Another Week Beyond – 1852

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

Dear Friends, Nashir Uddin, 36 years old was brought up to believe that every kindness is a gift and blessing extended to him by God. Hailing from Bangladesh, he is now supporting 2 school going children, both parents and his wife who looks after the household in his absence. For the past 6 months, his sister-in-law and 2 nieces have also been counting on his support as her husband died suddenly from a stroke. 11 years ago, Nashir arrived in Singapore and began working in the construction sector. The last couple of years though, he has been employed as an …

Another Week Beyond – 1851

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

Dear Friends, Early this year, we came across Danny, a 5-year-old boy entertaining himself with some building blocks outside his flat. His grandma who was his care-giver told us that this was him at his best behaviour. She elaborated that it took a lot out of her to care for Danny because ever so often he would throw a ferocious tantrum for no rhyme or reason and he will be hitting anything and anyone in his way. Grandma was also concerned that Danny hardly spoke and when he did, it was hard to make out what he was saying. As …

Another Week Beyond – 1850

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

Dear Friends, Generation Acts Club International http://gen-acts.org/ is a partner who has been providing weekly learning support activities to 10 children the past 3 months. In all, more than 15 children have visited their programme but only 10 have been regular. These volunteers take pains to prepare activities that are engaging and fun. So, when children do not show up, it is understandably a little disappointing. Currently, these volunteers have stopped their activities to review their efforts and we suggested that that they visit the children’s families to get a better appreciation of their students’ background. At their first stop, …

Another Week Beyond – 1849

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

Dear Friends, “If all of us are leaders, then who is leading who?” This was a question posed to 27 of our youth who were attending a 2-day leadership camp at Camp Challenge. These youth reside in different neighbourhoods and they were at the camp because they take on leadership responsibilities where they live. This question got our youth thinking about the notion of a leader. Is he just the guy barking the orders, or could he really be everyone who offers a leadership presence? At the end of Day One, the youth were told that they were responsible for …

Another Week Beyond – 1848

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

Dear Friends, Last night was the third “Celebration of Learning” we have been holding these past couple of weeks. Another 2 more to go but this year-end event is one of the ways we encourage a culture of learning wherever we work. Children dressed in their best clothes, a child excitedly running up stage as his name was called, mothers congratulating each other for completing a basic English course and parents giving out certificates of achievement with warm words of encouragement were some moments that illustrated the relevance of celebrating effort and not just outcomes. I was also most heartened …

Another Week Beyond – 1847

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

Dear Friends, Ever since I was youth worker running camps and basically running around with young people, I have always been asked 3 questions in my career in the social space. Firstly, “What is it you actually do?” Then, “Why is it important?” and finally, “How would you know that you are making a difference or what really is the impact you are making?” These questions may not have been phrased as such every time but those asking were seeking answers in a similar direction. In 2016, with funding from the Tote Board and the National Youth Council, Blackbox Research …