I READ with deep sadness and dismay that our senior fellow
Singaporeans are left to die alone ('Dying Alone'; Monday).
However, my feelings are ameliorated by individuals and
organisations who stepped forward to help, and I salute them for
their kindness.
It is hard to believe that these elderly folk did not have a
single relative or friend to take care of the last rites for them.
What happened to our long-held traditional values such as filial
piety and respect for the elderly?
These values are best taught at the preschool and kindergarten
level. The Singapore Kindness Movement is working on a pilot
curriculum to bring these teachings to our children at that
level.
However, parents must not think that they can delegate their
parental duties to the schools. Ultimately, such values are best
caught than taught. If we do not inspire our children to be kind by
our own kind actions, we may end up dying alone.
Dr William Wan
General Manager
Singapore Kindness Movement Secretariat