By Taryn Ng and Romaine Chan, part of Weevo Social Campaigns Team
Under the scorching Sunday afternoon sun, groups of Burmese migrant workers line the paths around Victoria Memorial Hall, enjoying their day off with friends.
But one group stands out.
These men were donned in striking bright orange shirts and milled around in pairs from group to group.
Phaung (left), and Kyaw (right), strolling down the streets near Victoria Memorial Hall, looking for groups of Burmese migrants to approach
When they approach a group of Burmese migrant workers, one of them hands out small card holders whilst the other chats, referring to a thin plastic booklet. Though flushed from the unrelenting afternoon sun, they persist in talking to as many groups as possible.
Kyaw, explaining aspects of the Singapore law that Burmese migrant workers should take note of
One of these men is Kyaw Myo Naing, 43, a Burmese working as a cold room specialist with Greenland Technology for the past 16 years. Kyaw has been volunteering with the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) and participating in their initiatives for the last 10 years. It was an outreach collaboration with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) that day.
Kyaw contributes on his only day off, making it a point to show up for the biweekly outreaches with SPF, especially when they patrol City Hall, where Burmese migrant workers gather.
“They are my own people, so I feel happy seeing them and teaching them the ways of Singapore,” he said.
Over the years, Kyaw has become accustomed to Singapore’s culture and hopes to share his experiences to help migrant workers adjust to life in Singapore more easily.
Following Kyaw and the volunteers along is Felix, a MWC case officer. “I don’t know how they do it, it must be tiring since this is their only off day and they are not even paid for this,” he said.
He stressed that the volunteers typically only have Sunday as a free day and he respects their sacrifice.
“Kyaw is a very active member with us, so much so that I wonder if he has anything else going on,” Felix joked.
Besides spending his time volunteering, Kyaw likes to spend the rest of his off-days resting at home, video-calling his wife and 5-year-old daughter in Myanmar. He also finds joy in meal-prepping for the week, as these meals offer the taste of home that he misses enormously. He first came to Singapore with his wife but she returned four years ago to care for their daughter.
Kyaw, sharing photos of when his family visited him in Singapore, one of the two annual trips they take during his daughter’s holidays.
As someone who already volunteered back in Myanmar, Kyaw was searching for a platform to help migrant workers when he arrived in Singapore. He started by helping migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a technician, Kyaw was allowed to travel freely to help companies troubleshoot during the lockdown. His deep sympathy for his migrant friends stuck in dorms then compelled him to help by delivering necessities to them.
Today, after discovering MWC, Kyaw has become a regular at MWC-organised events, to help fellow migrant workers better integrate into Singapore's society.
Their initiatives include workshops and festive celebrations that help foster greater mutual understanding between the local and migrant community.
Besides drawing on the efforts of volunteers like Kyaw, MWC also relies greatly on Singaporeans’ goodwill to offer aid to migrant workers through its charity arm, the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund (MWAF). This gives migrant workers humanitarian assistance that includes emergency provisions like shelter, food, medical aid, and repatriation expenses.
The most accessible way to help would be through donating to MWAF, which will enable MWC to support migrant workers in various aspects. For instance, assisting migrant workers with chronic illnesses to pay for their medical fees and providing much-needed assistance and relief to the families of workers who fall victim to accidents which result in death or serious injury while in Singapore.
Being able to help his fellow migrant workers through navigating working in a foreign country is where Kyaw finds meaning and fulfilment from helping the migrant community. However, he remains acutely aware that far more migrant workers need support from organisations like MWC. He is grateful to MWC for the platform they provide him with hopes more Singaporeans can find it in them to offer support to migrant workers through donating to the funds.
“It is in my blood to help.”
If you are a migrant worker in Singapore and would like to volunteer your time with us, you can sign up as an Ambassador via this link.
As a non-governmental organisation relying on public donations to fund its humanitarian efforts, every cent counts and this is where MWC needs your support. Click here to make a donation and support migrant workers in need.
