Think Singapore doesn’t have kampung spirit anymore? It may have just evolved, Lifestyle News

“It is meaningful because residents see that the void deck can become a place they shape together. Someone brings food, someone performs, someone moves chairs, someone watches another person’s child, and someone who initially came alone leaves having met a neighbour.”

Sharing (food) is caring

Sharing food is a way to bring people together — and it doesn’t always have involve big, fancy meals or gatherings with people whom you already know. 

In Singapore, many donors and volunteers are involved in efforts to save food from going to waste and also redistribute the items to the community.

One such person is Gregory Peck, an avid advocate for food rescue and a member of the community in Singapore. 

To Gregory, the kampung spirit is “still very much alive”. Unlike the past when neighbours depended on each other, modern-day Singaporeans may need opportunities for them to come together, he noted.

And the best way to do that? Food. 

“Once people start sharing food, conversations and relationships tend to follow,” the 55-year-old told us. 

Through food rescue activities, the retiree has met people from all walks of life whom he “probably would never have crossed paths with otherwise”. 

“When you are rescuing food, those social differences become much less important,” he said. 

“People start talking about what they cook, what they eat, their families and their lives. For me, that is where the kampung spirit really becomes visible.” 

This sentiment is echoed by Tampines Food Rescue, a ground-up initiative which stocks community fridges with free vegetables, fruits and other food items for residents.

Besides reducing food waste, such efforts can also create opportunities for the community to connect, it told AsiaOne.

“Our initiative brings together people from all walks of life. Residents volunteer their time, donors contribute what they can, and recipients are encouraged to pay it forward when possible,” it said. 

This cycle of giving and receiving helps to “build trust, strengthen relationships and foster a sense of belonging”, Tampines Food Rescue told us. 

“Beyond reducing food waste, Tampines Food Rescue shows that the kampung spirit is not just about where we live, but how we choose to care for one another,” it said.

“Every rescued item shared represents kindness, sustainability and a more connected community.” 

BTO chat groups, online communities

For many owners of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, meeting their neighbours doesn’t have to wait until they move into their new homes. 

These days, they get acquainted via estate Telegram and WhatsApp groups that are typically set up long before key collection.

In these chat groups, they share updates about the neighbourhood, organise group buys of household items, exchange renovation tips and chat about other topics.

Another way kampung spirit has evolved is how it’s no longer limited to those living within the same area. 

Through a variety of Facebook groups, Telegram channels and online communities, Singaporeans are reaching out to people whom they may never have met in person — to seek advice, ask for help or connect with like-minded people. 

These digital spaces act like notice boards which are commonly used to give away household items, appeal for donations, look for lost pets, or seek help for families facing difficult circumstances. 

While the socialisation mostly happens online, this is akin to neighbours knocking on one another’s door for help — just like kampung days. 

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carol.ong@asiaone.com