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 …

After almost 20 years.. and 912 posts…

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Education

https://youtu.be/Xo0wyEtEyMs While the team at Beyond takes a break to rest and recharge for 2023, our donation channels remain open throughout. As always, thank you for your continuous support. Wishing all much peace, love & joy this festive season, and a happy 2023 ahead. Warmest wishes,Gerard Ee Donate now

Another Week Beyond – 2250

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Education

Dear friends, This past month, we have been enabling families to acknowledge the learning efforts that their children have made this year. Thanks to the generosity of GIC Pte Ltd, the young people, their caregivers and volunteers were given a budget to decide how they would like their Celebration of Learning to look like. Some decided to dedicate a regular session to celebrate how volunteers, students and parents cooperated and cared for each other during the year. These groups felt that a cosy event would serve to strengthen the relationships and connections that have enriched their lives. Tomorrow, there will be …

Uma and Deyonsi, on the L.I.F.E programme

Comms Team Education

It’s not that she doesn’t want to learn or can’t learn. When she’s excited about the subject, when she is very happy, she can learn. In the L.I.F.E programme, the teachers are friendly and she responds very differently. She is more enthusiastic and energetic.

Hazirah, on Learning Circles

Comms Team Education

The purpose of Learning Circles is to really try to re-define learning for the children, to empower the children and youth to take ownership of their learning goals, and to allow a more diverse set of topics and subjects to be explored to increase interest in learning for children and youths.  Last year we had a Theory of Change conversation where we shared some challenges we had in running the Learning Is Fun and Exciting (L.I.F.E) programmes. We wanted to direct ownership of the programme back to the community and build their capacity in running it. We brainstormed with community members on …

Beyond Expectations: A Learning Journey for both Mentor and Mentee

Comms Team Education, youth

Beyond Expectations began in 2018 as a mentoring initiative by NUS students serving as mentors for 13 to 17-year-old youths from our Redhill rental communities. The initiative has gone a long way and has since expanded and diversified its mentor pool to include students from other local universities. In this short interview, we ask the team more about how the initiative began and why it is meaningful.  1. Could you give me a brief description of Beyond Expectations—what are its aims, what the team does, and who it serves?  Beyond Expectations is a mentoring initiative in collaboration with Beyond Social …

Another Week Beyond – 2143

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Education

Dear friends, A Principal of a primary school told me that “home-based learning” has been a learning experience for her in different ways.  She could no longer walk around the school to observe the teachers but had to request to be invited into virtual classrooms. Of course, she could insist and simply demanded to be present, but she was mindful that many were already finding it challenging managing a virtual classroom, and her presence would only add to their stress.  As a leader and supervisor, she would normally check on her subordinates when they are attempting something new.  However, the pandemic has brought …

Another Week Beyond – 2142

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Education

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 – 2124

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Education

Dear friends, For 2 hours, 5 youth spoke animatedly about their experience of school. They would not come across as the most studious of students, but they were certainly not indifferent to their studies and had much to say about how their experience in school could be improved. When students make good progress at school, the assumption is that they worked harder and perhaps were blessed with the appropriate intelligence. Hence, those who do not do as well, tend to be regarded as less academically inclined or less motivated. Talent and industry are important factors for one’s success at school …

Another Week Beyond – 2119

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, COVID-19, Education

Dear friends, Returning to Phase 2 measures for a few weeks tomorrow is necessary and understandable. Nonetheless, it is dampening news.  Although not preferred, most of our children and youth have been able to meet their volunteer tutors online when face to face learning programmes were stopped. One programme that did not stop though was our child development centre for those aged 6 years-old and below. However, for an age group that learns best through play and interaction with others, their learning experience has not been optimal. Obviously watching videos of animals is not quite the same as a visit to …