own therapy.” 

3. Went on a solo trip to North America & fell in love 

Solo tripping is something Jonathan used to do on the regular.
Image credit: Jonathan See

27-year-old accountant Jonathan See has been no stranger to taking solo trips around the world. Bangkok? Kuala Lumpur? Australia? No problem. But it was on one of his random trips to North America that he ended up finding the love of his life, Kae. 

Jonathan had met Kae on a previous family trip to Vancouver, and ended up staying friends after. So when he headed back to the city on yet another solo trip to North America, he ended up crashing at Kae’s place. “I spent a week in Vancouver and got to know Kae a lot better because I didn’t want to pay for an AirBnB,” he said.

“When Kae dropped me off at the airport, I just sat there crying for 40 minutes. And I cried more at the gate. And I cried on the plane. I don’t know why I cried so much in my life,” Jonathan recalled. “I think it was because I didn’t know when we would see each other again. When I was in my next destination San Francisco, Kae said ‘I love you,’ and I was like, ‘same, baby, same’”

Vancouver has now become Jonathan’s second home.
Image credit: Jonathan See

The entire ordeal was unexpected for Jonathan, who ended up having a long-distance relationship with Kae for 4 years. Once VTL flights were announced, he spared no thought nor expense to head back over to Vancouver for a 6-month stay. “Now that travel is back, we’re making sure that our relationship can withstand the trials of domestic life together.” 

He laughed, “Who knew a YOLO trip – my most ambitious one ever – would end up with me finding my soulmate, and possibly my spouse?”

4. Went for a rock concert at 15 & became hooked

33-year-old graphic designer Amara admitted she was always a timid kid – a timid kid who happened to love rock music. So at the age of 15, when her favourite band Incubus was headed to her hometown of Kuala Lumpur, she wasn’t sure if she should ask her parents for permission to go for her very first rock concert. 

Her 4th Incubus concert.
Image credit: Amara

“I told them I’d save up my allowance – RM100 (~S$33) was a lot back then, and I sort of made excuses in my mind if I should just not go because I was afraid that it would be rabak,” she shared. But once she found out some of her friends were going, she dug out those precious angbaos, went to her local music store and bought a ticket. 

“I don’t know how, but I ended up standing right smack in the middle of the mosh pit. A girlfriend and I got separated from the rest of our group, so we were two tiny 15-year-olds cowering there, shoulder-to-shoulder with huge, sweaty guys,” Amara recalls. “And then Incubus came on and started playing. Everyone started moshing. It was terrifying.”

Amara and her friend did the next best thing – they joined in, and thankfully, the folks around them were conscientious enough to not get out of hand. Following that experience, Amara says she was hooked to live concerts. “When you’re surrounded by fellow music lovers, you don’t feel the need to hold back.” 

Foo Fighters in Singapore and Phoenix in Genting Highlands.
Image credit: Amara

She would later spend a huge chunk of her adult life forking out cash for concerts and music festivals, no holds barred. “For me, it’s really about creating memories of my youth, and not regretting having missed seeing a good artist in person, and that feeling of freedom that comes with live music.” 

5. Solo-travelled to Bangkok with a baby

Having declared Bangkok her “second home”, it was only natural for 30-year-old Kimberly to revisit her favourite city after her first child was born. At the age of 26, she hauled a then 4-month-old Ellie onto her first mother-daughter solo trip to Bangkok. 

Image credit: Kimberly

“I refused to think that a baby would stop me from travelling and exploring like I used to,” Kimberly said, recounting that she used to plan spontaneous trips with friends 3-4 times a year. “I thought, you know, I’ll just bring my baby along. I was comfortable taking care of her on my own, so I figured travelling with her wouldn’t be too hard.” 

Kimberly also didn’t want to miss out on making memorable experiences with her child. She added, “Travelling with her on my own showed me that I was stronger and capable of so much, and that while motherhood wasn’t easy, it definitely was manageable and I could have fun along the way.”

Kimberly and Ellie in New Zealand.

She has since brought Ellie with her on 10 trips around Asia and Australasia, before giving birth to her second child during the Circuit Breaker. In a couple of months, she and her family will be moving to Pattaya, Thailand after leaving it in the backburner for many years. 

“My husband does a lot of business in Thailand, so it only seems natural that we’d find ourselves going over eventually,” she explained. “For us, it’s the need to slow down and just enjoy being alive and in nature. I’m looking forward to camping, road trips and even having our own mini farm in our yard.”

Being spontaneous and “YOLO” in life 

They say life is too short to hide in the shadows, and as these Singaporeans share, being spontaneous has led them to chalk up experiences they’d neither forget nor regret. 

Being “YOLO” and flexible doesn’t have to apply only to life experiences. While many might think it’s impossible to save without being “rigid”, there are ways to allow ourselves to just do it, while safeguarding our futures. 

You can live spontaneously and save for your dream lifestyle with a flexible insurance savings plan such as Gro Cash Flex from NTUC Income. It allows you to grow your funds through a plan that suits your lifestyle needs while helping you reach your savings goals.

From the end of the 2nd policy year, you can enjoy yearly cash payouts^ and spend it on anything you fancy – be it getting that diving licence or going for that rock concert. There’s also the option of accumulating them to receive interest. 

You can also have a flexible choice of premium and policy term. Choose from a premium term of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years, with a policy term of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years or till the age of 120 depending on the selected premium term. 

Needless to say, safeguarding your future doesn’t need to put an end to all things fun and liberating.

Find out more about Income’s Gro Cash Flex

This post was brought to you by NTUC Income.
Some names have been changed for anonymity.
Cover image adapted from: Kimberly Lauren Wong, @chlobigail

^Policy T&Cs apply.

All opinions expressed in this article are solely those of TheSmartLocal.com and do not reflect the opinions of NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited (“Income”). Income is not responsible nor liable to any party in any manner whatsoever for such opinions, and TheSmartLocal.com is solely responsible for any opinion and the accuracy and completeness of any information and intellectual property used in this article. The information contained in this article pertaining to any insurance product or plan is provided and meant for general information only and do not constitute an offer, recommendation, solicitation or advice by Income or TheSmartLocal.com to buy or sell any product(s), plan(s) or investment product(s). It is not and should not be relied on as financial advice and has no regards for any person’s investment and financial needs. If you are unsure whether this product or plan is suitable for you, you may seek personalised financial advice from a qualified insurance advisor. Otherwise, you may end up buying a product or plan that does not meet your expectations or needs. As a result, you may not be able to afford the premiums or get the insurance protection you want. Precise terms, conditions and exclusions of the product are found in the policy contract.

For customised advice to suit your specific needs, consult an Income insurance advisor. 

Protected up to specified limits by SDIC (applicable for Income products that fall under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme).

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Information is correct as at 12 May 2022.

The post 5 Singaporeans Share The Most YOLO Things They’ve Ever Done, And Why It Was Worth It appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

You’re not alone if you feel bogged down by the world being a Negative Nancy with natural disasters and bad news cropping up every time you blink. But for all its downs, 2021 also restored our faith in humanity in plenty of ways with wholesome happenings throughout the year. 

Here are eight heartwarming moments that happened in Singapore that might just lift your spirits up and give you good vibes.

1. Singaporeans band together to flip an overturned car

Image credit: Stomp

Getting into a car accident is the ultimate nightmare for any driver. Thankfully, this elderly couple who found themselves trapped in an overturned car in September 2021 had the aid of passersby to get them out of their circumstances.

Around 15 bystanders quickly banded together to assess the situation. When they determined that the couple in the car only had minor injuries, they then put together their strength to overturn the car. This is a great example of there being strength in unity.

2. Youths help pick up trash while kayaking

Image credit: Youth Corps Singapore

We might have come a long way since the days of a dirty Singapore River, but there’s still plenty of litter strewn about in our water bodies. In a bid to combine both work and play, Benjamin Kheng, Pamela Lee, Ian Jeevan, and a couple of volunteers went on a kayaking trip to pick up trash at Jurong Lake Gardens.

They even held a friendly competition to encourage each other to pick up as much litter as possible. Some weird things they found included full cans of Pepsi and even a toy truck. Singapore’s status as a clean and green city doesn’t just apply to land – our waters also need to be taken care of too.

2. Expat seeks out samaritan cyclist who offered umbrella in the rain

Image credit: American in Singapore

Cyclists sometimes get a bad rep on the streets of Singapore, but not this guy. Travis, an American expat, was caught in the rain with his family at the Green Corridor. A group of cyclists passed them shortly after, and one of them stopped to offer Travis an umbrella. While he initially declined as they were already wet, the selfless cyclist insisted as they had a child.

In a YouTube video Travis made to seek out the kind samaritan, he reflected on how often fellow Singaporeans have helped him assimilate into our little red dot. Whether it’s just directing him on where to buy groceries to offering shelter in the rain, he feels that kindness like this shouldn’t go unrecognised.

“I want to find this person to return the umbrella, thank him in person, and buy him a coffee,” Travis added. If you’re the Mystery Cyclist reading this, you might have just made a new friend in town.

4. Migrant worker finds a better job with laptop from welfare group

Image credit: ItsRainingRaincoats

We often take browsing the Internet for granted, but on the flip side, most migrant workers don’t have that same luxury. In an effort to show how access to digital devices can impact someone’s life, local welfare group ItsRainingRainbows gave one worker a secondhand laptop to help him find a new job.

The man, who holds a diploma in engineering, soon scored a job as a technician that offered twice the salary he was drawing as a worker. This means he can help support his family back in his home country with a lot more ease. With our country built on the backs of many of these men, it’s good to see they’re treated with equal amounts of compassion and respect.

5. Singaporean bought disabled uncle groceries & helped him home

@fyxxn94

Discover More On TikTok

Many elderly who live alone may tend to get overlooked, and recently one Singaporean man took to TikTok to share his experience of helping an uncle with disabilities.

On his way home, Alfian Abdul Ramlan chanced upon an elderly grandpa who was meekly pushing his wheelchair. Seeing that he was alone, Alfian asked if he needed any assistance only to find out the uncle was mute. After some attempts at communicating, he realised the uncle just wanted to buy some bread and go home.

Once they ran the errands, Alfian brought the uncle back to his flat and gave him his phone number in case he needed any more help. But before he left, the uncle gave him a couple of pieces of bread as a token of appreciation for the kind gesture.

“Thank you old man, you showed me that there’s actually a heart in me when I thought it was broken,” Alfian added at the end of his TikTok.

6. Ben Kheng & Munah Bagharib tell stories to Indonesian kids

Image credit: Youth Corps Singapore

Just because you can’t travel abroad for overseas exchange programmes doesn’t mean your volunteerism has to stop. Local celebs Benjamin Kheng, Pamela Lee, and Munah Bagharib recently took part in a virtual volunteering programme with Youth Corps to give online lessons to Indonesian youth on mental health and environmental topics.

From telling stories to learning how to upcycle toilet rolls into stationary, the trio also showed the kids Singapore’s culture without having to board a VTL flight. “There was that beautiful feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself and connecting with the wonderful kids from across the country,” Benjamin said at the end of the programme.

7. Yio Chu Kang residents get Christmas gifts for migrant workers

Image credit: ItsRainingRaincoats

This past Christmas, the residents of Hundred Palms Residence in Yio Chu Kang teamed up with local welfare group ItsRainingRaincoats to play Santa for the migrant workers who clean our streets and build our skyscrapers.

The residents used funds from their lemonade stand charity drive to gift 85 sets of Creative Bluetooth earphones to the workers as an early Christmas gift, part of ItsRainingRaincoats’ fourth Christmas drive. 

It’s heartwarming to see how a group of condo residents killed two birds with one stone by supporting one of our homegrown brands and putting a smile on the migrant workers faces.

8. Aunty shares tangyuan with next-door chef

Singapore prides itself on being a multi-racial community, and it doesn’t take much to exemplify our kampung spirit. Shahrizal Salleh, known better as Chef Bob, recently shared on TikTok how his neighbours – an elderly Chinese couple – gave him a tingkat of tang yuan to commemorate the Winter Solstice. 

The glutinous rice balls were also accompanied with soup, peanut crumbs, and sugar as it should be. This tiny display of neighbourly ties might have only taken a couple of minutes out of their days, but every bit goes a long way into helping Singapore become a more racially harmonious nation. 

We also love that Chef Bob paid the kind gesture forward by gifting the aunty some CNY goodies from Old Chang Kee.

Wholesome events that happened in Singapore

That feeling you get when something flutters inside you and your heart grows just a little bit? That’s wholesomeness, and we could always use more of that in our lives. It doesn’t even have to be a grand gesture displayed on social media. Holding the door for someone, saying please and thank you, or simply wearing a smile on your face can help lift someone’s day up.

To show how easy it is to get started, Benjamin Kheng and Pamela Lee took part in the video series What Are You Doing This Week? where they embarked on their own wholesome journey with self-care, empathising with poverty, and – like you saw above – picking up trash and “overseas” volunteerism.

Those who want to send out more good vibes into the world can also look to join the Youth Corps Singapore’s Do Good Tribe as volunteers. The initiative helps a bunch of various causes from children and mental well-being to cleaning up the environment.

Watch the rest of What Are You Doing This Week? here

This post was brought to you by the National Youth Council.
Cover image adapted from: ItsRainingRaincoats, Stomp

The post 8 Wholesome AF Happenings In Singapore To Give You Good Vibes Only appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

It’s easy to feel a little disheartened after reading frequent news stories on pollution, global warming, and social issues. Thankfully, there are many who are stepping up to tackle these challenges, and they are doing it through innovative designs. 

Cue Good Design Research by the National Design Centre, an initiative that’s showcasing a series of free pop-ups for us to appreciate these efforts. It’s not all info-heavy displays either; from now till September 2022, there’ll be a rotation of 17 projects strutting their stuff. Here’s what you can expect from this month and beyond: 

Make your own custom pleated bags

Most of us are guilty of purchasing clothes and chucking them to a corner of our wardrobe after a couple of wears, only for them to never again see the light of day. If you’re tired of generic-looking fast fashion, consider making your own with GINLEE Studio and their customisable pleated bags.

The founders of GINLEE Studio, Gin Lee and Tamir Niv.

As this month’s feature, GINLEE Studio allows you to get hands-on by crafting your own bag at their MAKE In Shop pop-up from now till 10th December 2021 . Choose from three different patterns and sizes, and mix-and-match a selection of fabrics, straps and accessories. 

You can be assured that each handmade bag is 100% unique due to the way you manually create the pleats

Once you’ve selected your “ingredients”, you’ll be given a cardboard mold to create the pleats on your bag before it goes into a steamer for 20 minutes. Don’t worry if you’re no Kate Spade, as the workshop conductor will be there to guide you through the process.

This custom-built steamer was made by the founders themselves

You’ll also get a peek behind the curtains as the pop-up includes a corner where the founders of GINLEE Studio showcase their thought process and designs behind the machines and tools used to craft the bags.

In order to reduce the wastage that comes with fast fashion, GINLEE Studio’s bags are only made on-demand. 

If you’re ready to flex your creative muscles, you can even make your own custom bag for $68 from now till 10th December 2021 at the pop-up store. For those simply interested in learning the process behind sustainable fashion, you can drop by to observe a workshop between 9AM and 9PM at the National Design Centre.

The end product is a unique customised bag

Sign up for the MAKE In Shop experience.

17 local projects, from quirky containers to an inflatable playground

Your trip to the National Design Centre doesn’t have to be a one-off, as there are a total of 17 designers who’ll be showcasing their respective projects starting on the 15th of each month. You can expect three recurring themes: environment, communities and culture, and people and organisations. 

Here are some of the upcoming pop-ups for the next few months:

• 15th December 2021: Produce Workshop which will feature a new type of sustainable construction material.
• 15th January 2022: Offcut Factory which reuses stone and wood offcuts and fashion them into new products like coasters and pallet trivets
• 15th February 2022: Roger & Sons demonstrates how they repurpose fallen trees from urban development projects into sustainable objects and furniture.

Keep a lookout for ART-ZOO; they’re known for combining fun and education with their giant animal and nature themed inflatable playgrounds that will make any child giddy with joy. 

ART-ZOO’s inflatable playgrounds
Image credit: ART-ZOO

For those who consider themselves a bit of a fashionista, Werable by Claudia Poh demonstrates how clothing can be crafted to fit the use of mobility-challenged people. There’s no longer a need to compromise style for practicality, as Claudia Poh shows how you can still look badass even when your arm is in a sling.

Image credit: Claudia Poh

When it comes to recycling, Offcut Factory by Esli Ee and Edmund Zhang is one to watch as they transform off-cuts from manufacturing materials into practical items such as chio coasters. Likewise, NOST will showcase how they turn pineapple leaves into gorgeous batik fabric. 

L-R: Offcut Factory’s coasters and NOST’s workshop

For more people-centric installations, you can find out how Agency deals with improving relationships between employees and employers. There’s also Common Ground and their quest to design better mental health practices in the workplace, including how to provide adequate emotional support to employees during times of crisis.

Reuse Lab’s container prototypes
Image adapted from: Don Wong/Good Design Research 

A standout exhibit from the previous month was Reuse Lab by Forest & Whale. They’re known for turning your dabao box into handy little usable containers in order to reduce single-use plastic. They even have a drinking cup designed after old milk tins that is both aesthetic and timeless.

Solving problems through smart designs

We’ve all heard of the meme “modern problems require modern solutions”. While it may be played for laughs, it’s inspiring how local designers can approach some of our modern issues through creative and sustainable products.

If you’re curious about how you can do your part and live more sustainably, head down to the free pop-up exhibits by Good Design Research. Start by signing up for a bag-crafting workshop with GINLEE Studios, and come back each month for a new featured designer and display.

GINLEE Studio’s pop-up exhibit at the National Design Centre

Those who find themselves teeming with ideas afterwards can submit these as issues for designers to tackle. If you’re a designer yourself, sign up for Good Design Research and you may score a grant to carry out your designs, on top of working with different resource outlets and industry mentors to strengthen their project. 

Whether you’re a designer looking to apply your creations to problem-solving, or simply someone who’s interested in environmental and social issues, it’s likely that you’ll find something that will inspire you at this series of pop-ups.

Learn more about the Good Design Research initiative here

Also check out these museums and galleries across Singapore:

• Galleries and museums in S’pore
• Lesser-known art exhibits and museums in S’pore
• What to see at Gillman Barracks
• Fort Canning Heritage Gallery
• Peranakan Museum Singapore

This post was brought to you by Design Singapore Council.
Cover image adapted from: Design Singapore Council, Art Zoo
Photography by Milim Tay.

The post National Design Centre Has A Free Pop-Up Which Shows How Good Design Can Solve SG’s Biggest Problems appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

The glorious six months before university is one of the longest holidays many of us will get to experience. And though we’re temporarily free from the shackles of education and the endless chase for those As on our report cards, the pressure to do something productive is only intensified during this “break”.

But despite peer pressure from my kiasu friends who were entering all sorts of corporate internships to add to their LinkedIn profiles, I chose a slightly different route: signing up to work with migrant workers. 

Deciding to be an NGO intern

Even though the common stereotype of office interns being the “designated kopi buyer” holds little truth these days, I knew right from the start that I didn’t plan on spending my holiday at a “traditional” internship. Fiddling around on Microsoft Office wasn’t really my forte, so naturally, I tried looking for something a little more hands-on.

While I tried out a few odd jobs over the first few weeks of my break, it wasn’t until my job at HealthServe that I found my calling. I’d practically spent the entirety of 2020’s Circuit Breaker keeping up with the news, and knowing just how badly Covid-19 was affecting the migrant worker community in Singapore spurred me to do what I could to help them.

Work days were always full of surprises. I can still remember being asked to don a full PPE suit on my very first day so that I could talk to the brothers at HealthServe’s clinic, which made me feel like a real professional.
Image credit: Lisana Ann

HealthServe is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that’s been around since 2006, providing all kinds of support services for migrant workers in Singapore, such as medical care, counselling, casework, and social assistance. 

After some encouragement from a friend who had started her internship at HealthServe a week prior, I knew that signing with the organisation’s Communications and Engagement department was exactly what I had been looking for.

Being Bengali herself, my friend also shared how speaking to the migrant “brothers” in their native language helped them feel more comfortable with us. Seeing how my mother tongue skills weren’t being put to good use anywhere else, I was excited for the opportunities this internship would bring. 

And so, my journey began.

What a working day in my life looks like

As a Comms and Engagement intern, my main responsibility was to give the migrant workers in Singapore a voice through the organisation’s social media platforms. A simple “Hello brother,” could lead to the most interesting of conversations – my job was to note down these stories and shed light on this “unseen” side of them.

At the “Heroes of Our Time” exhibition featuring artwork by migrant workers
Image credit: Lisana Ann

Because of this, I was often at HealthServe’s clinic and also at their various events and projects, reaching out to as many migrant workers as I could. From airport send-offs to dorm visits, it was always a joy to be able to spend time with the workers. I was also doing something meaningful, like delivering all kinds of basic necessities to them as they couldn’t leave their dormitories amidst the pandemic.

Saying our last goodbyes to some of the brothers who were heading back home for good
Image credit: Lisana Ann

While my job was equal parts fulfilling and meaningful, I also thoroughly enjoyed hearing what my friend got up to as a casework intern. Helping out with work-related injuries and providing translation and case support, her role dealt with more serious issues faced by migrant workers in Singapore. There were even instances where she was given the chance to drop in for physiotherapy sessions at the clinic. 

While many of us are at our BTO stage in life and can’t wait to finally get the keys to our new place, we might not realise just how dangerous their jobs are and how frequently on-site injuries occur. This made her job crucial as it helped them recover and regain the ability to earn a salary.

The job also shed light on issues I was previously unaware of, like the inaccessibility of nutritious food for migrant workers.

The brothers we encountered were mostly engaged in laborious construction work, and mass catering options at their dorms usually only served oily and carbohydrate-rich foods. These aren’t the healthiest options for them due to the lack of nutrients and often meant that they were at risk of health problems in the long run.

A regular day at HealhServe’s Little India Food project, which serves free and nutritious meals to migrant workers.
Image credit: Lisana Ann

I also realised throughout my internship that education was just as important as the assistance that we were providing. Migrant workers often face a lot of stress by being away from home and having to deal with unfamiliar work injury claims and other employment-related issues. 

Ensuring the brothers knew more about the symptoms of these chronic and mental illnesses made sure that they could identify them before their condition became serious. This was done via weekly counselling sessions facilitated by volunteer therapists.

The organisation’s translation efforts also helped clarify doubts on topics like injury claims, making it a less stressful process for the brothers.

What I’ve learnt from our migrant workers

Image credit: Lisana Ann

When people ask me about my greatest takeaway from the internship, the answer is simple: the stories shared by the migrant workers. 

I can still remember one of the first conversations I’d had on the job. I’d visited the clinic after lunch to talk to a couple of brothers who were there for their consultations. Being an enthusiastic yet awkward newbie, I was trying to hold in my jitters as I approached one of them for a chat.

He had been there hours before his appointment, so I encouraged him to join us for an ongoing Art Engagement session we were holding. As he joined the staff and volunteers for an afternoon of drawing, he shared with us that he hadn’t been back to his hometown in the past five years.

One of our Art Engagement sessions at HealthServe’s Geylang compound
Image credit: HealthServe

The brother excitedly proceeded to show us a video of his daughter dancing, proudly telling us about how she had become so tall over the years. He explained that he first left for Singapore when she was only a month old and had barely managed to spend time with her apart from video calls due to his long working hours.

It was precisely at this moment that it struck me how much these workers have to sacrifice and leave behind in pursuit of a better life. My daily encounters with different migrant workers only deepened this realisation and I began to recognise that coming to Singapore wasn’t entirely based on choice, but more on need.

Image credit: HealthServe

As an onlooker, I was moved by their resilience and determination to provide for their families. Having to be thousands of kilometres away from their homes for such a prolonged period of time isn’t an easy feat, and it made me reflect on how privileged I was and how insignificant some of my problems were in comparison.

Understanding the struggles migrant workers face

At the end of the day, we’re more similar than we are different. All of us hold our loved ones dear and the pain of the brothers working tirelessly in a foreign country, away from their elderly parents, wives, and young children is immeasurable.

Simple conversation starters like “Are you well, brother?” and hearing a resounding “Yes I am good! How are you sister” is a simple yet earnest way of showing that we care. 

Dormitory visit to migrant brothers to pass them welfare packs filled with goodies
Image credit: Lisana Ann

There were times when I wondered if I would be able to create any real change as an individual, but hearing how small actions greatly impacted their lives during our conversations reassured me of that fact.

One incident that stands out was when a few brothers walked into our office requesting covered shoes due to foot injuries from work. There were only a few shoes left in the donated pile, and though they weren’t in the best condition, the brothers were grateful for simply having received them. 

Seeing how happy they were despite the limited support we could offer changed my perspective. It was both heartwarming and moving and made gratitude one of the most important takeaways during my time here.

A hot and sunny afternoon during Walk and Be Well, a monthly initiative, at Lakeside Garden.
Image credit: Lisana Ann

During one of HealthServe’s walking sessions, Walk and Be Well, I was grouped with three workers who were dorm roommates. They had either been injured or were unable to work for a variety of reasons, creating a sense of lingering uncertainty. As the brothers were Special Pass holders, they were unsure about when they could safely return home or even how to regain the strength to work again.

Walk and Be Well is one of the many initiatives carried out to help migrant workers enjoy their free time doing something fun and meaningful. The brothers that I chatted with were all grateful for the opportunity to leave their dorms for a breath of fresh air.

Cracking all kinds of silly jokes and posing for pictures along the way, the brothers were always looking out for us volunteers and making sure that we were having fun as well. 

While my personal goal was to make sure that they were having a good time, their thoughtfulness surprised me and helped me realise how at the end of the day, they were regular folks just like us – something many people tend to forget.

How to help Singapore’s migrant worker community

This past year has been exceptionally hard on all of us, but as we focus on our own hectic lives, it can be easy for us to turn a blind eye to others. Rather than simply reading stories like this on the internet, here are some ways that you can get involved too.

Volunteering is, of course, the most ideal way to make a direct impact on the lives of migrant workers. Not only is it a great way to connect with them on a more personal level, but it’s also extremely rewarding to see how impactful your actions can be.

No matter your skill set, there are plenty of migrant worker-focused organisations that need more hands on deck such as HealthServe, which remains mostly a volunteer-run organisation. HealthServe will also be launching Singapore’s first 24/7 crisis helpline for migrant workers soon, and currently is looking for more crisis helpline volunteers for support.

Intern buddies after a long day at the Little India office
Image credit: Lisana Ann

On the other hand, if you don’t have the time to spare but would still like to make a change, you can also donate to the following registered charities:

• HealthServe – provide holistic care for workers, from medical and mental health services to casework and other forms of social support such as food and financial aid
• Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund – donate meals and provide emergency assistance
• TWC2 – provide general assistance and fund TWC2’s advocacy
• HOME – provide healthcare, shelter, and skills training to domestic and migrant workers

Even if you can’t donate or volunteer, simple acts of courtesy also go a long way. Saying a simple “Good morning” or waving to the brothers – from migrant workers to neighbourhood cleaners –  when we see them is a great way to show your appreciation for all the hard work they do.

Volunteering with migrant workers in Singapore

My three-month stint as an NGO intern may have been brief, but the experiences that I had will stay with me for a lifetime. Throughout my journey, I’ve met so many like-minded individuals who eventually became some of my greatest companions and friends.

Not forgetting the migrant brothers who continue to amaze me with their resilience and optimism – I hope that social work efforts in Singapore will continue to help them during their time in our country.

Note: Some of the programmes mentioned in the article have been put on hold due to safe management measures.

Also read:

• Ways to donate your SRV to migrant workers
• Hardest hit communities during the pandemic
• Volunteer opportunities in Singapore

Cover images adapted from: Lisana Ann, HealthServe
Interview conducted and written by Megan Kwek

The post Why I Choose To Work With Migrant Workers And How It Has Changed My Outlook On Life appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Over 80% of Singaporeans live in dense HDB estates, but despite living in such close proximity to neighbours on all sides, it’s safe to say that most of us stick to paiseh smiles and polite nods when we bump into them. But even in our fast-paced society, these seven heartwarming neighbourhood stories prove that it isn’t hard to be kind and caring in our day-to-day.

1. Marsiling carpenter decorates town during festive periods

Image credit: Lawrence Wong

Many of us bring festive cheer into our homes when we put up red banners during CNY, hang traditional ketupat ornaments and lights for Hari Raya or mark Deepavali with colourful rangoli. But for the Carpenter of Marsiling, Mr Tan Koon Tat, his massive handmade structures are all about recreating that neighbourly mood all year round – no matter the festivities. 

Inspired by the oil lamps lit during Hari Raya and the firecrackers during Chinese New Year, a young Tan became a carpenter by trade, fashioning festive decorations of all sorts. From peacocks for Deepavali to mosque facade for Hari Raya, Mr Tan also constructed a life-sized log cabin for Christmas to bring his neighbours closer.

Intricate decorations Mr Tan put up in his estate for Hari Raya in 2018
Image credit: Marsiling Zonefive

To this day, the 60-year-old crafts large-scale handiworks in his neighbourhood all year round, creating intricate, eye-catching and high-quality designs for his neighbours to appreciate, admire and snap photos with.

Check out our full video interview with Mr Tan Koon Tat

2. Punggol residents set up pay-it-forward sanitising station in lift

Image credit: Collike

Covid-19 brought with it Zoom meetings, home workouts and panic buying – especially when it came to toilet paper and surgical masks. But when stocks in Singapore ran low, residents in Punggol showcased their next-level neighbourliness, starting a pay-it-forward initiative in a lift where they left sanitisers and masks for fellow neighbours to use. 

Together with these essentials, residents left heartfelt anonymous notes for fellow neighbours, encouraging them to keep safe especially if they work in high-risk areas. 

Stocks of masks were snapped up within 10 minutes
Image credit: Yen Vy Vu Tran

There must be something in the water at Punggol – as it’s also where a mask giveaway initiative was kickstarted by Yen Vy Vu Tran and her husband Adrian Tan. The couple, along with six friends, gave away a total of 4,000 masks to residents in Punggol. Moved by the overwhelming response, they proceeded to initiate a second giveaway of 13,000 masks.

3. Uncle helps to arrange slippers at Buangkok Mosque

Image credit: Irfan Musthapa via Muslim Youth Forum Singapore

Touched by the sight of a passer-by sweating profusely while arranging the slippers outside Al-Mawaddah Mosque in Buangkok, a worshipper approached the man for a chat. Through a brief conversation, he found out that Uncle Steven lives nearby in Hougang, and tries to come by every week to help arrange the slippers at the mosque’s entrance.

This small, humble action inspired thousands of others when the story, shared via Facebook post, went viral and was covered by news sites around Singapore. 

4. Netizen calls for contributions after neighbour’s house catches fire

Image credit: Aaron Wong

Hearing the heart-wrenching cries of dismay of his neighbour who returned home to a burnt-out flat, Aaron Wong put up a plea for help via Facebook post. In it, he called on willing souls to contribute what they could to the low-income Telok Blangah family who lost most of their possessions in a raging fire.

Netizens contributed everything from encouraging notes and supermarket vouchers, to household appliances like ceiling fans, while others chipped in for her door and window.
Image credit: Yani Yani 

Within 24 short hours, Wong was overwhelmed by the show of support as donations of furniture, appliances and supermarket vouchers poured in from all over the island. In fact, professional electricians, painters, plumbers and contractors also came forward to offer their expertise to help the rebuilding.

The post garnered over 2,400 shares, with more than 400 comments mostly from netizens looking to do their part.
Image credit: Aaron Wong

5. 69-year old Marine Parade volunteer wheels fellow senior to vaccination centre

Image credit: The People’s Association

For 69-year-old Mr Osman, volunteering at the Marine Terrace Breeze RC has been rewarding as he makes new friends and helps neighbours – even as he supports his 22-year-old granddaughter who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

When he learnt that a fellow Marine Parade resident had lost his job and was unable to travel long distances following an illness, Mr Osman stepped up to help to wheel the 76-year old to the vaccination centre himself. 

Image credit: The People’s Association

The slopes and obstacles on the way were quite a challenge for the elderly Mr Osman, but his kind actions still went above and beyond. Out of concern for his senior’s safety, Mr Osman even shared his phone number in case of emergencies.

6. Yishun resident offers home as shelter for food delivery riders

Image credit: Priveen Raj

Like many Singaporeans, Mr Priveen Raj relied on our tireless food delivery riders as we hunkered down at home during the pandemic. But when he saw a delivery rider struggle to cycle through a heavy downpour one day, Mr Priveen opened his house for riders to take a break and seek refuge – especially on rainy days.

Noting it was the start of the rainy season, Mr Priveen offered his hospitality via Facebook post to riders in the Yishun area: “Please feel free to drop by our place. We will share what we have.”

While just a handful of riders took up his offer, his small initiative was successful in spreading positivity and awareness. His gesture toward the essential group of individuals was well received by fellow Singaporeans who offered words of encouragement – for both him and our food delivery riders.

Family sets up free food pantries in low-income neighbourhoods

Yeo shares that the food pantries are left unmanned, providing dignity for those who need the items.
Image credit: Unmanned Free Food Pantry – UFFP

Inspired by heartwarming stories of free food pantries overseas, businessman Ken Yeo took it upon himself to reach out to lower-income neighbourhoods that have been particularly affected by the ongoing pandemic. With kids aged seven and nine in tow, Yeo and his wife, Joey Lim set up Unmanned Free Food Pantries in rental estates like in Jalan Kukoh, Spooner Road and York Hill.

Set up on nifty cardboard “tables”, each Unmanned Free Food Pantry features essentials like rice, biscuits, bread and canned food neatly repackaged and laid out by the Yeo family. Each costing around $100, the pantries are set up in low-income neighbourhoods around Singapore. 

Write your own heartwarming neighbourhood stories

Taking place each year on 21st July, Racial Harmony Day has been marked by dressing up in various ethnic costumes during our school days. But racial harmony is more than just a day of just donning vibrant saris, vivid cheongsam and baju kurung. 

We all have a part to play in living together harmoniously, and we can do that by learning to understand, accept and care for fellow Singaporeans.

Be inspired by these heartwarming stories in the neighbourhood: whether you use your artistic skills to spread festive cheer throughout the year or keep a constant eye out for neighbours in need. For this Racial Harmony Day and beyond, let’s treat each other with neighbourly trust and respect as we build a more inclusive, caring and united Singapore.

Find out more about MCCY’s SGinHarmony initiative

Cover image credit: Yen Vy Vu Tran, Marsiling Zonefive, Unmanned Free Food Pantry – UFFP
This post was brought to you by #SGinHarmony, an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), with support from community partners.

The post 7 Heartwarming Neighbourhood Stories That Go Beyond Saying Hi & Bye In The Lifts appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

With Covid-19, the new normal isn’t exactly that normal. Our lives have turned topsy-turvy with WFH arrangements, BTO delays, and not being able to leave the country to quell our wanderlust. Perhaps worst of all, we haven’t been able to properly celebrate life’s milestones. 

Yet, life goes on. There’s nothing left for us to do but make the most of what we have. And for many of us, that includes blessings in the form of support from our friends and family. Birthdays, graduations or weddings – whichever it is, these three Singaporeans share how their loved ones came through despite the ongoing pandemic. 

1. Celebrating your child’s first birthday

Baby Shane came into the world at a strange time – his dad wasn’t even allowed to be in the operating theatre when he was born. And one year later, not much has changed: his family was forced into celebrating his first birthday with Heightened Alert measures in place. 

Image credit: Yong Ernn Teo

His mum Yong Ernn says that “it was quite a disappointment time after time”, especially since full-fledged plans had already been made with party food, balloons and goodie bags all ready to go. 

As a tight-knit family, their milestone celebrations typically extended to their grandparents, cousins and other relatives too – involving at least 21 people. At least, that’s the way it’s been for the last 30 or so years till Covid-19 struck. 

Although they weren’t allowed to have any visitors, Yong Ernn and her family still decorated her house for a mini-photoshoot to celebrate Shane’s birthday. 
Image credit: Yong Ernn Teo

Instead of cancelling or postponing Shane’s birthday party, Yong Ernn and her husband decided to hold it over Zoom. As avocados are Shane’s favourite food, it was a themed party with desserts and goodie bags that were all decked out in avocado motifs. 

Despite not being able to meet physically, their family came through and with the help of Zoom, everyone was able to come together virtually for this milestone celebration.

There were specifically planned party events on the itinerary, such as the usual birthday song and even a lucky draw to cheer them up during this Covid-19 situation. Prizes included rice, instant noodles and unsurprisingly, toilet paper.

Wearing their avocado t-shirts over a celebratory Zoom call
Image credit: Yong Ernn Teo

Their extended family also surprised them with a special delivery of avocado t-shirts to each household. As Yong Ernn describes, “It was a really sweet gesture as it showed how everyone still wanted to be a part of this celebration”. While it was only a 30-minute Zoom call, it was still “fun and engaging” and logistically, “less challenging given that everything was done at home”. 

She also likes how the entire party was recorded, so she and her family members could go back and view their memories together whenever they wanted. As Yong Ernn puts it, the entire birthday shindig was highly memorable and she “wouldn’t have done it any other way”. 

2. Graduating from poly

As we all know, graduating is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. For Marcus, he was simply “relieved and glad” that even despite Covid-19, he was still able to walk on stage to receive his diploma. He might have missed out on the “usual grand scale” affair one would expect from a graduation, but he still recognises it as an important milestone. 

He shares why a graduation ceremony is important to him:

“I now have completed a phase of life that I spent the last 19 years complaining about. It’s also important to me as it allows me to look back and see how far I have come and grown.”

Reminiscing over shared memories before the ceremony
Image credit: Marcus

But despite the pandemic, Marcus still made the most of his graduation and made sure to celebrate with his friends and family – keeping within the Phase 3 pax limit at the time. He spent the weeks before the ceremony meeting up with different groups of friends to reminisce over their shared memories of poly, and to “just enjoy the company of each other”. 

For the ceremony itself, there were new restrictive guidelines such as keeping to a hasty 45-minute photo session, and not being allowed to bring along the usual two guests. 

That said, Marcus still appreciates how his polytechnic had gone the extra mile to make his graduation “memorable and unique”, especially that he was “still given the chance to walk on stage and receive my diploma”, while other institutions in Singapore and abroad made do with purely virtual ceremonies.

Working around the 45-minute photo session by taking photos at a nearby park
Image credit: Marcus

One plus that came out of all this? The entire graduation ceremony was live-streamed with an unlimited number of viewers, so more of his friends and family could virtually attend the ceremony. 

Marcus also mentions that both his parents are busy civil servants and even before Covid-19, they might not have been able to attend the ceremony anyway due to their work commitments. He also points out that the virtual livestream is an unexpected bonus for larger families, since everyone can now celebrate together without worrying about the limited invitations. 

3. Getting married with a 10-person limit

Pailin and her partner have always wanted a small wedding, but being forced to play by Covid-19 wedding guidelines wasn’t exactly what they had in mind. It was in the midst of Phase 2 then, and they had to keep it to just 10 guests for their solemnisation ceremony at home. She shares that they initially wanted a small destination wedding with just their immediate family: 

“About a year before Covid, we took 2 weeks off to go around Melbourne to check out possible wedding venues. We both finished uni there so it’s always been a bit of a sentimental place for us. We even toyed with the idea of flying our families out for a small ceremony.”

Their dream wedding venue in Melbourne
Image credit: @lakehousedaylesford

They’d already settled on the date of 10/10/2020 – besides being a memorable date, it also marked their 10.5 years together. Then, Covid-19 hit and they were forced to reconsider. Since Pailin’s immediate family lives in Thailand, it was a tough choice between postponing the event indefinitely, or sticking to the original date and making the most out of the many restrictions set in place. 

She shares that “we were already engaged for a couple of years, so we both decided that it was time to bite the bullet”. 

So they went ahead and planned the full works: floral, food, photography and even hair and makeup artists. The maximum number of 10 guests turned out nicely too for “the intimate wedding we always wanted”, with the two surrounded by their closest family and friends. 

Image credit: Tan Wen Lin/John Lim

Or at least, those who were based in Singapore since Pailin’s immediate family couldn’t be there. They had arranged to have a Zoom call with her family, with the laptop set up right in the middle of it all, but it was a bit of a flop and disconnected halfway through. Yet, she says it was still “as if they were there on the day itself – for a little while at least”. 

While it wasn’t what either of them had planned for their solemnisation, in the end, “it was equally meaningful to have it at home anyway”. 

Celebrating life’s major events despite Covid-19

There’s no need for a massive birthday party or fancy wedding when it’s the little things that matter most – your friends and family being there for you. Although we might be restricted by Covid-19 measures, a silver lining exists in the fact that it now means even more when our loved ones go the extra mile to show that they care. 

Lee Hwa Jewellery’s Summer Collection

With Lee Hwa Jewellery’s Summer Collection, we can now commemorate every worthy moment with a luxurious touch that we can have and hold for years to come. Celebrate the best moments of life with these pieces, whether it’s for everyday memories or major milestones.

Lee Hwa Jewellery Summer Collection

Leah collection (L-R): Leah Earrings ($618) and Leah Necklace ($388)

The Summer Collection was specially designed with the free and easy months of summer in mind – it’s when we’d typically be zipping around the world for a beach vacay or a picture-perfect road trip. We’re not able to travel these days but we still want every moment to count. With Lee Hwa Jewellery’s latest collection, we can have something special to remember this summer. 

Twinkle collection (L-R): Twinkle Trinnie Pendant ($358) and Twinkle Trinnie Earrings ($548)

Lee Hwa Jewellery prides themselves on their natural diamonds, their Destinée collection is easily one of their most prized collections, featuring diamonds with the “Ideal Cut” – a cut that’s perfect in proportions, symmetry and polish. And now, they’ve introduced two new Destinée collections for us to choose from: Blossom and Etoile. 

Destinée collections (L-R): Blossom Necklace (from $6,622), Blossom Ring (from $2,176) and Blossom Bangle (from $4,381)

Elegant but still making a statement, pieces like the Destinée Blossom Necklace (from $6,622), Destinée Blossom Ring (from $2,176) and the Destinée Blossom Bangle (from $4,381) are sure to dazzle.

Aster collection: Aster Necklace ($788), Aster Bracelet ($628), Aster Ring ($458)

Whether it’s a picnic date to enjoy the summer breeze or a dressy night out, there’s a unique piece for you to best celebrate life’s moments. Lee Hwa Jewellery is offering a series of promotions to look forward to from now till 31st July 2021, so you can get glammed up without breaking the bank:

• Up to 50% off storewide
• Complimentary wristlet worth $50 with minimum spend of $800
• $100 off purchase of $1,000 and above when you spread your purchase into 3 interest-free instalments with Pace

Swing Star collection (L-R): Dewdrop Pendant ($268) and Satine Earrings ($458)

Whatever you’re celebrating, Lee Hwa Jewellery’s Summer Collection offers a selection of unique designs that’s suitable for every occasion, big or small. 

Find out more about Lee Hwa Jewellery’s Summer Collection here

This post was brought to you by Lee Hwa Jewellery.
Photography by Pepita Wauran.
Cover image adapted from (L-R): Yong Ernn Teo, Marcus & Tan Wen Lin/John Lim. 

The post 3 Singaporeans On Missing Life’s Milestones Due To Covid-19, And How Their Loved Ones Came Through Anyway appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Gone are the days of clunky desktop PC towers that come in a boring shade of beige – these days, the sky’s the limit when it comes to custom PC builds. Whether you envision a scintillating RGB light show atop your desk or an ultra-minimalist wall-mounted affair, the possibilities are endless with the vast variety of cases and components to customise your setup. 

To really impress fellow gaming kaki and score some upvotes when you flaunt your battle station online, these five custom PC build ideas can take your next PC building project to the next level.

1. Wall-mounting your PC

Image credit: official_iberioN

Most of us usually put our PCs on the floor or the table – if space permits – but you’ll probably want to display it more prominently if you’ve spent big bucks on its design. Some cases like the one above are meant to be shown off to the world and can even be wall-mounted to look extremely badass.

The open frame and clear glass panel let you see what’s inside your PC 24/7, whether it be the expensive – and currently ultra-rare – graphics card or the hypnotising effect of the spinning fans. But if you aren’t too experienced with the ins and outs of PC building, you can engage Aftershock PC to do the nitty-gritty with their Explorer series of wall-mountable desktop PC builds.

2. Use custom loop liquid cooling

It’s no secret that computers often run hot especially when undertaking intensive tasks like rendering a video or running games like Cyberpunk 2077. And while most PCs use powerful fans to suck in cool air to maintain internal temperatures, liquid-cooled PCs may be a lot more efficient, letting you squeeze extra performance from your top-shelf components. 

Just like a cold shower on a sweltering day, a liquid-cooled system will transfer heat away from key components like the CPU and graphics card faster and more efficiently. You’ll also be spared the incessant whirring noises as you won’t need as many fans to keep your PC cool.

Ultracore build by Aftershock PC
Image credit: Aftershock PC

But it’s the aesthetic potential of custom loops that convinces most people to fork out more for a build like this. With a wide choice of colours for the acrylic tubes and the liquid, the bold accents looping within the PC case can achieve a futuristic sculpture-like aesthetic that’s sure to blow your friends away during your next LAN party.

3. Get creative with RGB cables and RAM sticks

Lian Li Strimer Plus Series on Aftershock’s Ultracore build
Images adapted from: Aftershock PC

You know what they say: the more RGB lights you have in your PC, the higher your in-game frame rate for more frags and victories. Memes aside, you can still fully zhng your PC build with a multitude of RGB-lit parts for a prismatic sight for sore eyes.

Apart from common RGB elements like PC fans and light strips, go the full nine yards with RGB-enabled RAM sticks and even cables for some added flair. For a colour-coordinated spectacle, ensure the RGB systems sync up so you’ll be free to fire up a custom themed light show on demand. 

4. Display custom RGB designs on this case

Not only can the inside of your PC sit pretty with its myriad RGB lights, your PC’s chassis can also have the same colourful treatment. Case in point: the Trixel, a PC case from Aftershock that pays homage to the nostalgic era of 8-bit gaming.

The front panel has 144 individually addressable LEDs that can be customised via a simple PC app to show anything from the current time to an animated Pacman. You can even sync the lights to your current bop or a heartbeat too.

Get the Aftershock Trixel PC from $1,240.

5. Customise your CPU with GIFs and other displays

Some might say it’s a little bit extra, but there are real merits to adding an LCD monitor to the inside of your PC. With options like the NZXT Kraken Z range of all-in-one CPU water coolers, not only will you keep your CPU cool, you’ll be able to check on your PC’s temperatures at a glance, or even display a cute GIF or your in-game clan logo for bonus loyalty points.

 Bring your custom PC build ideas to life at Aftershock PC

Building your own water-cooling PC is no small feat, and even experienced PC builders can feel daunted when it comes to highly-customised setups that involve complicated custom liquid cooling loops and PC cases with unique form factors.

To avoid the heartache of dousing your expensive motherboard with cooling liquid, you can turn to the expertise of Aftershock PC instead. Well-versed in some of the craziest and unique builds, their specialists have put together everything from professional builds costing five figures to massive PCs that contain two separate systems.

Aftershock PC’s specialists will alleviate your concerns about your water cooling tubes leaking with a high-quality build

They offer myriad builds from custom loop liquid-cooled options to smaller form factor PCs that can fit in compact desk setups. Apart from the main components like the CPU and graphics card, you’re able to customise every tiny detail to fit your budget and aesthetic needs – from coloured cables to vertical graphics card mounts to show it off.

Proud owners of shiny high-end PCs will also have the added assurance of Aftershock PC’s three-year warranty. Those with a water-cooled PC can also go back to them at any time for regular maintenance and topping up of coolant when it’s running low or even to change the colour of the liquid to suit a new aesthetic – for just a small fee.

The specialists at the Aftershock PC showroom provide personalised service for all their customers, helping to bring your custom PC build ideas to reality.

If your demands are a bit more than what Aftershock’s build list on their website has to offer, you can even head down to their showroom and consult them to see if they can accommodate your requests for special parts – most of the time they’d be happy to oblige.

You also don’t have to wait too long to get your hands on your new purchase. With the Aftershock Ready to Ship PCs you can get a new build to your doorstep in one day ready to plug-and-play – and save up to $300.

Most of us gamers dream big of owning a battle station that will induce the envy of fellow believers in the PC master race, and that dream can be easily turned into reality with Aftershock PC’s custom PC-building services.

For more PC-related articles:

• Building a custom PC
• Best gaming PCs
• Aftershock RAPID review

Address: 996 Bendemeer Road, #03-06, Singapore 339944

Build your own custom PC with Aftershock today

This post was brought to you by Aftershock.
Photography by Huiwen Chan.
Cover image adapted from (L): Aftershock 

The post 5 Next-Level Custom PC Build Ideas That Will Make All Your Gamer Friends Envy You appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

It’s safe to say that 2020 has left many of us traumatised, and from the looks of things, 2021 seems to be no different. But for all its downs, 2021 has had its ups as well. We’ve rounded up some of the good deeds and wholesome stories in 2021 for a dose of hope to brighten up your day. Don’t be disgruntled – there’s still hope for 2021 to surpass its predecessor. Sit back, grab some cookies and enjoy this large cup of positivi-tea.

1. Stranger helps man find missing phone with memories of his late mom 

Image for illustration only
Image credit: Pocket Lint

It’s natural to be upset when you lose a phone. After all, smartphones these days cost around a grand a pop, and probably are our only means of communication with family and friends when we’re out and about. 

Image credit: Eddie Dieana

In one unique case, a Facebook user, Eddie Dieana, was with his friends in Changi when a visibly distraught man asked him about a missing phone. With some probing, it was discovered that the lost phone had been a gift from the man’s late mother. And beyond sentimental value, the phone also contained photos of his later mother along with voice messages from the past – the man’s only remaining memories of her.

It warms all our hearts to know that the phone eventually found its way back to its owner, thanks to the help of this kind Samaritan and a security guard on duty that day. Our takeaway: appreciate your loved ones while they’re still around, because one day, it might just be too late.

2. Sheng Siong gives 16 months of bonus to staff

Image credit: Pinterest

There’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing the digits in your bank account rise during the year-end bonus handout, especially if the bonus is a hefty one – say 16 months’ worth?

Sheng Siong got itself into the spotlight earlier this year for all the good reasons. With the increase in demand for groceries during the pandemic, the company’s revenue rose by 28.9% to $327.3 million in the third quarter of 2020. And to reward their staff for working hard, the company handed out a generous 4.68 months’ worth of bonus to their part-timers and up to 16 months’ worth to their assistant managers. 

Sheng Siong all for you~
Image adapted from: Reddit

Of course, there’s no promise that the same thing will happen this year but here’s the link to their job application page – just in case. 

3. SBS driver goes viral for looking swaggy in gold

We see our lovely bus drivers every day. Sometimes they’re friendly, sometimes they’re kind, and sometimes they’re dripping in gold looking very much like a Singaporean “uncle” version of 2 Chainz.

Image credit: Lewis Cloud

In late February this year, an SBS driver went viral for looking swaggy as can be, dressed to the nines with two gold rings, a gold bracelet, two chunky glimmering necklaces, and a shiny watch. The post garnered more than 3.6K shares on the original Facebook post, alongside lots of adoration from netizens in appreciation of the driver’s unapologetically unique style. 

Image credit: Facebook

Shortly after his first wave of fame, another video of him humbly eating cai fan at a hawker store surfaced. In the background, it could be heard that the jewellery is valued over a whopping $50,000. True or not, many commentators have decided that if not Sheng Siong, SBS would be a viable contender for their next career switch. 

4. SHN neighbours become friends over Post-It notes and BBT

Sometimes the best gift you can give is your time – or if you’re in Singapore, bubble tea works just as well. During the circuit breaker, many of us homebound folks sent our friends the boba-filled elixir to brighten up their day. It seems the same act of giving was taken to the next level in February by two folks serving SHN.

Image credit: @lydialow

IG user Lydia Low was on her first day of quarantine in Swissôtel The Stamford Hotel when she spotted a friendly smiley face made out of Post-It notes on a window of the opposite Fairmont Hotel.

Image adapted from: @lydialow

She replied with a “Hi!” and a quirky Post-It mediated conversation ensued, leading to Lydia forming the short text “bbt? rm #” to ask if her neighbours wanted some bubble tea. And just like that, two strangers became friends over the exchange of some Post-Its, two KOIs and some Playmade. Truly, what more wholesome way is there to spend a 14-day SHN in a hotel?

Read the full story on Mustsharenews.

5. Lost kid gets a hitch to school on a motorbike

Image credit: Bobby Milo

Anyone who’s gotten lost as a kid would know that losing your bearings can be a terrifying experience. Earlier this year, a young Waterway Primary School kiddo who looks no older than 10 was spotted roaming the streets of Punggol, utterly lost.

Whether he missed his stop or hopped onto the wrong bus, the experience must have been harrowing enough for the young boy to approach a nearby motorcyclist for help.

The motorcyclist, Bobby Milo, or at least the name he goes with on Facebook, popped a helmet on the little one’s head and graciously sent him safely to school on his motorbike.

Singapore is a pretty safe country, but the situation could definitely have turned awry if not for the swift intervention on a passer-by’s part. Surely, the kid’s parents must have been hugely relieved to find their little one returned to school without too much of a hitch.

View the original Facebook post by Milo.

6. Singaporeans donate their SRV to migrant workers

From staycations to entry tickets to USS, many of us have been trying to make the most out of our $100 SingapoRediscover vouchers (SRVs). But rather than splurging on a day out, some generous Singaporeans decided to donate some of their SRVs to migrant workers through an initiative by non-profit organisation ItsRainingRaincoats.

Image credit: ItsRainingRaincoats

The Singapore Flyer was voted by the workers to be one of the attractions they were most interested in visiting and since the start of the year, more than 1,650 migrant workers have had their once-in-a-lifetime experience riding the national icon through this initiative.

More than 5,500 Singapore Flyer tickets have since been donated and $30,000 has been raised for the ongoing cause. If you’d like to give a migrant worker a chance to experience this city they’ve helped build, you can still purchase a Singapore Flyer ticket for donation on Klook, or donate cash directly through Ray of Hope.

7. Motorcyclist helps a tortoise cross the road 

Driving at the speed of a tortoise would induce road rage among fellow drivers but things were taken on a different spin when a driver stopped to help a tortoise cross the road at Bukit Panjang. 

Video credit: Pagoda X 

On 21st January 2021, driver Vincent Teo shared a dashcam video of a motorcyclist who had alighted from his bike to nudge a tortoise across the road to safety. He was also spotted stopping a car with a swift hand gesture to prevent the little creature from being run over.

It was a dangerous manoeuvre for sure as the motorcyclist could have been injured for pulling the stunt, but he’s since received lots of praise online for showing kindness to even the littlest of critters.

8. Netizens answers single mom’s plea for help in 10 min

Image credit: Sun Xueling

A Vietnamese mother Mdm N was thrown out of the house by her husband, with only $85 to her name, no job, and her 7-year-old daughter to care for. Things were looking pretty bad for the duo, who had to stay in a crisis shelter in Serangoon as they had no relatives in Singapore they could turn to for help.

However things took a turn for the better when they reached out to MP Sun Xueling, who with her team, consoled the distraught Mdm N, provided the two with some cash to tide them over and provided them with a temporary rental HDB flat.

As the home would just be an empty shell without so much as the barebone home essentials, Ms Sun took to Facebook to appeal to the public for donations. Items requested included a queen size bed, study table and a fridge.

This was met with an unexpected outpouring of support from Singaporeans, with more than 1,000 comments offering items on the wishlist and more. Everything they needed was covered in just 10 minutes.

9. HOME raises more than $200,000 for abused Myanmar helper

Image credit: Lynn Lee

You’ve probably heard of the tragic story of Myanmar helper Piang Ngaih Don, who was abused to death – if not when the incident happened back in 2016, then this year when her employer admitted to her wrongdoings.

Piang’s sister and son
Image credit: Lynn Lee

Her death in 2016 left her son in the hands of her sister, but after her ordeal was put back on the news recently, Singaporeans rallied to raise money to support the family through a fundraiser drive organised by the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME).

After their Facebook post was shared on 25th February 2021, more than $200,000 was raised in six days, hopefully to guide a son to a better future and at the same time, raise awareness about domestic worker abuse in Singapore.

Donations are ongoing till 31st March 2021 and you can find out more on how to offer your support on HOME’s Facebook page.

10. >$7,000 raised for angbao gifts to elderly cat feeders during CNY

Image credit: Jj Chong

Pet owners will know that looking after furbabies isn’t cheap and even the costs of just food can add up over time. This is why cat lover Jj Chong started a mini Facebook fundraiser, to raise money to give angbaos to 10 senior cat and dog feeders in the community for Chinese New Year.

It all started when Chong noticed an elderly feeder who has been feeding cats over the last 20 odd years till the wee hours of the morning despite her health issues. Chong initially set out with the goal to gather $500 for her and other feeders as a gesture of appreciation. Little did she expect, her $500 mark was quickly overshot, with a whopping $7,089 gathered in just eight days.

Image credit: Jj Chong

From the initial 10 feeders, her initiative reached 22 feeders in the end, each with more than $300 in their angbao – a testament that with just a little heart in our community, we can show our appreciation to those who’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Wholesome stories in Singapore 

With every year, we experience the good, the bad and the ugly – but it’s always important to remember that with the smallest kind gesture, you might be able to make someone’s day.

Do something good for someone this 2021 – it could be a friend, a stranger, or even a tortoise for that matter. A little goes a long way and who knows, you might just change someone’s life for the better with your next act of giving.

For more inspiring articles, also read:

• Inspiring stories during Covid-19
• Stories of local heroes in Singapore 
• Nurse who works with Covid-19 patients

Cover image adapted from: Sun Xueling, ItsRainingRaincoats

The post 10 Wholesome Events That Have Happened In 2021 That Give Us Hope For The Rest Of The Year appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.