SJSM Missions Update - Outreach to Guest Workers

Missions Update LOVING OUR NEIGHBOURS Outreach to GUEST WORKERS Many of us are used to associating organisations to corporate companies) aims the word ‘missions’ with ‘overseas’. to provide holistic care for guest workers in a The current COVID-19 pandemic sustainable manner. It is working to establish and the cross-border travel a platform for collaborations, partnerships, strictures that have resulted have and the sharing of resources and services to thrown the spotlight back on our benefit guest workers residing locally. local mission fields — a good and timely reminder that service often begins in our immediate surroundings. Scripture makes it clear that we have a responsibility to care for our neighbours, and this includes the foreigners who live and work in our midst. Background AGWO operates under Hope Initiative Our thanks to Carl Montalba for his help with design / layout. Alliance (HIA), an association of global We are all aware that the number of charities and NGOs that works to eradicate COVID-19 infections linked to guest worker social inequality and improve the quality of life dormitories and construction sites still makes of marginalised people groups, on both the up the highest percentage of local COVID-19 global and local scale. HIA’s vice-chairman, cases, although the actual numbers are Rev. Samuel Gift Stephen, is also Chairman seeing a downward trend. Many of these of AGWO, General Overseer of Smyrna expatriate brothers have been financially Assembly, Chairman of the Alliance of Indian affected, and are worried about their job Ministries (AIM), and Vice-Chairman of the prospects as well as their health situation. Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS). Guest workers in Singapore generally HIA and AGWO have also been partnering live in 3 types of accommodations: large with SATA CommHealth to provide the guest purpose-built dormitories, factory-converted workers with medical assistance, as well dormitories (FCDs) which do not have as with the Inter-Religious Organisation, adequate facilities and mostly disallow Singapore (IRO), and the Ministry of Culture, cooking, and construction temporary quarters. Community and Youth (MCCY) to make counselling and emotional support available to our expatriate brothers. Partners Food Aid The Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach While most guest workers are catered for by (AGWO), a network and service aggregator the government, many who live in FCDs do for Singapore’s guest worker population, not have food, cooking facilities, or money. was founded and launched in 2019. This HIA, a non-profit with limited funds, obtained coalition of 130 partners (from religious

the necessary permits and exemptions for workers virtually, via Facebook, was floated. fundraising and calling for aid in order to It is meant to complement our efforts to support AGWO’s efforts to distribute daily maintain and increase our base of personal meals and other essentials to guest workers engagement with our expatriate brothers housed in more than 1,200 FCDs. They have beyond simple food/snack deliveries. We been working with the Ministry of Manpower see it as supplementary engagement effort, (MOM), the Migrant Workers Centre to tide us over until we are able to establish (MWC), and various dormitory operators more robust and compelling engagement to ensure that distribution efforts are in programmes carried out in person. accordance to safe distancing measures. Care Connexion, a Facebook Page, was To date, AGWO is still coordinating efforts set up on 30 May after discussions with to feed and distribute other essential items the ministry core team. It serves to link up to an estimated 20,000 guest workers, with expatriate brothers and SJSMers who have financial support from MOM. an interest in getting to know one another (2 SJSMers to 1 guest worker). Our dorm ICs Dormitory Engagements have been helping to publicise this platform in the dormitories. SJSM adopted “Tuas-113”, an FCD in Tuas View, on 23 April; “Hyflux”, a dormitory on To date, there are 6 active friendships Tuas South Lane, was adopted on 1 May. between 6 expatriate brothers and 13 In all, we committed to caring for about SJSMers (out of 19 volunteers), and many 115 men, 55 of whom are Muslims. During more migrant workers have Followed the the Circuit Breaker period, many SJSMers page; several have also messaged us just stepped forward to deliver Ramadan to say ‘thank you’. breakfasts, dry breakfasts (biscuits, noodles, coffee and tea sachets), as well as care Do you want someone packs (food, basic medications, hygiene to talk to? Someone to products, and toiletries) on other set dates. listen to you? On 29 April, the Crisis Relief Alliance (CRA), in coordination with MOM, established the Would you CRA East Team to support 12 dormitories in like to make the East; it has grown and now supports 28 friends dormitories.Through the blessings of many with a Do you want donors, all these dorms have been provided Singaporean? to learn with a variety of comfort foods, personal hygiene products, fruits, clothes, and other more about personal items to help relieve their anxiety. Singapore? On 3rd June, SJSM was presented 1 Like & follow us at with the opportunity to engage 3 other Care Connexion on Facebook! dorms (Octopus Design, 36 pax; Sysma Construction, 186 pax; and TKH Deco, 2 Send us a Facebook message at 18 pax). Our staff and leaders discussed https://m.me/CareConnexionSg the opening and prayed for confirmation from the Lord. On 22 June, we confirmed our support of these 3 dorms. Since then, teaching volunteers from SJSM have been engaging our expatriate brothers through online English Lessons over Zoom. Singapore is currently in Phase 2 of a staggered reopening, and we will be caring for our adopted guest workers’ needs until they are able to resume work or return home. Care Connexion 3 We will connect you with a Singaporean friend on Facebook Befriending through Facebook 4 Happy chatting and making During the circuit breaker, the idea to friends! create opportunities to befriend our guest

English Lessons via Zoom The lessons, which are available in 3 categories (Lower elementary — conversational English; Upper elementary — reading and writing; Intermediate), began in June. The curriculum is organised into 18 lessons across 2 terms; Term 1 comprised 8 lessons which ran from June to July on Sundays from 4pm–4.40pm, and Term 2’s 10 lessons will run from September to November 2020. Each student group is supported by 2 volunteers — 1 experienced teacher and 1 assistant. Currently, we have 11 students from 2 different dorms. God has provided for this ministry. There are enough experienced teachers to deliver the lessons, and the students have been enjoying the lessons. Various volunteers with different gifts have helped in various ways. Friendships have also been formed through this outreach effort. We will also be assisting the guest workers To contribute with any social justice needs, by helping to financially: connect them with relevant agencies. How you can help If you feel led to help, please get in touch with us. You may do so via your cell or ministry leader, or contact Sam via the following touchpoints: • [email protected] • +65 9383 9635 Method Essential info Gift designation Online banking • Name of bank account: St John’s – St Margaret’s Church • UOB Bank Account: 360-303-092-1 • Bank Code: 7375 • Branch Code: 030 Send crossed cheque to: Enter the code “Missions-Covid”  Cheque St John’s – St Margaret’s Church, under (via postal service) 30 Dover Avenue, Singapore 139790 Payment Remarks Attn: Finance Department Paynow Please visit http://www.sjsm.org.sg/ (via bank app) give.html for the QR code St. John’s - St. Margaret’s Church | 30 Dover Avenue, Singapore 139790. Tel: 6777 0934 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.sjsm.org.sg © St. John’s - St. Margaret’s Church 2020