Needy households receive help for volunteering
I refer to the article “Needy households in Jurong receive help for their volunteering efforts” (Channel NewsAsia, Mar 26).
It states that “those living in one- and two-room rental blocks in the area, are encouraged to keep their corridors and common areas clean and free from bulky items. For their efforts, they would receive S$30 worth of food and basic necessities every month.
There are 462 units in the rental block households in the area, and they are at Block 373 and 374 in Jurong East Street 32.
1 household member volunteer to get $120
In addition, households with at least one family member who volunteers for community service, such as picking up litter in the estate or helping out at the community garden, can receive up to S$120 worth of items per month.”
55% of 1 & 2-room HDB disposable income less than $1,026?
According to the Department of Statistics’ General Household Survey 2015 – 55 per cent (38,000 flats) of 1 and 2-room HDB flats (68,800 Flats) have monthly household income from work less than $1,500 or no income.
As this is including employer CPF contribution – the disposable income less CPF contributions (up to 37 per cent) may be as little as $1,026.
So, $120 a month may be a significant amount of money for such households.
Only 11% volunteer?
Since “So far, about 50 households have volunteered in various community activities such as estate patrols, community gardening and block washing”.- does it mean than only about 11 per cent (50 divided by 462) of the rental units volunteered in order to get the $120?
$120 a lot of money?
As $120 may be “a lot of money” to them – why are there so few volunteers?
I understand that many rental households may have issues with time (working long hours, doing two jobs, looking after children/elderly/disabled, mobility problems, etc).
Why so few volunteer?
Perhaps we could communicate with the 89 per cent who did not volunteer – to find out how they feel about the scheme, and why they are not volunteering?
Are there any countries in the world that require the “poorest of the poor” to volunteer in order to get a bit of money which may mean a lot to them?
Expand to Bukit batok?
With regard to “”There is a potential to expand Project Hand in Hand to other parts of Jurong, including Bukit Batok” – what are your thoughts about the expansion of this scheme – particularly if you are living in Bukit Batok (since it was specifically mentioned}?
Leong Sze Hian
