Jasling Boo and Shahira Banu
Jasling Boo:
The top left photo holds my heart dearly. It was taken 12 years ago. That little specky boy whom I have known since young is now a tall and handsome boy. He is still living in the same neighbourhood with me. I am glad that he is actively involved with community work too. The other two photos are my cake-making designs, which I baked for my residents.
Since I like DIY handicraft, I shared it with my residents. I conducted a few sessions with them, showing how to make delicious jelly for the Chinese New Year festivities. This is related closely to my love for volunteering, seeing their smiling faces is worth the effort spent.
Being part of Pasir Ris, it gives me great pleasure to meet new residents from various countries e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korean, Scandinavia, etc. Each has their own interesting culture and knowledge to share. Of course, they too learned much about our multi-racial society. Most importantly, helping them to integrate with our society, making them feel at home, is our top priority.
My interest and skill in balloon sculpting was picked up while residing in Pasir Ris. It gives me many opportunities to help decorate the community’s events. I roped in our residents, their family members, and friends to help too. It’s like one big family attending activities together. All had fun. I proudly present my balloon fashion show as my first public display of my balloon artworks.
I sincerely hope and wish the close family spirit in Pasir Ris East remains strong forever. Let there be vibrant, harmonious, and cohesive living among the residents.
Pasir Rise East, Cheers!!!
Shahira Banu:
This is my brother and I (I am on the left) when we were younger. This was also around the time our family moved back to Pasir Ris, which was about 16 years back in 2005. We are not both volunteering at Pasir Rise East MPS and we have not regretted doing so. It gives us a sense of fulfillment when we help other residents and we are glad that we help to play a role in giving back to the community.
Pasir Ris has given my family the best childhood memories. Not just my family but also my extended family. Pasir Ris beach was our family go-to place where all my relatives gather be it Family Day, Chinese New Year, or Christmas. It was a chance for everyone to meet and unwind. It was also a time where we played games. One example was when the children had a fashion competition and we were dressed up using colour paper. Pasir Ris was loved by our family since most of my extended family till today stay here. Many of my cousins buy houses here too.
Another reason why I love Pasir Ris so much was because of my secondary school, Loyang Secondary (now called Loyang View). Secondary school was where I had one of the best times of my life and forged really close bonds with people who are my really good friends till today. One reason why we could be so close was because we all stayed in Pasir Ris and could easily meet one another to hang out.
This is my family. Pasir Ris was when I witnessed a lot of events from my sister’s wedding (pre-Covid) to my older brother’s wedding, which happened during Covid. Pasir Ris has a lot of memories for my family as it was where we spent most of our childhood and where we grew into adulthood. We did a lot of things in Pasir Ris from watching movies at Downtown East to having late-night suppers at Pasir Ris Sports Complex.
To give back to the Pasir Ris community, I volunteered at the Pasir Ris East MPS which is something I am grateful for. I am glad I am able to play a role in helping residents and at the same time getting to know other volunteers as well. I was able to forge friendships with some of the volunteers. I will remember the Christmas and New Year party organised by the Pasir Ris East MPS. It was very memorable as I bonded with the other volunteers. We played Bingo, had food, and also exchanged gifts during Secret Santa. I have no regrets spending my time to help others at the MPS and meet new faces.
