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ANZA Action: Project Dignity

What is Project Dignity? 
We are a Singapore-based street food experience business with a social mission. As well as running cooking classes and culinary team-bonding programmes, we provide training and employment opportunities for groups under represented in Singapore’s workforce. More than 60% of our staff are disabled or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Why is dignity an important word for your organisation?
We believe that dignity is a basic human right; nobody deserves to be treated as less than human, no matter where you’ve come from.

How does the organisation work?
Dignity Learn is our culinary training and placement arm. It runs certified courses for professionals seeking employment or business opportunities in the street food industry. We have a 21-day Train-and-Place curriculum for adults with disabilities. Over the past nine years in business, we have trained and placed over 600 individuals.

What other initiatives do you run?
We established Dignity Kitchen, Asia’s first food court operated by people with disabilities and the disadvantaged. Daily lunch treats are also served to the elderly. (The food court is open to the public during lunch hours at Serangoon Ave 3) Dignity Mama is a hospital book-and-muffin stall managed by mothers and young adults with disabilities.

How can people get involved?
We run team-bonding or corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities at Dignity Kitchen. Food enthusiasts can also take up cooking classes with us to learn more about Singapore cuisine. We don’t take donations but sponsoring a lunch treat for the elderly is another way to get involved.

What are some future projects?
We are in the midst of expanding to Hong Kong. We also look forward to more ANZA partnerships in the future.

Other opportunities for ANZA members:

Catering – ANZA members can book Project Dignity for personal or workplace catering – they offer a range of bento boxes and other menus.

Volunteering – There could be opportunities to volunteer at senior lunches; serving, cleaning and interacting with elderly visitors. Project Dignity is also interested in partnering with school groups, so young adults can volunteer by helping with meal prep and chatting with seniors.

For more info: projectdignity.sg or email enquiry@projectdignity.sg

5 Main Costs of Health Care in Singapore

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If you’ve recently arrived in Singapore, you may have realised that life in the Red Dot can be quite expensive. The cost of childcare, schools, apartment rentals, and transport can add up quickly. But did you ever ask yourself how much a hospitalisation for an emergency surgery can cost? Or how expensive it could be to give birth in Singapore? Insurance experts UEX outlines 5 health care expenses to consider.

1.Maternity
The price of childbirth can vary considerably. Several factors must be taken into account including the hospital type, type of rooms and type of childbirth. For example, the cost of childbirth without caesarean can vary from S$3,200 for a 4-bed room in a public hospital, to more than S$9,700 for a single room in a private hospital. Prices can increase drastically if complications occur during childbirth. A caesarean with serious complications can rise up to S$17,000.

Refer to UEX articles to find out more about the prices of a childbirth in Singapore.

2. Hospitalisation
Hospitalisation in Singapore can be very expensive. For example, an appendectomy without complications can vary from S$4,600 in a public hospital, to more than S$17,000 in a private hospital.

Click here for more information about the costs related to a hospitalisation in Singapore.

3. General Practitioner
The cost of a regular consultation with a GP will vary, depending on the practitioner. A short consultation with a local GP costs around S$20. A home consultation starts from S$120. If you need to consult an international practitioner, the cost of a consultation will rise significantly.

4. Specialists
Specialists costs can add up over repeat visits. Here are some examples of specialist consultations’ costs:

  • A dermatology consultation at the National Skin Center costs S$120
  • A consultation with a pediatrician generally costs around S$120
  • A first gynecologist consultation at the KK Women’s and Children’s hospital costs from S$115.

5. Dental and optical care
A preventive dentist consultation starts from S$30. The cost of a simple tooth extraction starts from S$100. An outpatient consultation at the Singapore National Eye Centre costs from S$95. A vision test performed by an optometrist costs on average S$60.

To understand how health insurance plans cover the healthcare costs, you can approach UEX’s happiness team by email or by phone for more information and guidance – and the good news is that they are super nice!

With UEX, you can obtain a quote for a health insurance contract customised to your needs and requirements – all in less than a minute!

 

 

Diabetes: what you need to know

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Diabetes and What You Need to Know
Worldwide, diabetes is on the rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 422 million adults have diabetes, In 2018, 5.2 million deaths could be attributed to the effects of diabetes or high blood glucose. This means that 1 in 11 adults on the planet are currently living with diabetes.

Almost half of the people with diabetes don’t know it because it can take a long time to develop symptoms. Some basic facts that are important to know about this all too common disease.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin (the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels) or when our body has trouble using the insulin it produces effectively. This leads to high blood sugar levels (or hyperglycemia), which over time can cause severe damage to many of the body’s systems (notably the nerves and the blood vessels). There are 3 commonly known types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes: This type of diabetes usually affects young people. It requires daily administration of insulin. The cause is not known and there is no way to prevent it.
  • Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs in pregnant woman, and is usually diagnosed by a screening test between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Most women with gestational diabetes will be well controlled with diet and exercise and will resume normal blood sugar levels after pregnancy. However, these women remain at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.
  • Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is caused by the inability of the body to effectively use the insulin that the pancreas produces. It is the type of diabetes that affects the most people around the world, and is largely a result of obesity and low levels of physical activity.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms may begin gradually and can be quite difficult to identify at first. They may include malaise and fatigue, increased thirst, blurred vision, poor healing of skin wounds, increased frequency of bladder infections or thrush. Most people with Type 2 diabetes won’t have any symptoms, and might be diagnosed through a screening blood test done because of other risk factors (people in the family with diabetes, obesity, poor physical activity, cigarette smoking, etc.)

What are the consequences of diabetes?
Over the years, high levels of blood sugar can cause irreversible damage to the eyes, the nerves, the kidneys, the heart and the blood vessels. This causes an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and many consequences of poor circulation (poor healing wounds and ulcers, amputations and erectile dysfunction).

How can I try to prevent getting diabetes?
The good news is, even if you have a strong family history of diabetes, simple lifestyle modifications have been shown effective at preventing or delaying the development of Type 2 diabetes. To help prevent diabetes and its complications, people should:

  • Maintain a healthy body weight
  • Be regularly active (30 min of moderate to intense physical activity on most days)
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet (low in refined sugars and saturated fats)
  • Avoid cigarette/tobacco use

In summary, if you are an adult over the age of 40 with other risk factors (obesity, poor physical activity, smoker, previous gestational diabetes or family history of diabetes), you should talk to your family doctor about the possibility of getting screened for diabetes. If the results are normal, they can be repeated every 3 years.

Dr Méli Noël is a Canadian doctor based at IMC Jelita. Dr Méli also consults in French. Please call 6887 4440 or visit www.imc-healthcare.com for an appointment.

 

 

What’s On: April

11 Apr
Sabrina Carpenter
Kallang Theatre
Sabrina Carpenter makes her debut in Singapore in support of her third studio album. A former Disney Channel star, she’s toured with the likes of Ariana Grande. Perfect for teens and pop fans.

11-14 Apr
Singapore Yacht Show
ONE°15 Marina, Sentosa
This glamorous four-day yachting and boating lifestyle features some of the world’s finest superyachts and popular boating brands. The on-water exhibition also assembles the largest fleet of world-class yachts in Asia.
singaporeyachtshow.com/tickets

13-14 April
HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens
National Stadium
Two days of intense match-ups will put 16 of the world’s top rugby Sevens teams to the ultimate test. Fans will also be treated to a huge line up of entertainment, including American band, Smashmouth on Saturday and the Rock of Ages cast on Sunday performing 80s rock ballads.

20 Apr
Ibeyi
Victoria Theatre
These genre-bending French-Cuban twins rose to fame after starring in Beyonce’s Lemonade. They incorporate modern music with traditional Cuban Yubora chants – paying homage to their heritage.

27 Apr
The Clairvoyants Live!
Resorts World Sentosa
Award-winning mind-readers Thommy Ten and Amélie van Tass appeared on America’s Got Talent and created history on Broadway by performing to a whopping audience of 25,000 in one week. Expect top notch mind reading, illusion and unique mentalism from this magic Austrian duo. Tickets from $68, Sistic

1 Apr-12 May
World Gourmet Summit
Various restaurants and venues
This year, the World Gourmet Summit spotlights the theme of sustainability in the food world. Step into some of the most celebrated restaurants in Singapore for special menus, as well as collaborations between Singaporean chefs and other culinary icons from around the world.worldgourmetsummit.com

28 Apr
Income Eco Run 2019
F1 Pit Building
Take part in the Zero Waste 5km Run, which ditches single use plastic-lined paper cups for reusable cups that can be clipped to clothing. Other races include a 10km individual, mixed team 21.1km half marathon and two kids’ races for 4-12-year-olds. From $32, incomeecorun.sg

2-15 May
Peroni Sunset Cinema
As the sun sets, enjoy a relaxed evening of drinks, dinner, music and film on Singapore’s most beautiful beach. Arrive early (gates open from 5pm) and soak up the ambience as DJ’s and instrumentalists fire up the sounds of summer until the film begins at 7:45pm. Tickets from $34. sunsetcinema.com.sg

Bar Review: Flying Monkey

 

Flying Monkey
67 Bussorah St, Singapore 199480 Tues-Sun,12.30-2pm and 5.30-11pm
flyingmonkey.sg

Just off bustling Bussorah Street, hip Indian bar-diner Flying Monkey has launched its latest cocktail menu, deploying an intoxicating blend of Indian spices and ingredients into some impressive drinks. The quirky concoctions are inspired by the flamboyant side of Indian life – from colourful Bollywood actors, to inspiring cross-cultural love stories, poets and legendary sports personalities. Owner Sumeet Singla is behind the winning concept – he also owns the excellent Pizza Fabbrica next door, so you can go from sleek, glam India to rustic, homestyle Italy in a few steps.

Order up!
We settle into a cosy table in the relaxed, space, leafing through the entertaining illustrated cocktail menu (which includes a solid mocktail selection for non-drinkers). We start with Baby Doll ($18), named after a famous Bollywood hit song, sung by former porn star-turned-actress Sunny Leone. It’s a dreamy, delicate drink made with reyka vodka, saffron, pineapple juice, vanilla, lemon and egg white.
Honey? Where’s My Chai!? ($20) is a strong, spicy blend of Drambuie, dark rum, Kahlua, espresso, chai and cardamom bitters, served icy-cold in a metal cup. Lassi Wassi ($20) is a mellow take on the traditional Indian smoothie, laced with Monkey Shoulder Whisky, yogurt, mango and turmeric. The Master Blaster ($20) is a smashing combo of Glenfiddich 12, coconut liqueur, coconut cream, pistachio and coconut water, named after cricket star Sachin Tendulkar – this one is our top pick, leaving us considering ordering another.

What’s to eat?
The ‘small plates’ menu is designed for sharing, and the portions are hearty. Vada pav ($8) are a popular Indian street snack – soft rolls filled with masala potato and spicy sauce. Mutton kebabs served on mini rotis ($16) are really good, and we also find it hard to stop crunching on the kurkuri bhindi ($8), okra crisps coated in spiced gram flour. We planned to head out for dinner after our cocktails, but there’s no need. My plus one declared it; “the best Indian food I’ve ever tasted.”

Soccer Finals Day – 23 March 2019

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Evolving Amsterdam

On my first visit to Amsterdam 10 years ago, I recall being surprised to find the Dutch capital’s reputation as a sex and sin hotbed was well-earned; an excess of window brothels in the notorious Red-Light District and cannabis coffee houses seemingly on every corner. What I also recall from that visit was a Dutch friend saying, “Take a good look at this now, as much of it will be gone within a decade. This city just keeps evolving.”

His words from 2009 hung heavily in my mind during my recent return visit when I saw his predictions had indeed come true. A walk around Amsterdam today reveals just how much has changed in recent years, and how an easier-paced city has emerged as a result. It’s most telling in the Red-Light District in the De Wallen area. Once one of the busiest tourist areas, an estimated one-third of the window brothels have now closed. In their place is a new breed of small cafes, restaurants and bars. The coffee houses are still there, but what I recall from a decade ago is wildly-affected smokers literally falling out of shops. This time around, I saw none of that. In fact, the patrons going in and out of the shops appear far better behaved. While some might argue Amsterdam has lost some of its edge, it’s showing a far more family-friendly face to visitors these days.

A decade ago, run-down and dilapidated buildings dotted the landscape, along with a mess of construction as the new metro system was built. Now, the city appears clean and polished, showing off the beautiful architecture of its canal houses and their gabled facades, fronting onto quaint cobblestone streets and the crisscross of canals. The new metro line has also been finished and makes getting around easier than ever. Not that getting around Amsterdam, which has regularly been named as the top city in the world for cyclists, has ever been a problem. The city centre is compact and flat, which makes it ideal for strolling around and taking in its many sights and sites.

This unique city was built on 90 islands, surrounded by 165 canals. The canals define Amsterdam’s landscape and have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Floating down the waterways on a boat tour offers a distinctive perspective of the city, with most of the tours taking about an hour. Or, do as the locals do, and grab a set of wheels to see Amsterdam. The humble bike has right of way everywhere, and so a bike tour offers an easy way to take in all that Amsterdam has to offer. As the city is so flat, it is also an activity that visitors of any fitness level or ages can do, while taking an up-close view of its many quarters. Mikes Bikes offer city tours, €28 for three hours. mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com

TOP 5 MUST SEE’S

1. Dam Square:
At the centre is the busiest place – Dam Square, surrounded by the 17th-century Royal Palace, New Church and the National Memorial Statue. This huge and imposing public space is also where you’ll find Madame Tussauds wax museum, and streets and alleyways going off in all directions full of vendors selling clothing, food and souvenirs.

2. Rijksmuseum:
One of Europe’s most important art collections is in the Rijksmuseum, which boasts seven million works including 5000 of the world’s most important paintings. The collections span everything from ancient treasures through to modern art, with special family-themed tours that offer children an insight into the various collections. rijksmuseum.nl/en

3. Vondelpark:
In a compact city, the Vondelpark is something of a relief, and where Amsterdam can literally spread out across 116 acres. The green space is dotted by peaceful ponds and traversed by a maze of paths, with a range of gardens, sculptures and children’s playgrounds. The Vondelpark Open Air Theatre presents music and stage productions in Spring and Summer.

4. Amsterdam Flower Market:
Close to Vondelpark, a burst of colour awaits at the Amsterdam Flower Market, one of the few floating flower markets in the world, with many stalls situated on houseboats. Located along the Singel canal near the Koningsplein, this market has been in operation since 1862, and its waterside setting is a reminder of the old days when the market was supplied by boat.

5. Anne Frank House:
Possibly the most important place in all of Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis during the darkest days of World War II, while she wrote her famous diary. Much of the home has been kept as it was during Anne’s time, and seeing the real pages of Anne’s actual diary serves as a poignant monument of history.

NEXT STOP, AMSTERDAM
For years, London to Amsterdam has been one of the world’s busiest air routes. Now, getting to the Dutch capital from the UK is a simple and direct train ride, the Eurostar now runs between London and Amsterdam in just under four hours. It’s an easy ride across the 585km, from King Cross-St Pancras direct to Centraal, linking the two cities on the occasion of Eurostar’s 25th anniversary. At this stage, the Eurostar to Amsterdam only runs in the one direction, with a return journey to London yet to be announced. Fares start from €40 one way.
Details: raileurope.com.au

The writer travelled to Europe from Singapore as a guest of Scoot Airlines – flyscoot.com

Overcoming Fear

Last week, Aotearoa New Zealand – beloved homeland for some of us, cherished neighbour to others – came face to face with the shadow of violence. For many of us, this was an unthinkable act, in a nation renowned for its kindness.

As we deal with the fall-out of this event – the inevitable explanations, recriminations, investigations and debates – there are important ways we can nurture ourselves, our loved ones and our wider community.

Firstly, and most importantly, if you are (or if someone close to you is) overwhelmed with feelings of despair or anxiety, please seek the help of a trusted professional. It is common for traumatic events to ignite or amplify feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and depression. Help is available, and the people around you – including those of us in the ANZA community – will support you through this time of vulnerability.

At times like this, the isolation of distance can leave us feeling helpless and out of control. However, there are things that you can do, right here, right now, to help facilitate progress and healing. You can do this by supporting official fundraising channels for victims and their families; writing letters of compassion and support through organisations such as revolutionarylove.net; visiting a local mosque, introducing yourself to a neighbour or making a social connection, in some other way, with a group or culture other than your own.

Next, be mindful of the impact of social media on your mindset and overall well-being. It’s wise at times like this to ‘switch off’ the online chatter, and seek out authentic social connections with people who leave you feeling good.

Finally, these moments of darkness allow us all to re-evaluate the role we play in creating our society. The world is a smaller place than we realise and studies show that our individual approach to life cascades through our social circles, like ripples, to have far-reaching consequences.

It’s a powerful force for good when we learn to review our habitual speaking patterns and unconscious biases. Take this moment to consider the words you use and the thoughts you harbour towards those who are not like you; to those who express their values differently. And give yourself permission to change those patterns if you believe they contribute, in any way, to a society you would rather not create.

Ultimately, it is unity and tolerance that was attacked last week – and these are the very traits we ought to reach for, now, in order to move forward. We each have the capacity for love – deep, healing, unifying. And with a little effort, self-awareness and conscious compassion, we can each facilitate a kinder, more loving world. The choice is ours.

Unuhia te rito o te harakeke, kei hea te kōmako e kō?
Ui mai ki ahau, ‘He aha te mea nui o te Ao?’
Māku e kī atu,
‘He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.’

If you remove the central shoot of the flax bush, where will the bellbird find rest?
If you were to ask me, ‘What is the most important thing in the world?’
I would reply,
‘It is people, it is people, it is people.’

– NZ Māori whakataukī (proverb)

 

Kim Forrester, ANZA member and columnist

SEA Cup 2019 Gallery

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