With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the migrant worker dormitories, many Singaporeans have stepped up to support and care for the migrant workers. In May, the former Chancery Court at 36 Dunearn Road was designated as an alternative accommodation to house healthy migrant workers in essential services. A month later, the site at 60 Dunearn Road (former Swiss Cottage Secondary School) was designated as an alternative accommodation to house healthy migrant workers. The Barker Road campus was now sandwiched between two new sites for migrant workers and God provided a way for us to be a blessing to them. ACS (Barker Road), ACS (Primary), ACS (Junior), ACJC, ACS OBA and Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC) collaborated with the Goldhill and Balmoral Neighbourhood Committees in Moulmein-Cairnhill constituency to bless the migrant workers residing in these two sites.

During the Hari Raya season, the Parent Support Groups at the ACS schools got together to think of ways and means to reach out to them.

On May 20, ACS (Barker Road) PSG members delivered 10 kg of dates to the dorm for the Muslim residents among them to breakfast with.

On May 22, ACS (Junior) sent in snack packs for them to enjoy . On the eve of Hari Raya, many willing parents from ACS (Barker Road) generously donated enough to pull together a treat for all of them - Ferraro Rocher chocolates and bottled drinks - Coke, Sprite and Fanta Orange! These were distributed to the migrant workers on the eve of Hari Raya at their dinner time. It was our small gesture aimed at brightening the day of the many at Chancery Court who have done much for Singapore.

On May 28, an alumnus donated cartons of fruits for them – 900 apples, mandarin oranges and pears and a week later, students and staff of ACS (Junior) came together to provide food packs for the residents .

On June 12, students, staff and parents of the four ACS schools together with members of BRMC put together a care package for the dorm residents consisting of snacks, disposable razors, medicated plasters, t-shirts, towels, posters, notes of appreciation and handbooks by ACJC students in various languages spoken by the residents. Representatives from the schools and BRMC met up with Moulmein-Cairnhill advisor and grassroots leaders before delivering the care packages to the residents. It was such a joy to see the smiles on the residents’ faces when they received the care packages. Following this, a group of alumni together with BRMC have arranged for fortnight delivery of ice-creams to bless the migrant workers at Chancery Court.

With the support from ACS OBA, we were able to bless the residents at the former Swiss Cottage Secondary School with care packages consisting of snacks, drinks and hand sanitisers . This is only the beginning as we hope to continue with deliveries of various kind with the support of staff, students, parents and alumni. Besides nourishing their bodies, we also want to reach out to our migrant worker friends with videos that will entertain and involve them in activities that will help reduce some of the mental stress and strain as they worry about their health, their livelihoods and families back home. After all that they have done in helping Singapore, this is the least we can do for them. We remember that as ACS, we are always blessed so that we can bless others. This we will do and teach our young men to do.

Mr Loo Ming Yaw