Story contributed by Shariffah, Community Worker
The lock was heavy. Solid. Final.
The street soccer court in Yio Chu Kang had been closed off after repeated acts of vandalism. A group of boys stood by the fence where they used to gather after school – a simple court that had been their meeting point and favourite hangout to kick the ball around with friends.
“So unfair…”, one of them muttered.
Another shrugged. “Aiya, nothing we can do. Just find something else.”
But one of our Community Workers heard more than frustration in their voices. He saw an opportunity to show the boys that their voices had a place in shaping their community
“What if you wrote to the MP about it?” he asked.
One of the boys scoffed, “He’s got bigger things to handle than us wanting to play soccer.”
“Maybe,” the Community Worker replied, “but what if it’s not just one of you? What if you all came together to show why this matters?”
Doubt lingered in the youths, but so did curiosity.
So, they started writing.
At first, the words were clumsy, uncertain. They gathered, debated, and shaped their message in a letter. In it, they didn’t just ask for the court to reopen. They explained what it meant to them: a space to learn teamwork and resolve conflicts, to build friendships, and to stay active and engaged after school. They acknowledged the issues that led to the closure and promised to do their part – to keep noise levels down, to play respectfully, and to take care of the space for everyone’s benefit.
The letter wasn’t rushed. It was shaped over time, with each youth adding their voice. Beyond staff and adults in the neighbourhood offered guidance, but the words stayed theirs.
When they were satisfied, they turned to a trusted Neighbourhood Leader, a parent who had long supported the community’s efforts. She helped deliver the letter to a People’s Association and Residents’ Committee volunteer. The letter has yet to reach the right hands who can take action, but while they await the response, something more meaningful has already taken root.
The outcome, while important, is not the heart of this story.
What matters is what has already changed. While waiting for a response, the boys didn’t stand still. They found a new way to fill their time, gathering at a nearby open court to play sepak takraw instead. But more than just finding another game, they discovered that closed doors need not stay closed.
They began to see challenges as chances to speak up, to gather support, and to engage the right people through appropriate channels – just as they have seen parents and Neighbourhood leaders in their community do time and again. Those quiet examples left its mark. Now, some of the boys are even talking about meeting with the MP themselves, not only to talk about the court but to share their hopes for growing their sepak takraw interests and connecting with the Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (MAEC).
The chain on the court gate may still be there, but these young people have already learned that some locks don’t open with force.
Sometimes, the key is a pen, a piece of paper, and the belief that your words can carry weight – not just for yourself, but for those around you.
[RG2]Consider adding this line – They’re not just doing this for themselves, but for the younger boys in the neighbourhood who have begun to gather around, watching them play, eager to learn the game.