03-10-2011, 09:34 PM
hard to find such a kind soul in our society these days..
For four months, Bangladeshi Din Islam stayed in her three-storey condo unit for free. -TNP
Benson Ang
Mon, Oct 03, 2011
The New Paper
The survivor who was trapped with a friend in a shipping container for 10 days in April found a Florence Nightingale in Singapore.
For four months, Bangladeshi Din Islam stayed in her three-storey condo unit for free.
Now he stays in a shelter waiting to return home, as the coroner's inquiry into his friend's death has ended.
A passport has been applied for him, and he is expected to return home within a few weeks.
American Debbie Fordyce, 57, has helped more than 100 foreign workers by letting them live in her condo unit over the last three years.
They stay for anywhere from a few months to a year, as long as it takes for their affairs here to be sorted out.
Moral imperative
The widow, who volunteers full-time with Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) to help migrant workers here, told The New Paper that she does so out of a moral imperative.
"I don't get anything out of it except perhaps the pleasure of their company. None of the workers I meet can afford to spend $200 a month on a place to stay," she said.
"Workers' dormitories are also not suitable as some of them need long-term rest and recuperation and a clean environment."
The mother of four, whose children live overseas, said: "I have a big house. My children have left home. It makes sense to for me to let the workers stay here.
"I'd like to ask why aren't other people doing the same?"
It isn't a financial burden to let them stay, she said.
"It costs less than if I dined in a fancy restaurant once a week."
It also doesn't take up too much time. Even with her TWC2 commitments, she still has time for friends, movies and yoga.
High tea, however, is not for her. "I don't do frivolous things like that."
Rather, she would devote her time to activities that help those who need it.
Foreign workers injured in workplace accidents here need to remain in the country to receive medical treatment and await compensation, she explained.
Almost all the workers she takes in had such injuries.
Some injuries are serious enough to prevent them from performing simple tasks like walking, going to the toilet or cooking for themselves.
Workers usually choose not to stay with their employers as they feel the dormitory is unsuitable for their rehabilitation.
Some of them also claimed to have been threatened with repatriation or physical abuse.
Since her arrival in 1980, Ms Fordyce has been keen on social work.
She helped Vietnamese refugees who were in refugee camps here while waiting for their applications for resettlement in the US.
She said: "I try to treat people with kindness and understanding. This seems to be an urgent need that I'm in a position to alleviate in a small way."
The idea to use her home came to her in August 2008, when she felt sorry for a foreign worker whose injured leg was infected.
She said: "He turned out to be marvellous, so I thought: Why not do more?"
Ms Fordyce met most of the workers through a food project which she coordinates with TWC2.
At most, seven workers stay at a time in her condo's basement where there are two bedrooms, a study and a kitchen.
While recovering, they help out with some chores around the apartment.
This is their home where they cook, pray, eat, watch TV and exercise. When they do leave, it is to make compulsory visits to the hospital, their lawyers or the Ministry of Manpower.
But not everyone is happy. Her neighbours are not taking too well to foreign workers living in their midst, said Ms Fordyce.
Talk behind her back
She senses that they talk behind her back, and sometimes give the workers nasty looks.
"Have they caused a break-in? A robbery? A molestation case? I think their concern is more of a class issue. Perhaps they are not happy with seeing foreign workers enjoying the standard of living they themselves enjoy."
The residents were right in one instance, she acknowledged.
"There was a time when I encouraged the workers to use the gym in the condo, as exercise would help them in their rehabilitation.
"I was reminded that I would need to accompany them when they use the gym."
When contacted, the condo's management committee declined to comment.
Ms Fordyce is determined to continue helping workers with their accommodation.
And the workers appreciate it. Before she visited Bangladesh in March this year, she told only one worker about it.
But 15 workers whom she had previously helped were waiting for her at the airport in Bangladesh. She stayed in some of their houses, and they showed her around their villages.
"I was treated like royalty. The workers were far more hospitable than I ever was to them. She said: "If I could, I'd take in more people."
For four months, Bangladeshi Din Islam stayed in her three-storey condo unit for free. -TNP
Benson Ang
Mon, Oct 03, 2011
The New Paper
The survivor who was trapped with a friend in a shipping container for 10 days in April found a Florence Nightingale in Singapore.
For four months, Bangladeshi Din Islam stayed in her three-storey condo unit for free.
Now he stays in a shelter waiting to return home, as the coroner's inquiry into his friend's death has ended.
A passport has been applied for him, and he is expected to return home within a few weeks.
American Debbie Fordyce, 57, has helped more than 100 foreign workers by letting them live in her condo unit over the last three years.
They stay for anywhere from a few months to a year, as long as it takes for their affairs here to be sorted out.
Moral imperative
The widow, who volunteers full-time with Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) to help migrant workers here, told The New Paper that she does so out of a moral imperative.
"I don't get anything out of it except perhaps the pleasure of their company. None of the workers I meet can afford to spend $200 a month on a place to stay," she said.
"Workers' dormitories are also not suitable as some of them need long-term rest and recuperation and a clean environment."
The mother of four, whose children live overseas, said: "I have a big house. My children have left home. It makes sense to for me to let the workers stay here.
"I'd like to ask why aren't other people doing the same?"
It isn't a financial burden to let them stay, she said.
"It costs less than if I dined in a fancy restaurant once a week."
It also doesn't take up too much time. Even with her TWC2 commitments, she still has time for friends, movies and yoga.
High tea, however, is not for her. "I don't do frivolous things like that."
Rather, she would devote her time to activities that help those who need it.
Foreign workers injured in workplace accidents here need to remain in the country to receive medical treatment and await compensation, she explained.
Almost all the workers she takes in had such injuries.
Some injuries are serious enough to prevent them from performing simple tasks like walking, going to the toilet or cooking for themselves.
Workers usually choose not to stay with their employers as they feel the dormitory is unsuitable for their rehabilitation.
Some of them also claimed to have been threatened with repatriation or physical abuse.
Since her arrival in 1980, Ms Fordyce has been keen on social work.
She helped Vietnamese refugees who were in refugee camps here while waiting for their applications for resettlement in the US.
She said: "I try to treat people with kindness and understanding. This seems to be an urgent need that I'm in a position to alleviate in a small way."
The idea to use her home came to her in August 2008, when she felt sorry for a foreign worker whose injured leg was infected.
She said: "He turned out to be marvellous, so I thought: Why not do more?"
Ms Fordyce met most of the workers through a food project which she coordinates with TWC2.
At most, seven workers stay at a time in her condo's basement where there are two bedrooms, a study and a kitchen.
While recovering, they help out with some chores around the apartment.
This is their home where they cook, pray, eat, watch TV and exercise. When they do leave, it is to make compulsory visits to the hospital, their lawyers or the Ministry of Manpower.
But not everyone is happy. Her neighbours are not taking too well to foreign workers living in their midst, said Ms Fordyce.
Talk behind her back
She senses that they talk behind her back, and sometimes give the workers nasty looks.
"Have they caused a break-in? A robbery? A molestation case? I think their concern is more of a class issue. Perhaps they are not happy with seeing foreign workers enjoying the standard of living they themselves enjoy."
The residents were right in one instance, she acknowledged.
"There was a time when I encouraged the workers to use the gym in the condo, as exercise would help them in their rehabilitation.
"I was reminded that I would need to accompany them when they use the gym."
When contacted, the condo's management committee declined to comment.
Ms Fordyce is determined to continue helping workers with their accommodation.
And the workers appreciate it. Before she visited Bangladesh in March this year, she told only one worker about it.
But 15 workers whom she had previously helped were waiting for her at the airport in Bangladesh. She stayed in some of their houses, and they showed her around their villages.
"I was treated like royalty. The workers were far more hospitable than I ever was to them. She said: "If I could, I'd take in more people."