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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday, gave a preview of a future society where one-fifth of the population in Singapore will be aged 65 and above.
Mr Lee also highlighted Radin Mas constituency, home to many senior citizens like Madam Lee Siew Lan.
At 91, Madam Lee is possibly the oldest cleaner in Singapore.
But the fiercely independent woman would rather work for her own keep than accept hand-outs.
"If you don't work, how are you to get money? I can still work. I'll continue till I can't work," said Mdm Lee, in Cantonese.
That's the spirit Prime Minister Lee wants to encourage as Singapore copes with an ageing population.
A key concern is having enough savings for old age, a worry shared by the senior citizens in Radin Mas.
"They're living older, they're very healthy, but they have one common worry and that's 'money no enough'," said Mr Sam Tan, MP for Radin Mas.
Some of these residents, or many of them, retired 10 or 15 years ago.
"After living for 10, 15, even 20 years, they realised their life savings and their CPF funds are running out soon. So, they have this very big shadow hanging over their heads - which is how are they going to meet their future living expenses. So they're very worried," said Mr Tan.
That's why Mr Tan started the Project Golden Service.
Under the project, seniors who are healthy, active and have some cottage industry skills - such as hair-cutting - offer their services at the Redhill Market every Sunday in return for token payments of no more than $10.
"No fixed price, maybe $2 or whatever they give. Whatever is enough for my expenses," said Madam Lai Hong, a 77-year-old participant of the Project Golden Service.
Mdm Lai still has some CPF money which she earned as a samsui woman during her younger days.
But she prefers not to use the money yet, just like former plumber-cum-electrician Yeong Kum Weng.
"We're so old now. We have no income and no one would employ us. So this project allows us to earn some pocket money for our daily expenses," said 78-year-old Mr Yeong, who is also on the Project Golden Service.
Currently, there are about 16 elderly people on the Project Golden Service.
They offer an array of services ranging from calligraphy, quilt making to even face threading.
The project not only helps the elderly earn their own keep, it also keeps them active within the community.
In fact, most seniors say, staying active socially is just as important, if not more so, as financial independence.
So seniors activity centres - like the one at Blk 89, Redhill Close - have an important role.
Here, the elderly can get together for some social interaction like playing mahjong or chess, or have a karaoke session. - CNA/ir
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