1. How do I become a Befriender?
You can sign up at www.befrienders.sg/public/register.aspx. Upon successful submission, our Social Development Officer (SDO) will contact you. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks, please send a feedback to us at info@muis.gov.sg.
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2. What is the job of a Befriender?
The core roles of a Befriender are to provide companionship, offer emotional support, help develop self-confidence in our long-term Zakat recipients through conducting regular home visits. Our long-term Zakat recipients include:
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The elderly aged 65 years and above
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People with Disability (PWDs)
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Chronically ill (eg. Kidney patient and cancer patients)
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3. Am I eligible to become a Befriender?
A Befriender should be...
a. Compassion & Empathy
b. Reliable and Committed
c. Strive for excellence
d. Integrity & understands Zakat recipients' confidentiality
e. Humble and non-judgmental
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4. I am below 21 Years of age but I'm very keen to become a Befriender. How can I contribute?
If you are below 21 years of age, you will be confined to handle children of the Zakat recipient families and provide mentoring to these children.
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5. What are the benefits I can gain from being a Befriender?
The key benefit of being a Befriender is the personal satisfaction the assignment brings to you as you make a positive impact on the lives of our Zakat recipients.
On top of that, as a Befriender, you can upgrade your soft skills such as leadership, mentoring and communications skills.
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6. I am keen to become a Befriender But I am not trained with the right social and communication skills, can I still be a Befriender?
Yes, all Befrienders are given formal trainings before they are sent for home visit assignments.
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7. How often do I have to go for training?
Once you have signed up as a Befriender, you will need to attend orientation and fundamental trainings. Following that, regular training will be conducted up to 3 times a year to update the Befrienders on the current social development.
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8. Do I have to pay for training sessions?
All formal trainings are fully subsidized by Muis.
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9. What If I missed a training session due to some unforeseen circumstances, can I still visit the families?
All Befrienders are required to attend formal trainings before going for a home visit.
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10. What time of the day should I visit the families?
This depends on what was indicated in your preferred time-slot in the befrienders application form. It can be conducted after office hours or during the weekends.
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11. After Becoming a Befriender, do I visit Zakat recipient families alone or paired or grouped?
Depending on the assignment, the Social Development Officer (SDO) will assign the Befrienders accordingly; as far as possible, visits are conducted in pairs.
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