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SINGAPORE: Help for Cyclone Nargis victims is gathering pace in Singapore. Two Myanmar groups have joined hands to collect donations to buy medical supplies to help their countrymen. They are also seeking to bind their community spiritually.
The Myanmar Club Singapore and Rangoon Institute of Technology alumni organised a prayer session on Sunday.
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Prayers, led by monks from the Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore, were for the cyclone dead as well as for the safety of survivors.
Some 1,000 Myanmar nationals attended the one-hour prayer session.
Daniel Tint Lwin, president of Myanmar Club Singapore, said: "Our Myanmar community is deeply touched and we're very saddened by this cyclone... We have decided to organise a prayer session to show our sympathy and concern to those who have passed away and the safety and welfare for those who survived."
Those present also gave donations to a relief fund which hopes to raise at least $100,000. One of them even donated coins emptied from a piggy bank.
"It's from my kids and from our whole family as well. It's our spare cash in that piggy bank. Usually, at the end of the year, we'll donate it to temples or those in need," said donor Chen Chik Jee.
"We try our best to help them (cyclone survivors). Whatever we can, we contribute our best," said Punna Ang, another donor.
"From what we saw on TV, it's quite sad to see them suffering," said donor Viriya Lam.
Besides cash, the Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund will also accept donations in kind.
Daniel Tint Lwin said: "Firstly, we have a lot of requests for medical supplies, especially things like antiseptic, gauzes, syringes, plasters and so on. We understand that people have skin problems."
While this may be the first special prayer session for victims of the cyclone, it will not be the last.
The organisers say they will be having such prayer sessions at least for the next few months. - CNA/ir
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