If it's broken, here's how to fix it

Project part of Malay/Muslim community's service week

FROM shaky stools to faulty radios, broken items can be fixed for free next Tuesday when you take them to the Rochor Canal stretch near Madrasah Aljunied.

But you will need to get your hands dirty, too.

FiTree, a youth group that promotes sustainable living, and students from Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah willcoach people on how to fixthings as part of a Repair For Ramadan project.

This project is among events lined up for the Malay/Muslim community's Service to the Nation Week (SNW) from June 21 to 27.

"The act of repairing your own item gives you a sense of ownership, a sense that although you're doing a small thing, it adds up to... to sustaining the earth," said FiTree member Faizah Haji Shaik Abdullah Sahib, 28.

About 20 madrasah students will spend four days with trainers from the Sustainable Living Lab to learn how to repair items ranging from fabrics to furniture so they can help at the event.

Free repair services are not the only thing on the cards in the coming week. SNW will see community organisations such as Mendaki and 4PM, and informal youth groups like the Creative Muslim Youth Kakis (CMYK) giving back to the nation.

The services include sprucing up homes of needy families and distributing Ramadan porridge to people of all races and religions.

The SG50 Kita Committee, which is coordinating the Malay/Muslim community's contributions for Singapore's golden jubilee year, announced the events last Friday.

Said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim: "It's for us to play a role in the national effort to alleviate some

of the pressures and challenges faced by low-income families."

There are plans to make SNW an annual affair, he said.

"The most important thing is to establish a tradition of our community giving back to the nation. I think this is a good start," said Dr Yaacob, who is Communications and Information Minister.

Youths helped fuel the SNW, he said, noting how organisations mobilised members and offered ideas for projects.

Ms Faizah, an environmental engineer, said of Repair For Ramadan: "Youths can lead this charge. We need to inculcate the culture of 'repair' in the young instead of having a culture where we buy things and throw

them away without a second thought."

The SG50 Kita Committee also said the Malay/Muslim community's National Day Observance ceremony will be held at ITE College Central on Aug 8.

asyiqins@sph.com.sg


Upcoming events

  • JUNE 21

Let's Get Checked

FREE health screenings by the Muslim Healthcare Professionals Association and groups such as Jurong Health and Alexandra Health at Jurong Spring Community Centre from 8am to 12.30pm, and Woodlands Community Club from 8am to 11am.

Let's Share a Meal!

ALL 69 mosques will prepare and distribute Ramadan porridge to 50,000 residents. Malay/Muslim families are encouraged to share dishes with their neighbours.

  • JUNE 23

Repair for Ramadan

IF YOU have items in need of repair, take them to Rochor Canal from 10am to 3pm, and youth interest group FiTree and students from Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah will help to fix them.

E-mail greenfitree@gmail.com for details of the exact location.

  • JUNE 26

Warisan Kita

APPRENTICES of master potter Iskandar Jalil hold a workshop at the Malay Heritage Centre for the public to create clay tiles capturing their vision of Singapore. About 100 tiles will be selected for a mural at the centre. This is one of 10 Warisan Kita Mural Wall Art workshops which are organised by the Malay Heritage Foundation and run till Aug 9.

  • JUNE 27

Project Gotong-Royong

COMMUNITY groups such as 4PM, Sinda and PPIS will help those in need through various projects - from sprucing up homes to delivering kueh or desserts and food vouchers.

Iftar Kita

CLUB Heal and Darul Arqam Association are inviting non-Muslim residents in the area to break fast at the Bukit Batok East Community Club and Darul Arqam Association in Geylang Serai.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 17, 2015, with the headline If it's broken, here's how to fix it. Subscribe