great idea!

(on another unrelated note, i wonder what elite wee would say)

Kudos to veron. perhaps there is some hope for the fiefdom
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`Poverty has been eradicated` Kishore Mahbubani, Singapore's permanent representative to the UN

and how can this guy qualify for workfare bonus?

No one owes him a living. There are many old folk who live on one meal a day at Beach road, but theres always the solace of eventual death
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刘项原来不读书

A thought provoking article. Excellent!

It is always more blessed to give than to receive! How true! Once I saw a disabled man selling lottery tickets just outside the UOB at Orchard Road and went over to give him $2/-. When I crossed over the road, I saw a $2/- on the ground and picked it up. Just as I was about to reach Sommerset MRT Station I saw an interesting sight. There was this man doing an entertaining stunt. He was blowing his harmonica, tossing 3 tennis balls and at the same time creating great rhythmn with his wooden clogs. (Later found out he was the famous kar kiak man) I put in the $2/- into his container. When I went down the escalator, I picked up another $2/-!!!

Many of us CAN afford the $2/-. Just by walking instead of taking the bus for short distances; buying lovely yet unbranded goods; cutting down on "luxurious" food/drinks like chocolates, beers, and eating in food courts than in restaurants. etc.

It is therapeutic to give. Giving promotes great health! :-)

Elite Wee Shu Min, please come back and let us take a look at you.

It is definitely more blessed to give than to receive but being blessed does not mean we get something back materially every time we give. If we have that mindset, giving won't be genuine anymore.

It only takes a spark,
To get a fire going;
When we pass a $2/- note
Our heart is filling
with joy immeasurable,
Our hands extending,
Giving without expecting
contributing our part
in small, little ways
with all our heart. :-)

Why pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to join gyms, clubs and slimming centres? Ironical we should pay $$$ to lose weight when half the world is being starved for want of food!! In our very own island, the elderly poor is scavenging for food as witnessed by Veron and her mother.

I have since started destination walking. By that I mean, instead of taking the bus to my office which is about 2 bus stops away, I walk, hence saving 90 cents on bus fare or 74 cents if you have an ez link card. Helps me to exercise, lose weight and the $$ saved could go to the needy! I try to avoid taking taxis by setting out earlier for my destination. If I have too many things to carry, I put them in a bag with rollers. If you complain the sun is too warm, there is always the umbrella for sun and rain. The transport system here is just great!

Try walking! Chances are you could also pick up $$$ on the streets, and donate them to the needy!

As a rule, I do not pick money up on the streets that don't belong to me. Be it 5 cents or million bucks. Some say it is stupid not to; some say it is alright; and some say I it is fortune smiling at me so I need not feel bad. And if I don't, somebody will.

Once I came across a fifty dollar bill and the person with me asked me to keep it. I refused. He picked it up and thrust it into my hand. He said I'd be turning away my luck. But I threw it away anyways, and also that 'friendship'.

I don't do it, simply because it is not mine and what if the person who has dropped it comes back for it and couldn't find it? It might have dropped from a poor person's pocket. It might be all he has.

Ask me to get off my moral high horse if you wish. Call me stupid, but that's the way I am. I have experienced poverty before and even 5 cents count. If I want to give, I give from my own pocket.