experience A newsletter of the Singapore Cooperation Programme July - September 2012 ISSUE 44

JEWEL in the SKYLINE MEGA PARK GARDENS BY THE BAY IS A FANTASY IN BLOOM

GREEN WITH A PURPOSE THE MAKEOVER OF SINGAPORE’S PARKS REBUILDING A COMMUNITY A HELPING HAND FOR PAKISTAN’S FLOOD VICTIMS FOREWORD

QUOTES FROM READERS’ LETTERS

n our last issue of Experience Singapore, we revealed Singapore’s plans to “Thank you for the April-June issue of Experience Singapore. I collect all the issues transform from a “Garden City” to a “City in A Garden”. We provide more details that you send me. Any latest news of in this issue. Our cover story Jewel Of A Park is dedicated to Singapore’s new Singapore never fails to impress me. When I Gardens By The Bay which was offi cially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien saw the latest cover, my mind went back to ILoong on 28 June 2012. The Gardens, which took 8 years to complete, are set to the Chinese cultural centre in Chinatown – it become an intrinsic part of Singapore’s new downtown. was one of the most striking places I visited in Singapore four years ago.” Outside of the city, the rejuvenation of our community parks is also well underway. In Beautifying With A Purpose, fi nd out how a utilitarian canal in Premachanda Abeywickrama Danapala, Sri Lanka Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park was transformed into a beautiful waterway employing natural bioengineering techniques to keep the water clean. This issue also explores how Singapore NGO Mercy Relief recently completed a “After my wonderful experience in Singapore, project to reconstruct homes for the people in the village of Wazir Ali Jat in Pakistan, where I had the opportunity to participate in the SCP course ‘Enhancing Pedagogy Skills For who were displaced in the nation’s worst-ever fl ood. Find out more about Mercy Teacher Trainers’, I want to tell you that I have Relief’s eff orts in Rebuilding A Community in our Joining Hands pages. improved and put in practice all the knowledge Our Refl ections page puts the spotlight on a group of young visitors from acquired though the course. I am now in a Thailand, who were in Singapore for a study tour in May. Not only did these VIPs new job which allows me to demonstrate from the Young Ambassadors of Virtue Foundation visit our schools, libraries, everything I have learnt at the National National Museum and the Zoo, they were also hosted to a tea reception by Insitute of Education at Nanyang Technological University. And a very important Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs, Mr Masagos Zulkifl i. link to your country is the Experience We hope you enjoy this issue of Experience Singapore. This year marks the Singapore magazine that you send me.” 20th anniversary for the Singapore Cooperation Programme. Our next issue of Martinod Catalina, Ecuador Experience Singapore would be a commemorative special. Do look out for it!

Sudesh Maniar “Each time I receive your magazine I am widely reminded of the hospitality and humility of Director your country. Thank you for maintaining the Public Aff airs Directorate connection.“ Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Singapore Mathias Chinanayi, Zimbabwe

BE PART OF THE SCP’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! To celebrate this occasion, we will be publishing a special Copyright © is held by the publishers. All rights reserved. commemorative issue later this Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Singapore by Times Printers, year. If you are an alumnus of www.timesprinters.com. ISSN: 0219-2896 the Singapore Cooperation Experience Singapore is a publication of the Public Programme (SCP), take this Aff airs and Technical Cooperation Directorates opportunity and share with us yourur fond of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, Singapore. The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) is memories in Singapore as part of theth SCP! administered by the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, We would love to hear your stories and Singapore, and is aimed at sharing Singapore’s developmental experience with other experiences. Do send us photos together developing countries. with captions, and see them published in the next issue of Experience Singapore! You can now follow us on Twitter! Follow @MFA sg

Please send in your stories to Publishing Consultant [email protected]. MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Cover photo: Wilson Pang

2 experience singapore FOREWORD SCENE SG

DESTINATION HOTSPOT RECORD EU-SINGAPORE This is a slight improve- TRADE ment from last year, where Trade between Singapore and the QUOTES FROM READERS’ LETTERS Singapore had also come European Union (EU) reached record in fourth in visitor arrivals levels in 2011 despite the region’s n our last issue of Experience Singapore, we revealed Singapore’s plans to “Thank you for the April-June issue of but was ranked seventh in economic woes. It rose seven per Experience Singapore. I collect all the issues tourist spending. cent to reach S$106 billion, and was transform from a “Garden City” to a “City in A Garden”. We provide more details that you send me. Any latest news of in this issue. Our cover story Jewel Of A Park is dedicated to Singapore’s new The index, released up 11 per cent in the fi rst quarter Singapore never fails to impress me. When I on 18 June, ranked Lon- of 2012. Gardens By The Bay which was offi cially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien saw the latest cover, my mind went back to don tops in both expendi- A free trade agreement (FTA) be- ILoong on 28 June 2012. The Gardens, which took 8 years to complete, are set to the Chinese cultural centre in Chinatown – it ture and the number of tween the EU and Singapore is also become an intrinsic part of Singapore’s new downtown. was one of the most striking places I visited in Singapore four years ago.” tourist arrivals. expected to be concluded later this Outside of the city, the rejuvenation of our community parks is also well The cities are as- year, said Ambassador Marc Unge- underway. In Beautifying With A Purpose, fi nd out how a utilitarian canal in Premachanda Abeywickrama sessed in terms of their heuer, head of the EU delegation in Danapala, Sri Lanka Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park was transformed into a beautiful waterway employing Singapore has been named as one international visitor arrivals on direct Singapore. natural bioengineering techniques to keep the water clean. of the world’s top fi ve travel spots fl ights, and how much such visitors The EU is Singapore’s second big- for 2012, thanks to its two integrated spent in their destination cities in gest trading partner, slightly behind This issue also explores how Singapore NGO Mercy Relief recently completed a “After my wonderful experience in Singapore, resorts, shopping and dining choices previous years. Malaysia. In turn, the Republic is the project to reconstruct homes for the people in the village of Wazir Ali Jat in Pakistan, where I had the opportunity to participate in the SCP course ‘Enhancing Pedagogy Skills For and other attractions. Separately, the Singapore Tour- EU’s fi fth largest trading partner in who were displaced in the nation’s worst-ever fl ood. Find out more about Mercy Teacher Trainers’, I want to tell you that I have The MasterCard Global Destina- ism Board said in March that Singa- Asia, and 13th globally. The EU is Relief’s eff orts in Rebuilding A Community in our Joining Hands pages. improved and put in practice all the knowledge tions Cities Index also placed Singa- pore could expect up to 14.5 million also the largest source of foreign di- Our Refl ections page puts the spotlight on a group of young visitors from acquired though the course. I am now in a pore fourth in visitor arrivals and fi fth visitors this year, up from 13.2 million rect investment in Singapore, with a Thailand, who were in Singapore for a study tour in May. Not only did these VIPs new job which allows me to demonstrate in tourist spending out of 132 cities. last year. stock of S$169 billion in 2010. from the Young Ambassadors of Virtue Foundation visit our schools, libraries, everything I have learnt at the National National Museum and the Zoo, they were also hosted to a tea reception by Insitute of Education at Nanyang Technological University. And a very important SINGAPORE BY NUMBERS Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs, Mr Masagos Zulkifl i. link to your country is the Experience TALKING POINT The top logistics hub in We hope you enjoy this issue of Experience Singapore. This year marks the Singapore magazine that you send me.” “Through its curriculum, programmesgrammes the world as recognised 20th anniversary for the Singapore Cooperation Programme. Our next issue of Martinod Catalina, Ecuador and community, the Yale-NUSS by the World Bank’s Experience Singapore would be a commemorative special. Do look out for it! 1 Logistics Performance College will contribute to a deepereeper Index. Singapore beat 154 Sudesh Maniar “Each time I receive your magazine I am widely understanding between Singaporeapore other countries. reminded of the hospitality and humility of Director your country. Thank you for maintaining the and the United States, and moreore Public Aff airs Directorate connection.“ broadly between Asia and thee Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Singapore Mathias Chinanayi, Zimbabwe West, in a century when such Singapore has also maintained its pole understanding is going to be position as Asia’s top crucial to all forms of progress.”s.” convention city for the 1th BE PART OF THE SCP’S — Professor Pericles Lewis, 43, president of the new Yale-Nationalnal 10 consecutive year, according 20TH ANNIVERSARY University of Singapore (NUS) College . The college is due to to the latest globalrankings by open in August 2013. the International Congress and CELEBRATION! Convention Association. To celebrate this occasion, we ALL WIRED UP will be publishing a special Copyright © is held by the publishers. All rights reserved. ranks No 2 globally. commemorative issue later this Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Singapore by Times Printers, According to a global study by year. If you are an alumnus of www.timesprinters.com. ISSN: 0219-2896 Swedish telco equipment maker Eric- Singapore dropped the Singapore Cooperation sson released on 18 June, Singapore’s two places to rank as Experience Singapore is a publication of the Public th Programme (SCP), take this Aff airs and Technical Cooperation Directorates 74 per cent smartphone ownership the 8 most expensive opportunity and share with us yourur fond of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, Singapore. The rate ranks it ahead of places such as city in Asia for Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) is 8 Hong Kong (73 per cent) and the Unit- expatriates — behind Tokyo, memories in Singapore as part of theth SCP! administered by the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, We would love to hear your stories and Singapore, and is aimed at sharing Singapore’s ed Arab Emirates (64 per cent). Nagoya, Yokohama, Kobe, developmental experience with other Singapore’s tablet ownership Beijing, and Seoul. However, experiences. Do send us photos together developing countries. with captions, and see them published in stands at 31 per cent, slightly behind it rose six places from 2011 You can now follow us on Twitter! Three in four people in have a smart- Hong Kong at 34 per cent. The survey to be the 32nd most pricey in the next issue of Experience Singapore! Follow @MFA sg phone — making Singapore the polled more than 47,500 Internet us- the world. The Cost of Living country with the highest smartphone ers aged 16 to 60 ages in 58 countries survey by ECA International Please send in your stories to Publishing Consultant ownership in the world. And when it — including 500 from Singapore — in takes into account food and [email protected]. MediaCorp Pte Ltd comes to tablet computers, Singapore the fi rst quarter of this year. clothing, electrical goods, motoring and meals out. Cover photo: Wilson Pang

experience singapore 3 2 experience singapore COVER STORY

JEWEL OF

A 128m-long skybridge links two A PARK of the Supertrees EIGHT YEARS IN DEVELOPMENT, BAY SOUTH largest climate-controlled conserva- tories, fi lled with about 226,000 AT GARDENS BY THE BAY IS NOW OPEN AS plants from every continent except SINGAPORE’S LATEST VISITOR ATTRACTION. Antarctica. WORDS BY FAIROZA MANSOR Cloud Forest emulates the cool- moist climate of regions between n hot and humid Singapore, Cloud Forest is one of two climate- 1,000 to 3,500m above sea level. The being able to walk through a controlled conservatories in Bay enclosure also boasts a 35m mountain cooling mist and hear the roar of South, the fi rst of three gardens that that has a crystal cave with stalactites a six-storey high waterfall — right comprise Gardens by the Bay. Inspired and stalagmites. Iin the heart of the bustling city — partly by other international cities that On the other hand, Flower Dome sounds like fantasy. have been enhanced by parks — both replicates the cool-dry climate of the But fantasy comes alive at ‘Cloud economically and aesthetically — Gar- Mediterranean and semi-arid sub- Forest’, a conservatory at Gardens dens by the Bay occupies 101 hectares tropical regions like South Africa. Tem- by the Bay. Walking through a of land at Marina Bay, near the central peratures at the two conservatories cloud of mist at its entrance is like fi nancial area in the southern part of are kept between 23°C and 25°C using entering a diff erent world. Not only the island. energy-effi cient cooling technologies. are you greeted by the majestic Described by Singapore’s Prime There are also 18 futuristic-looking spectacle and sound of a waterfall Minister Lee Hsien Loong as “a jewel Supertrees, which are vertical gar- thundering down 30m, your senses in the skyline of the Singapore city”, dens of up to 50m tall. These show- are immediately assailed by the sight the mega park’s star attractions case over 162,900 plants from more and scents of fl owers, plants and are the two conservatories — Cloud than 200 species of orchids, ferns and foliage you never thought would exist Forest and ‘Flower Dome’. Both are tropical fl owering climbers. In the day,

in tropical Singapore. reputed to be two of the world’s their large canopies provide shade Wilson Photos: Pang

4 experience singapore COVER STORY Photo:NParks

TOP: A six-storey high waterfall greets visitors to ‘Cloud Forest’. LEFT: Flora and fauna from South Africa and Central Chile are on display in the ‘Flower Dome’. RIGHT: Sculptures at Dragonfl y Lake, one of two lakes at the park pleasantly, graciously. visitors can also take in “Not just good homes, effi cient JEWEL OF paranomic views of Bay public transport, which we are work- South from 22 metres ing hard to improve, or safe streets. above ground. But also be in touch with nature, never At the offi cial open- far from green spaces and blue wa- A 128m-long skybridge links two ing on 28 June 2012, ters,” he said. of the Supertrees A PARK Prime Minister Lee said, Two lakes called Dragonfl y and “[We] could have used Kingfi sher, as well as a green space EIGHT YEARS IN DEVELOPMENT, BAY SOUTH largest climate-controlled conserva- this [land] for far more with two themed gardens are also tories, fi lled with about 226,000 valuable commercial or within the 54-hectares that make up AT GARDENS BY THE BAY IS NOW OPEN AS plants from every continent except and shelter. At night, they light up residential developments, right in the Bay South, which took eight years and SINGAPORE’S LATEST VISITOR ATTRACTION. Antarctica. dramatically, powered by solar energy middle of the new Singapore city. But S$1 billion to build. WORDS BY FAIROZA MANSOR Cloud Forest emulates the cool- harvested by photovoltaic cells em- our planners in URA (Urban Redevel- For more information, log on to moist climate of regions between bedded in them. opment Authority) believed that a www.gardensbythebay.org.sg n hot and humid Singapore, Cloud Forest is one of two climate- 1,000 to 3,500m above sea level. The By walking along a 128-metre- large and beautiful park was an impor- being able to walk through a controlled conservatories in Bay enclosure also boasts a 35m mountain long skyway that links two Supertrees, tant element of our new downtown in cooling mist and hear the roar of South, the fi rst of three gardens that that has a crystal cave with stalactites Marina Bay South, just like Central Park a six-storey high waterfall — right comprise Gardens by the Bay. Inspired and stalagmites. in New York, or Hyde Park in London.” BAY BEAT Iin the heart of the bustling city — partly by other international cities that On the other hand, Flower Dome “I think what will amaze many is The other two gardens in Gardens “Our planners in URA sounds like fantasy. have been enhanced by parks — both replicates the cool-dry climate of the the experience of stepping into a to- By The Bay will be Bay Central and believed that a large Bay East. The plan is to develop But fantasy comes alive at ‘Cloud economically and aesthetically — Gar- Mediterranean and semi-arid sub- tally diff erent botanical world and Bay Central into an activities park Forest’, a conservatory at Gardens dens by the Bay occupies 101 hectares tropical regions like South Africa. Tem- and beautiful park was seeing plants not commonly found in like the East Coast Park and make by the Bay. Walking through a of land at Marina Bay, near the central peratures at the two conservatories an important element Singapore,” said Dr Tan Wee Kiat, the Bay East a relaxing and tranquil cloud of mist at its entrance is like fi nancial area in the southern part of are kept between 23°C and 25°C using Chief Executive of Gardens by the Bay. park in the city. entering a diff erent world. Not only the island. energy-effi cient cooling technologies. of our new downtown Gardens by the Bay is an exam- The full development of the 32-hectare Bay East will be carried are you greeted by the majestic Described by Singapore’s Prime There are also 18 futuristic-looking in Marina Bay South, ple of how Singapore’s living envi- out at a later stage, taking into spectacle and sound of a waterfall Minister Lee Hsien Loong as “a jewel Supertrees, which are vertical gar- just like Central Park ronment is being transformed, said consideration the infrastructural thundering down 30m, your senses in the skyline of the Singapore city”, dens of up to 50m tall. These show- Prime Minister Lee. “[Singapore] may works of other projects in the are immediately assailed by the sight the mega park’s star attractions case over 162,900 plants from more in New York, or Hyde be a densely populated city, maybe area. Bay Central, the smallest at and scents of fl owers, plants and are the two conservatories — Cloud than 200 species of orchids, ferns and one of the densest in the world, but 15 hectares, will be open after Park in London.” the other two gardens have foliage you never thought would exist Forest and ‘Flower Dome’. Both are tropical fl owering climbers. In the day, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong we are determined that our people been fully developed.

in tropical Singapore. reputed to be two of the world’s their large canopies provide shade Wilson Photos: Pang should be able to live comfortably,

4 experience singapore experience singapore 5 IN SINGAPORE

BEAUTIFYING WITH A PURPOSE THE REJUVENATED BISHAN-ANG MO KIO PARK IS A NATURE HAVEN. WORDS BY FAIROZA MANSOR

ooking at the meandering because the waterway con- waterway fl owing through nects to the Kallang River in the 62-hectare Bishan-Ang the south — involved soil en- Mo Kio Park that serves as an gineering techniques with the expansiveL green oasis between two use of rocks and plants to stabi- public housing estates, one would be lise the slopes and prevent ero- hard pressed to imagine that the river sion. Water in the river is kept was once a canal. clean using carefully selected Purple Heron But that it was, before the park was plants — rather than chemi- renovated at a cost of S$76 million and cals — so that impurities are offi cially re-opened on 17 March 2012 removed naturally. These plants help by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. to cleanse water by fi ltering pollutants Migratory birds such The waterway, the park’s high- and absorbing nutrients. light, has gentle slopes covered with Such natural bioengineering tech- as the Purple Heron lush greenery, allowing park users to niques has meant that the biodiversity and Little Egret, stroll along the water’s edge. The re- in the vicinity has increased by 30 per as well as various construction of the Kallang River @ cent. Migratory birds such as the Pur- Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park — so named ple Heron and Little Egret, as well as species of dragonfl ies various species of drag- are now a common Aerial view of the ‘new’ onfl ies are now a com- Kallang River @ Bishan- sight at the park. Ang Mo Kio Park. mon sight at the park. Other than being visually pleasing, the downstream to Marina Reservoir, the Kallang River @ Bishan- largest of Singapore’s 17 reservoirs, Ang Mo Kio Park has and the fi rst in the heart of the city . also been designed on a fl oodplain concept. This FUN IN THE SUN means that during heavy The park has three playgrounds as rain, the river banks be- well as a fi tness corner and a foot re- come a natural chan- fl exology footpath. Open fi elds and nel to convey rainwater event lawns — covering more than

6 experience singapore IN SINGAPORE

BEAUTIFYING A bridge at Punggol Waterway. ABC WITH A EXPLAINED Singapore has 17 reservoirs, 32 major rivers and more than 7,000 PURPOSE kilometres of canals and drains. The Active, Beautiful, Clean THE REJUVENATED BISHAN-ANG MO KIO Waters (ABC Waters) Programme PARK IS A NATURE HAVEN. WORDS BY FAIROZA MANSOR was launched by Singapore’s na- tional water agency, PUB, in 2007 to transform utilitarian drains, ooking at the meandering because the waterway con- canals and reservoirs into beauti- waterway fl owing through nects to the Kallang River in ‘An Enclosure for a Swing’ by ful and clean streams, rivers and Singapore sculptor Kelvin Lim lakes with the view of making Sin- stands atop Recycle Hill. the 62-hectare Bishan-Ang the south — involved soil en- gapore into a vibrant City of Gar- Mo Kio Park that serves as an gineering techniques with the dens and Water. Under this on- expansiveL green oasis between two use of rocks and plants to stabi- going programme, ‘blue green’ public housing estates, one would be lise the slopes and prevent ero- 40,000 sq metres — make great spots heartland through projects like up- spaces are created and integrated hard pressed to imagine that the river sion. Water in the river is kept for recreational activities such as soc- grading homes and transport net- with adjacent land developments to encourage lifestyle activities in was once a canal. clean using carefully selected cer and kite-fl ying. works as that is where “we raise our Purple Heron and around the waters. But that it was, before the park was plants — rather than chemi- Recycle Hill, aptly named because families, forge new memories and A total of 100 potential pro- renovated at a cost of S$76 million and cals — so that impurities are it was formed using concrete slabs strengthen our emotional ties”. jects have been identifi ed island- offi cially re-opened on 17 March 2012 removed naturally. These plants help from the former canal, gives visitors a wide for implementation over by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. to cleanse water by fi ltering pollutants panoramic view of the park. At its top the next 10 to 20 years. The ABC Migratory birds such Waters Programme also aims to The waterway, the park’s high- and absorbing nutrients. stand a larger-than-life installation by improve Singapore’s water qual- light, has gentle slopes covered with Such natural bioengineering tech- as the Purple Heron Singapore sculptor Kelvin Lim. Called ity by incorporating design fea- lush greenery, allowing park users to niques has meant that the biodiversity and Little Egret, ‘An Enclosure for a Swing’, it contains a tures such as rain gardens and stroll along the water’s edge. The re- in the vicinity has increased by 30 per as well as various functional swing within its metal bars. constructed wetlands into its construction of the Kallang River @ cent. Migratory birds such as the Pur- The initiative to rejuvenate the projects. This way, storm water species of dragonfl ies on these sites is treated before Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park — so named ple Heron and Little Egret, as well as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is part of it fl ows naturally into waterways various species of drag- are now a common the Govenment’s commitment to and reservoirs — making Sin- Aerial view of the ‘new’ onfl ies are now a com- make Singapore the “best home”, said gapore one of the few countries Kallang River @ Bishan- sight at the park. Ang Mo Kio Park. mon sight at the park. Prime Minister Lee at the park’s offi cial in the world to harvest urban Other than being re-opening. storm water on a large scale for its water supply. visually pleasing, the downstream to Marina Reservoir, the “After all, Singapore is not just Some of the latest ABC Waters Kallang River @ Bishan- largest of Singapore’s 17 reservoirs, defi ned by tall buildings or skylines, to be completed include Punggol Ang Mo Kio Park has and the fi rst in the heart of the city . or even exciting events like F1,’ he Waterway, the longest man-made also been designed on a said. “But rather by the places where waterway in Singapore at 4.2 fl oodplain concept. This FUN IN THE SUN we grew up, the people we meet km; Lorong Halus Wetland, cre- ated out of what used to be Sin- means that during heavy The park has three playgrounds as daily and the community spaces we gapore’s last land-based landfi ll; rain, the river banks be- well as a fi tness corner and a foot re- enjoy together.” and Marina Reservoir, Singapore’s come a natural chan- fl exology footpath. Open fi elds and It is especially important to im- largest reservoir located in the Cleansing plants at the Pond Gardens help to fi lter pollutants and clean the water. heart of the city. nel to convey rainwater event lawns — covering more than Ealbert Ho and others courtesy of NParks Yan, Hong Chee Photos: prove the living environment in the

6 experience singapore experience singapore 7 JOINING HANDS REBUILDING A COMMUNITY FIFTY FAMILIES FROM ONE OF THE WORST HIT AREAS IN THE FLOODS THAT RAVAGED PAKISTAN IN LATE JULY 2010 NOW HAVE NEW HOMES AS WELL AS LAND FOR GROWING CROPS, THANKS TO DONATIONS FROM SINGAPORE. WORDS BY FAIROZA MANSOR

t has been two years since year. Although the fl oods had gener- Pakistan was hit by the worst ally begun to recede, new fl oods were fl oods in the country’s history. The reported by mid-September 2010 in fl ood waters have long subsided, some areas such as in the southern families lived in makeshift wooden Ibut many survivors have lost their province of Sindh. About 2,000 people houses built on low, uneven ground. homes and livelihoods. were killed nation-wide. Each house has its own garden Rebuilding their lives is now pos- space to farm vegetables for personal sible though — at least for 50 aff ected LONG TERM IMPACT consumption. The farming village was families from the village of Wazir Ali “Unlike acute emergency relief where also given an 84-acre communal plot Jat in the Thatta district in the prov- the relief phase is temporary, re- to grow commercial crops. ince of Sindh. A social mobilisation construction of homes is meant for Each family was also given live- programme to rebuild their homes long-term impact. It is not just about stock, including goats and chickens, was launched by Mercy Relief in June reconstructing homes, but more as well as seeds and fertilisers to help 2011. A Singapore-based non-gov- about rebuilding communities,” said restart their lives. The families have ernmental organisation (NGO), Mercy Mr Abdul Jaff ar. since settled into their homes and are Relief worked in partnership with Pa- Construction of the houses — already growing rice and sunfl ower kistan’s National Rural Support Pro- made mostly of brick and cement — (for the seeds) on the communal plot. gramme (NRSP) to facilitate the con- took about 11 months. With a fl oor At the opening ceremony on 20 struction of 50 houses in the village. area of 18sq m, each house in the new April 2012 for the new estate, the Wazir Ali Jat village was chosen estate comprises a bedroom, kitchen, families each received a certifi cate of because it was in one of the worst hit veranda and toilet. Previously, the ownership for their homes. They also areas. It was also one of the received a carton of ready-packed fi rst areas to have received im- meals. The ceremony was attended by mediate aid from Mercy Relief, six Mercy Relief representatives as well said Mr Abdul Jaff ar Mydin, as NRSP management members. the NGO’s Assistant Director of The S$233,000-estate, which has International Programme Divi- brick paths and street lighting, was sion. funded through various fundraising The fl ood, which started on eff orts organised by Mercy Relief in 27 July 2010, was caused by Singapore as well as through public heavy monsoon rains. It sub- donations. merged about one third of the “Many of the villagers expressed country and led to the cancel- their gratitude and told me that the lation of its Independence Day new houses are something beyond Construction of the 50 new houses at Wazir Ali Jat village in celebrations on August 14 that Thatta district, Sindh province, began in June 2011. their dreams,” said Mr Abdul Jaff ar.

8 experience singapore JOINING HANDS REBUILDING A COMMUNITY FIFTY FAMILIES FROM ONE OF THE WORST HIT AREAS IN THE FLOODS THAT RAVAGED PAKISTAN IN LATE JULY 2010 NOW HAVE NEW HOMES AS WELL AS LAND FOR GROWING CROPS, THANKS TO DONATIONS WORDS BY FAIROZA MANSOR FROM SINGAPORE. Assistant Director of International Programme Division at Mercy Relief, Mr Abdul Jaff ar Mydin, distributing fresh t has been two years since year. Although the fl oods had gener- meat to the aff ected villagers soon after the fl ood hit. Pakistan was hit by the worst ally begun to recede, new fl oods were fl oods in the country’s history. The reported by mid-September 2010 in SingHealth medical practitioners providing basic medical care at the fl ood waters have long subsided, some areas such as in the southern families lived in makeshift wooden “Also, they now have access to clean Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Ibut many survivors have lost their province of Sindh. About 2,000 people houses built on low, uneven ground. water from taps.” camp in Sukkur district, Sindh. homes and livelihoods. were killed nation-wide. Each house has its own garden Also present at the ceremony Rebuilding their lives is now pos- space to farm vegetables for personal was Mr Wazir Ali Jat, who donated three feet above ground.” from 17 to 31 October. Each day, the sible though — at least for 50 aff ected LONG TERM IMPACT consumption. The farming village was 14,000sq m of his family’s land to sup- Economically, the future looks teams attended to more than 200 pa- families from the village of Wazir Ali “Unlike acute emergency relief where also given an 84-acre communal plot port the reconstruction. He said with brighter as well. “When we sell the tients suff ering from conditions that Jat in the Thatta district in the prov- the relief phase is temporary, re- to grow commercial crops. great joy, “You saw our houses before livestock in a few months, we expect included upper-respiratory tract infec- ince of Sindh. A social mobilisation construction of homes is meant for Each family was also given live- this [the reconstruction], and today we will have enough money, and we tions as well as gastro-intestinal prob- programme to rebuild their homes long-term impact. It is not just about stock, including goats and chickens, you can see the happiness on the can use this money for our children, lems and skin complaints. was launched by Mercy Relief in June reconstructing homes, but more as well as seeds and fertilisers to help faces of the villagers. We — the men, for their education and health,” said Dr Razi Yousuf, managing director 2011. A Singapore-based non-gov- about rebuilding communities,” said restart their lives. The families have women and children of this village — another villager. of South City Hospital, said then that ernmental organisation (NGO), Mercy Mr Abdul Jaff ar. since settled into their homes and are will always remember the people of as many fl ood victims were living in Relief worked in partnership with Pa- Construction of the houses — already growing rice and sunfl ower Singapore for the support they have MEDICAL MISSIONS crowded communal facilities, there kistan’s National Rural Support Pro- made mostly of brick and cement — (for the seeds) on the communal plot. provided us.” Before the reconstruction eff orts in was the risk of an epidemic of water- gramme (NRSP) to facilitate the con- took about 11 months. With a fl oor At the opening ceremony on 20 As one villager told Channel News- Wazar Ali Jat, Mercy Relief had also borne diseases as well as dengue and struction of 50 houses in the village. area of 18sq m, each house in the new April 2012 for the new estate, the Asia, “We now have cement houses. worked with Singapore’s SingHealth malaria — especially in areas where Wazir Ali Jat village was chosen estate comprises a bedroom, kitchen, families each received a certifi cate of We are safe from future fl ood waters and Pakistan’s South City Hospital to water sources had become contami- because it was in one of the worst hit veranda and toilet. Previously, the ownership for their homes. They also because the houses are built two to dispatch medical relief teams to Pa- nated by pollutants from debris. areas. It was also one of the received a carton of ready-packed kistan in the immediate aftermath of In total, Mercy Relief made more fi rst areas to have received im- meals. The ceremony was attended by the 2010 fl oods. Two medical missions than 10 trips to the Khyber Pakhtun- mediate aid from Mercy Relief, six Mercy Relief representatives as well “We — the men, were deployed to the Internally Dis- hwa province in north-west Pakistan said Mr Abdul Jaff ar Mydin, as NRSP management members. women and children placed Persons (IDP) camp in Sukkur and Sindh province throughout the the NGO’s Assistant Director of The S$233,000-estate, which has district, also located in Sindh province. relief, rehabilitation and reconstruc- International Programme Divi- brick paths and street lighting, was of this village — will The fi rst medical team of two doc- tion phases from 1 August 2010 — sion. funded through various fundraising always remember the tors and six nurses was led by Dr Gene about a week after the fl ood fi rst hit. The fl ood, which started on eff orts organised by Mercy Relief in people of Singapore Ong from Singapore’s KK Women’s Besides tents, fresh meat and food 27 July 2010, was caused by Singapore as well as through public and Children’s Hospital’s department packs, Mercy Relief also donated 20 heavy monsoon rains. It sub- donations. for the support they of emergency medicine. They were units of ultra-fi ltration water systems. merged about one third of the “Many of the villagers expressed have provided us.” at the IDP camp from 8 to 22 October The total value of donations col- country and led to the cancel- their gratitude and told me that the Mr Wazir Ali Jat, who donated 14,000sq m of his 2010 to provide basic medical care. A lected by Mercy Relief to fund all its lation of its Independence Day new houses are something beyond family’s land to support the reconstruction second medical team, also SingHealth aid eff orts in Pakistan came up to Construction of the 50 new houses at Wazir Ali Jat village in celebrations on August 14 that Thatta district, Sindh province, began in June 2011. their dreams,” said Mr Abdul Jaff ar. medical practitioners, was deployed S$1.63 million.

8 experience singapore experience singapore 9 REFLECTIONS YOUNG THAI AMBASSADORS IN SINGAPORE SIX YOUNG AMBASSADORS FROM THAILAND’S YOUNG AMBASSADORS OF VIRTUE FOUNDATION VISITED SINGAPORE TO LEARN OUR DEVELOPMENT STORY. WORDS BY ROSA ATAN

hey were captivated by a Foundation (YAVF), an organisation 3.5 million-volt coil at the established in 1999 under the aus- Singapore Science Centre. pices of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign They captured seafood in Aff airs. The Foundation aims to pro- Tdrawings and painted pictures with mote national unity, character devel- coff ee at Anderson Primary School. opment and volunteerism among the They also got up close and personal country’s youths. The pupils, along with the animals at the Singapore with their teachers, were selected National Museum Zoological Gardens. from over 2,500 Thai schools for this These were some of the fond study visit, based on their ideas of visit refl ected the close ties between memories that six primary school pu- how youths could contribute to forg- Singapore and Thailand. The two pils from Thailand brought home after ing stronger national unity. countries have long enjoyed close their study visit to Singapore from 2 to The Foundation, whose patron cooperation in many areas, with both 5 May, 2012. is Her Royal Highness Princess Maha sharing a keen desire to achieve an The students, aged between 10 Chakri Sirindhorn, organises activi- ASEAN Community by 2015. He also and 12 years, were members of Thai- ties aimed at promoting youth de- land’s Young Ambassadors of Virtue velopment and volunteerism. The delegation was led by the Singapore Foundation’s Chief Execu- “If there is one Science Centre tive Offi cer Ms Pornpimol single country Kanchanalak. On their fi rst day in in the world that Singapore, the 20-mem- has proven how ber delegation was host- ed to a tea reception by important human Singapore’s Minister of resources are, it’s State for Foreign Aff airs and Home Aff airs, Mr Singapore.” Ms Pornpimol Kanchanalak, Chief Executive Masagos Zulkifl i, at the Offi cer, Thailand’s Young Ambassadors of Ministry of Foreign Aff airs. Virtue Foundation Mr Masagos said the

10 experience singapore Anderson Primary School

Tea reception with Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs and Home Aff airs, Mr Masagos Zulkifl i, at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs

go anywhere else?’” He also said that he was looking at making the visit an annual aff air. The Singapore trip had certainly left a deep impres- Woodlands Regional Library sion on the Thai visitors. In an article published in Thailand’s English-lan- delegates visited Anderson Primary guage newspaper, The Nation, shortly School and Raffl es Institution (RI) to after returning from the trip, Ms Porn- learn more about Singapore’s educa- pimol noted that Singapore had “in tion system. At RI, the visitors were im- less than one generation…gone from pressed by the campus tour that took rags to riches — for the people, not the delegation to the library, lecture politicians”. theatres and heritage centre. “If there is one single country in the For a glimpse into the Republic’s world that has proven how important heritage and culture, the Thai del- human resources are, it’s Singapore. egation visited the National Museum, The country has absolutely no natural Woodlands Regional Library and the resources, not even fresh water. The Science Centre. They also visited the only resource it has is people.” Elephant Statue at Old Singapore Zoological Gardens. Parliament House Ambassador Don Pramudwinai, co-founder of YAVF, who was part of noted that the two countries have the delegation, was pleased to ob- established exchange programmes, serve how the Thai students were such as a school twinning scheme enriched by their fi rst overseas expe- that pairs 10 Singapore schools with rience as YAVF delegates. He told The their Thai counterparts. Some 1,000 Straits Times newspaper that the Re- students and teachers from Singa- public was chosen for the study visit pore have visited Thailand under because of its economic and educa- this programme. tional success. “This is such a resource- During their four-day stay, the Thai ful country,” he said. ‘Why should we Singapore Zoological Gardens

experience singapore 11 SINGAPORE COOPERATION PROGRAMME (SCP)

SINGAPORE AND OMAN BOOST TIES WITH NEW INSTITUTE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED DURING SINGAPORE FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT.

LEFT: Singapore’s Foreign Minister K Shanmugam (left), and Oman’s MFA Secretary-General Sayyid Badr bin Hamood Al Busaidi signing an MOU to establish the Regional Institute for Infrastructure Development (RIID). ABOVE: Minister Shanmugam speaking to course participants at RIID. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Ahmed Has- ingapore’s Minister for For- The course was conducted by train- san Al Dheeb. eign Aff airs and for Law ers from Singapore Power and the They discussed the state of Singa- K Shanmugam and Secretary- Energy Market Authority. One of the pore-Oman relations and identifi ed General of the Ministry of For- course participants, Mr Naveen Ku- new areas where both countries could Seign Aff airs of Oman Sayyid Badr bin mar, Technical Manager of the Al Bati- cooperate. Hamood Al Busaidi signed a Memo- nah Power Company, said that the Minister Shanmugam also met randum of Understanding (MOU) to course provided “more insights into the Singaporean community in Oman establish the Regional Institute for In- how the energy industry functions… at a reception hosted by Singapore’s frastructure Development (RIID) dur- [and] there are many aspects that can Non-Resident Ambassador to Oman, ing his introductory visit to the Sul- be adopted to enhance the energy in- Mr Teng Theng Dar. tanate of Oman in May 2012. The RIID dustry capability in Oman”. is co-located at the Sultan Qaboos While in Oman, University and will be the platform for Minister Shanmugam Singapore to off er capacity building also met Deputy The RIID is co-located at the courses in infrastructure development Prime Minister for the Sultan Qaboos University and vocational skills to the Omanis. Council of Ministers These courses cover areas such as His Highness Sayyid and will be the platform for electrical network management, civil Fahd bin Mahmoud Singapore to off er capacity aviation and water management. Al Said, the Chairman building courses in infrastructure Minister Shanmugam also ob- of the Majlis A’Shura served the fi rst RIID course on “Distri- (Consultative As- development and vocational bution Network Asset Management” sembly) Khalid bin skills to the Omanis. during this visit to the Sultanate. Hilal Al Mawali, and

12 experience singapore