Another Week Beyond – 2409

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Community, food insecurity, Volunteers

Community offers the promise of belonging and calls for us to acknowledge our interdependence. To belong is to act as an investor, owner, and creator of this place.  – Peter Block Yesterday, lunch for 22 neighbours was prepared by our members of our community, at our premises with the harvest from our very own vegetable garden. While it was not quite a harvest festival celebration, it was nonetheless a joyous occasion. We were commemorating the end of an 8-session programme-cum-pilot study to explore the positive effects of urban farming on the physical and mental well-being of those aged 50 and …

Another Week Beyond – 2402

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, community, food insecurity, Volunteers

When Covid-19 was at its peak and we were busy coordinating food drops, some of us wondered aloud if those who were able to grow their own food would also be anxious about not having enough to eat. In 2021, we were made aware of the SG Eco Fund which support projects that advance environmental sustainability and foster community, and we thought that offering people an opportunity to grow their own food would be a good way to transform a community’s anxiety and concern about food insecurity into constructive action that strengthens community ties. Today we have a vegetable garden …

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 – 2348

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Community, community spirit

Dear friends,  In our community building efforts, we strive for residents taking ownership of endeavours that enhance their well-being and that of their community. Over the years, we have had the privilege of working alongside several such residents who have volunteered their ideas, time, and energy enthusiastically. What drives them to give freely is a sense of belonging to their community and as the community belongs to them, they want to look after it as best as they can. As we listened, we were reminded that awareness of an effort must emerge from the House with 5 Windows which is …

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 …