For expatriate associations in Singapore, helping others is a year-round activity, offering their members opportunities to integrate into the society of their adopted country and strike up friendships.

“For most expats, volunteering for local charities is about doing something for Singapore, and working together with like-minded people to do something useful with their time, ” says Anita Jansen Turkenburg, 53, Treasurer of the Netherlands Charity Association (NCA), who has lived in Singapore since 2009.

The NCA holds charity drives throughout the year, from garage sales to fairs in support of local charities such as Boys’ Town and the Society for the Physically Disabled. Likewise, the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS), which hosted a charity ball for Make-A-Wish Singapore (a non-profit organisation that seeks to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions) last April, also carries out other activities throughout the year. These include a food drive at the annual Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner (this year’s was on 9 October) and the Terry Fox Run, which it organises each January to raise funds for cancer research in Singapore.

Collectively, Singapore’s expatriate community has made invaluable contributions to local organisations that cater to the less fortunate. James Lim, Volunteer Resources Manager for the Salvation Army, says that expat wives lend a big hand, especially during office hours on weekdays when there is a shortage of local volunteers.

However, the year-end holiday period — usually from the third week of December through to the first week of January — tends to interrupt the schedule of charity work among expatriates. Many of them return to their home countries or go on holiday during this time. With this in mind, some associations have found ways to work around this annual ‘break’. “We have learnt to schedule our charity events for early December and after the first week of January to ensure maximum attendance, participation and fundraising,” says CAS President Janey Schueller, 38. The same holds true for the NCA, which holds its annual Christmas Charity Fair as early as midNovember. Proceeds from this event go to local charities and students from underprivileged homes.

Staying To Spread The Cheer
Although many of their friends and colleagues tend to head home, some expatriates remain in Singapore at the end of the year, and spend their time volunteering through the festive season.

To those like 39-year-old Katie Ault, who volunteers three times a week as an Assistant Instructor for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), it’s a labour of love. RDA offers free therapeutic horse riding for adults and children, and she’s hoping to carry out riding activities through the Christmas season this year if the organisation has enough volunteers on hand for programmes to continue as usual.

“If you have led an amazing life and have been given every privilege, it’s important to reach out to the less fortunate during Christmas,” says Katie, who originally hails from East Sussex, England.

For Singapore Permanent Resident Margaret Wong, 45, who is a Catholic, volunteering in December serves more as a reminder of how blessed she is.

“Anytime the opportunity presents itself for you to reach out to the less fortunate, grab it — Christmas or not,” says the Hong Kong-born American citizen who has been donating goodie bags and hongbaos (red money packets) to the elderly at the yearly Christmas lunch held by the Salvation Army’s Family Support Services for seven years now.

Gail Stubber, an elementary teacher at SJI International, agrees. She is the Community Services Coordinator at the Australian and New Zealand Association and regularly ‘kettles’ (a street campaign where volunteers ring a bell to inspire passersby to drop money into trademark red kettles) for the Salvation Army in December.

“I don’t see volunteering during the festive season as something that’s difficult to juggle [with my other commitments],” says the 54-year-old Australian, who has been living “on and off” in Singapore for 15 years with her engineer husband. “You just make it fit.”

The Spirit of The Season
As these women have found, volunteering during the year-end period can be a different experience as compared to other times of the year, and has even provided insights about the locals. For instance, Katie — who sold Christmas cards for the RDA along Orchard Road last year — realised that in Singapore, charity is not about getting a token in return for your donations: it’s just about giving. “There was a lovely lady who put money into the donation box and walked away. There were a handful of people like that. It is strange to me, coming from England, where we buy and send a lot of Christmas cards,” she says.

Gail experienced similar generosity while on a kettling drive last year. “It seemed people were much more generous than the year before. 2010 had been a tougher year economically, and maybe people realised that there would be more of those in need,” she recalls. “A number of people fished out fifty-dollar notes from their wallets.”

Margaret, who has lived in Singapore for 17 years and who kettles regularly as well, feels that helping others, especially the elderly, during the holiday season is about more than just giving money. “What [the less fortunate] really need is attention and affection,” says Margaret, who has roped in her 15-year-old son Alfred to join in her charity efforts.

For people like Margaret, Katie and Gail, end-year volunteering is a win-win activity. Besides the knowledge that others have benefited from their acts of kindness, the sense of fulfillment they gain from their good work adds to their own festive cheer as well. As Gail puts it: “By volunteering, you get so much back — it’s magic.”

Hari Raya decorations at Kampong Glam

The festival of Eid, more commonly known in Singapore as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa, falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated on 30 August this year.

Meaning “grand day of rejoicing” in Malay, Hari Raya Puasa is the celebration that follows a month of fasting known as Ramadan, during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. The fast is broken each evening after sunset.

On the morning of Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims visit the mosque, and this is followed by house visits and celebratory meals. During Ramadan, every Muslim is obliged to give to the poor the zakat fitrah (religious tithe).

Token cash amounts – not unlike the red packets distributed at Chinese New Year – are sometimes given to children by adults during Hari Raya.

Ong May Ling, a Chinese Singapore Permanent Resident, celebrates Hari Raya with her Singaporean Malay husband Faizal (left), and son Rashad

The Muslim celebration of Eid, or Hari Raya Aidilfitri, is one of the year’s highlights for Ong May Ling. The Chinese preschool teacher married her Malay husband Faizal Bakar 16 years ago, and celebrating the festival has deepened her respect for tradition.

“The emphasis on the family unit is very strong,” says the 44-year-old Singapore Permanent Resident. “Lots of people I know plan trips overseas to take advantage of the public holiday, but many Muslim families look forward to being around at Hari Raya to meet relatives and catch up with one another.”

ACCEPTING A NEW CULTURE

May Ling’s mother-in-law Fatimah Jalaluddin lives with her and Faizal, and as Madam Fatimah, 76, is the oldest among her siblings, it means the extended family congregates at their flat in Pasir Ris for Hari Raya.

It was a bit of a culture shock for May Ling when she celebrated the festival for the first time.

“It was like being thrown into the deep end of the pool then,” says May Ling. “There’s a lot of preparation involved, like getting the food ready and shopping for new clothes, as well as the fasting before the festival itself, and the prayers.”

Faizal, who is Singaporean, patiently explained the various traditions associated with the festival throughout May Ling’s initial experience. “I couldn’t expect her to adopt all the customs straight away,” says the senior circulation executive for news daily Today. “But even though she didn’t grow up in an Islamic household, she picked things up fast.”

May Ling embraced the customs that come with the occasion for the lessons they teach.

“For example, when children visit, they will greet the adults in the household, starting with the oldest, and ask for forgiveness for their past wrongdoings,” she says. “The same goes for the adults and their older relatives. It’s a humbling experience for everyone, and teaches the importance of respecting elders.”

PART OF THE FAMILY

Born and raised in the town of Muar in Johor, Malaysia, May Ling was no stranger to Hari Raya festivities, having visited friends’ homes during the festival every year. But it was certainly different being part of a Muslim family.

“During Hari Raya, presentation is important. All food is served using the best plates and cutlery; you’ll never see plastic forks and spoons or paper plates in use. I take a lot more time and care when I’m serving guests now,” she says.

Staples at their home during the festive season include lontong(steamed rice cakes), beef rendang (a spicy gravy), and chicken curry. However, it is Faizal’s mother who takes charge of preparing these favourites.

“The kitchen is her domain, so I wouldn’t want to get in her way,” May Ling says with a laugh.

“My mother-in-law starts cooking at 6am, and I join in later to help with the preparation and serving of the dishes.”

May Ling and Faizal’s son Rashad, 14, says, “I always look forward to Hari Raya because I get to see my relatives and catch up and play with my cousins.”

“I think I’m quite lucky because my family also celebrates Chinese New Year. Two holidays mean twice the fun!” says the School of the Arts Theatre Studies student.

Discover how Vesak Day will be celebrated in Singapore on 17 May this year by Chinese, Indian and Myanmar Buddhists. BY TINA WANG

One of the most well-known cultural events in Asia, Vesak Day is a celebration among Buddhists, whose religion is based on the teachings of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha, who hailed from northeastern India. Vesak Day is celebrated in various Asian countries, including Malaysia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, to reinforce a universal message of peace.

Vesak Day commemorates three major events—the birth, enlightenment at age 35, and death at age 80 of Buddha. This day is celebrated in different ways given the diverse Buddhist cultures around the world.

In Singapore, Buddhists make up 33.3 per cent of the population (according to the Singapore Census of Population 2010). Among the Singaporean and foreign residents who celebrate Vesak Day here are Chinese, Indian and Myanmar devotees.

THE CHINESE
Chinese Buddhists practice Mahayana (‘Greater Way’) Buddhism, and form the majority of Buddhists here. The Shuang Lin Temple in Toa Payoh is the oldest Buddhist temple in Singapore, but one of the biggest and most popular is the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple at Bright Hill Road. Up to 20,000 people gather there annually to mark Vesak Day by carrying out the “three-step, onebow” ritual. Devotees take steps on both knees and bow at every third step as they pray for world peace, personal blessings and repentance. The two-hour procession begins 24 hours before Vesak Day.

Acts of generosity known as dana are also observed, and some Buddhists free caged birds and animals and give alms to the poor and needy. Buddhist youth are also known to organise blood donation drives.

THE INDIANS
Indian Buddhists know Vesak Day as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, and mark the occasion in various ways. Besides abstaining from meat to show compassion to animals, they gather at the popular Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple in Little India to offer flowers, candles and joss sticks at the feet of bhikshus (monks). They also observe full-length Buddhist sutras, which are similar to prayer services.

Kheer, sweet rice porridge, is commonly served to devotees to recall how a young maiden called Sujata offered Buddha a bowl of it as his last meal before a long fast towards enlightenment.

THE MYANMAR
(‘Ancient Teaching’) Buddhism, which focuses on seeking one’s own path to salvation. Vesak Day is better known among this community as Ka-sone-lapyae or “Fullmoon Day of Kasone”, Kasone being the second month of the Myanmar calender. Traditions practised include the watering and taking special care of Bodhi trees, in reverence of Buddha attaining enlightenment while meditating under such a tree. Like the Indians, Myanmar devotees also mark the occasion by eating kheer.

Vesak Day

On Vesak Day, Devotees flock to these temples to participate in prayer sessions, present offerings and seek forgiveness.

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple
88 Bright Hill Road
The temple, also known as Bright Hill Temple, was founded in 1921. Today, it draws thousands of Buddhists each year to its various attractions including a crematorium, the Hall of Ten Thousand Pagodas and a sapling from the Bodhi tree in India under which Buddha attained enlightenment. On the top floor of its four-storey. Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall is one of Asia’s largest bronze Buddha images, measuring 13.8 metres in height and weighing 55 tonnes.

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
366 Race Course Road

Often called the Temple of 1,000 Lights, this popular temple—located at a busy intersection in Little India—boasts a 15 metre-high statue of a seated Buddha that weighs nearly 300 tonnes. There are also wall murals depicting the various life stages of Shakyamuni Buddha and a sacred, stylised footprint of Buddha in ebony and mother-of-pearl, among other images and effi gies. Behind the main hall is a statue of the Dying Buddha reclining under a Yellow Seraka tree.

Burmese Buddhist Temple (Maha Sasana Ramsi)
14 Tai Gin Road

The replacement of a smaller predecessor located at 17 Kinta Road, this majestic temple is home to a 3.3 metre-tall marble sculpture of Buddha. It is the first and only Myanmar Buddhist temple built outside Myanmar in the traditional style, and its magnificent pure white marble Buddha is the biggest enshrined outside Myanmar. The temple is also a venue for traditional Myanmar celebrations likeThingyan, the Myanmar New Year.

The Singapore Buddhist Federation is organising a Vesak Day Celebration at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on April 30 and May 1. Full details are available at www.vesakcelebrations.sg

As a child in Taipei, Chen Li Ling and her family would travel more than 100 kilometres to her grandparents’ home in Taichung where the extended family gathered to welcome the lunar new year.

“I loved Chinese New Year. I could play with my cousins from day to night, and get loads of presents and hong baos from the adults,” the undergraduate at the National University of Singapore says. “That is, aside from having a dining table piled high with great food!”

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Mexico's ambassador to Singapore, Mr Antonio Villegas, and his wife, Claudia (with their younger daughter Rosita) look forward to sharing their traditions at Christmas.

“A family affair”

Christmas is a very important event on the calendar for the Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Singapore, Mr Antonio Guillermo Villegas Villalobos.

“Like most of Latin America, Mexico´s population is Catholic in its majority. Thus, Christmas is a time to be spent with the family, to celebrate life and the many gifts we have received,” he explains.

“Celebrations start one week before Christmas, to commemorate the week the Virgin Mary and her husband, José (Joseph), took to travel seeking refuge for them and the still unborn Jesus Christ, from the persecution of the Romans.”

Ambassador Villegas, who hails from Mexico City, relocated here with his wife Claudia, and daughters Rosita, 5, and Valentina, 12, in November 2009 following his previous post as Mexico’s Ambassador to Peru. So he will be no stranger to a tropical Christmas.
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Think of Indian weddings and images of Bollywood and Mira Nair’s film Monsoon Wedding invariably come to mind. Looking beyond the colourful costumes, feasting and boisterous celebrations, Hindu Indian weddings are infused with traditional practices and take on hundreds of permutations, depending on the traditions of family, dialect group, and personal preference. Here in Singapore, no matter from which Indian community the newly-weds hail – North or South – celebrations always comprise pre-wedding, actual day and post-wedding rituals.

As a guest, come prepared for plenty of jostling and noise – and wear something brightly coloured. Indian families are especially honoured if a non-Indian guest turns up in Indian traditional dress such as a saree or Punjabi suit. Cash gifts are often welcome – but feel free to ask the couple what they prefer.

A BLESSED ENGAGEMENT

Before the wedding celebrations, some couples may choose to have an engagement ceremony known as roka – a formal commitment of both the families to the marriage. While the number and type of rituals conducted depend on family tradition, a puja or dedication, is often conducted at home or at the temple, one to 15 days before the wedding, to seek blessings and protection for the couple. This may be followed with vratham or fasting by both families to invoke similar blessings.

IT’S ALL IN THE HANDS

The intricate dark whorls of mehendi or henna are among the most essential and auspicious elements of pre-wedding rituals for a Hindu bride. The elaborate designs are made by applying a thick paste of henna to the hands and feet the day before the wedding. Surprisingly there is no religious symbolism behind wedding henna, although the reddish brown dye is steeped in wedding lore. The longer the bride allows the paste to dry, the darker the colour will be, signifying prosperity. It is also believed that the darker a henna tattoo, the more the bride’s mother-in-law will love her. A patient bride who is able to wait long enough for a darker, richer coloured tattoo also benefits in a practical way as she is not expected to do any chores until her wedding henna has faded. Sometimes the groom’s name is included within the designs on the bride’s palm; if the groom’s name is not incorporated, he is said to be less dominant in conjugal life.

THE MOTHER-IN-LAW TEST

Indian weddings abound with small acts and rituals that ‘test’ the commitment of the couple and the ability of the groom to care for his new wife. Don’t be surprised to see the bride’s mother measuring the groom’s chest or prodding him with her hands at some point during the wedding. It’s a quirky ritual in which the mother of the bride ‘assesses’ her new son-in-law’s manliness and ability to protect and care for her daughter. When satisfied, she will mark his forehead with kajal or kohl to ward off evil spirits.

THE GARLAND CEREMONY

Expect several rituals to be conducted during the wedding; while these may vary from family to family, one of the most common is the garland ceremony. Instead of rings, the couple exchange flower garlands – sometimes amid an atmosphere of friendly teasing. The bride tries to place a garland on the groom while the groom’s friends set up obstacles to tease the couple. The bride may likewise enlist the help of her family and friends, resulting in some tussling. The ‘fight’ concludes with the groom finally placing a garland around his bride’s neck, signifying mutual acceptance and respect as lifelong partners.

FRUIT AND MILK CEREMONY

Another common rite is the milk and fruit ceremony. Traditionally conducted at the bride’s home after the wedding ceremony, the married women present will feed the newlyweds spoonfuls of milk and banana pieces, signifying the marriage beginning on a sweet note. In Singapore, this ceremony may be conducted after the garland exchange.

The ‘fight’ concludes with the groom finally placing a garland around his bride’s neck, signifying mutual acceptance and respect as lifelong partners.

ETERNAL FLAME

The main and usually final event that concludes the wedding is the fire ceremony, typically performed by priests in front of a sacred fire amid prayers and guests. If you’re invited to an Indian wedding held at a restaurant or function hall, you may see a little ‘campfire’ in the main function hall. Don’t be alarmed, and feel free to gather around the couple for the ceremony. While the priest conducts the chants of the rite, the couple will tie a yellow string or thali around the bride’s neck with three knots. Friends and family are then invited to throw flowers on the couple. To seal the union, the couple walks around the fire, throwing rice into the fire to keep it burning, symbolising the eternal flame of love.

EAT UP!

After the ceremony, guests are invited to take part in a huge feast. If the wedding is conducted in a temple, the meal will likely be vegetarian, served on banana leaves and traditionally eaten with one’s hands. Don’t worry if you’re not confident of using your hands – cutlery is usually available. Also note that it’s common to sit on the floor while eating; if you’re not sure, just ask. Weddings held at community halls or restaurants may serve meat dishes. In any case, look out for desserts such as payasam or kheer, a sweet rice or vermicelli porridge flavoured with cardomon, raisins and almonds.

Sungei Road Thieves’ Market

An odd pairing – laser dics, music CDs and old shoes

The best time to visit is on a Saturday afternoon. Shoppers, gawkers and traders stroll serenely through a grid of haphazardly arranged street stalls with their gaze pinned to the ground seeking out the tarpaulin gallery. Old shoes, faulty gizmos, knock-off sunnies, scratched CDs, vinyls and laser discs, nets, drills and other bizarre bits and pieces. But it’s not all junk. A plastic case displays a tangle of Buddhist amulets while dog-eared books bake quietly in the heat of the day. Youngsters sporting the best in flea-market chic can also be found sifting through racks of used clothes.

Since the 1930s, the flea market at Sungei Road has had the infamy of being know as ‘Thieves Market” for selling a varied assortment of second-hand goods – not all gainfully acquired. Today, the little street makes a great lazy-day outing. (more…)