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In a quiet corner of Tampines, the kampung spirit was evident as neighbours rallied together during a crisis.
An elderly woman with suspected dementia had gone missing in the neighbourhood. The Tampines Central Community Club under People’s Association (PA) activated its grassroots networks, forming search parties to comb the vicinity. Even after the woman was found, the help did not stop there. PA volunteers and her neighbours helped to keep a lookout for the elderly woman while her son was at work during the day.
Jessica Tan was a deputy constituency director at the community club when the incident took place in 2020. “This case really highlighted the strength of the community spirit we have in Singapore,” she says. “It is something I am proud to contribute to as part of my career in PA.”
Such acts of kindness and collaboration are proof that the kampung spirit is still very much alive today. “It’s just playing out in ways we don’t always notice,” she reflects.
As a student, Jessica was awarded the PA Scholarship in 2013 and went on to complete a bachelor of business administration at the National University of Singapore. Now, the 30-year-old plays a crucial role in PA’s efforts to redefine and sustain the kampung spirit in modern-day Singapore.
“We create the platforms and opportunities for different stakeholders – residents, grassroots leaders and community partners – to connect, collaborate and contribute to their communities. This helps to foster a culture of care and collaboration,” Jessica explains.
Over the years, her own journey as a scholar has given her the opportunity to rotate across grassroots and strategic roles. From her time at Tampines Central Community Club to her current secondment to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s (MCCY) community relations and engagement division as a senior manager, she has gained a holistic understanding of both the ground-up needs of residents and the top-down processes of policymaking.
“To me, the kampung spirit is about people caring for and looking out for one another,” she says.
“I like to look for joy in the little things – small interactions and achievements. Celebrating the small wins reaffirms my passion to serve the community”
– Jessica Tan, recipient of the People’s Association Scholarship
While there may be fewer face-to-face interactions today compared to the old kampung days, she notes that the inherent need for people to connect still remains strong and communities have simply found new ways to come together. “People are making use of digital platforms to create communities and organise efforts,” observes Jessica.
She cites examples such as residents of new Build-To-Order precincts using messaging apps – such as Telegram and Facebook groups – to borrow tools, exchange tips and offer help to one another, showing that the essence of the kampung spirit has evolved but remains intact.
Another example that exemplifies the modern-day kampung spirit is Act of Kindness, an annual event organised by the Tampines Central Youth Network. Through activities such as distributing care packages to construction workers and cleaners as well as visiting seniors who live alone, the event fosters a sense of community and provides the youth with an opportunity to express gratitude to those who contribute to the community.
Through her nearly eight years at PA, Jessica has been inspired by the commitment of community volunteers who dedicate countless hours to planning and executing such programmes, often sacrificing personal time to serve others.
“I like to look for joy in the little things – small interactions and achievements. Celebrating the small wins reaffirms my passion to serve the community,” she says.
As Singapore embraces the principles of Forward Singapore (Forward SG), a national movement that aims to engage Singaporeans in refreshing the nation’s social compact, PA’s role in strengthening community ties will become even more important in the country’s rapidly changing society.
“Forward SG emphasises the importance of collective action and shared responsibility in shaping our future. This is precisely what we hope to achieve in PA as well,” says Jessica, adding that she hopes to see more residents stepping forward to contribute to causes that they believe in.
She also foresees greater collaboration across sectors – government, civic groups, businesses and individuals – to tackle society’s increasingly complex challenges. From beach clean-ups to environmental initiatives and programmes for the less fortunate, these opportunities demonstrate how collective efforts can make a tangible difference.
“We need to be adaptive and forward-thinking to meet the changing needs of our society,” says Jessica. “The work at PA is challenging. It requires resilience and adaptability, but the impact makes it all worthwhile.”
