Lady Wrote About How She Bought Food for Elderly; MSF Has Since Responded

Step by step, slowly but surely, the world’s changing.

Equality is the norm, and not something that sticks out like a sore thumb.

And let’s not even talk about education here, an aspect that has seen multiple branches spring out for prospective students.

Yet, the fact remains that there are many, many impoverished people who have failed to keep up with the times. People like beggars on the streets. People who have to resort to selling tissue paper for a living.

People who can’t even afford a packet of chicken rice for themselves.

And yet, how many of us actually make an effort to help them out? How many of us actually endeavour to satisfy their bellies, even if it was just one simple meal? More often than not we hesitate, not because of our selfishness, but because of uncertainty.

What if they turn us away? Will malu lehhh. What if they’re actually a Crazy Rich Asian in disguise? MALU. 

And before we manage to finish the thought, they would’ve gone, clean as a whistle. And we’ll be left stranded, stuck with this uncomfortable feeling in our gut people call a ‘guilt trip’.

Certainly, helping people is a notion that’s easier said than done. And for Facebook user Claris Ortega, the same situation applied: she found herself overthinking, and missed her chance. But as luck would have it (for both parties)…

She had a second chance.

The Old Lady With A Rafia String For A Belt

On 22 November, Facebook user Claris Ortega updated her social media feed with a post that’s both heartwarming and heartwrenching.

Sharing her encounter with an impoverished old lady at Clementi Food Centre, Ortega expressed how she had helped an old lady satisfy her belly for one night and a morning, and how she was heartbroken by the lady’s plight. She also encouraged her followers and friends to apply compassion, as well as purchase the old lady a meal if they ever saw her in the area.

You can view the post down below:

Transcript (in case you can’t read, and I need to hit my word limit):

Writing this post with a heavy heavy heart even though my tummy is full.

Had dinner at the Clementi Food Centre. We just finish our dinner of chicken rice, black carrot cake and cheng teng.

As we were about to leave we chance upon this really really old lady pushing a trolley of folded up cardboard boxes using rafia string as her belt. She was dressed in a purple polo tee and a pair of denim 3/4 pants that looks like they aged along with her. But her hair was held nicely back with a hair band.

She went to the next table and looked hungrily at the plates of scraps left behind by previous customers. We could some how feel that she was hungry. She hung around for abit and walked away. My heart sunk I wanted to kick myself for not approaching her when I had the chance. I admit, I was afraid I was overthinking. What if I went up to her and offered to buy her a meal and was told off by her. By chance she went 1 round and came back. I went up to her, before I could open my mouth she asked me in cantonese if I could buy her a packet of chicken rice. Of course I eagerly nodded my head. I offered to buy her 2 packets but she insisted to only have 1.(Yes, I added everything I could in that 1 packet) She had every opportunity to make use of my kindness but she didn’t. All she wanted was 1 packet of chicken rice. We also gave her the bread we bought from the bakery for her breakfast tomorrow.

This encounter really broke my heart. The reason for writing this post is not to boast I helped or whatever. But I really hope this reminds all who reads the real true meaning of humanity. And the importance of have compassion for another living thing.

Please help pass the kindness on.

PS: Would really appreciate if anyone sees this old lady around the Clementi Central area to please go up to her and buy her a meal if you can. (I have attached a pic for your reference)

God Bless
#spreadkindness #giveblessings

The post was accompanied by this image:

MSF speaks out

The post proved to be a viral hit with Netizens, as it has garnered well over 7K likes and reactions, as well as 5.7K shares. And apparently, it was so popular it even attracted the attention of the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

In a Facebook post shared on 26 Nov, the MSF thanked Ortega for her kindness and public spiritedness, as well as clarify that they have in fact been in touch with the elderly lady in question.

They also cleared up her financial status, as well as concerns about any payouts she’s receiving.

You can see the post down below.

Transcript (once again, to hit my word limit):

“Ms Claris Ortega had posted about her experience in helping to buy a meal for an elderly lady at Clementi hawker centre. We thank her for her kindness and public spiritedness. We also appreciate the outpouring of offers by members of the public to assist the elderly lady.

Our Social Service Office (SSO) and local community and grassroots groups have been in touch with the elderly lady, Mdm Tan (not her real name), and her family for some time. Mdm Tan is the sole owner of an HDB flat, where she lives with some of her children. Her children and grandchildren are involved in providing care and support for her. Apart from savings, she also receives a pension as well as Silver Support Scheme payouts.

We will continue our collective efforts to engage Mdm Tan and her family, and provide her with the necessary support that she needs.

Building an inclusive and a caring society is a collective effort. If you come across individuals or families who require support, please reach out to us at our ComCare hotline at 1800-222-0000 or approach the nearest SSO (www.msf.gov.sg/ssolocator) or Family Service Centre (www.msf.gov.sg/fsclocator).”

A Collective Effort

Honestly, the world’s an improving place.

But like anything else, it can still be improved.

So guys, the next time you see someone in need…

Perhaps you can chip in a bit too. Cos you never know.

You might just make their day. 🙂