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 – 2009
Dear Friends, Thank you very much for responding to last week’s appeal to support those affected by the COVID-19 challenge. Your notes and calls of encouragement are much appreciated, and several have also asked us how you may support our efforts as volunteers. After reviewing the feedback from our members in the next few days, we will come back with possible ways we can work together. Your generosity has enabled us to designate a fund of $6000 to 6 different localities we are working in. The purpose of the fund is to provide a quick response to meet basic needs. So …
Another Week Beyond – 2008
Dear Friends, Like many others, we were heartened to read about the wave of help following an appeal by Food Bank Singapore for volunteers. Obviously, not receiving a food bundle that one depends on would be a cause for anxiety even without this concerning Covid-19 climate. Hence, we were glad to receive a truck full of groceries from the Food Bank yesterday and will be distributing them in the next days. Volunteers have stepped forward to help and we have a responsibility to minimize their risk and to implement precautionary measures as best as we can considering the limited number of …
Another Week Beyond – 2007
Dear Friends, Our training space for baking and sewing activities that was ready in October last year (AWB – 1945) is also turning out to be a blessing that is bringing us new friends. We have had several chats with other organisations how we may collaborate and have welcome a couple of women referred by others to our activities. Last Friday, a small group from the Mujahidin Mosque came for a baking lesson conducted by our mothers. It was heartening to see our mothers executing the session with so much confidence and putting the visitors at ease very quickly. One of the …
Another Week Beyond – 2006
Dear Friends, We used to have a residential facility that operated as a small-group home and at times, a retreat centre for families to make decisions about the challenges they were facing. Upon welcoming these families, we would tell them that if they needed a piece of furniture or a home appliance that was at the premises, they should let us know and we will send it over to their home. You see, our facilities are mainly furnished with pre-loved items that are constantly coming to us through a goodwill pipeline from the larger Singapore community and giving away what …
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 – 2004
Dear Friends, The women in our baking programme checked every box of mandarin oranges carefully before including them as part of a Chinese New Year hamper they were preparing. They soon discovered rotten oranges as well as boxes that did not contain the full complement of 18 oranges. They carried the boxes back to the mini-mart and got the shopkeeper to put things right. “It is the new year for our Chinese neighbours, and we want to give them the best fruits,” they maintained. 12 Malay women participated in a project to prepare 100 festive hampers sponsored by GIC Pte …
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 …