Another Week Beyond – 2308

Beyond Another Week Beyond, HeadStrong

Dear friends, “What is it that makes you…YOU?” 6 undergraduates from the Singapore Management University (SMU)explored the question together with 7 of our youth. Any casual observer would see that these 2 groups of young people were different in so many ways and may even wonder if a meaningful conversation between them would be possible. To move them to common ground, …

Another Week Beyond – 2307

Beyond Another Week Beyond, health

Dear friend, As a community development agency in the service of people’s efforts to meet their needs, a colleague was heartened when he found himself doing janitorial duties in a roomful of adults and their children. 12 adults and 15 children packed a students’ care centre we had borrowed for a conversation to launch a neighbourhood hotline for neighbours to …

Another Week Beyond – 2306

Beyond Another Week Beyond

Dear friends, After pairing up, participants were instructed to draw each other’s face  without looking at where they were putting pen to paper. “Please just focus on your partner so that she can feel your presence and care,” we added. Participants caught on that the instructions were difficult to follow and being fully present for someone meant not being distracted. This …

Another Week Beyond – 2305

Beyond Another Week Beyond

Dear friends, Nancy, a young mother walked into our office and greeted us cheerfully. When instructed to acknowledge a colleague and me as “aunty” and “uncle”, her 2-year-old-child did so meekly and then started sniffling softly for mother’s attention. With her finger on her lip, Nancy gestured to the child to keep quiet and left her with us as she …