Singapore, we need to have the talk (or several talks): the one about race, migrant workers, and even mental health. But ready or not, this younger generation of change-makers is taking on these social issues head-on. In the last of a five-part series, Cai Yinzhou, the director of Citizen Adventures, discuss the role of the citizen when it comes to addressing social issues in Singapore
Dark, dodgy and dangerous are just some of the words that have been used to describe the back alleys of Geylang. But Cai Yinzhou wants you to know that there is more to the neighbourhood where he has lived all his life, and he wants you to join him on a Geylang Adventures walking tour to explore its back alleys.
What started as a school project in 2013 for the tourism major is now an opportunity “to showcase the people around my neighbourhood” through the business with a social mission. “Geylang Adventures started from the personal narratives of neighbours I’ve interacted with from young, including migrant workers and sex workers. With Geylang constantly being negatively portrayed in the media, we wanted to highlight its ecosystem through alternative lenses, from the role of its community.”
During these tours, the 31-year-old also highlights some of the evolving challenges that these communities face, especially during the pandemic. “We are not a regular tour catering to mass tourism. From the start we have not been targeting or particularly seeking to appeal to tourists. It was a good opportunity when during the pandemic many Singaporeans became more interested in the issues faced by the community, wanting to come and discover their own neighbourhoods.”
He may be a tour guide by profession, but Cai does so much more. He is also the founder of a social initiative called Backalley Barbers, which he started in a Geylang back alley in 2014, giving free haircuts to migrant workers. While the public haircuts are currently on hold, Cai and his team of about 80 volunteers continue to offer their services in migrant workers dormitories, nursing homes and low-income communities.
The volunteers come from different backgrounds, bringing different skills to the table. “Some of them juggle important jobs, including teachers and lawyers, and may have family responsibilities such as caregiving for children or elderly parents; some are social workers, civil servants and policymakers, but all are coming together with a common purpose in helping others,” enthuses Cai. The team also takes the opportunity to talk to the migrant workers about their concerns and would refer them to the respective organisations, such as HealthServe for healthcare-related services for migrant workers.
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