It’s the school holidays and six-year-old Raphael was on a special mission with his father, Mr Shawn Quek, yesterday afternoon. They were out at a construction site in Grange Road to distribute gifts to foreign workers.
Mr Quek, who has donated 10 gifts, is a volunteer at the first of a series of gift distribution events organised by ground-up initiative ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR). A trainer in education, the 39-year-old said: “I’ve been trying to expose him to volunteerism, to let him know there are people in Singapore who need our help.”
The event at a Land Transport Authority construction site was attended by about 500 workers, who received gifts from members of the public to celebrate the coming festive season. With individuals, schools and companies pitching in, about 20,000 gifts were collected. The target, however, was 700,000 gifts – one for every migrant worker in Singapore. Still, IRR founder Dipa Swaminathan was moved by people’s sincerity. “I was struck by the care with which the gifts were wrapped, from the selection of the wrapping papers to the ribbons. A lot of thought and effort have gone into them.”
Bangladeshi construction worker Hasan Mahadi, 25, who has worked in Singapore for seven years, was pleased with the gifts he got. They include instant noodles, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a torchlight, chocolates and snacks.
Founded in 2015, IRR has run several activities promoting the welfare of migrant workers here. Its last event, a giant potluck in June, drew 3,000 workers. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the IRR’s efforts can get details on their facebook page.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 7 December 2018