Dear Friends, Rose called us on the phone to inform that she was at the hospital with her mom who had a fall at home. She wanted to let us know that she may not be attending a training session we were holding the following day. She sounded frantic but calmed down after we told her that we would organise another session for her if necessary. Thankfully, after treatment, her mother was well enough to remain alone at home and Rose showed up for the session. She told the others, “At the hospital, I felt so lost. On one hand I had …
Another Week Beyond – 2024
Dear Friends, There is an African saying that if we educate a man, we educate one person but if we educate a woman, we educate a family. Men’s lack of involvement at home seems to be taken as a norm and if we look at our members who volunteer in their neighbourhoods, the majority are mothers. So how do we make sense of such an observation? Well, we think it is best to simply take the view that men are contributing, but in ways we are not aware of yet. Iskandar, 38 years old, is a father of 6 children. He lost his …
Another Week Beyond – 2023
Dear Friends, During the circuit breaker we were in touch with 235 persons who were unemployed and looking for work. We kept them informed of job opportunities and linked them to resources provided by the government, the labour movement and other non-government organisations. Most job applications were online and several needed assistance navigating e-portals as well as putting together simple resumes to upload. Our actions offered these members some comfort but those who have been unable to nail down a job would probably feel much discouraged. From speaking with these jobseekers, we also learnt that distance to the workplace is an important factor for …
Another Week Beyond – 2020
Dear Friends, There are now 8 women utilizing their sewing skills to earn a small income. This week, they proudly completed their first order of 100 masks and are now on their way to fulfilling the other orders that have come in since we mentioned this initiative on 1 May 2020. As we continued speaking with more people applying for financial assistance, it was clear that work did not just provide a salary. More importantly, it provides purpose and a sense of self-worth. Hence, thank you Sew-Forth and everyone for the warm support that has enabled these women to say to themselves, “As others overcome, Sew Can We!” …
Another Week Beyond – 2019
Dear Friends, We continued to enable internet connectivity and have pushed out another 40 computers to students who needed them. Digital inclusion is social inclusion and especially now, when it facilitates the strong social connections that are so important for our wellbeing. Internet connectivity among our members will be uneven for a while more, even as we work at resolving the issue for the near and longer term. As we provide devices to meet immediate needs, we are also working closely with IMDA and MOE to get our members onto government digital inclusion programmes. Some members who had a head start with internet connectivity …
Another Week Beyond – 2018
Dear Friends, With the assistance of Lalamove, an approved courier who provided their services pro-bono, we delivered 41 computers and 7 portable wi-fi dongles this week. In total, we have given out 122 computers and 81 dongles. While school holidays begin today and home-based learning takes a break, our efforts to bridge the digital divide will continue as digital inclusion is very much social inclusion. 2 days ago, in a Channel News Asia feature entitled, Home-based learning blues: Life in a rental flat during the COVID-19 circuit breaker, a mother was quoted “In my heart, it is not cramped. We are thankful to have a roof over …
Another Week Beyond – 2012
Dear Friends, In cooperation with the Central Singapore Community Development Council, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), we organised a talk on skills upgrading and employment-related resources provided by the government. 26 breadwinners filled up our classroom and we had to stop registration early in the week because places were taken up quickly. The enthusiasm and full attendance yesterday was great from a programme management point of view but sadly, it also indicated the sense of anxiety during these trying times. Over the past month, we have been engaging our members and getting a grasp of how COVID-19 is impacting …
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 …
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