Singapore

AN online charity initiative called Mind The Gap (MTG), which started in April last year, has since raised a total of S$1.1 million - a sum that has helped over 700 families in Singapore tide through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Initiated by Anthea Ong, chairperson of A Good Space, the funds were disbursed independently by a coalition of eight non-profit organisations.

They include A Good Space, Aware, Beyond Social Services, Cassia Resettlement Team, Methodist Welfare Services, Reach Community Services, Readable and 6th Sense.

Together, the group helped address financial needs of those who cannot qualify for the government's financial assistance criteria or where financial assistance received was inadequate.

They also reached out to groups which faced difficulties receiving financial assistance through formal channels, including sex workers, transgender individuals and those living in Pulau Ubin.

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The initiative has since closed and is no longer accepting donations. 

Ms Ong, who is also a former Nominated Member of Parliament, said that what struck her about MTG was the "collaborative spirit" of the initiative.

"For many, if not most, of the agencies, it was the first time being part of a self-established, multi-agency, active response team with the single purpose of serving a diverse community," she said.

"Although the government provided support for all Singaporeans and residents, and the low-income and marginalised received more than others, there were still some who needed additional or urgent support. Working together, the coalition had the reach and ability to support these families and individuals."

About 585 donors had contributed to the initiative, which started after an article in The Straits Times featuring families in need during the pandemic led to strong public desire to contribute via donations.

A report by a group of researchers from NUS Social Service Research Centre (SSRC) noted that MTG's funds were disbursed as quickly as two weeks or even a few days for those with immediate needs.

The researchers said the initiative's spontaneous and quick response allowed assistance to reach needy families in a manner that was "timely and unhindered by excessive administrative hurdles".

It also alleviated stress on the social service agencies so that they could concentrate on working on the more complex cases, said Ong Qiyan, deputy director of SSRC.

Asked how Singaporeans could better look out for those in the community struggling due to the pandemic, Ms Anthea Ong said one can start by checking up on closed ones such as family, friends and colleagues.

"Keeping it to what you can do from where you are with what you have is a more sustainable way to look out for those around us who are struggling," she said.

"But we must step forward to care more, and in taking care of this 'care', we are also helping ourselves find peace, stability and meaning in these uncertain and volatile times."

Those interested to find out more about the initiative can also tune in to a virtual seminar organised by NUS SSRC, where Ms Anthea Ong will be speaking as a panellist. Interested participants can register at this website.