Project Sama Sama Launches at Woodgrove to Support Less-Privileged Residents
The Order of Malta, Singapore has been serving the local community since 2003. On 16th February 2025, it made news with its first collaboration with a government entity in serving the less privileged at Woodgrove, one of the four divisions within the Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
Project Sama Sama, a Vending Machine project aims to serve the poor by providing essential assistance to the less-privileged residents 24/7.
This initiative, which took two years to develop, was conceived after the 11th Order of Malta Asia Pacific Conference in October 2022 with the vision of serving the poor around the clock through vending machines. The project is a significant milestone for the Order of Malta, Singapore. This project is a maiden collaboration with a Constituency in Singapore (an electoral division). Through this project, the Singapore Association of the Order of Malta has extended its outreach to the less privileged pronouncedly.
This community support initiative was launched on 16th February 2025 at Fuchun Neighbourhood Centre in Woodgrove. The initiative, which takes its name from the Malay word for “togetherness,” was inaugurated in the presence of Ms. Hany Soh, Adviser to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC GROS (Woodgrove), along with community partners and supporters.
Project Sama Sama features a 24/7 vending machine system that serves 150 households in the area. Under this programme, eligible households receive monthly credits worth $20, which they can use to obtain daily necessities at their convenience. The vending machine is stocked with a carefully curated selection of items, including Gardenia bread products, toiletries, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, daily newspapers and other essential items.
To ensure accessibility and ease of use, the programme utilizes a simple QR code system. Eligible households can register and access their credits through the website using their registered mobile number. For residents without mobile phones, registration assistance and QR code printing services are available at the Woodgrove Community Centre.
During the launch event, beneficiaries had the opportunity to try the vending machines, with many expressing appreciation for the user-friendly system and the thoughtful selection of daily essentials. The project aims to provide additional support to help residents cope with the rising cost of living.
Source and credits: Article by SMOM SG with photographs by Woodgrove Community Centre.
