“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Luke 10:2)

The International Day of Charity (IDC) was established by the United Nations with the objective of sensitising and mobilising the collective community through volunteer and philanthropic activities. IDC is commemorated on 5 September, the date of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who worked tirelessly for the poorest and most vulnerable.

Apart from a handful of employees, it is the 750 Vincentians (volunteers) who help over 3,200 poor, marginalised, vulnerable Friends in Need in Singapore regardless of ethnicity, religion and nationality.

Ever wondered what SSVP Vincentians do? Wonder no longer as throughout this week, we will be sharing the myriad activities and work we do to serve our Friends in Need and reaching out to the community who need assistance.

On 20 August, various SSVP Conferences across Singapore ‘set-up Shop” in Church, raising awareness amongst parishioners who may need help or may know others in need as well as to recruit more “labourers” to befriend, journey and provide assistance. They also shared how they have engaged the community, stepping up efforts to reach out to more who are in need and continuing to help provide assistance to our Friends in Need with monthly rations, financial aid, home decluttering projects etc.

So the next time you see someone at church wearing the SSVP in Church or hard at work in your neigbourhood, do say hi and feel free to ask for help or how you may serve to start on your own personal journey of charity.