Let's all take part in beating the buzz

Letter from KENNETH LIM CHUN TAT
OF LATE, there has been a sharp increase in dengue cases, which is shocking considering that the Government has put in extra efforts to help alleviate the problem.

I was at the event last Saturday when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong talked about the dengue problem in Singapore. During his speech, I looked up at the bamboo pole holders of the flats nearby and spotted many that were uncovered.

What this proves is that some residents are either forgetful or uncooperative.

The Government has organised many campaigns to tackle dengue, and there are many agencies spreading the message to stop mosquitoes from breeding. However, I see many people take things for granted and feel they need not do anything since others are already doing the job.

However, we cannot be too dependent on the work of the Government as the dengue problem can only be solved if we work together with them. If we do not cooperate with the authorities, the dengue issue will worsen as there are simply too many potential mosquito breeding sites.

If the Government and the relevant agencies are willing to spend time to educate us on how to prevent mosquito breeding, shouldn't we return the favour by cooperating with them and join in the efforts to tackle this problem?


This article first appeared in Today on 26th June 2007

Meanwhile

From TalkingCock.com

Residents Find MPs More Annoying Than Mozzies
Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Topic: Politics
by K.K. Cheow

The residents of Hong Kan GRC claim their MPs are a bigger nuisance than mosquitoes.

“Seow leow,” said Bukit Gorblok St 69 resident Ho Lang Char. “I come home from a busy work day and want to relax, then skarly my MP turn up at my door with his whole swarm come and bug me! Wah lan eh!”

The latest outbreak of MPs is apparently due to the anti-dengue campaign being waged by the Gahmen, with MPs making house to house visits.

“The problem is getting worse,” said Mdm Gatal bte Nyamuk of Bukit Buttocks St 88. “Last time, the MPs would come only once every few years to ask me how I’m doing, to kiss my baby and ask me to vote them. Now, they’re coming round to ask me to check my plants lah, clear my drains lah… leceh, sial!”

It is believed the population of MPs is actually growing.

“Last time my constituency only got one,” said Mrs. Chin Chuay Bang. “Now, hwah! Got at least 5! It’s an MPdemic!”

“Yah lor,” said her neighbour Mister Moh Pee Koh. “Everywhere I turn, void deck lah, market lah, CC lah, I also see their faces. At first just on notice boards or on billboards during festivals. But now also on posters and pamphlets telling me to fight the mosquitoes. Make me sick only!”

Political scientists believe that stagnant electoral conditions are causing more of these bloodsuckers to breed.

Worse, they are becoming genetically more resistant to traditional methods of destruction.

“Last time you could give them a slap and stop them,” said Mister Teo Bang Kah. “But I understand that this new breed will slap you back!”

So here's my reflection regarding yesterday's presentation at the Teck Ghee Community walk against dengue on 23rd June 2007.


Yesterday, while PM Lee was giving his speech, I realised that some of the flats nearby had their bamboo pole holders uncovered. During the skit, my disappointment faded away when I saw the attendance of the residents was as all the seats were full, so much so that we could not even find seats for ourselves after the skit presentation. I guessed the skit was a success, judging by the way the audience laughed at various parts of the skit. Who would have guess that the person who laughed the loudest was Prime Minister Lee.

I was honoured to be part of the programme as I get to spread the message to residents 'bout the importance of stopping the dengue problem. Although I was just part of yesterday's campaign, the presence of PM Lee sent me a message about how important every parts of the programme were. After our presentation, there was a group of children from the NTUC Childcare Learning Centre presenting another skit. It was very entertaining, and the important fact is that residents learn 'bout how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding while laughing at the same time.


I hope that more similar events will take part in the future as yesterday's experience proves how effective such events are in spreading the message to stop the dengue fever and educating the public in a fun and entertaining manner.


Lim Chun Tat Kenneth (4J)

Reflections on Dengue Prevention Exercise, Saturday (23/6/2007)

By Koh Fang Qi


Koh Fang Qi (extream left) featured with the rest of the YEGs for the NEA poster.


Based on today’s programme, I really enjoyed myself as we had fun there and we certainly did the school proud. So, let’s take things one at a time and I shall begin with our skit presentation. All of us were fully prepared and I believed that PM Lee, invited guests and the residents of Teck Ghee GRC enjoyed our skit based on their laughter. Although a small problem cropped up in between the skit due to the microphone, it did not affect our overall performance that badly.

Here comes to the main point I’m driving at. Although we were presenting the four steps in an entertaining way, our main message is still to educate the public on the proper ways to prevent breeding of mosquitoes that causes dengue fever. By doing so, residents will be able to minimize the chances of getting dengue fever within the zone they belong to. Dengue fever is becoming more and more crucial as days pass. Therefore, we should all the more promote practicing the four steps of dengue prevention and pass the knowledge and benefits we have on this exercise to our friends and relatives.

As this topic is highly concerned by various people nowadays due to the increasing cases of Singaporeans suffering from dengue fever, we have to take into serious consideration on how important dengue prevention exercises are now. The DPVG (Dengue Prevention Volunteer Group) has been going through home visits to educate the people on dengue prevention and to demonstrate the 4 ways in keeping their unit free from mosquitoes. Booklets, information sheets, insecticides and bamboo pole holders are given to residents in a HOMES kit during home visits. These necessities are tools needed to carry out the 4 steps of dengue prevention. For example, we have to cover the bamboo pole holders when they are not in use. As such, the residents will have a better understanding on dengue prevention and its seriousness. Through this, they will also be able to pass on the message correctly.

In conclusion, I am supportive of these activities by bonding residents with their various MPs to cooperate and to keep their own zone free from dengue. If each of us play our part by keeping the environment clean and clearing all stagnant waters on alternate days, we will be able to make a difference by staying away from dengue. Always remember, “Let’s Clean Up, Bin It and Don’t Breed It!”

YEG's in action in Teck Ghee

TECK GHEE COMMUNITY WALK AGAINST DENGUE
SATURDAY, 23RD JUNE 2007


"Clean UP, Bin It, Don't Breed It"

The YEGs giv were given another opportunity to work with NEA in the national campaign against dengue fever.

The YEG first participated with the MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mrs Josephine Teo on Friday, 27 Apr 2007 for a House-to-House Visit to spread the message of dengue prevention to the residents in ToaPayoh.

Following that they were invited to present a skit entitled Clean Up, Bin It, Don’t Breed It at the Teck Ghee Community walk against dengue on Saturday 23rd June 2007.

The Guest of Honour for this event was Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who has taken a personal interest in educating the residents of his constituency about the danger of dengue fever.

Using humour and a light-hearted manner to perform the skit, the YEGs was able to reach out to the residents in Teck Ghee Community about the steps that they should take to prevent the breading of the Aedes Mosquito.

Change litterbugs’ mentality to get to the roots of the problem

Letter from KENNETH LIM CHUN TAT
ON A recent school trip, I visited various places in the Central Business District (CBD) such as the Supreme Court and the Old Parliament House. What I realised about this area is that it is virtually litter-free.

This got me thinking: Why is it cleaner than most other parts of Singapore?
One reason is that people may perceive the CBD as a place of high security and have the impression that those who litter in the area will likely be caught.

But does this mean we can litter elsewhere? I don’t think so. Everyone knows it is wrong to
itter but the problem lies with those who believe that so long as they are not caught, it is acceptable to do so.

One country that I can think of that is almost litter-free is Japan. There, if you walk along the streets, you will realise there are only a small number of dustbins, much fewer as compared to Singapore. Some Singaporeans’ mentality is, “I can litter as long as there is nobody around”, while the mentality of the Japanese is, “If there is no dustbin around, I will go and find one”.

We have to educate the public on the negative effects of littering. We should not forget that littering is the root of many problems, ranging from killer litter to pollution.

This article first appeared in Today on 1st June 2007

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