'Poverty simulation' workshop for country club members draws flak

An hour to experience the trials and tribulations a destitute person faces over a period of four weeks.

The programme - called "poverty simulation" - is a workshop by the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) that aims to give insight into the lives of the less fortunate through role-playing.

Mrs Jenny Bong, MWS' group executive director, said: "The purpose of the exercise is to help more people, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, to better understand and empathise with the challenges and frustrations faced by people in need."

The programme will be taken to the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) for its members next month, although it is unknown how many members will be joining the exercise.

The news caused a stir online, generating mixed reactions to the unusual concept, and the fact that a prestigious country club is offering its members a chance to join such a workshop.

STARTED IN 2011

REALITY: Mr Danny Pal ( with his wife Shey De la Cruz), lives in a one room flat (above) and has been
struggling to make ends meet after losing his job as a salesman. TNP PHOTOS: PHYLLICIA WANG

The New Paper understands that the programme was started in 2011 and has since run 15 sessions. (See report )

One netizen, Maurice Simon, wrote on Facebook: "To think that you can engineer human emotions like empathy and compassion through a simulation exercise is just downright ludicrous."

He doesn't seem to be the only one who thinks so.

"It is very insulting," said Madam Fion Phua, 45, founder of volunteer group Keeping Hope Alive, of the programme.

"Imagine this: While I am here struggling, living on little money and looking after my sick parent or child, there you are role-playing my position.

"Don't you think that is rubbing salt into the wound?" asked Madam Phua, whose group helps the needy here.

Some netizens, however, believe the programme is a step in the right direction.

Facebook user Vicknesh Rajamohan said: "This is a good initiative.

"There is nothing that compels high net worth individuals to come forward to experience this. Why should they? Yet, they are trying to take a step forward and that should be appreciated."

MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling also saw the programme as a "fresh idea".

"I am glad Singaporeans care for one another, though I would also encourage more people to volunteer with VWOs (voluntary welfare organisations) or the community to have a better and more rounded understanding of how being poor is like in Singapore," she told TNP yesterday.

One such example is that of Mr Danny Pal's hapless situation.

Mr Pal, whose family survives on food rations from VWOs such as Madam Phua's, said: "How can the participants understand my pain in one hour? This life of poverty is real for me every single day."

QUIT JOB

REALITY: Mr Danny Pal (above, with his wife Shey De la Cruz), lives in a one room flat and has been
struggling to make ends meet after losing his job as a salesman. TNP PHOTOS: PHYLLICIA WANG

The 48-year-old was recently forced to quit his job as a salesman after losing his toe, due to diabetes.

Currently unemployed, he lives with his Filipino wife and three children, aged between four and 16, in a one-room flat in Toa Payoh.

His wife, Ms Shey De la Cruz, 35, is 11 weeks pregnant and stopped working as a cleaner as a result of the pregnancy.

REALITY: Mr Danny Pal ( with his wife Shey De la Cruz ,above), lives in a one room flat and has been
struggling to make ends meet after losing his job as a salesman. TNP PHOTOS: PHYLLICIA WANG

The family often subsists on plain porridge and biscuits for meals.

Like Mr Pal's family, there are many less fortunate people here who rely on the goodwill of VWOs other than Keeping Hope Alive, such as Lions Befrienders, Willing Hearts, Operation Hope Foundation and Club Rainbow. (See list.)

Mr Pal said: "The money used to run the poverty simulation course should be given to the needy directly.

"Those who really want to experience the life of the less fortunate should do consistent, voluntary work."

Madam Phua urged those who are sincere to help the needy to put kindness and compassion into action and not role-play it.

"Do you think acting like a man who has lost his arms by tying yours behind your back for 24 hours is going to help?

"At the end of the day, you know the ties will be taken off."

SICC could not be reached for a comment.

But the club was quoted in a BBC Online report saying that it was "heartened by the keen interest shown (in) the workshops and activities at the club".

It added that the event was one of many charity events, and that it would be organising more activities to "inspire others to step up and give".

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Imagine this: While I am here struggling, living on little money and looking after my sick parent or child, there you are role-playing my position.

- Madam Fion Phua, founder of volunteer group Keeping Hope Alive, which helps the needy