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Community Spirit

Photo credit: Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-united-together-people-unity-1917895/

The COVID-19 pandemic is more than just a health crisis. It encompasses human, economic and social crises that have indiscriminately disrupted and affected people’s lives and livelihoods.¹ However, communities around the world are demonstrating solidarity, strength and resilience by banding together to provide support and help to those who are vulnerable and in need.

Community resilience, which refers to the community’s ability to utilise available resources to respond, withstand, adapt and recover from adversity, is exhibited through the many community-led and ground-up initiatives that have been established in Singapore and other countries in recent months.² People from varied backgrounds around the world are volunteering their time, knowledge, skills and resources to help not just the elderly and disabled but also healthcare workers, foreign workers and families in need. There are groups rallying to help those facing discrimination or stigma as a result of misinformation surrounding the virus.³ Fundraising campaigns have also been launched to provide financial relief to those affected by COVID-19.⁴

In Singapore, the SGUnited portal was launched on 20 February 2020. The one-stop portal enables those keen to contribute to community-led efforts to help those affected by the disruptions caused by the pandemic through donations, volunteering or other forms of support.⁵ Some of the initiatives included providing meals for the breaking of fast during the month of Ramadan, sewing reusable masks for migrant workers, supporting local businesses through the purchase of gift cards and monetary donations to support the urgent and critical needs of vulnerable local communities.⁶

To learn more about volunteerism and the spirit of giving, as well as stories of community spirit in Singapore and around the world during the COVID-19 crisis, check out the resources listed below.

Websites

1. Banding together in times of crisis: From care packages to crowdsourcing supplies, here are three ways Singapore is staying united

Banding together in times of crisis: From care packages to crowdsourcing supplies, here are three ways Singapore is staying united. (2020, February 12). Gov.sg. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

2. Responding to the COVID-19 crisis as one Singapore community

Ong, A. (2020, April 6). Responding to the COVID-19 crisis as one Singapore community. Today Online. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

3. Singaporean educates children about social impact of Covid-19 and helps them kick out racism

Yip, M. (2020, April 26). Singaporean educates children about social impact of Covid-19 and helps them kick out racism. The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020, May 28.

4. 3,000 healthcare professionals volunteer to help in coronavirus battle

Cheow, S. (2020, April 29). 3,000 healthcare professionals volunteer to help in coronavirus battle. The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

5. Coronavirus: Community groups launch site to help low-income families after Sunday Times feature

Zhuo, T. (2020, April 19). Coronavirus: Community groups launch site to help low-income families after Sunday Times feature. The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

6. How to help, not harm, while volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ro, C. (2020, April 4). How to help, not harm, while volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

7. The threat that binds: volunteerism and community resilience

The threat that binds: volunteerism and community resilience. (2018). United Nations Volunteers. Retrieved 2024, April 6.

8. Volunteerism in disaster management: opportunities, challenges and instruments for improvement

Roth, F., & Prior, T. (2019). Volunteerism in disaster management: opportunities, challenges and instruments for improvement. Center for Security Studies. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

Ebooks

1. Doing Good Better: How Effective Altruism Can Help You Make a Difference

MacAskill, W. (2015). Doing good better: How effective altruism can help you make a difference. Penguin Publishing Group. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this ebook.)

2. Be the change

Nunn, M. (2012). Be the change. Atlanta, Georgia: Hundreds of Heads Books. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this ebook.)

3. Giving: How each of us can change the world

Clinton, B. (2007). Giving: How each of us can change the world. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this ebook.)

4. Volunteering & giving back: 101 inspiring stories of purpose & passion

Newmark, A. (2015). Volunteering & Giving back: 101 inspiring stories of purpose & passion. New York: Chicken Soup for the Soul. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this ebook.)

5. A cup of comfort for a better world

Sell, C. (2010). A cup of comfort for a better world. New York: Adams Media. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this ebook.)

Videos and Podcasts

1. COVID-19: Community groups in Singapore race to help foreign workers

Source: COVID-19: Community groups in Singapore race to help foreign workers. (2020, April 23). CNA. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

2. COVID-19: Volunteers aim to sew 50,000 reusable masks during circuit breaker period

Source: COVID-19: volunteers aim to sew 50,000 reusable masks during circuit breaker period. (2020, April 8). CNA. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

3. Acts of kindness spread as UK tackles COVID-19 pandemic

Source: Acts of kindness spread as UK tackles COVID-19 pandemic. (2020, April 6). CNA. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

4. Coronavirus: How local communities support each other and keep the spirits up

Source: Coronavirus: how local communities support each other and keep the spirits up. (2020, March 17). DW News. Retrieved 2020, May 5.

If you are interested to read up further on volunteerism and the spirit of giving, check out the following journal articles and resources in Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

Journal articles

1. A review of informal volunteerism in emergencies and disasters: definition, opportunities and challenges

Whittaker, J., McLennan, B., & Handmer, J. (2015, September). A review of informal volunteerism in emergencies and disasters: definition, opportunities and challenges. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 13: 358–368. Retrieved 2020, May 5 .

2. Predictors of early community involvement: advancing the self and caring for others

Lawford, H., L., & Ramey, H. L. (2017, March). Predictors of early community involvement: Advancing the self and caring for others. American Journal of Community Psychology. 59(1/2): 133–143. Retrieved 2020, May 5 from ProQuest Central database via NLB’s eResources website. (myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

3. Building community capacity and fostering disaster resilience

Gil-Rivas, V. (2016, December). Building community capacity and fostering disaster resilience. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 72(12): 1318–1332. Retrieved 2020, May 5 from EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete database via NLB’s eResources website. (myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

Chinese, Malay and Tamil resources

1. 淡马锡基金会免费派发手部消毒液给近150万户家庭

淡马锡基金会免费派发手部消毒液给近150万户家庭。(2020年3月17日)。联合早报 。Retrieved 2024, April 6.

As part of Temasek Foundation’s wider efforts to help the community and vulnerable groups during COVID-19, hand sanitisers will be distributed to about 1.5 million households at community centres islandwide or selected Capitaland malls.

2. 英勇基金开始接受申请

英勇基金开始接受申请。(2020年3月29日)。联合早报。Retrieved 2024, April 6.

The Courage Fund, which has received more than $5.9 million in donations from the community, is now accepting applications. This will be used to support families of healthcare and front-line workers and patients of COVID-19.

3. Sama-sama singsing lengan jayakan daya usaha #SGUnited buka puasa.

Sama-sama singsing lengan jayakan daya usaha #SGUnited. buka puasa. (2020, May 3). Berita Harian. Retrieved on 2020, May 4.

A #SGUnited initiative to provide food for the breaking of fast for the needy and frontliners during Ramadan. This initiative – a collaboration between nine different organisations – aimed to collect SG$3 million to feed 600,000.

4. Masjid Assyakirin, Masjid Kassim buka pintu bagi gelandangan sepanjang ‘circuit breaker’.

Masjid Assyakirin, Masjid Kassim buka pintu bagi gelandangan sepanjang ‘circuit breaker’. (2020, April 30). Berita Mediacorp. Retrieved on 2020, April 30.

As part of the Safe, Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps) initiative, two mosques opened up their premises to the homeless.

5. கவிமாலையின் "வல்லமை தாராயோ" வில் இன்று “திருமதி கவிதா ஜவகர்” அவர்கள்

Source: கவிமாலையின் “வல்லமை தாராயோ” வில் இன்று “திருமதி கவிதா ஜவகர்” அவர்கள் (2020). Kavimaalai. Retrieved 2020, May 14.

This is a series of talks organised by the literary association, Kavimaalai during the circuit breaker period. This segment features poet Kavitha Javahar who acknowledges the challenges faced with staying home for months but motivates viewers to stay resilient.

Disclaimer/ Rights statement
The information in this resource guide is valid as at May 2020 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2020.

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