Secondary 1 student uses her own ang bao money to buy groceries for low-income families this CNY

In the spirit of giving, a 12-year-old girl used her own ang bao money to give back to the community on Chinese New Year.

Akshara Visvanathan, a Secondary 1 student at Cedar Girls' Secondary School planned an initiative called 'Bring a Smile' this lunar new year.

Her mother, Stomper Chitra, told Stomp that she wanted to give grocery items to five low-income Chinese families.

"She decided to user her own ang bao money she received during this festive period," she said.

Akshara asked her mother to help her find five families but due to the number of responses she received, the family decided to bless all 11 families who contacted her.

"She made a list to get the items," Chitra said.

"Her aim was to 'bring a smile'.

"The families who received the items on Jan 20 blessed and praised her effort and thoughtfulness."

In 2022, Stomp reported on how Akshara organised a shoe drive and bought groceries for the needy with her own money.

Chitra added that her daughter has also started fundraising on giving.sg to raise funds for elderly people at St John's Home.

"She aims to raise $2,500 and to date, she has already raised $1,820," she said.

"I hope she continues to inspire the youths and have this social responsibility."