Limbang residents to get help with cost of living under North West CDC's Project Sama Sama
Limbang residents to get help with cost of living under North West CDC's Project Sama Sama
SINGAPORE – Around 350 residents in Limbang ward in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC can now benefit from Project Sama Sama, a programme that helps less-privileged households in the North West district cope with rising costs of living.
Eligible households will receive $20 in monthly credits for one year, which can be used to purchase essential household items at vending machines.
Three machines at Block 537 Choa Chu Kang Street 51 stock items such as bread, beverages, newspapers, hygiene products and medical necessities, which can be purchased round the clock.
This brings the number of households expected to be supported by the initiative – a collaboration between North West Community Development Council (CDC), SPH Media and technology firm Auresys – to 8,000.
The project was introduced in the Zhenghua ward in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC in July 2024.
It was then extended to Woodgrove in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Canberra in Sembawang GRC, and Nee Soon South in Nee Soon GRC.
Project Sama Sama 'is a good example of how we can come together to strengthen community networks and provide more meaningful support to those who need it most', said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the launch event at Block 537 on June 29.
'Our CDCs play a key role in rallying partners and stakeholders from all walks of life to better support residents in need,' added PM Wong, who is also the MP for Limbang ward in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
North West District Mayor Alex Yam, who is also an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, said using digital solutions and self-service vending machines enabled a more efficient way to support residents and provide them access to necessitie s.
'Moving forward, we plan to expand the project across the North West district, to extend our reach and help more vulnerable families,' he said.
North West CDC said contributions by main sponsor Singapore Pools, as well a s bread manufacturer Gardenia, and charitable group Order of Malta, allowed the initiative to be scaled up to more divisions for up to one year.
'Amid the economic uncertainty, North West CDC and its strategic partners seek and welcome the support of existing and new partners to further sponsor the project, in order to sustain the support to tide families through this period of uncertainty,' it added.
Singapore Pools chief executive Lam Chee Weng noted that besides financial support, its staff volunteers also contributed by helping residents enrol in the programme.
'Through this meaningful initiative, we hope to support households to better navigate the challenges of rising living costs and build a stronger, more resilient community,' he said.
Added SPH Media CEO Chan Yeng Kit: 'Through this initiative, we hope to do our part to support less privileged families by making the latest news and insights more accessible to them.'
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