$3.9mil missing from St John's Home
SINGAPORE : The latest charity scandal involving St John's Home for Elderly Persons is a disappointment when news broke that some $3.8 million had disappeared from its fixed deposit accounts in two banks.

Minister Dr Balakrishnan said: "I was very disappointed when I heard about it. This is a home that has been around since 1959. As far as I know they've been doing very good work. They've been able to raise funds from benefactors. They have benefited hundreds, or by now, thousands of old people who didn't have a place to stay, didn't have relatives and needed both the physical as well as emotional support. So it was very very painful to hear that a sum of $3.88 million has been taken away from this home and investigations are still pending. So we'll wait for the outcome of those investigations."

A staff member, who was handling the Home's finances, had allegedly withdrawn money without authorisation.

The loss was discovered when he was on overseas leave and he did not return.

St. John’s Home For Elderly Persons was established in 1959 as a voluntary organization to provide shelter and care for the elderly, irrespective of race or religion. Whilst those who can afford contribute towards their upkeep, there are many who are on public assistance and others for whom the Home is the principal support, as they have no one to provide for them financially.

Over the years, the Home has expanded its accommodation in line with demand and is presently able to house comfortably 99 residents. The residents live in dormitories with a maximum of eleven in each dormitory. All dormitories and facilities are built as single storey buildings. The Home has a lounge/library, a well-equipped exercise/therapy center and a chapel to meet residents’ spiritual needs with regular weekly services. We also have open spaces and gardens, a feature which many of our residents appreciate and enjoy..

Much is done by well wishers and volunteers to make the residents comfortable and happy. There are many regular activities for the residents and these include physiotherapy, handicraft and Bible study in Chinese dialects and in English. Regular interdenominational worship services are held for Christian residents. Chaplains are available for counseling and general care. Excursions to places of interest are arranged for the residents.A well-qualified staff of 17 is ably backed by visiting specialists so as to make the Home a cheerful, caring and efficiently run place for all.

To run the charity with immoral people (FORUM  June-23)

St. John home S$3.88 millions charity woes is published at Media. That is serious case for future Singapore elder care system. Home's superintendent Mr. Benjamin Ho, 60 handle finance and he managed to empty the OCBC bank home's fixed deposit account. Also tt is a sad story for home management team, elderly residents and staffs.

A foreign female employee Miss A worked as nursing attendant speaks up a story of this superintendent's immoral action.

When Miss A arrived to work last two years ago, he seemed to be nice to her by giving some favor. He was seen pleased to work with attractive female employees. Miss A is just a simple worker and unable to meet boss's expectation. Therefore, later Miss A was treated as normal employee. This superintendent's behavior to sexy female workers was quite obvious. Since, Miss A is a strait forward girl and dislike her superintendent's personal behavior, she was targeted and threatened to repatriate as undisciplined worker but it was successful.

Sometime, his wife visited to home but never seen his wife since last year. Later, rumored, "they are divorced". Anyway, they have sons' professional as medical doctor. Because of his good reputation, he was a employed as trusted superintendent.

But his characters were changed especially in relation with women. Last six month ago, a pretty foreign young woman Miss B was employed. She was fallen under superintendent target. They secretly go out together. Although Miss B's salary was so low ~S$250 per month, she can use branded accessories. (After Myanmar embassy call to verify low salary of this home, new staffs got better salary).

Home's superintendent was famous to have many girl friends.

Finally, conclusion are.. 1. Immoral people are not fit to run important role in charity. 2. Even though, a trusted employee or committee member has good personal record of history, they should be from time to time, monitored for their immoral behaviors. For example… sex, drug addition can end up to gambling. 3. In Singapore, sex freedom is acceptable but it should be serious offence in charity organization.

Note: This information was received by Myanmar national woman who work in this Home. Since, she is a honest but do not have much education, she became "bad girl" and other girl affair with boss was called, "clever girl". Life if funny.


23-June-2007