15 Feb 1942 marked the The Fall of Singapore.
Chinese New Year 74 years ago was sombre and no one was in a celebratory mood.
Japan brought World War 2 to Singapore and occupied us for the next three years.
Fast forward to 21st century, Singapore is prosperous, families have the freedom to choose their lifestyles.
Basic food, sanitation and accommodation needs are fulfilled, we worry about career advancement, PSLE, COE and holidays.
I keep reminding my kids how fortunate Singaporeans are today.
But the World is not so safe. Terrorist bombings, radicalisation, North South Korea and South China Sea tensions are teachable moments for the kids. No one owns Singapore a living and we should not take Singapore’s peace and progress for granted.
** Every 15th Feb, SCDF’s nationwide siren, sweet potatoes and Total Defence comes to mind.
No one can guarantee that basic necessities like water and food will be available during period of tension.
Eating sweet potatoes is symbolic of the tough times which families encountered during Japanese occupation. Food was scarce, sweet potato and yam became sustenance substitutes.
Some schools are still letting kids taste sweet potatoes in school today but kids might not understand the significance. We heard some schools even let kids grow their own sweet potatoes (West Spring Primary School)
Those who grew up in the 80s and 90s, will have experienced water rationing.
Someone will inform households that water-tap will be cutoff at certain hours. When the water truck rolls into our neighbourhood, it was a novelty to bring buckets down to queue for water. (Although parents will have already stockpiled water beforehand hee hee)
We learn from young that water might not always flow from our tap.
Water rationing might be due to drought (Youtube link about water rationing in 1963), or if Malaysia decided to cut off Singapore’s water supply.
During Mahathir’s reign in the 80s and 90s, it was not uncommon to find newspaper articles of Malaysia politicians threatening to cut off Singapore’s water. (Newater is another teachable moment for the kids)
At 6.20pm on 15th Feb, sirens will blared across Singapore. During an emergency (War or terrorists), sirens might warn us to hide indoors or shelters as part of Total Defence campaign. Do you know that some MRT stations are also bomb shelters? (more details on SCDF website)
I hope kids will only experience war in Call of Duty.
To commemorate the 74th anniversary of the fall of Singapore, a series of heritage tours and talks has been organised (schedules here, but mostly booked)
We have a few other recommendations for families :
– Visit Kranji War Memorial
– Eat sweet potato
– Implement your own water-rationing at home, perhaps for 4 hours. (It might be too cruel to cut off internet :p )
– Discover nearest bomb shelter (MRT or HDB) in your neighbourhood (your storeroom not counted)
– Every household can do the following activities :
a) Learn about CPR and evacuation (know how to react during earthquake overseas)
b) Rehearse your fire evacuation drill, or get a first aid box.
c) Blood donation, adult volunteers are always mobilised during emergencies to donate precious blood.
Singapore is not going to War, but do we know how to respond during an emergency?
How can we let the next generation know that the World out there is not as safe as Singapore?
Do you have any other tips and ideas to share?
#NeverAgain
ps.. pop by 2014 Total Defence exhibit “What will you defend?“
Oops, I totally forgot about Total Defence Day. We were swimming yesterday evening when the kids heard the siren and asked what was that sound and I didn’t know then. But now I know! :p
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…{Travel Tuesday #29} Japan Traditional Farmhouse Stay (Gassho-zukuri Minshuku)
Never too late to know, one day they will perhaps try sweet potatoes in school π
Yay! Today my math question is simple. 3+7=?
Hahaha jokes aside. I LOVE THIS ENTRY! No I didn’t know anything about 15 of feb nor sweet potatoes at all! Sobs yes,.. I must say I’ve taken for granted the hardship our ancestors had gone through back in the Japanese occupation.
I do, however, remember the water rationing!
Mmmmm I will surely share this story with my children but errrr I need to wait another year *bummer* but by then they will be able to better understand what’s going on anyways.
May recently posted…What Chinese New Year means to our Family
Try EPC first, there is something for everyone from 3 to 80 years old π
Oh gosh! I did cut off internet access before! But maybe next time I will try sweet potatoes instead. π
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I hope our kids will have a chance to rehearse water-rationing with buckets again, not for water bombs :p
Yay! I managed to fill in the blanks in the math equation.
But yes, very true that we cannot take for granted the good life Singapore is offering us. There were those people who toiled hard to achieve this status. Loved the emergency preparedness points that you have highlighted.
Most welcome ! Hope your family will have fun exploring and learn something along the way.
I got this letter from my son’s school about the Defence day and the siren. He was explaining it to me to look for the siren and dont get alarmed.
I love how you consciously work in social and citizenship education into your daily family activities. I shall try the sweet potatoes meal one day this week in line with Total Defence Day!
Angie.S recently posted…Kidzania Singapore: Boarding Soon!
Most welcome Angeline, hope your kiddos will love their sweet potato snack π
I agree with you, Andy. My girl was just learning about how important preparedness is when her daddy just served his reservist for 2 weeks. She asked if we are going for a war, so we told her about how important it is not to take our security for granted and that the men in Singapore will help defend our nation should any dangers come to our shores!
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So much more challenging to convince our kiddos’ generation that Singapore can still be vulnerable (cyberwar, terrorists, economic downturn) etc π
Wow. I’ve never thought of bringing the kids to Kranji War Memorial – I have only visited it once myself – but it’s s o important that we remember that we are living a privileged life in a war-free zone.
They were initially apprehensive, grave, tombstones, souls.
Then I convinced them these are Singapore’s fallen heroes, and we are visiting daytime :p
It is something new for them.