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A community that is connected as one

19 September 2012 0 comments

When Ms Carol Lim moved into Pasir Ris estate in 1996, she tried to search for a place where her sons could play football, meet new friends and blend into the new neighbourhood. She faced challenges in her quest until she met Mr Alvin Yeo, BBM, the then Chairman of Pasir Ris Zone 12 Residents’ Committee (RC). Mr Yeo helped to source for a training provider and suitable training venues with funding from the North East Community Development Council. Support from the community did not stop there. Mr Yeo, along with Adviser to Pasir Ris West Grassroots Organisations (GROs), Mr Teo Chee Hean and other grassroots leaders helped to make arrangements with other government agencies to ensure that the soccer programme was sustainable and well managed.

Due to the joint community efforts spearheaded by the GROs, the Elias Park Football Club was officially started in 1999. Today, the 13-years old Football Club has a membership of 6,000 and continued reaching out to football lovers and family members in the neighbourhood to share their common love for the game.

Inspired by the difference made by Mr Yeo, Carol joined the grassroots as a volunteer in 2002 and is now a Member of Pasir Ris Elias Community Club Management Committee (CCMC) and Pasir Ris West Community Sports Club (CSC). Her sons, who were pioneers of the Elias Park Football Club, contributed by mentoring junior players and promote the love of football to youths in the neighbourhood.

Carol’s story was among the many success stories shared at the Grassroots Seminar 2012 on Saturday, 15 September 2012 at the Orchid Country Club. The stories shared by residents and volunteers reflected the role of the GROs in bonding the community and bridging communications between the people and the government.  

PA’s Deputy Chairman, Minister Lim Swee Say highlighted  the direction for the PA and GROs in the coming year. This direction is aligned to the theme for Grassroots Seminar 2012 -“Connected as One”. Minister Lim reiterated the mission of the PA, which was to connect people to people and people and the Government. Through community activities and programmes, the GROs connect people to people and help build bonds amongst neighbours. Grassroots leaders too serve as a channel to gather and relay feedback and concerns from the people to the government and vice versa and communicate policies to help the community progress as one people.

The participants left the seminar with a reinforced vision to build a better Singapore for the community and one that is a Great Home and A Caring Community, with Hope and Heart.

View more photos of the Grassroots Seminar 2012 at the PAFrenz Facebook page.

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