AWB 2345 – Scoring Goals in the Community

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Community, community spirit

By Mark, Community Worker When is a game of football more than just a game of football, more than just 22 people chasing a little ball on a field? The long answer is: when it helps build confidence in young people, when it helps connect a community, and when it helps create camaraderie amongst neighbours. Recently, Beyond received tickets to attend local football matches – ideal opportunities for members of the community to unite in their shared passion for the Beautiful Game. When I was tasked with coordinating the ticket distribution in the Beach Road area, I approached a 13-year-old …

AWB 2433 – All Are Welcome

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Community

As told by Vicky C, a resident of Bukit Ho Swee, to the Beyond Editorial Team I am 62 years old and I live alone in Jalan Klinik. About 5 years ago, I walked past the Beyond Social Services office. I was curious about what went on inside, so I peered in. I was greeted warmly by one of the staff – a community worker named Susie. Susie explained that the organization supported families who live in public rental flats and that I was very welcome to drop by anytime and make myself at home.  I used to work as …

AWB 2434 – You Are Enough!

Comms Team Another Week Beyond

By Adrina Tie, Community Worker At our weekly non-violent communication training, I was practicing how to convey one’s virtues to someone. Part of this process is my having to hear someone else tell me my virtues. When I heard what others present thought my virtues were, I felt a sense of warmth. I was then instructed to be grateful for all my good qualities. Honestly, it felt good. So, I was surprised when a fellow participant had the opposite response when it was his turn to listen to his virtues. He was uncomfortable and pulled away. He later explained that while …

AWB 2432 – Beyond The Jungle Gym

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” During the June school holidays, a volunteer group brought some of our kids to Pasir Ris Park for an outing. This was a fun afternoon for the kids, and a valuable life lesson for me. My unwitting “instructors” were two primary school boys. Both boys were confidently perched atop a 5-meter high jungle gym. They were waiting their turn to ride the slide that ran from the top of the jungle gym to ground level. At the foot of the structure, a 5-year-old boy was …

Another Week Beyond 2431 – An Exchange

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth

Zee had nowhere to go after one of our regular kids’ programme. His family was out and he did not have keys to his flat. At his request, we had an early dinner at the nearby prata shop. I knew Zee had stuff on his mind. His stepdad recently went to prison and I wanted to know how Zee was feeling. Instead, he chose to speak about safer topics and his interactions outside his family. He spoke about things that took me by surprise – social anxiety and issues of sexual orientation. Is this what eleven-year-olds talk about? When he …