Walking for a Good Cause

To gain a deeper insight into the North West Community Development Council (NWCDC) Steps of Solidarity campaign, Vanessa, Darren and Zhi Yi visited the North West area of Singapore.

NWCDC launched the Steps of Solidarity campaign that has encouraged healthy living and inspired a sense of optimism, unity and faith in the community amidst Covid-19.

As Covid-19 hit Singapore severely, the growth of domestic products dropped to -7 per cent in the third quarter of 2020. It disrupted the livelihoods of Singaporeans who earned below $2,000 as they saw dips in their income. In addition, the chances of meeting people were also cut down greatly.

In a study conducted by the Straits Times, 30 per cent of the 500 respondents gained approximately 5 kilograms during Covid-19. Although there may be other factors that resulted in such an outcome, this emphasises the importance of encouraging citizens to stay healthy and active.

NWCDC has launched its Steps of Solidarity fundraising campaign to provide support for vulnerable citizens living in the North West District. The funds collected will help NWCDC local assistance schemes such as the North West Food Aid Fund and the North West Emergency Relief Fund.

The campaign will take place from 10 Jan, 2021–28 Feb, 2021. The aim is to achieve 20 million steps collectively. Simply download the 42Race application on your phone, sign up for an account and search for North West Steps of Solidarity to get started. A donation is encouraged to provide further support for at-risk citizens.

In our survey involving 117 respondents, we found that more than 50 per cent of them pointed out that it is crucial to keep fit and healthy. Many of them brisk walk or jog as a form of exercise.

Mr Poon Joe Fai, a Brisk Walking Club member, was present during the launch of the campaign. When the team was hit with rain during the launch, he planned out another route to help everyone stay dry. In an interview with the NWCDC, he said that “walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise, and you can choose a goal [for the campaign] that matches your fitness level.”

Ms Foh Lishan, 40, a quality checker at a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, first heard about the campaign on Channel 8 News. By Feb 1, 2021, she had already clocked in a total of 133,357 steps out of the 20,000 step goal she had set for herself. She encourages everyone not to waste their steps and “walk for a cause”.

Rafael Serrano, 20, a student staying in the north-west district, has never heard of the campaign prior to the interview. Before the pandemic started, he had mandatory Values-In-Action programmes which allowed him to support the less fortunate. When Rafeal was told more about the campaign, he mentioned that it is “a good opportunity to not just do our best for those vulnerable people, but also to spend time with [his] loved ones.”

The pandemic has made Rafael’s family more cautious and they tend to refrain from leaving their home much. However, Rafael is aware that vulnerable people like the senior citizens and the homeless are affected severely. He knows that “not everyone is as blessed as us with a roof over our head and a stable income.” Hence, he wants to remind people that the North West Steps of Solidarity campaign is a great way to help those who genuinely need aid.

If you want to start leading a healthier lifestyle, maybe start your day off with a cup of water! Besides, there are various facilities available in most neighbourhoods such as basketball courts and exercise corners. Alternatively, you can join the North West Brisk Walking Club or Aerobics Club.