MP for Tanjong Pagar Joan Pereira helped a mother and daughter facing difficult circumstances years ago. Today, that daughter has grown up and now volunteers at Ms Pereira’s Meet-the-People sessions. For Ms Pereira, this transformation exemplifies the People’s Action Party’s core values—we help others, so they can pay it forward, helping others themselves.
In an interview with Petir, Ms Pereira shared that the girl and her mother first sought financial assistance from her after she became an MP in 2015. During their meeting, the girl remained completely silent when Ms Pereira inquired about her well-being.
“The girl looked very thin, and the mother did not look well either. I knew I had to help this family beyond just giving them financial assistance,” she shared.
Ms Pereira asked the family’s neighbour to help look out for the family. For several years, the volunteer ensured the girl and her mother did well a und kept Ms Pereira informed about any problems or issues that required her attention.
One day, the girl expressing interest in volunteering at her MPS. “I was very surprised because she was so cheerful compared to the first time I met her,” she said.
Ms Pereira said that the girl was initially worried that she could not cope but she soon became one of Ms Pereira’s best petition writers.
“At the beginning, she was not confident about her ability to draft good appeals, but she learnt fast. Now she writes beautiful letters, and I don’t really need to vet very much,” said Ms Pereira, noting that the girl has been volunteering with the branch for about three years.
The girl and her mother have since moved into a new home. Now almost 22, she has enrolled into a tertiary programme and works part-time to supplement her family’s income. With her experience helping others, she now aspires to become a medical social worker.
“She has truly blossomed into a beautiful young lady with a heart for serving people,” Ms Pereira said. “When I asked why she comes every Monday without fail to meet residents, she replied that she wants to give back. This commitment involves writing compelling letters, understanding situations, probing effectively, and asking the right questions—all to ensure appeals are successful.”
The girl and her mother are just one of the many vulnerable families that Ms Pereira and her team have helped over the years in the Henderson-Dawson constituency.
In 2016, she established a welfare committee, which regularly discusses cases of residents who need more support. The committee is made up of members from the community, as well as government agencies, non-government organisations such as Family Service Centres (FSC), and religious organisations.
She noted that multiple agencies often assist the same resident in different ways. Bringing these agencies together “reduce duplication” as families only need one point of contact.
“Good work has been done, but it’s always a journey. When you talk about vulnerable families, it doesn’t mean, once you set up this committee, the magic pill is given,” she explained. “Family circumstances evolve constantly. You might be helping a family, and then suddenly everything changes—perhaps because the parents become incarcerated. The help must adapt and evolve alongside these changing situations.”
A challenge is knowing the families well and “having good people to really understand the family and journey with them,” Ms Pereira said. This proves difficult due to staff turnover within agencies, as well as among grassroots leaders and volunteers.
” It’s about building trust. When people build trust with a certain person who then leaves, that trust is broken. We’ re doing our best to solve all these challenges so that there’s little disruption to the family as possible.”
Pantry exchange at Henderson-Dawson promotes stronger community bonds
Ms Pereira regards strengthening community bonds as an important thrust. One notable initiative is the pantry exchange programme that her branch’s Women’s Wing group runs.
During MPS sessions, her team sets up a pantry where residents from vulnerable families can exchange items for those they need. For instance, a resident who does not cook might exchange food rations for toiletries.
The initiative has successfully attracted young people to volunteer. They sort items, stock the pantry, and interact with the community, she said. Additionally, residents who can, contribute by donating funds or essential items to the branch through this programme.
“We could simply let residents choose items from the pantry, but we intentionally engage them in conversation. These interactions often reveal important information, such as when someone has dementia, which volunteers then alert me to,” she explained. “The pantry exchange serves as a conduit to bring people together.”
Neighbours play a vital role in community support, Ms Pereira noted, complementing the work of grassroots leaders and volunteers. This is why she established the Super Mummies club in 2016. It comprises about 50 parents who actively help their neighbours.
“These mummies and daddies have faced challenges and continue to do so. However, their situations have improved enough that they now feel capable of helping others,” she explained. “Together, we build a caring community.”
Now in her eleventh year as the MP, she has established strong bonds with residents who see her so frequently that they consider her “akin to family.”
She recalled injuring her knee in a fall in July, which limited her activity level for about two months. When she finally resumed walking the ground in September, several concerned residents encouraged her to focus on recovery and avoid overexertion.
“This isn’t just a job to me—it’s a calling. I truly love what I do. Every night when I return home, I feel happy and sleep well knowing I’ve helped others,” said Ms Pereira.
“Even though some cases aren’t successful and residents may be unhappy with the outcomes. What matters most is that I’ve given my best effort. This is something I want to continue doing for as long as possible,” she said.
Residents can sense an MP’s sincerity and tell whether the person was genuine, says Ms Pereira.
“Our residents are smart. They know if you truly care about them, or you are just there to show face, take photos, and go off,” she added.
We must organise programmes with residents in mind
Residents are the centre of everything Ms Pereira and her volunteers do, especially when it comes to organising programmes.
“Simply focusing on logistics will not cut it,” she explained. “What truly matters is understanding the profile of attendees at any event. You must speak their language, engage them, and ensure there is a takeaway. When you organise subsequent events, be it a talk, walk, or cooking session, participants know that you have their interests at heart. This connection makes them want to align with you and the party.”
Ms Pereira believes this approach helps participants see that the Party genuinely cares for them. As a result, they often bring friends along or volunteer themselves, just like what the girl did.
“She knew we cared for her, and we journeyed with her. I ensured she had trustworthy people alongside her, people she could turn to when needed,” she said. “That’s why I want everyone we encounter to have that same experience. Now, she volunteers to help others. This is what our party stands for—caring for you, helping you, so that you can multiply the love you have received.”
