Girls' Brigade Singapore to grant 5,000 residents' wishes, from home appliances to school supplies
Madam Noorashikin Ahamed, 34, can now prepare healthier meals for her husband, who has asthma that has affected his brain function, using an air fryer she received on May 22.
"My husband is on a strict diet. (With this air fryer), I can now cook air-fried chicken meat or fish. No need to add pan-fried oil, so his meals are healthier," said the homemaker, whose wish was granted by the Girls' Brigade Singapore (GBS).
Other wishes fulfilled as part of a project to support vulnerable Singaporeans included a speed agility training set for 12-year-old Haiyul Qhayyum Abdullah from Cantonment Primary School.
"I have wanted a speed agility ladder training set for a very long time," said the Primary 6 pupil. "I will try to lend this stuff to my friend to train in football together."
Haiyul and Madam Noorashikin are among 5,000 residents whose wishes are being fulfilled between May 22 and July 31 as part of the fifth and largest edition of GBS' annual Girls' Brigade Friend in Deed project.
Under the project, which started in 2021, beneficiaries can ask for any item within a $60 budget. Wishes granted in the past included bedsheets and home appliances such as electric kettles; health and wellness items like mobility aids and blood pressure monitors; and school supplies and toys for children.
This is the first year the project is partnering with the Ministry of Social and Family Development's social service offices, which helped to identify more beneficiaries.
GBS president Sharon Liat said: "This project is close to our hearts because it gives us a chance to know Singaporeans from all walks of life. We love listening to their stories and giving them a chance to wish for something that they would really want or need."
At the launch of the 2025 edition of the project on May 22, 40 households in the Jalan Kukoh neighbourhood were the first to receive their wishes, distributed by 43 Girls' Brigade members and Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Culture, Community and Youth.
Girls' Brigade Singapore president Sharon Liat and Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, flag off deliveries to beneficiaries on May 22. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
"As the social issues we face grow increasingly complex, community partners such as Girls' Brigade play a key role in leveraging networks to galvanise resources to uplift families and individuals who need an additional helping hand," said Mr Chua.
"This includes ComLink+ families, who face additional challenges and often have to stretch limited resources to meet various needs," he said, noting that nearly 2,700 beneficiaries under the Girls' Brigade Friend in Deed project are in ComLink+, up from 400 in 2024.
Under the ComLink+ scheme, low-income households get financial incentives and other support if they take steps to improve their lives, such as holding stable jobs with CPF contributions.
"I hope that more community and corporate organisations will be part of efforts such as this so that together we can ensure that no one is left behind as Singapore progresses," said Mr Chua, who will be sworn in as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law on May 23. He will retain his social and family development portfolio but will relinquish his role in community, culture and youth.
Corporal Pan Ying En (left), and Corporal Chloe Wang at The Girls' Brigade launch of the GB Friend in Deed Project 2025 at Jalan Kukoh on May 22. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Secondary 3 students Pan Ying En and Chloe Wang, both 15, from Raffles Girls' School (Secondary), said they felt heartened by the warm reception from beneficiaries. "When we went to deliver the gifts, I saw how they smiled a lot. They were really welcoming and tried to ask us to go in (to their homes) and talk to them," said Ying En.
GBS has fulfilled the wishes of more than 12,500 beneficiaries to date. Members of the public who wish to adopt or deliver wishes to beneficiaries may do so till July 31. For more information, visit www.gb.org.sg
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