Another Week Beyond – 2417

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Community

Four friends aged 17 to 20 years old were telling us that their flats would be demolished in a year or so and they would be relocating to a different public rental neighbourhood. One of them seemed rather distressed but when we asked if he would be badly affected by the move, he clarified that he was living a few blocks away and was not affected. He was troubled that his friends were moving away and was thinking that it would only be a matter of time before he had to move to a different neighbourhood too. These young men …

Another Week Beyond – 2415

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Education

A 10-year-old girl we shall call Judith, was cared for by her grandmother. Judith’s mother works long hours and only returns home late at night and that was the reason, the family agreed that granny was better placed to care for Judith. Recently, she had to return to her mother who lives 15 kilometres away when granny took ill.  Judith attends a learning programme we run in her granny’s neighbourhood. When she moved, we suggested linking her to learning programmes in her mother’s neighbourhood. She was adamant that we should not do so and reasoned that she would still be …

Another Week Beyond – 2349

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Community

Dear friends,  About 6 months ago, a colleague struck up a conversation with a passer-by who was curious why a bunch of youths were hanging out with her at the playground. She learnt that he was a police officer who also had a keen interest in sepak takraw. She then told him about the youth’s interest in the game and he offered to link her to others who were enthusiastic about the game.  Sepak Takraw is played in the neighbourhoods we engage, and caregivers come together to watch their children juggle a rattan ball without the use of their arms. As …

Another Week Beyond – 2347

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Community, Community Enablers Fellowship

Dear friends,  Sara was checking out her surroundings as she had just moved into the neighbourhood. She noticed many young people joyfully utilising the basketball and street soccer courts and several others playing catch or chatting in small groups around a playground. A few metres from her, a boy simply dropped his bag on the floor and ran toward the playground when his friends beckoned. Fearing that the bag will be misplaced, she picked it up and placed it next to her as she continued observing the youthful energy in her neighbourhood. 15 minutes later, this boy came back looking for …

Another Week Beyond – 2346

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Community, community spirit

Dear friends, “After so many years on the job, I continue to be amazed by how neighbours treat each other like siblings,” my colleague commented to the parents who had organised a barbeque to recognise their children’s efforts at a recent street soccer tournament. The team did not win but the parents wanted to applaud the teamwork and sportsmanship displayed. The parents listened as she continued, “There is so much love among the children and every adult is like an aunt or uncle.”  In response, a parent thanked her for trusting them with a budget to get the event going. He …

Another Week Beyond – 2345

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth

Dear Friends, In the spirit of community-led change, our learning programmes have been moving toward self-organised and self-directed learning. Peer Learning Circles are study groups supported by a circle of volunteers who do not teach but provide academic resources and learning guidance. The initiative is also constantly on the lookout for neighbours who offer the hospitality of their homes for the learning to take place. We envision Peer Learning Circles as an initiative that provides an opportunity for families, neighbours, and others in the locality where the students live, to play a part in encouraging their efforts to learn. Currently, …

Another Week Beyond – 2341

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Community

Dear Friends, The Lengkok Bahru September Babies Celebration impressed on 13 children that they were loved by family and friends. A mother baked a 4kg vanilla cake adorned with chocolate sprinkles and youth living in the neighbourhood kept the party going with games, good cheer, and gentle banter. The celebration took place at the rooftop garden of the Leng Kee Community Club and the parents and youth who organised the event were determined to get the next one going after their Member of Parliament assured them that they could continue using the facility for this purpose without charge. Mr Eric …