Meet a Singaporean who has placed the "Other C" s into his daily life.

Any ordinary day can turn out to be extraordinary and fulfilling if indeed one's heart is in the right place…………

This precious insight was caught by our Editorial team when they delved into the life of Mr Eric Low, Chairman of Hougang Community Development Council and Advisor to the Hougang Grassroots Organisations.
We would like to share this beautiful insight with you:

To everyone who meets him, Mr Eric Low, 52, exudes a warm and friendly countenance and most people therefore will remember him as a gentleman with a benign heart and cheerful countenance. Those who have had the opportunity to associate more closely with him, whether in work or play, shall discover much more - for example, they are likely to be impressed at his boundless physical energy; and at his buoyant enthusiasm for initiating and supporting good and worthy causes; among the younger generation some may be surprised to know he is open to much creativity and innovation.

Certainly, in the Singapore context, where so much prominence has been placed on career and ambitions and where the much publicised and coveted five, six or seven "C" s are pursued with zest and frenzy, it is attractive and refreshing to discover a Singaporean in Mr Eric Low who values a different set of "C"s - these are what we can best describe as the "OTHER-centred Cs" or in other words, the "unselfish Cs " of life !

What do we mean by "OTHER- centred Cs" ?

To illustrate we present here a brief round-up of some Hougang Community Development Council projects underway by Mr Eric Low which in a sense demonstrates the outworking of the principle of the "OTHER-centred Cs"

The first "C" we showcase is in:

Mr Eric Low has spearheaded in Hougang many Care and Concern Programmes to assist residents with special needs. For example, there is a community program to ensure that disabled residents and invalids in Hougang can be helped in emergency situations such as in the event of a fire

outbreak. The Hougang CC have urged residents who have elderly or disabled relatives at home to register with the CC as well as directly with the RCs.

he CC has created a special logo for identification to be placed on the RC's notice-boards at the HDB blocks to alert others of the presence of residents in need of their prompt attention in any emergency. The Hougang CC also initiated a scheme to assist low-income families to obtain a PC through the IT Accessibility Assistance Scheme. (to apply for assistance, please fill in application on back page of this newsletter).

The second "C" we now showcase is :

"C" in the word "Cover" is taken in both its literal and figurative sense, that is denoting "Protection." Mr Eric Low has demonstrated a keen sensitivity and genuine concern for protecting the safety of people and the environment. This can be seen in the following reports : Overhead Bridge gets new Lighting and Cover Safer Crossing for Students Zebra Crossing at Hougang Ave 10

New Lighting & Cover for overhead bridge at Hougang Ave 5

The overhead bridge along Upper Serangoon Road, between Blk 362 Hougang Ave 5 and Holy Innocents' High School is refurbished with new lighting and cover. Mr Eric Low contacted LTA when he heard from residents that they dreaded using it as it's not lit and provided no shelter.

Last but certainly not the least, the third "C" is:

Yes, Mr Eric Low has placed his whole heart with the Community as demonstrated in much of his life. However, the Chairman believes the real source of the vibrant community life in Hougang depends on the dedicated members serving in the 9 Hougang Grassroot Organisations.

Pedestrians' Zebra Crossing at Hougang Ave 10

Having observed that many pedestrians are often seen dashing across Hougang Avenue 10 to get across to Hougang Plaza, risking their own safety, Mr Eric Low highlighted this problem to LTA . As a result, LTA has agreed to install a zebra crossing with flashing beacons at the crossing.

Safer Crossing from School

During one of Mr Eric Low's visits to the school, the Principal of Holy Innocents' Primary School, Mr Jimmy Tan voiced his concern for the safety of his students and their parents using the back gate of the school as their view of oncoming traffic was obstructed by cars parked outside the gate. Moreover oncoming motorists on the road are unable to see students and parents coming out through the back gate.

Mr Low immediately brought the matter up to HDB. Consequently, HDB provided road humps at each end of the gate to reduce the speed of oncoming vehicles and also removed three parking lots directly outside the gate to allow students, parents and motorists to have an unobstructed view of the road.

Mr Jimmy Tan said "We appreciate what Mr Low and the Hougang CDC has done for us. Their prompt action and invaluable assistance definitely made it much safer for all to use our school's back gate."

Mr Eric Low is the Business Development Director of Overseas Assurance Corporation. His dialect group is Teochew and he is married and a father of two. He has always been active in community work and actively serves the National Council of Social Service, National Crime Prevention Council, Student's Care Service and the Singapore Red Cross Society besides the Hougang Community Development Council. His grassroot involvement includes nine years service in the Telok Blangah Constituency. In his leisure hours, his hobbies are: Golf, Reading and Exercise.

[ Main ] [ Page 1 ] [ Page 2 ] [ Page 3 ] [ Page 4 ]