RP/POF DIALOGUE SYNOPSIS

Written by Chen Hui Li (21SH08), Chong Irin (22SH03), Chescia Lim Yi-Xin (21SH12)

Dialogue with Resource Person Mr Bernard Menon  

During our dialogue, we explored how the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) played a critical role in helping migrant workers tide through the 2020 COVID outbreak in dormitories through their numerous collaborations with the public sector, such as MOM, private agencies such as Amazon, and even the general public to provide more than 6 million essential items to the dormitories, amongst other actions. 

Beyond these initiatives, the MWC continuously strives towards changing the public's perception of migrant workers. Through the dialogue, we learnt that there are many misconceptions Singaporeans have about migrant workers. This is largely due to stereotypical mindsets, as well as a lack of education and exposure. MWC’s outreach programmes aim to change such mindset. Mr Menon highlighted that a gradual change in mindset amongst Singaporeans became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic with care and concern showered on our migrant workers community.  

Written by Lim Sim Yee (21SH14), Seth Long Song Yi (22SH20), Chescia Lim Yi-Xin (21SH12)

Dialogue with Resource Person Associate Professor Tan Lai Yong   

Associate Professor Tan Lai Yong examined education as the basis for kindness, with a focus on these two aspects: the first being changing behaviours and showing kindness in our acts and the second, empowering receivers by not doing everything for them, but teaching them how to support themselves. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Ms Ng Jing Yi

Ms Ng Jing Yi shared her volunteering experiences which included teaching music to youths at risk. She explained that enabling the receiver to do things for themselves, to achieve their own goals, is kindness. One salient takeaway was that kindness is thinking more about others and less of ourselves. 

Written by Majee Aniket (21SH17), Trisha Lim Huey Wen (21SH16), Chescia Lim Yi-Xin (21SH12)

Dialogue with Resource Person Ms Tan Li San    

Ms Tan Li San shared the importance of empowerment, explaining how social service agencies have empowered individuals to be independent, allowing a life of dignity in a society. The community at large also plays a role as individuals use their talent and skills to enable this empowerment process and at the same time strengthen Singapore’s social compact, contributing towards a caring and inclusive society. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Ms Ruth Wong

Ms Ruth Wong invited Ms Emily Ong as a guest speaker to share with participants about dementia. Ms Emily Ong explained that through empowerment, persons with dementia can have a higher quality of life. By raising awareness about dementia, the public is better able to support people with dementia and thus strengthen Singapore’s social compact. Ms Ong shared her personal experience as a person living with early onset dementia and the struggles she faced. Although technology has led to improved outcomes in terms of safety as it enables a sense of calmness in periods of disorientation, there is still more room for exploration in terms of using a targeted gender based approach in diagnosing and treating dementia as dementia affects males and females differently.  

Written by Nishita (21SH09), Aaqil Mohamed Bilal (22SH07), Chescia Lim Yi-Xin (21SH12)

Dialogue with Resource Person Mr Bernard Menon 

During our dialogue, we learnt more about the Migrant Worker Centre’s (MWC) initiatives and projects aimed at providing the migrant worker community with humanitarian assistance via the Migrant Workers Onboarding Centres, and programmes such as the Foreign Worker Settling-in Programme and the MWC Associate Membership. We learnt about the instrumental role the MWC played in helping the migrant worker community tide over the difficult period brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The MWC worked together with both the private (eg. Amazon) and public sector (eg. MOM) as well as the general public, ensuring that basic items reached the migrant workers residing in dormitories. 

The MWC continuously works towards changing negative public perception of migrant workers. Mr Menon shared the misconceptions held by many in society about migrant workers. He was, however, heartened to see acts of kindness shown to migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the acknowledgement expressed by many on the role migrant workers play in the building our Singapore's infrastructure. 

Written by Cheyanne Goh (21SH19), Aida Cempaka Hanif (22SH04), Chescia Lim Yi-Xin (21SH12)

Dialogue with Resource Person Associate Professor Tan Lai Yong 

Associate Professor Tan Lai Yong examined education as the basis for kindness, with a focus on these two aspects: the first being changing behaviours and showing kindness in our acts and the second, empowering receivers by not doing everything for them, but teaching them how to support themselves. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Dr Lavanya Balachandran 

Dr Lavanya spoke on the topics of inequality and disadvantage, highlighting the unequal opportunities in education, dependent on the financial situation of families. She cited examples of how some of these students play a dual role, as a student in school and a caretaker at home. Dr Lavanya examined how segregation occurs: she shared that people tend to seek out those in a similar situations as such friendships formed bring about a sense of trust and reciprocity. 

Dr Lavanya had participants explore the topic “How can empathy and kindness be mobilised in the classroom/school among students?”. The participants' responses included the breaking up of “cliques”, which could lead to toxic segregation. Dr Lavanya explained that forming “cliques” may not necessarily be toxic. Instead there should be consideration of ways to 'open up' these groups, to have these groups interact with those viewed as different from themselves. 

Written by Pang Sze Ning (21SH02), Raksha Ramachandran (22SH13), Chescia Lim Yi-Xin (21SH12 )

Dialogue with Resource Person Ms Tan Li San 

Ms Tan Li San, the CEO of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) shared how the aims of NCSS include improving the outcomes of the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in Singapore. Initiatives by the NCSS are driven by the importance of empowerment, so as to build independence and therefore increase the quality of life of the communities under their care.

The discussion with the participants focused on actions that can be undertaken by various groups in society, at an individual level as well as at the organisation level (public sector, private sector or NGOs). 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Mr Steven Ting 

Mr Steven Ting, from the Singapore Anglican Community Services (SACS) invited two guests, Ms Abelina Chan, a Rehab counsellor and Mr Tan Kok Liang, a Peer Support Specialist. 

Mr Tan' shared his personal story. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, he is now a pillar of support for others diagnosed with severe mental disorders. Ms Chan shared from the perspective of an individual who has encountered the fearful responses of others towards individuals with mental disorders. Mr Ting concluded the dialogue, sharing how he does not remember someone for their wealth, attractiveness or success. Individuals that remain close to his heart are those who have shown kindness. 

Written by 21SH07 Aqil Ahamed (21SH07),  Teng Cheyenne (22SH16), Wong Sam Tou (22SH06)   

Dialogue with Resource Person Ms Jean Tan 

Ms Jean Tan highlighted the principle of partnership: the clarity of purpose and the reciprocity of value. She further elaborated on the inner workings of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), and how it looks at the national development plans of their partners to see if Singaporeans have the skill sets to sufficiently help. Through this, we can better foster the sense of volunteerism both locally and overseas.

Throughout the dialogue, Ms Jean emphasised the roles that both public and private organisations play such as bridging financial lingos and developing collaborations between the private sector and traditional charities. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Dr Ramaswamy Akhileswaran 

Dr Ramaswamy Akhileswaran emphasised the importance of the service of the public over the resources provided, and that it was crucial to have the courage to serve, the humility to learn and the joy to volunteer. This can be applied to our strategic area as it was evident that Dr Ramaswamy Akhileswaran has brought joy to numerous patients who were under his care, despite the fact that most of them were diagnosed with serious illnesses that took a toll on their outlook towards life initially. 

Written by Koh Yu Ching Evelyn (21SH12), Wong Sam Tou (22SH06)

Dialogue with Resource Person Ms Melissa Kwee 

The insights gained from Ms Melissa Kwee's dialogue session prompted participants to think deeper what it means to be kind and how to be kind. Everyone's definition of kindness can differ. To some, doing acts of kindness does not necessarily mean the person is kind. For example acts of kindness can be incentivised as it can be quantified by means of Value-in-Action (VIA) hours. However, there are other benefits to doing acts of kindness such as providing aid to someone who needs it. Being kind means to try to put yourself in the other person's shoes to better understand the issues they face. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Ms Nursakina Rafiee (Ms Nina)

The open sharing by Ms Nina and Ms Irene Teo allowed participants to gain valuable insights on the impact felt by recipients of kind acts. Ms Nina and Ms Teo shared how their unpleasant and unkind encounters were made better only because of the kindness shown by others. This gave them the strength to overcome the difficulties they were facing at that point in their life. These acts of kindness inspired them to pay it forward by being volunteers, in the capacity as mentors at 'Beautiful People'. 

Both Ms Nina and Ms Teo explained the need to be kind to yourself before one can be kind and show acts of compassion towards others. Acts of kindness can be even those perceived as insignificant. For example, smiling and acknowledging the presence of your neighbour or checking up on someone. For some individuals, the act of kindness may not be a natural instinct. It is therefore important for one to consciously be kind to others, so that over time it will become natural. Kindness is also about choosing to believe that everyone has their own story to tell, and there are reasons behind the things they do. It is imperative that we must not make assumptions about others purely based on their behaviour. 

Written by Narasimamorthy Tamilmathi (21SH03),  Por Sze Mun (22SH15), Wong Sam Tou (22SH06)

Dialogue with Resource Person Ms Melissa Kwee

Ms Melissa Kwee shared about the concept of kindness, starting the dialogue with the question  'What word comes to mind when you think about kindness?'

She had the participants explore the idea that one should not expect financial gains from acts of kindness. Using visual illustrations - a painting, a photo - Ms Kwee prompted participants to think deeper before having them share their thoughts on the message conveyed in these visual illustrations. 

Ms Kwee highlighted initiatives that have helped the migrant workers community and the less privileged in society during the Circuit Breaker. She shared that to be kind, we need to let go of our expectations and not expect anything in return. We learnt that kindness begins with stillness and the withholding of judgement, and we should be kind because everyone we meet is fighting a hard battle. Having genuine concern and willingness to help those in need is a part of the spirit of volunteerism. We should build more relationships and be less transactional in our relationships with others. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Ms Irene Teo 

During our dialogue, Ms Teo shared with us her personal experiences and her reasons and motivation for volunteering. From our discussion on how to kickstart the act of kindness, we concluded that kindness starts with us as we can influence others and eventually make a difference. 

One poignant takeaway was that you need to be kind to yourself. There may be instances where you feel overwhelmed from volunteering or being kind. At times like these, it is okay to take a break and focus on being kind to ourselves.

Written by Phoo Thitsar Aung Rachel (21SH13),  Nathlyn Wong Kai Ying (22SH07), Wong Sam Tou (22SH06)

Dialogue with Resource Person Ms Jean Tan 

The discussion revolved around how the Singapore International Foundation selects its beneficiaries, measures success of projects and its emphasis on volunteer retention and development. The content discussed links to our broader theme on kindness in our community and how volunteering spurred by organisations fosters this kindness. The dialogue explored how the SIF's efforts go far beyond volunteering to fostering international friendships and strengthening diplomacy. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Ms Peggy Foo 

We discussed the collaborative partnerships between SIF and its partners, focusing on their process, rationale, challenges and impacts. We learnt about the essence of these partnerships, and how we can strive towards enabling and strengthening them to bring about positive change. The process of forming these partnerships is rigorous and many factors are considered when deciding whether to continue the partnership. These collaborations open the minds of those involved and let them forge ties with others of different backgrounds. We should explore the process of forming these collaborations as we should grasp their foundation before working on enabling and strengthening them. 

Written by Ho Yew Meng (21SH17), Ngiam Ju Rae (22SH02), Wong Sam Tou ( 22SH06)

Dialogue with Resource Person Mr Matthew Wee Yik Keong 

In our dialogue session, Mr Matthew Wee shared how the goals of Yellow Ribbon (YRSG) was encapsulated in its motto 'Beyond second chances.' He explained there are four 4 aspects to the motto. First the ex-offender needs to be remorseful and ready to renounce his past misdeeds. Secondly, through the teaching of skills and offering them jobs and careers, YRSG hopes to reintegrate ex offenders into society. Thirdly, ex-offenders are not just recipients of these second chances. They have the capacity and responsibility to give back to society. Lastly, when individuals and companies offer these ex-offenders a second chance through employment, these employment opportunities can inspire others, allowing us to build a more inclusive community. Mr Wee elaborated the importance of setting out these goals clearly. Having a goal that everyone can believe in allows for connections and relationships to be forged that makes it possible to networks to be built. 

Mr Wee shared a few challenges YRSG face. The first challenge is self imposed limitations. This refers to individuals of YRSG telling themselves that certain things cannot be done which consequently hinders them from dreaming big and being able to reach greater heights. Secondly, YRSG recognised that their main challenge isn't finding jobs for ex-offenders but finding jobs that ex-offenders will stay on in and allow them the potential to progress in their career. Lastly, when it comes to raising awareness through campaigning, one of key challenges faced is sensitivity about generalisations and the need to consider the victims' perspective as well. 

Mr Wee shared how YRSG achieved their goals. Firstly, YRSG leveraged Singapore's social compact to initiate conversations around issues concerning ex-offenders and involved more people in volunteerism. Secondly, they have to constantly learn how to work around limitations instead of being caught up on things that cannot be changed, especially because some pathways are not available to some ex-offenders. Thirdly, the rebranding efforts from SCORE to Yellow Ribbon allowed the public to recognise the purpose of YRSG, making it easier to inspire the actions of others. Lastly, being a statutory board, YRSG oversees many different organisations that go into securing a future for ex-offenders such as the Yellow Ribbon Fund, grassroots level organisations and CARE networks that allow them to mobilize levers that tackle many different aspects of rehabilitation. 

Dialogue with Persons of Focus Mr Jabez Koh and Ms Nutan Shah 

The challenge of ex-offenders being gainfully employed was examined. Many factors contributing to the difficulty ex-offenders face in holding down a job include the lack relevant relevant working experience, lack of trust from family members and financial dependence on others. Participants also explored how optimism and the opportunity of further education can help ex-offenders stay positive, and learnt how some more than others require time change and thus the importance to continue to shower ex-offenders with care and guidance. 

Written by Mithani Keya Niravkumar (21SH14), Shannon Lam Shan Ning (21SH02), Wong Sam Tou (22SH06)

Dialogue with Resource Person Mr Matthew Wee Yik Keong 

During our dialogue, Mr Matthew Wee shared how the goals of Yellow Ribbon (YRSG) is encapsulated in its motto 'Beyond second chances.' He explained the four aspects integral to YRSG's motto: first, for ex-offenders to be remorseful and ready to renounce past misdeeds, secondly, for them to be receptive to the teaching of skills with the aim of reintegrating back into society, thirdly, for them to have the capacity and responsibility to pay it forward to society and lastly, for them to inspire others by taking a second chance at employment opportunities.  

Mr Wee shared about the challenges YRSG faced. The first challenge is self-imposed limitations, a mindset of ex-offenders where they believe they do not have the competence to do certain things which consequently hinders them from dreaming big. The second challenge is continuity in employment and career progression. Another challenge is the need to consider the feelings of victims of these ex-offenders when YRSG undertakes education campaigns to raise society's acceptance of ex-offenders.  

Mr Wee also shared how YRSG achieved their desired goals. First, it is through initiating conversations on issues concerning integrating ex offenders back into society and increasing volunteer opportunities. Second, through exploring more opportunities for ex-offenders. Third, is through creating greater public awareness on YRSG and their rehabilitation efforts. 

Dialogue with Person of Focus Mr Jabez Koh and Ms Nutan Shah 

The topic of how members of society can devote time and effort to help ex-offenders integrate back into society was examined. One salient takeaway of participants was how the Singapore government has taken incremental steps to help and support ex-offenders and their families better adapt to one another as the ex-offender integrate back into society.