This was first published in Wesley TIDINGS, February 2021.
In a trying global pandemic year, everyone’s lives have been affected.
But it can be particularly challenging for those who do not have their families by their side, especially during the festive season. This was more so for the migrant worker community who had to face additional safety distancing measures due to the outbreak in their living quarters.
Even with the easing of some of the measures, many migrant workers living in dormitories were only allowed to commute between their workplaces and dormitories to minimise large group gatherings. Big group gatherings and celebrations were not allowed during the period of heightened alert due to the pandemic.
Thankfully, through the Wesley Bless-a-Migrant-Friend Christmas project in 2020, Christmas became a lot more special for some of our 600 migrant friends.
The one-week project from 13 to 20 December 2020 was helmed by the Wesley Community Project, a sub ministry of the Wesley Christian Outreach and Social Concerns (COSC), and supported by various volunteer groups such as the COSC befrienders, Wesley Small Groups, and various individuals.
While each small group undertook the tasks of fundraising, sourcing, purchasing and packing the items in the Christmas gift packs, the COSC befrienders coordinated the logistics with migrant representatives to deliver 600 gift packs to 20 different locations all over Singapore.
As the saying goes, many hands make light work.
Said Prem, who had spearheaded many migrant community initiatives in Wesley: “Even with our friends and families around us, it has been rather challenging for the locals here in Singapore. I cannot imagine how the migrant community cope daily being away from their loved ones. It must be a lot tougher for them to get through 2020. The best we can do is to reach out, offer a listening ear, and be a friend to them.”
About COSC Ministry
The Wesley COSC ministry was set up around 1980″s to help and reach out to the least, last and lost in our community. Our Vision is to be a vibrant, committed and growing volunteer-based ministry in Wesley Methodist Church serving within Singapore and the region. Our Mission is to share God’s love by reaching out to help the disadvantaged and those in need and providing opportunities for volunteers to serve.
If you are interested to join us or find out more about what we do at COSC ministry, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at: cosc@wesleymc.org
Read also: Sharing Joy with Our Friends at Jalan Berseh, Bringing Festive Cheer to Our Formerly Incarcerated Friends
