Behind the façade of tall
skyscrapers, condominiums and glamorous shopping districts, how many of us have
taken notice of the elderly who are living alone and suffering silently? How
many of us have taken the effort to cast yet another glance at the poor elderly
who sell their talent and tissue paper packets down Orchard Road?
Poverty is a widespread issue in
the world commonly linked with developing countries but few would expect there
to be poverty in Singapore, a developed country where many people live decent
lives. However, truth is, poverty does exist in Singapore, even though on a
small scale. Amongst these people living in poverty, the ones who need our care
the most are the elderly.
These elderly face many problems
in their daily lives due to health problems that come with aging, and adding
onto that, severe financial problems. Due to their old age and sometimes,
insufficient education when they were young, some are rejected when they want
to be re-employed, or some are unable to take the physical toll the laborious jobs
would have on their bodies. They are either abandoned by their children, or
left alone by their families due to their busy schedules.
The elderly are the pioneers of
Singapore and they have contributed much to Singapore, so that Singapore can
stand where it is today. Without them, we would not be able to build upon what
they have given us, and live the comfortable lives we and our parents are
living now.
It’s time we, youths, do our part to give
back and help these elderly.
In our next
post -> Ways the youth can help the elderly living in poverty
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