Happy 44th Birthday Singapore!

Pledge Moment - 9 Aug 2009 @8.22pm

With Singapore celebrating her 44 birthday this year, the Singapore Pledge is in the limelight. The Pledge Moment will arrive on August 9 at exactly 8.22pm, when Singaporeans are invited to spend 30 seconds reciting the pledge.

The Civil Defence will also mark the Pledge Moment by sounding its 'chime' through its island-wide Public Warning System.

The National Pledge was written by Sinnathamby Rajaratnam in 1966 shortly after Singapore's independence.

The Singapore Pledge in the 4 languages :
English
We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

Malay
Kami, warganegara Singapura,
sebagai rakyat yang bersatu padu,
tidak kira apa bangsa, bahasa, atau ugama,
berikrar untuk membina suatu masyarakat yang demokratik,
berdasarkan kepada keadilan dan persamaan
untuk mencapai kebahagiaan,
kemakmuran dan kemajuan bagi negara kami.

Chinese

我们是新加坡公民，
誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教，
团结一致，
建设公正平等
的民主社会，
并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，
共同努力。

Tamil
சிங்கப்பூர் குடிமக்களாகிய நாம் இனம்,மொழி,மதம்
ஆகிய வேற்றுமைகளை மறந்து ஒன்றுபட்டு,நம் நாடு
மகிழ்ச்சி,வளம்,முன்னேற்றம் ஆகியவற்றை அடையும்
வண்ணம் சமத்துவத்தையும்,நீதியையும்
அடிப்படையாக கொண்ட ஜனாயக
சமுதாயத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்கு
உறுதி மேற்கொள்வோ!

My Endearing Home Exibition @ Causeway Point

Check out the fun things to do around your neighbourhood plus exciting developments coming your way presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Photos contributed by Mr Cheong

Project CAN - 27 July 09

A collaboration between NUS Community Services Committee, SunLove Linkhouse and Marsiling grassroots organisations with support from North West CDC.

Mr Hawazi distributing food rations to needy residents in Marsiling

Photos contributed by Mr Cheong

Marsiling Youth Executive Committee BGM

Marsiling Youth Executive Committee held their Biennial General Meeting on the 18th July 2009 to elect their 14th term Ex-co members to serve the Marsiling Family.

YEC Ex-Co members are all elected rather than appointed into the office. The unique system of YEC allows youths in Marsiling (and other YECs) who are passion card holders to elect their own representatives to serve them better.

This year BGM marks the outgoing of 13 Ex-co members and witnesses an even stronger team of 18 members to serve the Marsiling Family. The incoming Ex-co consists of a good mix of members that include students and professionals.

Marsiling YEC organizes a range of events such as, visits to Homes to share the joys of festive seasons, Policy Forum to empower the Youths and others interesting events.

You may wish to view pictures of the BGM at the following link;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/low_willie/sets/72157621858318038/

If you want to volunteer yourself at the Marsiling YEC, please feel free to pop by any Fuchun or Marsiling CC to sign up with us. Alternatively, you can drop us an email at low_willie@yahoo.com.sg and we will keep you informed of our upcoming activities.

Cheers and have a good week ahead.

Racial Harmony Day

Every year in Singapore, Racial Harmony Day is celebrated on 21 July. The event is to commemorate the Racial Riots which took place on 21 July 1964.

Singaporeans, especially young Singaporeans, may not wonder at our harmonious multi-racial and multi-religious society. Therefore it is important for the schools to use Racial Harmony Day as an opportunity for students to learn and understand why it is important for the society to be built on a rich diversity of culture and heritage. This is exceptionally important for us being a multi-racial society that we understand and be tolerant of the different races.

The racial riot that happened on 21 July 1964 was the worst ever racial riot that happened in Singapore. The incident taught us a valuable lesson - to racial tolerance. This can only be achieved by having better understanding among the people of Singapore and is important to ensure the continued peace and prosperity that we have enjoyed for many years.

In Singapore, all students are encouraged to be dressed in their traditional costumes such as the Cheongsam for the Chinese, Bauju Kurung for the Malay and Sari for the Indians.

SCEC Sports Day @ Woodlands Secondary School field - 19 July 2009

Qigong fan exercise
Stretching exercise & warming-up

Thai Food in Marsiling Blk 136

Hi all, we will be doing some food posting on this blog to recommend places for you to enjoy good food! This week, we will be introducing the Thai food store which we had paid them a visit to try them.

We had ordered around 5 dishes, 1) Pineapple Rice for 4 pax2) Tom Yam Soup for 4 pax3) Thai Fry Kuay Tiao for 1 pax4) Thai Fish Cake (total 5 pcs) for 1 pax5) Papaya SaladThe cost of them is $21. The store is run by Thai, you can tell from they way they spoke. One of them is capable of speaking chinese.

Refer to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/low_willie) to do a slide show of the food and you can use the map function there to tell you where is the place.

Reading Marathon 2009

For the first time, READ! Singapore is taking a shot at a Singapore record-setting event with a 144-hour Reading Marathon.

Participants will form teams of not more than 12 members to read the selected READ! Singapore literary works or other stories of their choice for a continuous period of six hours per team.

After completing six hours, each team will pass the baton to the next team to continue the reading marathon. The event will run from 3 to 9 July at The Plaza, National Library Building.

Water + Soap, Germs have no Hope

The most important way to protect ourselves against Influenza A (H1N1) infection is to prevent its spread. Since the illness occurs through direct contact with infectious material and respiratory secretions, it is important to practise good personal hygiene.

Unlike SARS, patients with H1N1 can be infectious before their symptoms appear, or may even not display any symptoms. Therefore, temperature screening is only somewhat useful in detecting cases of H1N1.

Find out how to prevent H1N1 and more.. click here

Republic Run - June 09

"Are we there yet?"


Photos contributed by David Soh

Father's Day

In Singapore, Father's Day falls on every 3rd Sunday of June and this year, it happens to be 21 June 09. However, it might differ in different countries, click here to find out more...

Meanwhile to all the Dads out there, Happy Father's Day! :)

PCN - Park Connectors Network

Have you walked along Woodlands Street 13 and seen "PCN" signs on the path and lamp-posts? Ever wondered what they were?

It's part of the National Parks Singapore efforts to enhance the park experience.

The Woodlands Park Connector runs through the heartlands of Woodlands estate, connecting Admiralty Park, Woodlands Town Park East and Woodlands Town Garden. One of the main highlights is the linear park along the MRT viaduct (Woodlands Ave 3) where users can enjoy their workouts amidst the picturesque landscaped backdrop.

So start adventuring by foot, rollerblades or cycle to start the PCN experience!

Photo contributed by Mr Cheong

Launch of the Woodlands PCN - 26 Apr 09

Workfare Income Supplement Scheme (WIS)

Been hearing about the Workfare Income Supplement (Workfare) Scheme? What is it?

The Workfare Income Supplement (Workfare) Scheme is a permanent scheme to encourage older low wage workers to find work and work regularly, while helping them save for their longer term and retirement needs.

Who qualifies?
To qualify for Workfare for work done in 2008, you must
1) Be a Singapore Citizen;
2) Earn an average monthly income of less than $1,500 during the work period;
3) Be 35 years old and above as at 31 Dec 2008;
4) Stay in a property with an Annual Value of $10,000 or less as at 31 Dec 2007; and
5) Work at least three months in any six month period in the calendar year for half the payout, or at least six months in the calendar year for the full payout.

To qualify for Workfare for work done in 2009, you must
1) Be a Singapore Citizen;
2) Earn an average monthly income of less than $1,500 during the work period;
3) Be 35 years old and above as at 31 Dec 2009;
4) Stay in a property with an Annual Value of $11,000 or less as at 31 Dec 2008; and
5) Work at least three months in any six month period in the calendar year for half the payout, or at least six months in the calendar year for the full payout.

Self employed or informally employed?

Not a problem. If you are self-employed or informally employed you will need to declare your income to CPF Board or IRAS and contribute to your CPF Medisave Account in order to qualify for Workfare. All qualifying members will need to fully pay up their CPF Medisave liability before Workfare can be allotted.

For more information, click here

Increase in Medisave Withdrawal Limits

The increase in Medisave withdrawal limits cannot be more timely, especially in downtimes like these.

From 1 June, Singaporeans will be able to withdraw more from Medisave to pay for surgical operations. This will reduce the expenses for all surgical patients, especially for those in Class A, B1 and private hospitals. Up to 300,000 patients are expected to benefit from the change.

Under the revised withdrawal limits, patients can save between S$250 and S$7,500. Currently, patients save between S$150 and S$5,000.

For example, for a knee replacement operation and to stay at a restructured hospital, the total bill could come out to $13,518. But with this new increase limit in place, the patient needs to pay only $5,668 in cash as compared to $7,618 previously. Now, that's a cash savings of $1,950!

Ministry of Health also announced this year that Medisave would be extended to cover home palliative care and non-urgent hospitalisation treatment overseas. We look forward to more favorable changes as our Government copes with Singapore's aging population.