Lamenting the fate of Singapore's Last Kampung

When I read the New Paper that carries the story of the impending fate of Singapore's last kampung at Lorong Buangkok, I cannot help but feel a sense of loss! Although URA asserts that the "kampung life can still live on"... my question is how.... when the place is re-developed into something totally alien to these people who have lived there for more than 30 years? Not long ago, many of our parents and grandparents were enjoying the kampung way of life.... where much sharing and trust was evident... where no one locks their doors... where things are valued and re-used over and over again.... So where have this "kampung spirit" gone to... 30 years on?

I was studying in Australia for barely a year or so and when I came back ... I was appalled at the pace and vastness of our "re-development" ..... what seems to me a functional shopping complex "the pavilion" has disappeared within a year and is now replaced with a new and taller one. The interesting thing is that URA said that they have plans for this piece of land (about the size of about 3 football fields) to be used for housing, schools and other neighbourhood facilities.... Think again! Is there a real and urgent need for housing when brand new flats are suffering low take-up rates? This parcel of land cannot even be used for an 18-hole golf course.... ? Is it worth the sacrifice?

This quaint little kampung has got more educational value than any "less developed" countries that schools take their kids in the name of service learning, more historical value than any museums created for archival purposes.... simply because it is a piece of home to us, it is authentic and it connects us to our own pasts. Do we really bear to wipe out what's left of our little piece of history? I am certain no amount of "National Education" can bring back this kind of connection to our land.

Via Veritas Vita

Perhaps it's the new year... perhaps it's because we are in the thick of organizing the SK Quah Run or perhaps it's because of the gathering of old friends and teachers of SAC yesterday.... whatever it is that evoked in me this nostalgic memories of old SAC building sitting lonely and dusty in Middle Road... amidst the gigantic and shiny buildings around. I felt compelled to write in to express my thoughts and feelings about the place...So I submitted a feedback to REACH, Singapore....

The content of the feedback:

I am an alumni of the St Anthony's Canossian Schools... and a group of us, ex-girls are extremely concerned about what is to become of the old building at Middle Road. A few of us went to pay a visit recently and found that the building has been left like a warehouse for props.... which is pathetic-looking.

I remember as students, we used to enjoy the unique charms of the school... even today, we are still talking about the bustling quadrangle, the lovely chapel and the cosy environment it provided for our growing years.

Imagine how sad we were when we were confronted with a place that we used to treasure. It was everything reduced to this present state! What's left of the building now is a graffiti-stricken lift, broken tiles, caged up spaces that are dusty and dirty. However, we are hopeful that the building can be restored to its previous grandeur with some sincere refurbishment plans from the government.

Why is this building of such rich historical value being left to its devices when other buildings around the vicinity have long been developed into art museums (former SJI) and entertainment hub (former CHIJ)?

If you need ideas about what the building can be used for, our ex-gals and alumni will be more than willing to contribute. Please do not let it degenerate further.... let us restore this piece of history back to its glorious days.