Dear Friends,
11 caregivers listened intently to a briefing on what a personal accident insurance policy would mean for them. The briefing was conducted by a couple of volunteers in Mandarin and English and translated into Malay where needed. Their children who accompanied them were looked after by volunteers in another room and so they were able to give their undivided attention. One mother commented that the briefing was thorough, and she finally understood the importance of an insurance policy because the volunteers patiently answered all her questions. She was glad that donors were considering presenting her with personal accident coverage for a year.
During the briefing, a 52-year-old mother with 2 sons in vocational training shared that when her children’s father passed away suddenly in 2010, there was no nominee on his insurance policy and so the family has been unable to access the death benefit. Over the years, she had been asking around and was told that funds were with the Public Trustee’s Office, and she had to engage a lawyer to file a claim. As she could not imagine having the means for legal fees, she did not actively pursue the matter. As the briefing was about insurance, it reminded her of the issue, and she asked if anyone could help her.
We have known the woman for a while but was unaware of her predicament. Hence, we are glad that the briefing enabled her to seek help. We will now be referring her to Providence Law Asia who has been generously supporting our members with pro bono counsel.
“Onward As One” is this year’s National Day theme and a call for solidarity that our volunteers and donors have acted on all year round. Whether it is an insurance policy, legal advice or speaking to someone in a language he or she understands, our friends have lowered barriers in concrete practical ways for those with less so that they may live with confidence and optimism like most of us.
We would like to take this opportunity to appreciate all our volunteers, donors and well-wishers for cocreating an inclusive Singapore that strives to remove barriers impeding the dignity, progress, and integration of the poor.
Happy National Day!
All at Beyond
