I am Officially Poor: Cheap and Healthy Food
I just received my CHAS Card from the Singapore government. I am now officially poor, classified as an Indigent. I am in the lowest 10% of the population by household income. But poverty means different things in different countries. Here, I have my HDB flat, my CPF monthly payout, excellent subsidized healthcare and food is cheap if you know how to spend wisely. Cristina and her sister Rosalie came here from The Philippines 10 years ago. There, poverty can mean living in a hut made of wood, cardboard and zinc down by the railroad track, eating one meal a day, picking Kang Kong from the pond, eating corn meal meant for pigs, and having only two sets of clothing. Fortunately both of them saved wisely and are now Peso multi-millionaires with brick house, pickup truck, goats and chickens. And were able to send their children to University. Nevertheless, to thank The One Above for a good life, we cooked a meal that reminded us of what it means to be poor. 1. Pickled bamboo shoot ...