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Give an hour of my time to my neighbour? Sure, why not
Why time, rather than money, should anchor community care.
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With Singapore’s rapidly ageing society, time banks would be a useful additional support to existing social service.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Wong Kang Li
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Imagine this: Gerald, 29, wants to give back to the community, much like he did in university. But his work and family commitments make it difficult for him to follow the fixed schedules of the Active Ageing Centre near his home. He also finds ad hoc volunteering unsatisfying because the interactions are too brief to feel meaningful.
At the same time, his neighbour, Mr Lee, 75, needs help taking his elderly spouse for a polyclinic check-up. Gerald would gladly assist – if only he knew about it.
