Need to help someone at work

[SAgirlRuth]

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to put this, so here goes anyway....

I work with a Malay man, really nice guy, wife is pregnant with kid number 4 and she recently was retrenched. Long story short, they have run out of money and are going to be evicted this weekend. Also, they are running out of money completely so he's not eating, just snacking on the free biscuits in the pantry at work so his family has food. Very sad story all round.

Apparently he can apply for help from the Mendaki organistation - does anyone know anything about this? We are trying not to give a handout of $$ straight away, we're trying to help him find a longer-term solution.
Anyone with experience or advice or who knows who we should be contacting?? Anyone have a specific contact? I'm trying to google it too, but thought this was worth a try too........

[Satellite]

Yes he can approach Mendaki since he is Malay. Or you can inform MCYS (ministry of community and youth and sports) OR he can approach is MP for help.

[SAgirlRuth]

Thanks Sate - not to be too dim, but how do you "approach" Mendaki? The only things I can find online relate to sport and children, I don't see a "hotline" or anything.... (appreciate I may be looking in completely the wrong place!)

I'll look into the MCYS too - thanks!

[Satellite]

well just ring the main line and explain the situation.. they should be able to direct you to the appropriate personnel.

or maybe try http://www.ncss.org.sg/social_service/f ... rvices.asp

[SAgirlRuth]

Ok, I'll try that. Thank you!!

[Kooky]

Yes, Mendaki, but definitely the local Family Service Centre too.

Also, SANA works (if the program is still running) with families who cannot afford to send their kids to school, but its other line of business puts people off going there. I acted as the go-between for families and the agencies, got them applying for Straits Times Pocket Money Fund, etc. (Every little helps.)

In my experience there is aid available (a little) but it can take some finding, not much is offered.

[Dinosaur]

No location under your name so I'll assume (sigh) you're in Singapore? The Eurasian Association which is based junction of Ceylon Road and Dunman Road does some charity works/handouts. I can't remember the names of the ladies there, I spoke to one of them and it's real hands-on give out stuff work they do. Maybe contact them? Think they liaise with other "charities"/government agencies. Try this link

http://www.eurasians.org/

And don't be surprised to see the President of Singapore strolling up the road there (we saw him once) as he lives just opposite (his real residence not the official one )

[Satellite]

you could ask him to approach his MP to request HDB to give a bit of extension before being evicted. He should know the day when his MP does the meet the people's session.

Might be a bit late though but worth a try!

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Actually, the HDB/MP idea is a very good one - did I read recently in the papers that HDB is reviewing cases of very needy families? They can contact HDB directly. Not enough people go to their MPs, IMHO. We've gone to ours for help with an HDB issue and it really helped, I believe.

Also, the Baby Bonus is S$6,000 for the fourth child, it's paid in 4 installments but every little bit helps!

[T2K]

But - why are you involved? I mean, why can't this guy take action via the channels available to help himself and his family?

[SAgirlRuth]

Thanks all for the advice. Seems he lost his HDB a while ago, and there's a case open which is being "reviewed". We're going to try to get him to contact the Mendaki and MCYS tomorrow, hopefully we can make a difference to his life and to his family....

T2K - I'm involved because I consider him my friend, and he's at rock-bottom and desperate. I'm involved because when someone reaches out for help, you can't do nothing. I don't know enough about how welfare works here, which is why I started this thread to try and learn so I know how to help find him a more sustainable solution, not just giving him a cash hand-out.

(and I don't think he knows all of the channels available to him - this guy has worked his way up from the mail room to being an executive in my department - so I don't think he knows how to look for help, and doing something like using Google is not within his frame of reference, I don't think he would consider it....)

[Scrummy Mummy]

Good for you, SA Girl.

[Dinosaur]

yeh good on ya SAGirl