Heal the World, Make it a Better Place
Here at Super Farmers, we strongly believe in leaving the world a better place than when we came into it. That is why we believe strongly in giving back, in being kind, and in seeking happiness. Everybody is entitled to his or her happiness, and we feel exceptionally strongly about this subject in the holiday season.
Christmas is a time of giving, not just to our loved ones and ourselves; we all have more love to give to the society we exist in, and here is a list of ways you can do so.
We promise the satisfaction and happiness you give, will come back to you multiple folds.
Pay-it-Forward
We’ve all heard about “Pay-it-Forward”, and even seen how it takes shape overseas. For example, the less fortunate receive warm teas and a meals thanks to contributing organisations. Did you know that there are eateries in Singapore with the same pay-it-forward mechanism as well?
(Picture credits: Marchh.com)
APSN Mystical Café For All is one such eatery nestled in a corner of the Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub. The café is run entirely by trainees from The Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) who were trained by instructors on the required skills to run a café. The café also has a pay-it-forward initiative where patrons can purchase a meal voucher to be placed on the café’s board. The meal voucher will allow a less fortunate stranger to have a chance to have a free meal.
Another initiative called Chope Food for the Needy operates slightly differently. Anybody who wishes to pay it forward can go to any one of their favourite hawkers, pay the hawker an amount and request that they give the food to someone who they think might need it.
(Photo credits: The Best Singapore)
Although the founder of this initiative has very sadly passed away two years ago, we encourage everyone to carry on this amazing idea in tribute to her.
Follow these simple steps to Chope Food for the Needy—
- Go to your favourite hawker. (Make sure the boss is there)
- Pre-pay for a certain number of packets of food
- Ask them to give the food out when they see any needy folks
It doesn’t cost much for most of us, but it makes a world of difference to them.
Be kind, gracious, and compassionate
You don’t have to volunteer with a mainstream organization to practice all these. Committing to an organization twice a week might be difficult for some, but that should not stop you from giving thanks.
We interact with so many people on a daily basis that it is easy for us to neglect some important figures; people who clean our city and workers who have to keep working through rain and haze.
Here are some things that you can do to brighten their days a little—
- Buy drinks for them if you spot them working along the road
- Offer a smile, and a “Thank you, I really appreciate the work that you do” to the workers clearing the roadside bins daily
- Buy some snacks for them if they are working past lunch hours
- Offer them ponchos if they are working in the rain, It’s Raining Raincoats is an initiative doing that for migrant workers
It’s important to remember that all human beings are worthy, especially the workers who are doing jobs that most of us Singaporeans would avoid. We should be thankful for the work that they do for us and show our appreciation. What better time to do it than now?
There are a lot more things that one can do to make the world a better place. It can start from a small, single act, and be cultivated into a lifelong habit. Take things into your own hands; make the world a better place for you and for me, and the entire human race.
Title and ending lines inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World”.
Written by Ange Chua
Edited by Cynthea Lam
Ange Chua is an aspiring bird-watcher trying to fix her black thumbs. When she is not writing, you'd find her drinking tea out of teacups or reading in bed with her dog. She thinks her spirit animal is an alpaca.