Kampong Glam CIP 17/10/09

Few months since I posted... this time its about a trip to Kampong Glam to do some community involvement work. The trip was quite meaningful and I think some of my experiences there are worth sharing.

The venue was rather far from my house - Lavender MRT. I spent about 1hour redundant time on the journey. It was rather frustrating because I arrived 15 minutes late, and after arriving, my small class commitee team had to wait for another 30 minutes before we started towards the HDB flats.

The sun was searingly hot, we perspired profusely even before we started the work. It was then decided that our class team would take on block 7. It was 14 storeys high, a big difference from the 9 storey flats we experienced during our previous CIP trip. We agreed to start from the highest floor then slowly progress down.

A bigger surprise awaited us the moment we came out of the lift from the highest floor. The whole floor was just one small corrider, on the sides crammed with about 30 one-room apartments.

Nonetheless, despite all odds, we persevered and looking back now, it was really worth it. We got to meet all sorts of people from all races, traditions and religions, from all walks of life.

There were the devoted muslims and buddhist - they hanged big signs and altars outside their house. Their windows were crammed with 400-word literature essay regarding their religion.

There were the inconsiderate people - they blasted music from their stereo so loudly, and even opened their doors, as if they valued the joy of "sharing". One of them opened their doors and windows while cooking some dish that emitted some very awful pungent. I admit now - we skipped that apartment.

But as usual, there were the samaritans. One old and especially kind lady saw the beads of perspiration on our foreheads, and instantenously took out 5 packets of chrysanthemum tea for us to quench our thirst. She even invited us to have lunch in her house, but we turned down her offer tactfully.

Some houses all neat and organized, while some are totally messy. There is one house I still remeber till now - there were toys strewn all over the dusty floor, the cupboards were placed literally everwhere haphazardly and let out a terrible pungent.

The poor, shabby and noisy living conditions in Kampong Glam help us better appreciate and be aware of the serene, peaceful and conducive environment we stay in. We are truly fortunate people.