During a house visit, MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC Sharael Taha witnessed two young children arguing over a cracked smartphone as they struggled to complete their homework. It was clear this family of four had limited resources. This experience continues to motivate Mr Sharael to help vulnerable families in Singapore, ensuring every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.
“When we met the family, the kids seemed to be squabbling over a smart phone,” Mr Sharael told Petir. “After asking about it, they explained they were trying to do home-based learning using the phone with a cracked screen. Even today, some families still lack access to digital devices or aren’t connected to the agencies that can provide such access.”
The encounter occurred during Mr Sharael’s first year as an MP amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The family faced significant challenges— health issues meant that one parent could not work, while the other had to be a caregiver. Their two children were just a year apart, with the older one preparing for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
Mr Sharael’s grassroots team quickly coordinated with other agencies to support the family. They provided monthly care packs and laptops for the children, while following up consistently to monitor their progress over the past five years.
“It’s been very heartwarming to see how the family has grown given this opportunity. The children have started to do well in school. In fact, by the second year, the older child topped the class, and, five years later, has now earned a scholarship to study overseas,” he said.
The experience was a powerful reminder of the meaningful change an MP can bring and the crucial assistance that some families require, Mr Sharael said.
“Breaking this cycle is all it takes for a family to have a better future,” he noted. “This constantly inspires me and drives us to continue helping those in need, ensuring every child in Singapore has an equal opportunity to succeed.”
Programmes that ensure equal opportunities for youths
Since joining politics in 2020, Mr Sharael has overseen the Pasir Ris East constituency, now part of Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.
He emphasised that Singapore’s next generation should have “an equal opportunity of success”. To achieve this, he is implementing youth-focused programmes in the constituency.
Monthly learning journeys are organised by M³ Pasir Ris–Changi, a collaboration between Mendaki self-help group, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (Mesra).
This initiative enables youths from lower-income families, challenging backgrounds, and welfare homes to explore careers in aerospace, transportation, technology, and healthcare.
His team also launched the #Hashtech hackathon, providing youths with opportunities to learn digital skills like dashboarding and applied Generative Artificial Intelligence.
Additionally, he shared that the AmPowered Programme pairs at-risk youths with young professional mentors.
In September, primary and secondary school students competed in Robot Wars, testing their coding and robotics skills by racing to scan QR codes that simulated “picking up litter.” This event was jointly organised by M³ Pasir Ris–Changi, Mendaki, Youth Space by MENDAKI, and Singapore University of Technology and Design.
“These initiatives ensure children from lower-income families have equal opportunities to explore and develop skill sets of the future. While those from affluent families have such exposures, we must offer additional guidance to disadvantaged children,” Mr Sharael explained.
Custom-order care packs for vulnerable families, ensuring no one is left behind
The second priority for Mr Sharael is caring for vulnerable families in his constituency, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Every third Saturday of the month, volunteers from Pasir Ris East pack and deliver customised care packs to approximately 400 families. These beneficiaries are primarily seniors living alone or families facing challenges who need additional support.
The Pasir Ris East Care Store—a grassroots initiative funded by patrons—began four years ago. Mr Sharael’s team developed an app allowing beneficiaries to select items for their monthly grocery distribution, which volunteers then deliver.
“Seniors living alone and families with young kids have very different needs,” he explained. “Rather than giving identical care packs based on what we think they need, beneficiaries can choose what they require. At the end of the month, the app compiles the orders into a sheet which is sent to stores to purchase the goods.”
The programme also identifies and assists students from lower-income families who need financial support and tuition.
Mr Sharael emphasised that volunteers have a crucial task beyond packing care packs, which is to engage with the beneficiaries.
“It’s about getting to know the families better and understanding what other support they may require. Some beneficiaries have no family at all, and our visit might be the only time they talk to someone. This [social connection] is equally important as practical help, and we make sure to follow up on any additional support needs.”
“We focus on providing necessary support to lower-income families,” he explained, noting that his team regularly assists over 200 families.
With a higher percentage Malay-Muslim residents in his ward, Mr Sharael and his team have also partnered with M³ Pasir Ris–Changi. They focus on several key objectives: strengthening families, support for healthcare, enhancing residents’ employability, and offering mentorship programmes.
The Back to School (BTS) programme, which is run by M³ Pasir Ris–Changi, the six Malay Activities Executive Councils, Al-Islah and Al-Istigfar Mosques, and Mendaki, exemplifies this approach. It not only provides children from lower-income families with stationary, school bags, and study essentials but also strengthens families holistically through additional initiatives that provide tuition and foster a love of reading in children, Mr Sharael shared.
Sharael Taha instils sustainability values in residents through the Green Wave initiative
Sustainability stands as the third priority for Pasir Ris East, according to Mr Sharael. Throughout the year, his team engages residents in sustainable practices through various activities that culminate in Green Wave, a GRC-level flagship event. During this event, residents participate in cleaning the beach, mangroves, and park connector network within the GRC.
Previous initiatives have included a kayaking river cleanup and cycling event, an inter-school eco model car race, and a pre-school eco-fashion show. Both the cars and costumes in these events were created from recyclable materials.
“The purpose is to imbue the values of sustainability—reduce, reuse and recycle—not only to the children but also to the families staying in Pasir Ris,” Mr Sharael explained.
Pasir Ris East will be more vibrant, while maintaining the laid-back charm: Sharael Taha
When asked what residents can look forward to, Mr Sharael, chairman of Pasir Ris-Changi Town Council, said that Pasir Ris East will become more connected and vibrant while maintaining its laid-back charm.
He highlighted that Phase 1 of the Cross Island Line is expected to be completed by 2030. The MRT service will connect Pasir Ris East to Aviation Park and Bright Hill, and eventually link to Punggol and Jurong Lake District.
“The Cross Island Line will connect many of our residents to main job centres in the North East— specifically the Punggol Digital District and Changi Airport. They will have the opportunity to work in these two main growth areas.”
Describing Pasir Ris East as currently “a massive construction site,” Mr Sharael added that HDB flats and neighbourhoods will undergo various upgrading initiatives. They include the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP), Electrical Load Upgrading Programme (ELUP), Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP), and the Remaking Our Heartland initiative.
“We are creating spaces where seniors can exercise and enjoy themselves. Our design has been very deliberate. We have connected seniors’ exercise corners with playgrounds to foster a holistic environment where older adults can work out while interacting with their grandchildren,” he explained. “Our hope is that Pasir Ris East continues to be a vibrant place where families can thrive and enjoy activities together, all while preserving its distinctive laid-back charm.”
On what motivates him as an MP, Mr Sharael said that improving people’s lives drives him to do more.
“Seeing how a small effort can massively change someone’s life or an entire family’s situation is extremely satisfying,” he explains. “I believe it’s important that each of us does our part to helping our society and improving lives in Singapore. That’s what drives me.”
He finds renewed energy in positive outcomes: “Seeing the smiles on people’s faces, everyone happier, families growing stronger together. That serves as more energy for me to continue this work.”
