The world is stricken by poverty. Some think that it is non-existent in Singapore. They are wrong, Poverty does exist, just that it is not a wide spread issue at least amongst the majority of Singaporeans.

I am fortunate to be living in a family where we do not have to constantly worry about meeting ends meet. But then again, I do not have the luxury of spending without a care in the world. Before splurging, I will almost always make an effort to save up first.

While walking on the streets during weekends, I would sometimes be approached by students requesting for a donation. This may be part of their compulsory participation in the Community Involvement Project (CIP), but it is still a commendable effort on their part.

I have been through that phase in my primary and secondary school days. We are to complete 7 CIP hours. On one occasion, I was shooed away like some household pest by a passerby, I felt degraded. I was only trying to request for a donation. At the end of it all, knowing that my efforts brought aid to the less fortunate made it all worth it.

The very least I should do for those who are not as fortunate as myself is to donate some money to ease their burden. When these student helpers do not approach me, I go up to them. I do not need a formal invitation just to play a part in bettering the lives of the less fortunate. Many of them go hungry everyday, some do not even have a roof over their heads.

Just the other day as I was waiting to cross the road over to Heeren, an old lady approached me, asking me to buy a tissue packet.

Me: How much does a packet cost?
Her: Any amount would do.

I gave her SGD $2 in loose change. However I did not take all 5 packets though, I took what I needed, just one. It might be a small sympathetic gesture on my part, but that extra few packets could fetch her more money to help her get by, not that it is anything significant.

The amount you donate is secondary, I strongly believe sincerity is more important. If every single one of us can part with a small sum, we could move a huge step ahead in helping them to look forward to a better life.

It is worth noting that not everyone is as blessed and fortunate as ourselves. They can’t make their lives better on their own, they need our help and support.