Dear friends, We have a donated coffee machine at our premises and a month ago, an intern was showing 3 children aged 10 to 12 years old how to use it. This intern has been a barista at a café and to get to know these young people better, she “opened shop” for a few hours with these young people as her team-mates. The “shop” was well patronised by colleagues and volunteers who contributed whatever they felt their drinks and snacks were worth. Youth work is non-formal education where young people’s holistic development is facilitated through social, recreational, and learning …
Another Week Beyond – 2224
Dear friends, After exiting a Soccer Moms WhatsApp Group, a mother called a colleague during the weekend to inform that she was pulling her son Robert out of the football team. In no uncertain terms, she expressed her disappointment that her son was subjected to a racial slur during training, and this was not addressed. When my colleague returned to work, she gathered the other players to hear their point of view, but no one shed any light on what happened. So, she then visited Robert and he identified the teammate that made the demeaning remarks. He also explained that he …
Another Week Beyond – 2218
Dear friends, Firstly, Selamat Hari Raya Adil Fitri to all our Muslim friends. Trust that the long weekend was joyous and blessed. The children were busy. They were taking turns to be “packed” into a cardboard box that would be sent to a destination of their choice. “Home” was the most popular destination and they had imagined themselves jumping out of the box to surprise mommy when she opened it. As their mothers laid out the food and got ready to break their fast, these 7 children kept themselves entertained with an empty box that originally contained tiered tiffin carriers …
Another Week Beyond – 2208
Dear friends, 6 youth arrive at the Leng Kee Community Club before their learning circle begins to catch the sun setting behind the housing blocks in their neighbourhood. It is not a spectacular sight, but they greet the occasion enthusiastically and perhaps, it is because the hues of orange that colour the sky reflect their warm newfound friendship. The learning circle is a self-directed peer learning group supported by others in the community who have its interest at heart. For one, the management of the community club who has provided a room for these students to meet with volunteers who …
Another Week Beyond – 2146
Dear friends, About 3 weeks ago, we received the sad news that 2 brothers who come to our programmes lost their mother suddenly. The social worker who is supporting them arranged for the 17-year-old to live with an aunt, and for his 11-year-old brother to stay with a friend of their late mother. But the 11-year-old’s living arrangement was soon terminated. It was brought to the social worker’s attention that there were allegations that the boy had previously been abused by a member of that household. So, he tried to persuade the aunt to also take in the younger brother, …
Another Week Beyond – 2142
Dear friends, Since May, we have been hosting conversations for youth pursuing their studies in an institution for higher learning. For many young people we engage, tertiary or post-secondary education remains an improbability, and for those who have secured a course of study, dropping out is not uncommon. Hence, we have been inviting tertiary students in our membership to come together as a mutual support group to share resources, encourage each other, and serve as role models for children in their neighbourhoods. My colleagues have named the endeavour IGNITE! and as I watched a recording of their latest conversation, I thought …
Another Week Beyond – 2141
Dear friends, During our weekly team check-ins, a colleague who teaches at our Healthy Start Child Development Centre commented that she probably needs to be livelier and more energetic to grab the attention of the children in her class. She also felt that her lessons may not have been interesting enough. I have not observed her at work but somehow it sounded like she was rating herself rather harshly. As I listened further, I gathered that she had a class of lively 3-year-olds and maintaining a supportive classroom environment for their learning was an ongoing challenge. Other teachers who were …
Another Week Beyond – 2137
Dear friends, “Look around this room. What memories come to mind?” We posed this question to a group of youth assisting an artist to create a mural that adorns our premises at Whampoa. Spontaneously, one uttered, “Standing around this table like what we are doing now.” He elaborated that he was curious why his friends were gathered at the table and when he joined them, he realised that they were trying to solve an algebra problem. No one could do it and he remembers being very frustrated but it was still a good memory that comes to mind. Another pointed …
Another Week Beyond – 2131
Dear friends, After saying his name, he added “I am 14 years old, and I don’t know what I am doing here!” It was not the reconciliatory opening statement others in the room were expecting but perhaps the occasion was just overwhelming. His older brother who spoke next, immediately defended him. “I am here because I damaged the RC’s door and I wish to pay for repairs. My younger brother is not in the wrong because he did not damage the door.” On Tuesday evening, we coordinated a conference that served as a platform for these 2 boys to put right …
Another Week Beyond – 2129
Dear friends, A mother contacted us sounding extremely troubled. She told us that a police officer had contacted her informing she had to pay $1500 for a door that her sons had damaged. He also told her that her sons may be charged for attempting to break into a premises. It sounded rather odd that a police officer would be asking for restitution, but the situation was much clearer after we contacted him. He told us that footage from closed circuit television had showed these boys damaging the door of the Residents’ Committee (RC) office and a member of the RC had …