Singapore

Do good and bring some festive cheer to our migrant workers this Deepavali


Some of us in Singapore might’ve been slightly annoyed at sudden rule changes around dining in groups of five and two, but our migrant workers have been under even tighter restrictions. They’ve been living under quite a different set of rules since 2020, and have been trapped in their dormitories. Only a minority of 300,000 migrant workers in our country have been allowed to visit certain predetermined locations, for up to six hours a week under a pilot program. It isn’t a stretch to say they’ve literally built Singapore, and perhaps the least we can do is help to lift their spirits this festive season. 

Deepavali falls on Nov. 4 this year and it’s the perfect time to do some good whether or not you celebrate it. The Festival of Lights is a celebration of good over evil after all, and homegrown initiative ItsRainingRaincoats has some ideas of how we can bring festive cheer to our migrant workers. Since 2015, the organization has come up with multiple initiatives, from annual potlucks and data card drives and to organizing excursions and providing legal financial resources to our indispensable migrant friends.

They’ve got multiple initiatives throughout the year, and their current one is the Deepavali Festive Drive 2021, happening from Oct. 1 to Nov. 10. The drive invites members of the public to sponsor and deliver pizzas, Diwali snacks and care packages to migrant workers at their workplaces or even to any road workers whom you come across. 

You can also order food to be sent directly to ItsRainingRaincoats for distribution through their Pizza and Samosa Drive & Distribute event on Nov. 13. All you have to do is place an order for vegetarian pizzas from ALT Pizza or Pizza Hut, or samosas from Gourmet Ready, and these restaurants will collate these orders to be sent over. They’re looking for volunteers with cars to deliver the food to migrant workers too. More information will be provided on Nov. 1.

ItsRainingRaincoats is looking for people to send small items through their Diwali Treats & Care Packs drive. Members of the public are invited to purchase meals, Diwali sweets or even small care packages for our migrant workers. The good folks at ItsRainingRaincoats have workers identified in groups sizes of 10 persons to 500 persons and all you need to do is let them know how many workers you’d like to treat, and they’ll connect you with them. 

If you’d like, you can also make a donation to the Ray of Hope campaign, funds from which are used to buy food and essential items like groceries and toiletries as well as dental and eye care services, which are typically not included in their insurance policies. 

Ready to lend a hand? Head over to their website for more information. 



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