Dear Friends, 6 weeks ago, when we spoke to 200 of our members, most were jovial and about half indicated that they were coping well. As we collated our calls this week, we got a sense that the mood is now sombre. Many are experiencing difficulties with employment and are worried about meeting basic needs. Those with school going children were concerned with their lack of connectivity. We have been responding with food and financial aid, retraining and work opportunities as well as facilitating connectivity. We requested for donations of pre-loved laptops last week and could certainly do with a lot more so please …
Another Week Beyond – 2013
Dear Friends, “In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” This is the difference between life and school articulated by author Tom Bodett. As of midnight today, all gatherings outside school and work are to be limited to 10 persons or less as directed by our multi-ministerial task force against COVID-19. Hence, “How do we continue to support children with their schoolwork?” was a test and the answers emerging are the lessons we are learning. Before sorting out the practicalities of tutoring via a face call, …
Another Week Beyond -2011
Dear Friends, “I am Generation Equality – Realizing Women’s Rights” is the United Nations theme for International Women’s Day on 8 March. Thus, it was fitting that 16 teens commemorated the day with their mothers by attending a conversation with body building champion Melissa Sarah Wee.Mel runs her own dessert business catering for the likes of FB, Twitter and Spotify and while she has made a promise to share some recipes, she came to our premises to deliver a more important message. “You can be the most beautiful girl in the world but if you are unhappy with how you look, …
Another Week Beyond – 2010
Dear Friends, We are gradually restarting our learning programmes as we now have thermal thermometers, sanitizers and a limited supply of surgical masks that enable us to take the necessary precautionary measures. For these resources, we thank the many organisations and individuals who reached out to us asking how they may help. We were touched by the concern and encouragement of many and their practical gestures such as asking family and friends living overseas to secure a thermometer on our behalf. Just before a homework support programme began, we had to stop an enthusiastic volunteer from entering our premises. She …
Another Week Beyond – 2005
Dear Friends, “It’s the school holidays and it seems like a good time to get to know the other youth in your neighbourhood,” we suggested to a couple of teens last December. They did not reply but it was quite clear that they were not wild about our suggestion. Nonetheless, they heard us out and eventually one of them agreed to gather a few friends for a meeting. He would tell these friends to invite others too. 5 youth showed up a few days later to hear what we had to say. We told them that we wanted to organise …
Another Week Beyond – 2003
Dear Friends, When Khalid, an intern from Nanyang Polytechnic assisted with “Make & Play,” a weekly craft programme attended by 10 to 15 children, he noticed volunteers taking a few children aside to read to them. It was the first time he was attending the session and he wondered why. After the session, he learnt from the volunteers that they were there to teach craft and to encourage children to create toys and knick-knacks with their hands but in the process, they realised that many could not read. This disturbed Khalid and at that moment, he decided that he had …
Another Week Beyond – 2002
Dear Friends, Some of us wear a tracker or use a smart watch to monitor our activity level and to spur ourselves toward a healthier lifestyle. Having an awareness and understanding seems to encourage us to act on our fitness goals. In the same vein of facilitating informed action, we are supporting residents of a public rental neighbourhood to discover the health challenges and aspirations of their community. We are training these residents to speak with their neighbours and to help paint a picture of the health-related needs of their community. This picture will then be shared with the community …
Another Week Beyond – 2001
Dear Friends, Several greetings that I received the past couple of days alluded to 2020 being a year of vision and so before I go on, I wish you a clear, purposeful and Happy New Year. In collaboration with the Kampong Kapor Family Service Centre, we engaged 21 youth in a drama workshop over the past 2 months. “Youth Stories” created a safe space for these young people to share their day-to-day experiences as well as their challenges, fears and concerns. Last Thursday, they put together a short performance for their caregivers to highlight the risk of getting entangled with …
Another Week Beyond – 1952
Dear Friends, I would like to close the year with a very warm thank you for your interest in this weekly note I write. The work I do and represent has given me purpose and meaning which I am grateful for. I am also deeply grateful that this mailing list has been growing and I am always touched when people tell me what the story meant to them. Here are parts of one sharing that I received in January (AWB – 1903) that showed me a reason why our voices need to be heard and our lived experiences noticed. Thanks …
Another Week Beyond – 1951
Dear Friends, In August this year, youth from our Community Theatre programme presented “The Block Party” at the Esplanade as part of the M1 Peer Pleasure Festival. This play showcased vignettes of poverty as experienced by those residing in a public rental housing neighbourhood. This week, as a follow-up activity, we hosted a conversation about poverty involving 37 persons, comprising mainly youth from different strata in society. The aim was to hold a safe space where questions and perspectives about poverty deemed to be offensive or insensitive can be discussed authentically in the spirit of mutual understanding and respect. To …