A Facebook post went viral because of the shocking pictures: Hundreds of instant noodle packets in a one-room rental flat of a 78-year-old man that were spilling out from the kitchen into the central area of his home.
These packets, most of them past their expiry dates, were stacked to the brim in his refrigerator. There were also more than 50 bottles of soya sauce and other condiments, and multiple unopened bags of rice.
The photos were posted by Ms Fion Phua, 49, founder of volunteer group Keeping Hope Alive, who said she was shocked when she stepped into the flat last month.
The post ignited a discussion in Singapore about the common problem of a mismatch between burgeoning volunteering efforts and what vulnerable groups really need.
Volunteers from Keeping Hope Alive later found out that he suffered from dementia and needed help with immediate concerns, such as a leaky tap that was inflating his water bills. They also helped him clean his house and clear away food that had expired.
This is not the first time that she has come across such a situation, said Ms Phua. In some cases, canned food would be given to the elderly who may not even have a can opener.
One contributing factor to this, said Associate Professor Irene Ng of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) social work department, is that donors do not trust the low-income to make wise choices. Hence, they donate only necessities and this ends up being more durable basics such as rice and canned food.
Ms Li Woon Churdboonchart, 42, a long-time volunteer, said the inexperience of new volunteers also plays a role.
To give more effectively, social workers and volunteer groups said it is important for people to volunteer regularly instead of on an ad-hoc basis, and also work with the community to find out what its needs are.
The Volunteer Switchboard, a social enterprise that Ms Churdboonchart started in 2013, bridges this gap by finding out the needs on the ground through long-term engagement efforts with residents in rental flats in Jalan Kukoh, and creating volunteering opportunities for individuals and corporations.
Volunteers have also realised that social isolation is a more pressing concern than food security for many elderly residents.
Hence, they use the food packs that we deliver door to door as a way to get residents to open their doors and strike up a conversation with them.
Local charity Free Food For All has started a new programme where one of its members takes charge of collecting data on the preferences or dietary restrictions of residents in neighbourhoods being served.
According to a report released by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation last year, households often end up getting more food than is needed during festivals, when organisations conduct annual food drives.
Dr Neo Yu Wei of NUS’ Social Service Research Centre said another option is to organise food stalls giving out nutritious cooked food or food items at an event in the style of a “pasar malam”, or night market, at common spaces.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said it is setting up social service hubs at four sites, including Jalan Kukoh and Marsiling, to provide customised support for families in rental flats.
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Source: The Straits Times, 8 September 2019