Kallang residents raise S$6,000 in 4 hours for family of boy, 13, who drowned in Kallang River

Residents of Kallang Trivista, a public housing estate, came together to raise about S$6,000 in four hours to help the family of the boy, 13, who drowned in Kallang River.

The deceased, Daniel, is believed to have fallen into the waterway while fishing with his friends on Feb. 25.

His body was retrieved from the river on Feb. 26, more than 30 hours after he was reported missing.

Kallang Trivista is located along the Kallang River, close to the site of the incident.

Residents raise funds for boy's family

Speaking to Mothership, Fazlin, 45, who helped coordinate the fundraising effort, shared that the residents wanted to do something for the family.

Many of them saw the relatives in the area over the past two days waiting for news and felt a lot of sympathy, Fazlin said.

Fazlin, who is a parent, said those residents with children also felt that what happened had hit “closer to home”.

The physical proximity of the accident site to their homes also left a “deep impact” on the residents.

All these drove the residents to want to help, but since it was Ramadan, they could not offer food or water as the relatives would be fasting, Fazlin explained.

When Daniel’s body was found on Thursday evening, a resident shared the idea of raising funds to help the family tide through the difficult time.

“Many were concerned because [Daniel’s mother] is a single incomer and it is Ramadan. Things can be quite tight for her,” Fazlin shared.

Money handed to late boy's mum

He managed to get in touch with Daniel’s uncle, Sham, and he informed fellow residents about the initiative the following morning.

They readily took up the idea, and Fazlin began collecting the funds.

He created a spreadsheet and kept track of the donations to account for all the money.

Over 80 residents contributed on Feb. 27, according to the spreadsheet seen by Mothership.

The giving took place over four hours.

Fazlin then got details of the boy's burial from Sham and passed the funds to Daniel’s mother in person.

A handwritten note to the mother read:

Dear Madam Siti,

Our deepest condolences to you and family. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We hope this contribution will help you in one way or another.

With lots of love from the residents of Kallang Trivesta, Upper Boon Keng Road

Close to home for residents

According to Fazlin, beyond monetary support, some residents also walked along the waterway as part of search and rescue efforts to look out for signs of Daniel.

Reflecting on the accident, another Kallang Trivista resident, Pamela, 40, said: “The residents of Kallang Trivista have been concerned about this sad accident and worried about Daniel’s family, since it happened near our home.”

”We wanted to show our support to them, as many of us have seen his mum and brothers waiting at our block,” she continued.

“Kallang Trivista residents are very saddened, and we wish to send Mdm Siti our deepest condolences and support,” Pamela said.

Kindness has brought some comfort: Boy’s uncle

Sham told Mothership that the funds raised will help ease “immediate financial burdens”, such as funeral-related expenses.

“More importantly,” Sham said, “it gives the family some breathing space to focus on healing and supporting one another without added financial stress.”

When asked how the family was doing, Sham shared that they are still grieving the loss of their beloved 13-year-old.

“It has been an incredibly heartbreaking period for all of us as we try to process what happened.”

At the same time, Sham said the family is touched by the condolences and support coming in from “neighbours, friends and even strangers across Singapore.”

“The kindness shown has brought some comfort during this very dark time,” he said, adding that it reflects the “kampung spirit” that still exists within the community.

Those who wish may contribute via PayNow to Sham at 84188875, with “Daniel’s family” entered as the transaction reference.

Sham clarified that the family isn’t actively fundraising, but any gesture of kindness will be appreciated.

“We are deeply grateful for every kind gesture, whether it is a donation, message of support, or keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers,” Sham said.

He also asked for contributors to drop him a WhatsApp message so he can express gratitude personally.

Condolences online

Daniel was a student at Northlight School and was the second of three siblings.

On Daniel's TikTok account, messages of grief were left by his friends and online users, with one saying that they'll win a spelling competition for him.

Most wrote that they'll miss the 13-year-old, with some offering their prayers.

Family can now find peace: Boy's uncle

According to The Straits Times, when the boy's body was retrieved from the waters, the boy's uncle confirmed the identity of the body on behalf of the family.

He then returned to the family who were waiting nearby, and, with tears in his eyes, told them, "It's him."

Sham told ST, "At least, the family can now find peace as Daniel has come home."

ST reported that the boy's full name was Muhammed Qayyim Daniel Putra Rosli.

Attempted to free a line

Daniel was first reported missing at about 4:30pm on Feb. 25.

According to Shin Min Daily News, Daniel and three friends were fishing before then.

It is believed that Daniel, along with another boy, fell into the waters while attempting to free a stuck fishing line.

The group managed to rescue the other boy, but Daniel was swept away.

A search and rescue was mounted by the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, but was paused after more than four hours due to low visibility.

The search effort resumed the next morning on Feb. 26 and lasted throughout the day.

According to Shin Min, Daniel's family, the family of the three other boys, and Daniel's teacher were present at the scene and stayed until the search effort was over.

An eyewitness, Ye (transliteration), 80, told Shin Min that there was a large police and SCDF presence by the river at about 10pm on Feb. 26 night.

He then saw the police bring a blue tent over to the riverbank.

SCDF said they were alerted about the boy's body floating in the river at about 10:35pm.

Top image via Fazlin, Google Maps, Shin Min Daily News