Newly-elected Chairman of Singapore People’s Party (SPP) Jose Raymond took to his Facebook on Thursday (26 December) to thank a well-wisher who donated gift vouchers to the less fortunate families and residents at Potong Pasir.
“Words cannot describe the emotions which flowed when I received this donation of vouchers from a well-wisher who asked that I share this with the low Income or residents in need in Potong Pasir,” Mr Raymond wrote.
Each of the gift vouchers that the Good Samaritan donated worth S$10. However, the number of vouchers he contributed is unknown.
Mr Raymond also said that he’s honoured to know that the work that his party did on the ground is being recognised.
He penned, “I am honoured that our work on the ground in Potong Pasir is being recognised, and that people can identify with our approach, which is to put people at the heart of everything we do.”
The Chairman added, “Together we are stronger. To the kind donor, I’ll always remember this. Thank you, on behalf of the people who will benefit from your kindness.”
Ground work at Potong Pasir
Mr Raymond, who was the former press secretary of Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, has been able to strike up a formidable ground presence in Potong Pasir since he emerged as a member of SPP to do the groundwork in Potong Pasir in 2017.
Since then, the SPP’s presence on the ground has been heightened through block visits, and events such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and mini-home parties.
Just recently, the Chairman presented goodie bags to some of the lower income families in Potong Pasir, and also caught up with some of the elderly residents in the estate who either live alone or with their helpers.
Other than organising events, Mr Raymond has started a befrienders programme in the estate called Potong Pasir Sayang and also put together a panel of lawyers to support the needs of the residents in the estate who have sought legal advice from him.
In a previous Facebook post announcing the formation of the programme, Mr Raymond said that “as a result of our outreach and engagement, we are proud to announce the start of our very own befrienders programme called “Potong Pasir Sayang” which aims to provide support and be in constant touch with the elderly in the estate who either live alone or with a caregiver.”
These are not the only things that Mr Raymond has done. He has been vocal publicly on issues concerning residents and also written to various agencies to help individual residents in resolving problems.
An example out of many others, Mr Raymond voiced out for a resident who was denied job opportunities due to his past conviction. After the matter was raised up in public, the resident got a job offer which he accepted.
