- Seu Teck Sean Tong (修德善堂养心社) (1915)
- Phoh Kiu Siang T'Ng (普救善堂) (1929)
- Nanyang Thong Hong Siang Tng (南洋同奉善堂) (1930)
- Seng Siang Society of the Thong Kheng Charitable Institution (同敬善堂诚善社) (1943)
- Nam Ann Siang Theon (南安善堂) (1944)
Shan Tangs are closely associated with the Teochew community in Singapore. Ancestral worship are highly revered by the Teochews and most will remember going to the Sng Tng (Shan Tangs in Teochew) to pray to our ancestors during Qing Ming, Hungry Ghost Month, etc. Besides after-life matters, Shan Tang also involved themselves very much in philanthropy, and religious practice with philanthropy a central part of their mission.
The Blue Cross Charitable Institution was originally called the Chinese Charitable Institutions Union (中华善堂救济总会) which formed on 15 Jan 1945 as reported in the Syonan Shimbun on 19 Jan 1945. They provided an indispensable service to Singapore during the Japanese Occupation when the Syonan government halted most activities by social organizations except welfare activities. The Teochew Shan Tangs were permitted to provide free food, and medical care as well as taking of the deceased by providing the necessary coffins and burials. These services were extended beyond the Teochew community to the general public in Singapore.
After the war, it was renamed to its current name The Blue Cross Charitable Institution with the "Blue Cross" becoming the emblem of the Shan Tangs philanthropic efforts. Following the War, between 1960 and 1980, five more Shan Tangs joined the Blue Cross Charitable Institution making it a total of 10 Shan Tangs:
- Thong Teck Siang Tong Lian Sin Sia (同德善堂念心社)
- Poh Teck Siang Tng (新加坡报德善堂)
- Nam Hong Siang Theon (南凤善堂)
- Cheng Hong Siang Tng (众弘善堂)
- Chung Hong Siang Tng (崇峰善堂)
In 2022, in an effort to promote the Shan Tangs, the Blue Cross Charitable Institution has a very informative exhibition at Chui Huay Lim Club (醉花林俱乐部) from 5 to 13 Nov. However, it not well attended which was such a waste. Perhaps there was insufficient publicity for the event. It was a great opportunity to learn about this unique organization and its contribution to the religious practice and culture to Singapore in particular to the Teochew community. At the exhibition, the author got to learn about the various Shan Tang which he hardly know about other than them being called Siang Tng as a child. There were artifacts from the past as well as fantastic display of banners, altar table cloths, chair covers with exquisite and elaborate Teochew embroidery among many others. Hopefully there will have another one in the near future for Teochew to appreciate this unique and purposefully part of their culture. You can have a look at the photos of the exhibition here.
Here are some of the photos that taken by the author in Jun 2023 where he saw volunteers making Rice Dumplings (粽子) for the various charities in Singapore for the Rice Dumpling or Dragon Boat Festival. It was reported that total of 3,000 dumplings were made over a 3 days period for various charities in Singapore.
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You can also check out their facebook where you can find out more about the activities that are they engaged in.
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