It was almost 12 am by the time we finished tending to our 106th resident who came to seek our assistance at the meet-the people session in Marsiling. It was a very long night indeed as we started our MPS at 7pm. Although I was dead tired, one case stuck in my mind. A 75 year old retired primary school teacher came to appeal for a HDB rental flat. She is currently living in one room, which she rented from the open market, with her low IQ daughter and grandson, both of whom she’s supporting.
She had been re-employed after her retirement by the school until recently when they no longer needed her services. Without an income, she can no longer afford the market rental and is eligible for a public rental flat. I told her that I would appeal for her but also asked her whether she needed financial assistance. She declined but asked me instead to write to another primary school that she had worked for before to enquire whether they had a vacancy for her.
I was quite astounded by the reply of this 75 year old as I have, on a few occasions, received requests from able bodied, younger men who refused to work but was expecting financial assistance which is really meant for the needy who cannot work or support themselves. Although she had politely declined, I will still proceed to secure financial assistance for her as she deserved it. It is cases like this that gives meaning to our work.
Source: Halimah Yacob
