Nation’s Jubilee 2015 Cleanup Campaign

On Aug 9, 2015, Singapore celebrated its most anticipated 50th National Day. For Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, government officials and event planners spent a tremendous amount of effort in making this a very special day for Singapore. The National Day Parade has “Majulah Singapura” as its theme, which means “Onward Singapore” in Malay. The phrase “Majulah Singapura” is also the name of the National Anthem. The main celebration was held at The Padang, which can hold a capacity of approximately 25,000 people. About 200,000 other spectators gathered around the proximity of the main stage and seven other celebratory sites around the area of Marina Bay.

The members of the World Mission Society Church of God Singapore (SGWMSCOG), wanted to contribute to this celebration by volunteering to clean up the event sites. Partnering with the Public Hygiene Council, a total of 162 SGWMSCOG volunteers, gathered at Marina Bay Sands to kick start the campaign. Equipped with trash bags, gloves and thongs, they were divided into several groups and were dispersed to all the celebratory sites. Groups of nine members were stationed at a few checkpoints to help clear up the trash that were left behind by the audience.

“Although I am not a Singaporean, I wanted to be a part of Singapore’s Jubilee. To be able to celebrate Singapore’s National Day with my Singaporean friends, and to participate in this clean up is very meaningful to me. I even got the chance to see fireworks today!” exclaimed Cyrus Ting, Malaysian, 24, participating in the National Day Parade for the first time.

Upon seeing the volunteers clad in white with the logo “#KeepSGclean”, members of the public were encouraged and reciprocated by approaching the volunteers to dispose their rubbish in the trash bags. The act of kindness created a meaningful National Day celebration for everyone.