House to house visits tonight at North Bridge Road. Good way to uncover needs and bond. I cover one of the largest no of seniors and rental flats in Singapore and I’m so privileged to know them and serve them. More to do for my folks- as I see them age (with me). #loveneverfails

Me packing ‘love n care’ kits for our beloved kids from my division’s free Tuition With Love programme. TWL was started 7 years ago, fully run by passionate youth volunteers led by Carmen and Marc. This week I joined the kids in their zoom learning sessions and so glad they did not skip this weekly Sunday gathering with their mentors. Glad a number of them were using the laptops on loan from schools. It’s easy to start something noble but to sustain and do it for so long and with such love , is something else. I salute my wonderful volunteers who partnered me in this vision to bless communities in need.

What a difference a year and a virus outbreak make ! Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri my Muslim friends. As you #stayhome this year to fight our common enemy #covid-19, may your Raya celebrations still remain joyful. Although we cannot gather for our annual IFTAR break-fast meals; and to celebrate Hari Raya together, my best wishes still go out to you and your loved ones ! This Puasa, Kampong Glam residents are blessed by our community partners in the ward - Landmark Restaurant, Mummy Yummy Singapore and Raffles Medical Group for giving some of our residents delicious nasi bryani, vegetarian bentos and Hari Raya cookies. Thank you and thank you, everyone who helped !

Happy Mother’s Day to all and especially to Moms who are facing challenges of life. One of the ‘mother and child’ animal drawings by my special son JY, for you. #youwillneverwalkalone #imissmymom Check out too our woman MPs’ group tribute to all mothers. https://www.facebook.com/Josephine.LM.Teo/videos/250235296057196/?vh=e&d=n

I personally know many young people who have just graduated in the midst of one of the most serious economic and health crises in years. I decided to file the following Parliamentary question on jobs for our young grads : “Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Minister for Manpower how can the Ministry partner other stakeholders in the public, private and people sectors to seek permanent/temporary job or internship opportunities for fresh graduates in a labour market impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Manpower Minister Josephine Teo responded: “I share the concerns of Mayor Denise Phua, Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Ms Rahayu Mahzam regarding fresh graduates from local and overseas institutions. This is why we launched the SGUnited Traineeships Programme to help them gain industry experience, build up their resumes and boost their chances of securing jobs in the future. The Government funds 80% of the monthly training allowance for up to 12 months. Our young people are absolutely critical to our future. There are now more than 4,000 traineeship opportunities offered by 280 organisations. We hope more host companies can come forward to help build up the pool of traineeships and give our young graduates the much-needed opportunities to start their careers. Graduates can apply for these opportunities from 1 June onwards.” To my fresh graduate friends, it’s tough times but fret not, stay positive and let’s take action together to scale this covid challenge ! #nevergiveup https://www.wsg.gov.sg/URL/

Good news ! There's live sign language interpretation for PM Lee’s May Day speech tonight on Ch 5 at 730pm! Thanks PM #leehsienloong and team for this. Live notetaking also available on SADeaf’s FB page. Note taking service here - https://tinyurl.com/pmleemayday Spread the word! Big Thanks to the sign language interpreter & notetaker for this access service to real-time info nationwide, and to other service providers for their suggestions & solutions. Nothing is perfect but it’s a step towards full access ! Thank you for caring.

FairPrice on Wheels ! Another new idea to help make it convenient for our residents to buy essential basics without venturing too far from home during covid season. Outside Blk 15 near Kampong Glam CC . Volunteers n younger folks can help seniors buy too! 9am to 5pm daily from 23/4/20. Social distancing will be enforced. Wear masks too ok😄 Big thanks again to Fairprice chief #seahkianpeng and team !

MPS Changes and others! Learning to deal with constant changes is a daily covid-19 challenge. Thank you all for going thru this with me and our volunteers! (1) Face to face MPS (or the weekly Meet-The-People session by MPs) can NO longer be conducted wef this week. Govt regulation to protect all. Residents who need support can email or if they don’t know, to pls SMS - details in posters here. (2) Free Meals for our Beach Rd elderly residents too cannot now be personally collected by the seniors, to protect them. Tough to settle all the individual home delivery issues ; but miracles do happen. So all good. Take care all! This all will come to pass. Hang in there. #coviddays