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[Nuffnang Sponsored Post] Singapore Kindness Movement 2011 |
Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 5:08 PM with 0 Comments

Singapore Kindness Movement 2011
.............................................................


Hi everyone! :) So on the 13th of November, I was invited by Nuffnang Singapore to participate in the Singapore Kindness Movement 2011 where Bloggers and 500 other volunteers gave away Yellow gerbera daisies and Magnet badges to random strangers along Orchard Road. Approximately 30,000 stalks were given away that day!! Can you imagine that amount of flowers that is? I remember Singa The Lion as a kid, but back then, I guess I was just too little to really know what the Singapore Kindness Movement was about.



What does the Logo mean?

The two strokes and ovals of the Singapore Kindness Movement logo depict two people - one who does an act of kindness and the other who receives it. The freehand strokes combine to form a heart. In it, red symbolises love for your fellow man and green represents caring for the environment, tolerance, creativity and consideration.

Since March 2001, the National Courtesy Campaign, which was originally launched in 1979, was incorporated into the Singapore Kindness Movement. Indeed, courtesy is the simplest form of kindness, and both courtesy and kindness are underpinned by sincerity - kindness comes from the heart, and courtesy forms the action, the outward expression of kindness.

Singa the Lion, the familiar icon for courtesy that most Singaporeans grew up with, is placed together with the kindness heart, bringing courtesy and kindness together to foster a more gracious society.

The words "Singapore Kindness Movement" has a more contemporary typeface, with the "e" in kindness tilted to look like it is smiling.


Sharing with you my Kindness Stories
.............................................................

Participating in such an event; giving out flowers to strangers, smiling at strangers and having them smile right back at me really warmed my heart and in all honesty, it made me realize why the people of SKM, do what they do. To make Singapore a better place. All it takes, is a single person to show an act of kindness, gratitude and appreciation.


Have you ever encountered a kind stranger before? I know I have. Back when I was in my early teens(lower secondary school if I can recall clearly), I boarded a bus home after school. I went up the bus without realizing that my wallet was not with me. So, I searched my bag for my wallet frantically, but was unable to find my wallet at all. Suddenly, a kind stranger(it was a Chinese lady) tapped me on my shoulder and handed me $3.00 in coins to pay for my bus fare. I guess she sensed from where she was seated at that I didn't have my wallet with me and so she offered to help. I wanted to give her back the change because the bus fare was only 55cents, but she shook her head, smiled and told me to keep the change. I was ever so grateful because this lady saved me from so much trouble.

If it wasn't for her, I don't know how I would have gotten home because I didn't have my handphone with me either at that point of time. It's been many years now since this happened. But you see, I can still remember it so clearly because this act of kindness that was shown to me left such a huge impression in my life that I'll probably never forget that kind lady who saved me from all the trouble. It's people like her that make Singapore a much better place to live in. What about you guys? You could make a difference in someone else's life too.

I've met a handful of kind Singaporeans, but of course, there's still a few who aren't. Let me share with you another story about a lady who hardly ever smiled. This one happened quite recently. There's this Indian lady who works as a Cleaner in my school. She was known in the school to be a really grumpy and temperamental person. I know because I used to have that impression of her. I guess it's because she never smiled. No one talked to her because no one dared or cared, really.
I think the problem with people these days is that they take advantage of things because everything is handed to them. Foreign workers for example, Singaporeans are always too quick to diss Bangladeshi workers, China workers and whatnot, but have you ever wondered.. these people slog all day working under the scorching hot sun just to earn that little amount of money to support their families back home in their home country.

Cleaners are another example. Do you think they'd want to be a cleaner if they had a choice? They work so hard, cleaning toilets, scrubbing floors... just to support themselves and their family back home. Their life is not easy. It's not as easy as the life most of us lead. We're able to buy new clothes, new shoes, branded bags, eat at fancy restaurants, buy iPhones, blackberries... etc.

My point is? The next time you see the cleaning aunty in the toilet, or a foreign worker who is busy sweeping the leaves around your neighbourhood, say a simple 'hello','thank you' or just give them a smile.
It might be the only sunshine he or she sees all day.

So back to my story, there was this really temperamental Old indian lady who was a cleaner in my school.. so one day, when I was in the toilet, I saw her rolling up the toilet rolls by the sink, and for the first time, I plucked up the courage(was afraid she might shout at me. haha) to talk to her. She was stunned at first, but I was shocked to see her SMILE! And what came next was totally unexpected. She started telling me about her day and how she travels to school everyday from Malaysia just to work. Right there, my heart just sank. I never knew how tough a person's life can be. To only get to see her children and husband for a few hours every night. She gets home late, she rubs her feet with oil because it's sore and aching from work, she goes to bed at night, wakes up early in the morning again,says goodbye to her family and travels to Singapore by bus to work. Every day. Can you imagine how tiring it is for someone her age? I think I almost wanted to tear up also when I was in the toilet. It was just so heart wrenching. But it changed my impression of her entirely.

Why was she always so temperamental? So grumpy? Well. the answer is right there. Who wouldn't be? And I've seen many a times in school, how the girls in the toilet can be really filthy. Bloody Pads lying around, urine, toilet bowls choking up with shit, tissues on the floor.. I really pity the cleaning aunties. And no one ever bothers to thank them for their hardwork.

And, ever since that one little conversation we had.. everytime I see the Indian Cleaning lady in school, I never fail to shout "Aunty!" and give her the biggest smile ever. And the most heartwarming part?
She learnt to smile back. :)


SKM Objectives
...................................

So you see guys, The Singapore Kindness Movement only
has 3 Objectives that they hope to achieve. And that is?

  • To encourage all Singaporeans to be kind and considerate.
  • To create public awareness of acts of kindness.
  • To influence and raise the standards of behaviour and responsibility.


So anyway, if you've read all the above till here, I thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say. And now, let's get on with the rest of the blog entry of what happened on the 13th of November..
WITH PICTURES! :)




So at about 11am, I met up with the Nuffnangers and the Bloggers for the event outside Orchard MRT! :D



Soon after, we were each given an SKM shirt to wear for the event! :D



I really love how vibrant the colours are :D



One of the bloggers, Leonny. She's a Parent Blogger, and she blogs about Parenting and such. A really cool and down to earth lady! And her kids are super duper adorable as well! They were so cute participating during the event as well. Aww...



After all the bloggers arrived(there were 4 of us: Velda, myself, Leonny and Becks), Becks and I headed to the toilet to get changed! :)





Kay I swear I'd wear this out. Hahah, I'm loving the shirt! :D



Camwhoring in the toilet because that's what Bloggers do best. Or rather.. that's what GIRLS do best. haha





After that we headed to the meeting point where all the volunteers would gather before heading outside along Orchard Road for the Opening launch of World Kindness Day 2011.





Yellow Gerbera Daisies. :)







There was food and drinks sponsored for everyone! Yayy! POPEYES :D





See how much a smile can make a difference? It makes you a more approachable person! :)









Grabbed this from Nuffnang's Facebook (Picture above)



The Nufnang Team!







Okay I look quite retarded here. hahah



This is Velda. Another blogger as well. If you guys shop at Bonitochico(then), now known as LoveBonito, you might know Velda. She's the owner! :)









After that, General Secretary of SKM Dr William Wan gave a short speech. I recorded a part of it in the video below. You should really listen to it! :)



After the speech, it was time to head outside for the Flag off! yayy! I was really excited because I couldn't wait to give out the daisies and magnet badges.





Can you spot Singa the Lion?




The moment I saw Singa the Lion, I got super excited and I wanted to take a picture with him! I felt like a small kid all over again. Look at how happy I am! hahah



(Picture above taken from Nuffnang).





SO MANY PEOPLE WEARING BLUE! :D These are all the volunteers.





Celebrity/Deejay Daniel Ong was the Emcee for the event! So while waiting for the Guest-of-honour to arrive, he entertained the crowd.



(Picture taken from Nuffnang). Okay I know I look horrible here.BUT HEY, IT'S DANIEL ONG! hahah!







It's really heartwarming to see so many individuals who actually took time off their busy day to volunteer for such an event. It goes to show that... despite how Singapore is often stereotyped to be a very conservative kind of country with people who aren't very expressive in showing kindness to strangers, there are still some who choose and want to make a difference. And these are some of them. :')



After awhile, the Guest-of-honour arrive with a band playing behind them. hahah





(Picture taken from Nuffnang) I was so honoured to be able to stand on stage with the Guest-of-honour/s. :D






(Picture taken from Nuffnang). Can you spot little me on stage smiling? haha



Starting the Opening Ceremony. :D There's a video below you can watch!



(Picture taken from Nuffnang). Look at me video-ing rom behind. oh man, that looks kinda embarrassing from the bottom. hahaha



Yay! The Kindness flower fully BLOSSOMED :D which marked the opening of Singapore World Kindness Day in Singapore!



The bloggers and I!



We went inside for abit and saw this man who was smiling at us, so we gave him a flower! Just look at that smile on his face! hahah, you see how something as little as a flower can just make someone's day?



(Picture taken from Nuffnang)



(Picture taken from Nuffnang)



It was a really nice feeling seeing many smiles on the street as flowers and badges were given out.






So yeah, I gave quite alot of flowers out. As bloggers we had the choice as to whether or not we wanted to give out flowers because our job was to mainly take pictures and blog about the event. But we all decided to stay and volunteer to give out the daisies and badges! :) I stayed. Hehe & I'm so glad I made that decision because I had a ton of fun. It was definitely something really new to me, to participate in such events. I've always had people come up to me handing me freebies, but for the first time, it was me doing so, and it's amazing how something as little as a flower and badge can instantly brighten up someone's day! A lot of them walked away smiling and thanking me sincerely, as though that litte flower made a difference in their lives. Maybe it did.. Who knows? :)



Gave some flowers away to the lady at the MRT station as well. :)



And that was the end of my day! :) I learnt so much that day and I'm really thankful for the opportunity that was given to me.

Watch the Video I took as well! :)



I always believe that
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

An act of kindness goes a long way and can make a difference in somebody else's life, even your own, because it makes you a better person.

So next time when you're on the train who's pregnant, an elderly, or is injured, give up your seat to them. And not only when you're on the train... even when you're on the bus. Little acts like these can make a difference in someone else's life or day and it contributes toward making Singapore a better place.

See someone struggling while carrying alot of things? Help him or her! Don't wait until he or she drops something till you react. Be proactive not reactive!

Even something as small as helping to open lift doors for the people in the lift is a small act of kindness. The same goes for opening doors. You don't have to be a boy to be able to help open a door. See a man struggling to open a door because his hands are full? Help him! When you hold the door open for others, this would also encourage others to be proactive in showing kindness.

Remember,
Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because YOU are.


Kindness Video Ambush Contest
.......................................................

Has someone done something kind for you recently? You can always present a yellow gerbera daisy to him or her to celebrate World Kindness Day! To take part in the Kindness Ambush video contest, you'll need to gather a few of your friends or colleagues to surprise the kind person with a 'Kindness Ambush'. This group demonstration of appreciation can involve any number of people with each presenting a daisy to the person.


Click here for some inspiration!

Click here for some inspiration!


Prizes:
.......................
  • 5 Ambushers win a pair of Singapore Cable Car tickets plus a Jewel Card membership for a year of unlimited car rides, Sentosa admission and other privileges worth $91!

  • 5 Ambushed will be rewarded with a pair of Singapore Cable Car tickets worth $52
CLOSING DATE FOR CONTEST:
30th November 2011





Don't know how to get started? I've listed the steps for you below in a easy to read format and if you're still unsure, there are some screenshots below for you to follow step by step! :)



STEP 1:



STEP 2:



STEP 3:



CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO!

Alternatively if you don't wish to participate in the contest, another very simple way of being able to contribute and do your part for Singapore Kindness Day is to Share acts of kindness about a particular person and to say Thanks. There's a kindness map that tracks the 'growth' of kindness across Singapore. And each submission will enable a yellow daisy to bloom on the Singapore map.

Don't get what I mean? Look at the screenshots below!

STEP 1:



The yellow daisies on the map means that a person from that particular part of Singapore has 'reported' an act of kindness. You can even submit a photo along with the message!

STEP 2:



As easy as that! I've 'reported' my act of kindness. Now's your turn to make a difference in Singapore today! Click the banner below!





Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia

Additional Information
...........................................


You can either source for your own daisies or purchase official SKM daisies at a specially discounted price from SKM's official partner Far East Orchid (Whole sale department).

Far East Orchid: [Tel No: 6251 5151]

* For more information about the Singapore Kindness Movement, feel free to go to kindness.sg


Lots of Love,
Sofia Dendroff

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