I was so very upset reading the article in the New Paper of the father, that handed 10$ over to the kids, to buy Chicken rice for their mum, and themselves, and then left home, and fell in fron of the MRT train.
I vaguely remember writing a thread last night, although I'm very happy to say, I couldn't find it today. The incident brought very bad memories of my childhood back, especially the photo's of the family.
I was intent on approaching everyone on the expats board, to drum up some kind of support for this family, today I feel much relief, that everyone in Singapore have had the same idea, and the family will probably be very well looked after, although I am still saddend, to think of the many more under privillaged, that are suffering.
Isn't it time that Singapore government recognises the need, for some, even a decent minimum wage, would be a self starter, to protect the weaker individuals at risk.
How many more families are suffering the tragic daily situation, because of circumstances beyond their control, everything in Singapore is about increasing profit's, at the expense of its own people.
This needs to be stopped and looked at, in a more political arena, why is this Country bringing in foreign labour, when tragic uneducated or handicapped Singaporeans are suffering.
It is the reponsibility of government, to see that these incidents are avoided, local mp's need to be in more touch at the ground roots level, they have a duty to inform their housing councils, of the help that is available, it seems the messsage doesn't get out to the people, or maybe, the ones handing out the help, refuse to believe the individuals plea for help.
When I was a child growing up, my mother recieved help occassionally, yet needed it all the time, many christmas days, we would receive a hamper from the salvation army, and my mother would cry, because she couldn't provide any toy's, the fire would be out, becasue I hadn't been able to get any coal off the railway lines, we wasn't the only family suffering, in the late 50's and will not be the last.
Although our life never got easier, I decided to give up my apprenticeship bricklaying job, to go in the military for more money, at least i could send the money home to my mum.
My mother god bless her was my pride and joy, she sacrificed all her life for me, and i know, that the last $ in her purse, would be given to anyone in need. we had many people in the same situation, that helped out in these small communities, forgotten and neglected by local MP's because of the segregation that goes on, after all the industries collapse one by one, and why, all because of profits.
At least this family will have a chance now, but the price was very costly.
This woman and her children lost, the only thing that really did matter too, them, a careing husband and a loving father.
I sincerely hope, that something is done to help these people in need, by the government, before this incident becomes a trend, and by that, I mean other poor fathers, have to live up, to what happend this weekend, and the charitable help from Singaporeans.
I just prey to god, that other families suffering hardship, do not take this incident, as an example of helping their families.
My heart goes out to all, that helped this family! But my soul will still suffer for the rest of the families that surround me.
I say this, becuase, I am affected by what my eyes see and read, and quite often I have to avoid, the media, becuase the burden can be far to heavy for me to carry.
When people ask me or accuse me of not being British, I reflect back on my life and ask, what did my Country do for me, or my family, the only way to get any help from the system was to lie, to the person doing the claim, My mother could never lie, so we all suffered.
Today in UK the government is still only helping, the people that do lie and cheat, and I do actually know many of them, which makes it also more disgusting, the system doesn't work, those in poverty would rather walk the streets, and keep their pride.
I personally would put 2 fingers up at the UK and its politics. I have never relied on the UK ever and I never will bow down, to those, that think they are any better than me.
My mother was born poor and died poor at the age of 87 in 1995, and this woman who raised a family of 3 alone, in the poverty area of many manual unskilled labour housing estates, who had been through the wash houses of the war time, and also worked a 14 hour day in the 60's, is still talked about and respected today, by the same people.
The UK always gets the American syndrome, (just a figure of speech) we call it, the rich get richer at the expense of the manual worker, it's been abused for god knows how long, and is still being abused.
The entry to Europe in 1973 only made matters worse, now its comparable to Singapore, where manual workers are sacked from their jobs, for the cheaper labour from eastern europe, who will work 14 hrs a day.
Governments must be made responsible for their people! But what voice have the people anyway. This is not any different from my own Country.
