PA honours volunteers who help immigrants adapt
SINGAPORE — Grassroots volunteers who have been helping new immigrants adapt to life in Singapore were honoured for their efforts last night at an awards ceremony held for such Integration and Naturalisation Champions (INCs).
The awards, organised by the People’s Association, were presented for the first time since the INC programme and committees were introduced in 2007 to integrate Singaporeans and new immigrants.
There are currently about 1,400 INCs islandwide, more than double the 640 in 2007. INCs come up with projects to welcome new immigrants, help them settle into the community and encourage them to take part in activities that will help them bond with the locals.
These include Community Learning Journeys, which take new immigrants on tours to help them learn about Singapore’s history, culture and practices, and smaller-scale activities such as chit-chat sessions that involve neighbours sharing information about local social norms.
Speaking at the INClusive Awards and Appreciation Nite, which was attended by more than 500 INCs and grassroots leaders, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu said the INCs had helped ease the transition for new immigrants by welcoming and connecting them with their neighbours and the community.
Awards were presented to 20 Integration and Naturalisation committees, as well as 11 projects. Among the recipients was Mr Patrick Chew, the INC leader for Jalan Kayu, whose committee had organised get-together sessions such as fruit parties for immigrants.
The committee also holds annual dialogue sessions with its Member of Parliament, so new immigrants can share feedback on government policies. It also started a community interest group called Caring Hearts, through which new immigrants can work with local volunteers to help needy as well as elderly residents in the area.
Mr Chew, 47, who owns a printing business, was a grassroots volunteer before he was asked to become an INC four years ago. “We just have a passion for Singapore and want to see it prosper. Social cohesion helps us progress as a country, and I feel very privileged to be an agent of change in these newcomers’ lives,” he said.
Giving new immigrants a chance to volunteer also enables them to socialise. “They are from different countries and cultures, so they do not know which channel to go to in order to find friends. They may also be very shy,” said Mr Chew.
“(With) INCs creating activities and getting immigrants involved, they can get to know people around their neighbourhoods and interact.”
While the arrival of new immigrants on the nation’s shores has given rise to episodes of xenophobia, Mr Chew appealed to Singaporeans’ sense of understanding.
“I think some Singaporeans do not try to understand immigrants. If you look back, all our forefathers are immigrants. We all came from different countries,” he said. “There are small pockets of Singaporeans who have xenophobic views, but we cannot do anything about them.”
He added: “Immigrants should continue doing what they feel is right for their families and the nation. When (Singaporeans) see (them) contributing, they ... will accept (them).”
