Community Fellows are residents who conceptualise and implement a project that addresses a concern they have identified in their neighbourhood. They receive some training in planning, organising and monitoring progress as well as the ethics and principles of community work that safeguard the wellbeing of those they engage and the integrity of their effort. We invite applications for Community Fellows once a year and have had 2 cohorts.
In June last year, Rahimah and Sumarsih attended the Knowledge Festival (AWB – 2326) where Community Fellows presented a progress report of their efforts. They were most inspired and applied for Fellowship to explore how they could support children in their neighbourhood who were still dressed in their school uniforms in the evenings. They reckoned that these children were still waiting for their caregivers to return home and could do with some adult attention to keep them out of harm’s way.
The Knowledge Festival marks the completion of a cohort and last Saturday, Rahimah and Sumarsih shared about their ups and downs as Community Fellows. When they began, they were mindful that they were not there to replace or compete with the caregivers of the children but to work together with them. However, these caregivers avoided contact with the excuse that they were busy and some even brushed them off curtly by asking them to mind their own business.
However, they continued inviting these caregivers to community events and listened empathetically to those who accompanied their children to activities. They had a bit of help from the children as many of them “dragged” their caregivers to the community events being organised. Eventually, mutual trust and respect developed and Rahimah and Sumarsih have become supportive neighbours for the children and their caregivers
When they finished their presentation, the audience applauded approvingly by chanting “Makcik Kaypoh” loudly and repeatedly. Being called nosy aunties may have sounded insulting but Rahimah and Sumarsih beamed with pride. In being supportive neighbours to children and their caregivers, they have been a light that brightened their community.
Wishing you a Deepavali filled with warmth, light, and endless joy,
Beyond Editorial Team