jdelpiero
25-03-2007, 02:05 PM
SINGAPORE: Help programmes that even look at how one's tattooed past can be left behind - that is one of several practical approaches one MP has come up with to help the needy residents in her constituency.
Wan's six tattoos are a memento of his colourful past.
He got them when he was 14, at the egging of fellow gang members who also paid for them.
But, five years on, he's having second thoughts.
"I want to find a good job also cannot find, got tattoo some more. Then want to throw, no money to throw. I am scared, got scar some more," says Wan.
Wan lives in one of six blocks - four of which are rental blocks - on Henderson Road.
Residents here face a unique problem - a disproportionate number of them come from low-income Malay or Indian families, compared to other estates in Tanjong Pagar GRC.
So their MP is rolling out a series of initiatives to help them - like job assistance programmes.
These could include fully sponsored tattoo removal programmes to improve their job prospects - something that is already welcomed by six residents here - as each removal could cost some $700.
Another key concern - children living in the estate do not miss out on life's opportunities despite their background.
So a weekly children's reading group was set up last December.
Among its volunteers are staff from the Civil Defence Force.
"I wanted the young children, especially the young boys, to have positive male role models. Because as I mentioned in this area, there is a drug problem. In some cases the parents, particularly some of the fathers, have gone to jail. That's not a healthy environment for children to grow up in, particularly young boys who need good role model," says Indranee Rajah, MP, Tanjong Pagar GRC.
Such as the two young sons of 20 year-old Ziana, a single mother who just found out about the scheme.
She says, "If my neighbour tells me, then I follow and I go with my son. If my neighbour doesn't tell me, then I don't know, I don't go".
Miss Rajah admits that getting the word out is one challenge.
There were only a few young faces at the tea session, but she is confident that through word-of-mouth, awareness of the help programmes will grow. - CNA/yy
Wan's six tattoos are a memento of his colourful past.
He got them when he was 14, at the egging of fellow gang members who also paid for them.
But, five years on, he's having second thoughts.
"I want to find a good job also cannot find, got tattoo some more. Then want to throw, no money to throw. I am scared, got scar some more," says Wan.
Wan lives in one of six blocks - four of which are rental blocks - on Henderson Road.
Residents here face a unique problem - a disproportionate number of them come from low-income Malay or Indian families, compared to other estates in Tanjong Pagar GRC.
So their MP is rolling out a series of initiatives to help them - like job assistance programmes.
These could include fully sponsored tattoo removal programmes to improve their job prospects - something that is already welcomed by six residents here - as each removal could cost some $700.
Another key concern - children living in the estate do not miss out on life's opportunities despite their background.
So a weekly children's reading group was set up last December.
Among its volunteers are staff from the Civil Defence Force.
"I wanted the young children, especially the young boys, to have positive male role models. Because as I mentioned in this area, there is a drug problem. In some cases the parents, particularly some of the fathers, have gone to jail. That's not a healthy environment for children to grow up in, particularly young boys who need good role model," says Indranee Rajah, MP, Tanjong Pagar GRC.
Such as the two young sons of 20 year-old Ziana, a single mother who just found out about the scheme.
She says, "If my neighbour tells me, then I follow and I go with my son. If my neighbour doesn't tell me, then I don't know, I don't go".
Miss Rajah admits that getting the word out is one challenge.
There were only a few young faces at the tea session, but she is confident that through word-of-mouth, awareness of the help programmes will grow. - CNA/yy