VOA慢速英语2021--A Singapore Skyline View for Migrant Workers

 

The Ferris wheel in Singapore was getting hit with raindrops.

But the migrant workers riding the Singapore Flyer did not seem to mind. They were trying to see the city skyline from above.

They were just a small number of at least 20,000 workers getting a free ride as a gift from members of the public and businesses.

The program ItsRainingRaincoats began a few years ago to help spread kindness to Singapore's migrant workers. In January, it began calling for ride tickets to be donated to the workers.

Dipa Swaminathan is the group's founder¹. She said a volunteer saw the rides as a meaningful way to use tourism money provided² by the government.

Singapore citizens ages 18 and older have received about $74 each in tourism money. They must spend it on attractions, hotels and tours – all businesses that have lost money during the coronavirus pandemic.

Swaminathan's group worked with the Ferris wheel operator³ and a booking website to get tickets for the foreign workers. A lot of people see that the workers have given so much to Singapore "and this is their chance to give back," Swaminathan said.

"There's a lot of joy in giving. I think that's what causes the public...to support us" in these kinds of actions, she told The Associated Press.

The group will keep organizing rides as long as tickets come in.

A ticket, which includes entrance to an interactive⁴ space, costs about $26. There are currently⁵ enough tickets for 20,000 workers.

That is two percent of the 700,000 to 800,000 people who live in Singapore, Swaminathan estimates⁶.

She said the "contained" nature of the Ferris wheel makes it a good fit.

Volunteers reminded the riders to keep their facial coverings on and keep a one-meter distance during a recent visit.

Ganesan Thivagar recently visited with a few other migrant workers.

They waited while rides were briefly⁷ stopped for bad weather. When it was time to go on, the 165-meter-high wheel did not offer such great views.

But that did not affect the 34-year-old. He was paying attention to the areas he could see. And he was struck by how much Singapore had changed since he arrived 14 years ago.

He quickly began taking pictures for his family, who live in India's Tamil Nadu state.

"I am happy to enjoy the trip and enjoy together with my friends. Thanks to Singapore, (I get to) come here," Thivagar said.

Workers like Thivagar have had a hard time. Their small living spaces had high coronavirus infection rates early during the pandemic.

Migrant workers have made up most of Singapore's 60,000 reported cases. Last year, the high infection rates brought sudden attention to their situation – crowded living conditions, low wages and lack of healthcare.

Although the infection situation is under control, these workers have had more restrictions⁸ on movement than the general population. The rules are being eased⁹ by officials.

Natarajan Pandiarajan, who is 29, said the restrictions were "really difficult." He was thankful for a break like his recent ride on the Ferris wheel. "Inside many feelings I also have. But this time now, coming on, happiness," he said.

Words in This Story

Ferris wheel – n. a very large upright¹⁰ wheel that has seats around its edge where people sit while the wheel turns

ticket – n. a piece of paper or electronic document that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, or do something else

tourism – n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure

attraction – n. something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do

joy – n. a feeling of great happiness

view – n. the things that can be seen from a particular place

1 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

2 provided   

conj.假如，若是；adj.预备好的，由...供给的

参考例句：

• Provided it's fine we will have a pleasant holiday.如果天气良好，我们的假日将过得非常愉快。
• I will come provided that it's not raining tomorrow.如果明天不下雨，我就来。

3 operator   

n.（机器、设备等的）操作员；电话接线员

参考例句：

• He is a computer operator.他是个电脑操作员。
• The telephone operator connected us.话务员给我们接通了电话。

4 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

5 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

6 estimates   

估计

参考例句：

• Unofficial estimates put the figure at over two million. 非官方的估计数字为200万以上。
• We got estimates from three different contractors before accepting the lowest. 我们得到3个承包商的报价后，接受了最低的报价。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

8 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

9 eased   

adj. 放松的 动词ease的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• After the patient received acupuncture treatment,his spasms eased off somewhat. 病人接受针刺治疗后，痉挛稍微减轻了。
• The news that her child was safe eased her mind. 孩子平安的消息使她放心了。

10 upright   

adj.直立的；正直的；adv.挺直着，竖立着

参考例句：

• He stood himself upright.他笔直地站着。
• An upright man is respectable.正直的人是值得尊敬的。