RAVI SINGARAM
He was once labelled as the “poor man’s MP” as he would often promote issues faced by lower-income communities and explore how makers of social policies could tackle the problem.
For his contributions to the social service sector over the past five decades, Dr S. Vasoo, 82, was given the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on Feb 2.
He was among the volunteers rewarded with some 298 awards at the annual MSF Volunteer and Partner Awards held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
In 1976, Dr S. Vasoo was part of a team that pioneered and set up a social service centre in Ang Mo Kio – to bring social aid closer to vulnerable residents living in the heartland.
Today, the project has evolved into the Family Service Centres, which can be found in almost every town in Singapore.
He also set up the Henderson Old People’s Community Home, the first community home for the aged, in 1974.
At the event, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli announced 2024 as the Year of Celebrating Volunteers – to recognise and celebrate the contributions of volunteers who have given their time and talent to build strong families and a caring and inclusive society.
“Dr Vasoo played a key role in starting the first Volunteer Service Bureau in 1976, the foundation stone to the volunteer movement in the social service sector today,” said Mr Masagos.
Also rewarded at the event were Mr Letchmenon Mariappan, 83, and Ms Davamani Velautham, 75, who have been volunteer probation officers (VPO) for five decades, keeping regular tabs on offenders under probation to ensure they stay clear of trouble. They were given 45-year Long Service awards.
Their volunteer work also involves ensuring that their charges truly reform and set out to pave a bright future for themselves.
“We invite them along to outings with us and speak with care. Seeing our compassion, they are willing to change for the better,” said Ms Davamani.
Added Mr Letchmenon: “I invite them to my house for meals and encourage them to study. One youth I helped has completed his degree and is now a lawyer.”
Ms Anitha Sivadasan, 62, and her husband Sivachandran Palaniasmy, 64, who jointly received the Outstanding Volunteer Award, have fostered more than 20 children since 2003, including those with special needs.
“Fostering is a huge responsibility. We have to be by the children’s side through challenging times,” said Ms Anitha.
“Often, we have to go to the hospital, even sacrificing our holidays. MSF provides training, healthcare subsidies and monthly allowance to us.
“It does hurt when we hand over ‘our kids’ to families who adopt them. But then, we also know they’re going to have a better life ahead.”
