Nipping it at the Bud

I'd recently spied a few interesting news on the Chinese Newspapers. Something which I felt was quite surprising. You may find it as normal as any other day. Something different I hope you might see after you read my blog. The first incident was the recent death of a 46 year old odd job labourer, who jumped to his death on that fateful night at Chinese Gardens MRT. He died a tragic death and his body had to be picked up in pieces after the train had its head on go at him. He was poor. Only an amount 16 dollars was found on him. The news reported that he left a wife with polio, a factory worker with two sons. The media didn't fail to pick details on this misfortune, engaging the attention of the general public (ie. like me) easily. The ball started and the donations came rolling in. The last I heard, they were drawing in 150K. It's quite amazing the compassion Singaporeans readily shows to people who had seen that end of the road.

But wat struck me most was the answer and question which I searched for earnestly that evening at the news stand. I grabbed a copy of the NewPaper, hoping blankly that somebody's eyes had finally opened to the obvious question. Reading through the details I found it. There was one complete column written by counsellor calling on the appropriate officials to consider the same burning question I had. How did this family missed out on the multi channels available to them for help? There were people out there so willing to reach out to the poor, the struggling person down and out in life. The counsellor claimed that maybe it was a matter of communication, education or mere pride that stopped them asking for help.

Maybe it was a chinese thing. But according to Marcus, the main providence of a living for the family is the basis of life the chinese family fights to meet. Anything compromising this providence of the father male figures, compromise his very dignity in life. They simply refused to seek help. The mother despite not having to able to use her left hand, starts works in a factory and yet keeping mum that they had paid the utilities bills for 4 months. Owing the officials, a hefty 400++ dollars.

To look a further step, my other burning question was... Could this people and their problems be picked out quickly even though they did not initiate and seeks rescue? I could really find the answer as a simple yes. The school teachers could have identify the children who were nutrition or at least paid house visits? How come nobody's checking on people who are missing out on paying their utilities bills? The mother's factory? Does the HR Departmet follows up the the immediate family and their financial status? The income tax declaration.. does anybody analyse or at least pivot off the families having problems, filtering them off to the correct channel or facet of help?

All the above preventive measures could have happened to prevent this tragedy. The truth was it didn't. The questions are many with many more other possible answers. My conclusion? Maybe there are too many quick singaporeans to share their money with the unfortunate, but not enough precious human love to go around when they are alive?

Semplice Simon.