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“Kindness is the connection that links us all together and strengthens the bonds within our communities, neighborhood and families”
Rosalynn Carter
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KINDNESS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Mr Low showing that kindness is a gift everyone can afford
Mr Low and his fresh meat stall at Ang Mo Kio Blk 409 market, #01-137.
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Mr Low runs a fresh meat stall at Ang Mo Kio, blk 409 market, #01-137. He has been running the stall for more than 10 years since he moved to Ang Mo Kio in 2009.
Mr Low said that it is important to maintain good relationships with the customers so that they will come back to his stall. He tries his best to meet his customers’ requirements, for example he will cut the meat to his customers’ liking. Additionally, he will reserve products for his regular customers. To attract younger customers, he even accept payment through PayLah. He even makes the effort to decorate his stall to attract younger customers.
When asked to share his story of helping others during his course of his business there, Mr Low was shy. He laughed and said in Mandarin “No, not kindness. Sometimes if I can help, then I will do my best to help.” He said that he is more willing to help the old folks and the less fortunate. He will give discount to his regular elderly customers and the low-income families. Moreover, he will secretly give more meat to them. He would even ask the low-income customers to pay him the next time. “Sometimes if they are a short of few cents, I will still give it to them. A bit only, nevermind,” he chuckled. Furthermore, he often participates actively in donations. He mentioned that during the 7th month, there will be donation activity which he will willingly donate to the low-income families around the neighbourhood. It is heartwarming to hear these acts of kindness. Though he feels that his actions are small, but little did he know that his kindness and friendliness can make a huge impact to the others. Furthermore, it may be because of his gregarious and pleasant personality that attracts long queues of customers to his stall.
Mr Low is also a grassroot member where he will organise activities at the neighbourhood community centre. He recounts the recent Christmas event which he organised and was contented that the participants were happy with the event.
When asked what he likes or dislikes about having a business here at Ang Mo Kio, Mr Low mentioned that he loves interacting with the old folks there. "The old people here are very friendly and they treat me like a son" he said in Mandarin. Mr Low has built a strong friendship with the other stallholders around him. They would have a coffee session after work, sometimes even during the holidays.
Mr Low continues to spread kindness in the market. His acts of kindness is admirable and unknowingly, his kind heart is what builds the rich culture of the wet market.
"The smallest act of kindness worth more than the greatest intention"
Kahlil Gibran
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My group and I with one of the stallholders of #01-134 in the market
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AMKFSC has been trying their best to understand the community and help the low-income families. Ngee Ann Polytechnic Psychology Studies students partnered with AMKFSC to do a community mapping exercise. I was working with Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre (AMKFSC) when I met Mr Low. I vividly remember him as he is very cheerful and is always smiling while many other stallholders seem to be having a grumpy face. However, as I started to interview other stallholders, I was surprised that they were actually very kind.
Through the community mapping exercise, I realised that the whole market is filled with kindness. Many other stallholders participate actively in donations and usually do their best to help the low-income families and others in the neighbourhood. One of the stallholders even give vegetables to the nearby old folk’s home since he is unable to sell them. It is very heart-warming to hear these acts of kindness in the market.
Through the stallholders'stories, I realised that we can tap on the market to help the less fortunate community. For example, Singapore has its first dementia-friendly market. The stallholders are trained to recognise people with dementia and help them. The government can replicate this concept to help other community groups. Firstly, we can educate the stallholders of all the neighbourhood market to identify people with conditions such as autism, other than dementia, and learn how to help them. Secondly, community organizations and community centres can work together with the market to come up with some initiatives. For example, they can have a system where low-income people can have cheaper meals. Community centres can also buy the leftover food from the market at the end of the day at a cheaper price and give them to the low-income families. The local economy can be powerful if we learn to harness it. I feel that the government can make use of the local assets to help the community.
Lastly, what was upsetting was the fact that many stallholders in the market believe that one day supermarket will replace wet market. The stallholders mentioned that younger generations will rather buy from the supermarket and they are slowly losing their business. The stallholders hold the wet market dearly as this is where friendships were built. They draw connection to the place as they have been there for decades. It is a pity that younger generation do not try to appreciate the rich culture behind the wet markets. I hope that younger generations can frequent the wet markets and have small conversations with the stallholders there. I have learnt a lot from them and I am sure you will too!
"In the long run, the sharpest weopen of all is a kind and gentle spirit"
Anne Frank
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ANG MO KIO SERVICE CENTRE
AMKFSC
Founded in 1978, AMKFSC Community Services Ltd. ("AMKFSC") is a leading community-based social service agency, which provides a holistic range of services to support children, youths, families and seniors at multiple touchpoints across Singapore.
AMKFSC operates four family service centres across Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang and Punggol. We also provide other support services such as student care, senior services, a youth centre and mental health support programmes.
Operating hours:
Monday, Thursday and Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pmTuesday and Wednesday: 9:00am to 9:30pm (6:30pm to 9:30pm by appointment only)Closed on weekends and public holidays.
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CONTACT US
We always has its doors open. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
230 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 #01-1264. Singapore 560230
6453 5349
6455 6183
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