金文泰社区新移民与基层领袖“极速前进”

王润 报道 (17-8-2009)

45名新移民和45名基层领袖分成七组，昨天上午在金文泰穿街走巷，参加社区“极速前进”（The Amazing Race）游戏，通过玩乐促进社区凝聚力

　　来自中国、缅甸、印度和马来西亚等地的45名新移民中，有5人是永久居民，其余已成为公民。他们五到七人组成一组，每组连同两名基层领袖经过24个社区站点如居民委员会、超市、邮局和咖啡店等，完成竞赛游戏，以进一步了解所居住的社区环境。

　　西海岸集选区议员及金文泰基层组织顾问邝臻说，当新移民一起参加这样的活动时，他们来自哪个地方显得不那么重要了，因为大家组成一队参加比赛，同坐一条船。而且他们看到社区里有这么多新移民家庭时，也不会感到孤单。

　　如何鼓励新移民以更积极态度融入社会，邝臻说不能以“让我告诉你有关新加坡”的态度与他们沟通，而是以“我想知道更多关于你”的态度更有效，因为人们通常比较愿意谈自己的事情。
　　另外，吸引新移民加入基层组织，为其他新移民树立榜样也是有效的方法。

　　昨天参加活动的基层领袖之一是来自中国哈尔滨的新移民袁明（33岁，IT项目经理），他和妻子在1998年到新加坡工作，并在2003年成为公民。

　　袁明坦言，当初吸引他成为公民的是新加坡护照所带来的便利，但现在他对新加坡有归属感，把这里当作家。 他加入基层组织是为回馈社会。他说，在新加坡这十多年获得很多本地朋友和同事帮忙，他觉得有责任回馈自己生活的社区。能代表居民反映意见，也让他对社区更有归属感。

　　几天前，内阁资政李光耀在丹戎巴葛集选区国庆晚宴演讲时再谈新移民融入课题。李资政说，政府向来保护国民利益，清楚区分公民和永久居民的待遇。

对此，袁明说，政府这样做以减少一些本地人的抱怨，但变成公民的优厚待遇并不是吸引永久居民成为公民的主要原因。他说，多数成为公民的永久居民是专业人士，他们看重的是工作方面是否有发展机会，整体生活环境的好坏。

　　同样在新加坡生活了十几年的关洁（38岁，会计）和丈夫、及在本地出生的儿子至今仍是永久居民。 她说，丈夫前来新加坡工作时，中国比不上新加坡，但现在情况不同了，这也是他们对是否成为新加坡公民一直犹豫不决的原因。 关洁的丈夫因为在老家上海找到更好的工作机会，两三年前回国工作，关洁则因为孩子在本地上学，目前仍留在新加坡。 她认为，永久居民的待遇有别于公民，让永久居民感到不受欢迎。她说，之前待遇一样时，她感到受欢迎，现在则有被疏远感觉。成为公民才享有的优惠政策，也让她感到政府好像在逼永久居民成为公民，反而让她有叛逆的心理。

Source : http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090817_022.shtml

Amazing Race - Clementi Style

AN AMAZING Race with a difference.

As part of the National Day celebrations, the first-ever Amazing Race for New Citizens will be held this Sunday to help them bond with the community.

Organised by the Clementi grassroots organisations (GROs) and Integration and Naturalisation Champions, 45 new citizens from China, Myanmar, India and Malaysia will join 45 grassroots leaders for a half-day of adventure after taking part in the Clementi National Day Walk-a-Jog.

Something really different and an intiative that will definately benefit all our New Residents (New Citizens and PRs) residing in Clementi. For more info, click on the link ...

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_416146.html

Darussalam Mosque

Good day "Clementi-ians". Today I will have the honour of sharing with you a little bit about our mosque, Darussalam Mosque. It is located at Commonwealth Avenue West. Durussalam was first established in 1989. Since then, it has fulfilled its duty to be a centre for our muslim communities to gather and uphold their religious beliefs. Even so, Darussalam are also known for their active contributions for the community. Let's take a look at some of the events and activities that they have been conducting.

Darusslaam Mosque, along

Commonwealth Ave West

"In early days of Islam, a mosque was more that just a place for spiritual solace. It also served as an educational and community-service centre. Community affairs were deliberated upon in the sublime serenity of the mosque.

In Singapore, where Muslims constitute a minority living in a society undergoing far reaching changes, the mosque stands as an important bulwark of Muslim identity and community integrity. Mosques have not just played a vital and meaningful role as the focus of religious activities, but also as centre for Islamic Learning and Social Development."

Darussalam is surrounded by our HDB heartland, and a stone throw away from Clementi Market Ave 2 and Singapore Polytechnic too. And not to forget, it's nearby the Beach Volleyball court. There are a few ways in order for you to get there.

1) Walk to the mosque.
2) If you are driving, enter the carpark along Clementi Ave 2.
3)Alternatively you can travel by our Bus Services :
(SBS): 14, 96, 105, 147, 154, 165, 166 (TIBS): 106

and alight along Commonwealth Ave West. Darussalam is the only mosque in Singapore, to be open for 24 hours everyday. It offers a lot of courses, like, Learning Arabic, History of Islam and many more.

1st level of Prayer Hall

The 2 floor Mosque with its unique flat cuboid-like structure in cream and brown has a huge collection of Islamic literature. Besides the usual madrasah(Islamic religious class) and kindergarten classes, it also offers computer classes to both children and adults. Built with the Mosque Building Fund and completed in 1989, it can accommodate up to 3000 worshippers.

View of the main Prayer Hall, 2nd level

The Mosque will also plan for a day trip to Johor or Malacca. How great is that? It's a bonding session bwtween the staffs of the Mosque and the communitties.

View of 2nd level

of the Mosque

Classes for Kindergarten to Adult Classes

Religious classes conducted are not only catered for the kindergarden students but also for the teens as well.

Nursery Classroom

And there's even a cafe selling varieties of foods and drinks, like Malay Traditional cakes and "kuih-muih" at an affordable prices. Open everyday and all are welcome.

The Mosque's Cafe.

Yummy-licious Foods!!

So do come down and pay a visit to our Mosque. Even the Non-Muslims can come down to the Mosque and there'll be a tour guide who will be most willing to show you around the place.

Till then, we'll meet again. See you there!

WWII Bomb in Clementi

新传媒新闻报道，金文泰一道和联邦西道附近今天特别多警察和军人，促使好多好奇的居民，打热线到新传媒询问。这个罕见的情况惊动了居民，原来当地一个建筑工地、发现了一枚二战残留下来的炸弹。炸弹傍晚引爆，附近的两所学校让学生提早下课，以策安全。

震耳的爆炸声，划破宁静的午间。来自新加坡武装部队的专家、处理这枚二战残留下的炸弹。邻近居民的驻足观望，议论纷纷。

“我听到一大巨响，爆炸声，（你认为是什么）我吓了一大跳。”

“这是二战的设施。 （你怕吗？）不怕，因为他们说离我们组屋有一段距离。”

由于炸弹的保险丝已经被启动，所以将这个重达50公斤的炸弹，转移到其他地方是非常危险的。尽管如此，为安全起见，新加坡武装部队仍将炸弹移到工地的另一角落，以远离住宅区。

原本武装部队计划，打开炸弹把里头的炸药烧毁，不过，过程中却发生小插曲。

炸弹是在下午五点半左右引爆，所幸，当局放置了沙包，没有导致人员伤亡。警方一度在金文泰路朝武吉知马的路段，进行交通疏导工作。附近的国大附中和南华中学也让学生提早放学，以策安全。炸弹是在星期一，在联邦西道第415座组屋后面的一个建筑工地发现的，炸弹长约一米，直径约18公分，重达50公斤

Source : http://www.xin.sg/article.php?article=29256&st=dtl

Read and Discover @ Frontier CC

A Happy Chinese "Niu" Year to all our residents !!!

There is an event that aims to instill good reading habits as well as to promote the library as a place that can be tapped upon for both information and entertainment.

Join in the Read & Discover @ The Frontier, an event organised by final-year Mass Communication students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Film & Media Studies, supported by the National Library Board (NLB). It is held on 7 Feb 2009, from 10am - 5pm.

YOU will be treated to a series of performances, games, interactive workshops and activities designed for the young and old. Charity sales will be done by the schools in a bid to do their bit for the community, by selling handmade handicraft.

The Programme for the Day includes :

1) Appearance by Mr Danny Yeo, former radio and television personality

2) Appearance by Mr Ng Wee How, teacher, writer and DJ from UFM100.3

3) Talent Competition (Hip Hop and Band)

4) Magic Show

5) Games with Mr Gerald Koh (DJ from 91.3FM)

6) Performances by Dreamwalkers (A participant from SuperBand 2008)

7) Photography and Hip Hop Workshops

8) Adobe Photoshop Workshop

and goodie bags will be given out throughout the day, while stock lasts.

Bring your family and join in for a fun filled day !!

See you there !!!

Computers Service Provider

Remember a few posts back which I blogged about the PC Clinic in Clementi eClub?
Today I would like to share with you another great Computer Services Provider! To ease off your troubles facing the "sick" computers!

It is the "PCMEN Technology PTE LTD", located at BLK 354 Clementi Ave 2 #01-199. (somewhere near to the Clementi Beach Volleyball court. )

PCMEN is professional in computer troubleshooting and repair services. They provide top-notch service and source supply for all IT needs.

Their services included:

Networking (network planning, implementation & troubleshooting, CAT5e cabling, wireless setup.)

Server / PC / MAC / Laptop (Troubleshooting, repair, maintainence)

PC / MAC / Laptop Sercurity (Antivirus & Firewall installation )

Web Design & Services (Register web domain, web hosting, membership registration; online shopping cart setup, online payment gateway)

Sales ( Sales of IBM (Lenova) PC & Notebooks, hareware accessories, Mircosoft operationg system, Microsoft Office)

And the coolest thing is they provide FREE phone calls help! If you have any enquires about your IT needs, you can call up the PCMEN to seek for help!

Their data recovery charging at a very enocomic price!

PCMEN solves a higher level of problematic cases compared to PC Clinic. As PC Clinic is targeting to a more buget group of customers, as it is a non-profit organisation.

Be a member of PCMEN to enjoy more privileges and discounts! Come visit PCMEN now if you are still facing problems! They will solve all your IT needs! and THEY GUARANTEE THEIR SERVICE! (:

For more informations, please call 6775 4833 or visit their website! www.pcmen.sg

Senior Citizens' Drumming Session

There was a group of Senior Citizens participating in this Drumming Training Workshop, which was mainly organised by the Clementi Zone 2 RC, SCEC and the National Art Council.

There were about 35 Senior Citizens taking part. The final workshop will be on the 11 October 2008,held at Kallang CC. Yes! Our daddy, mummy, ah gong and ah ma are performing to the public!

So, as for the past few Saturdays, they had been practising from 1pm to 3pm conducted at Clementi CC, Seminar room. And I went down to catch their
last preparation before their performance.. and it was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

As I was walking to the Seminar room, a few residents asked me what was held inside the room, the music was nice-hearing which attracted them to stop and listened for it. ( Just a little pity that they couldn't enter the room, so they just stood outside and listened. )

Everyone uses different instruments to play out the music. The coordination was just too perfect. The teacher is a very humorous person! I guess having his class is always fun! He is a non-Chinese, but he can speaks hokkien! Making the Senior Citizens laugh and laugh. I can felt that they were all enjoying themselves! ( Even I myself was enjoying too!)

The teacher gave the students opporunities to take turns to led the rest. I believe this is to build up their courage facing the public and give them more confidence! Students must follow the leader's intructions to produce the same tempo using their own intruments.

* Hey hey aunty dont shy leh.. *

I am sure that the Senior Citizens are happy to attend this drumming workshop. They can make friends around and meanwhile learning new things!

There's a little video of their drumming session. Hope you enjoy watching! (Sorry for the poor vision! )