In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ – Acts 20:35.

WORD SPREAD when a citizen made a Total Defence pledge to beautify the homes of low-income residents.

To commemorate Total Defence Day, a band of Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) pupils in characteristic yellow and blue trooped to Block 48 Stirling Road to bring cheer to the residents there.

Joined by a crew of construction workers and civil servants representing various organisations such as Straits Construction Singapore and Queenstown Community Centre, they clad 18 homes in a fresh coat of paint (picture at right).

It was a Sunday, Jan 31, 2010. The sun was out, perfect for a day out at the beach. Instead, the pupils became harbingers of festive cheer. For that, they were rewarded with joy in their hearts evident by the smiles on their faces.