Volunteers take 8 hours to clear Boon Lay flat & corridor of clutter
A family can finally celebrate the Chinese New Year (CNY) in their Boon Lay flat after 60 volunteers spent eight hours clearing the cluttered flat.
On Sunday (4 Jan), they transformed a hazardous residence into a bright, clean, and safe home.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
Clutter piled up to the ceiling of Boon Lay flat, volunteers needed
On 30 Dec last year, charity organisation AMKSS Social Move posted an appeal for volunteers on Facebook.
The group is run by a team of alumni from Ang Mo Kio Secondary School to assist the vulnerable members of the community.
Photos it posted of the flat in Block 268A Boon Lay Drive showed that clutter was piled up to the ceiling, with barely any space to walk.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
The kitchen was packed with so many things that it was impossible to cook.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
Its living room was filled with items that covered the windows, causing the flat to become dark unless the lights were turned on during the day.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
The clutter extended to the corridor outside, with potted plants, pots and pans, trolleys and even CNY decorations blocking the passageway.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
AMKSS Social Move called for 40 to 50 volunteers for the operation, which involved decluttering and cleaning so the resident could have a safer living environment.
60 volunteers turn up at Boon Lay flat
On Sunday, about 60 volunteers turned up to help, the organisation said in a Facebook post on the same day.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
Photos showed them carefully picking through the items.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
AMKSS Social Move said they “thoughtfully cleared the space”, consulting the resident before carefully sorting her keepsakes and important documents.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
Volunteers were also seen removing items from the corridor.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
The work involved using several garbage bags and rubbish bins.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
After the clutter was cleared, cleaned the premises, including mopping the floor, which was coated in dust and grime.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
After eight continuous hours of work, the flat resembled a home again, with its windows able to be opened to let the air in.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
Clutter accumulated over the years
The two daughters of the elderly couple who live there told Shin Min Daily News that their childhood home did not use to be so cluttered.
However, items accumulated over the years, many of which they had never seen before.
“Some were gifts from friends, others from relatives,” said the Guo sisters, adding that the clutter soon became a concern.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
They were worried that the items might pose a fire hazard or fall from the top of the piles.
Their elderly father also sought outside help to remove the clutter, they revealed.
Daughters tell mother that someone ‘bought’ all the items
To ensure that their 76-year-old mother would cooperate, her daughters told her that someone had “bought” all the items for S$1,000.
They then sought help from AMKSS Social Move.
Now that the flat has finally been cleared, they will buy new tables and chairs and the family can have CNY reunion dinner there, they said.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
At least 120 cartons of garbage removed
Mr Michael Sim, the founder of AMKSS Social Move, said the clean-up started at 9am and finished at 5pm, with at least 120 cartons of garbage removed.
The town council and People’s Association (PA) had arranged for three lorries to travel back and forth between the block and garbage disposal point, quickening the operation considerably.
He thanked the volunteers for their commitment, adding that the effort was also made possible through collaboration with grassroots organisations and the support of the town council, PA and Boon Lay Citizens’ Consultative Committee.
They were also “deeply touched” by neighbours who generously provided drinks for the volunteers.
Source: AMKSS Social Move on Facebook
He described the gesture as “a beautiful reflection of true kampung spirit”.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from AMKSS Social Move on Facebook.
