If you live around Tampines, you may spot a familiar face picking up litter around your neighbourhood as they make their way to the nearest NTUC Fairprice to run errands.
Kyoga Nakamura has called Tampines his home for the last two years since signing with the Stags for the 2020 season. While many would applaud Kyoga’s efforts because the only time most would voluntarily pick up litter in Singapore is when they need to fulfill CIP hours, Kyoga believes it’s his way of giving back to the community he calls home.
“I pick up whatever litter I can find on the way to the supermarket because I want to express my gratitude to the city I lived in for two years,” mentions Kyoga.
Yet, finding litter isn’t a problem for the midfield maestro. While Singapore is a clean and green city, littering is still an issue in Singapore and Kyoga knows this all too well.
“There's so much litter out thereI” He exclaims. “There is always trash lying around the path I walk to the supermarket. I don’t know why but it seems like the amount of garbage I find is always the same. Even if I pick it up one day, there will be litter the next! It doesn't appear to decrease.”
Kyoga’s actions are a reminder that we all need to play a part in ensuring Singapore maintains its reputation as a clean city-state. The twenty-five year old also urged his fellow Tampines residents to also take up a proactive role in maintaining the cleanliness of the neighbourhood.
So, the next time you see a certain samaritan picking up trash on the way to the supermarket, lend him a hand - we all have a role to play.