As shared by Wati to the Beyond Editorial Team
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslim families across Singapore prepare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri – a celebration that marks the end of fasting, and a time for reflection, forgiveness, and renewed connection. Homes will soon be filled with the aroma of festive dishes, the rustle of new clothes, and the warmth of reunion.
For Wati, Hari Raya is more than just a celebration – it serves as a reminder of why she gives back.
Wati is a mother of seven who recently moved to Kebun Baru. She has always believed in the strength of community and draws comfort from the relationships she has nurtured through her mosque. Guided by her faith, she regularly lends a hand to families in need. Not because she has much to spare, but because she believes in sharing what she can.
In her former neighbourhood, Lengkok Bahru, Wati was surrounded by neighbours who looked out for one another. It was there where she first encountered Beyond Social Services, working alongside families and residents to strengthen community bonds. Back then, she often supported efforts to mobilize resources for different neighbourhoods.
But when she moved to Kebun Baru, everything changed. The close-knit community she once belonged to was missing. Neighbours kept to themselves. She felt alone, unsure of where to start. Still, she knew that change had to begin somewhere.
So, she took the first step.
She walked into a Family Service Centre and asked, “Why is it so quiet here?”
It wasn’t a complaint. It was a genuine observation, filled with concern and hope. That simple question reconnected her with Beyond. Familiar faces and a shared way of working reminded her of what was possible. She didn’t hesitate. She wanted to be part of it.
Wati’s motivations are deeply personal. She understands the importance of support networks because she has relied on them herself, raising seven children each with their own needs and challenges. Parenting hasn’t been easy, but Wati remains grounded in her belief that hardship isn’t a reason to turn inward. In fact, it’s a reason to reach out.
She now opens her home regularly for small community gatherings – from casual meetups with fellow mothers to conversations about shared concerns. Drawing from her past experiences, Wati has begun to identify needs in her new neighbourhood and quietly fill the gaps. She’s been exploring ways to share information, gather resources, and even recruit neighbours into local chat groups so they don’t miss out on support or opportunities.
She has also noticed gaps between age groups, like how elderly residents often kept their distance from children and youth. This has prompted her to think about ways to bridge that gap, guided by her belief that when people get to know one another, there’s less room for misunderstanding and more space for empathy.
For Wati, giving back isn’t just about providing help, it’s about creating connection. And as she continues to bring people together in Kebun Baru, she reminds us that community isn’t always something we find. Sometimes, it’s something we build.
It’s not built through grand gestures, but through many small acts – by helping hands like Wati’s, who choose to give even when they’re stretched, and to include even when they feel alone.
At Beyond, our role is not to lead, but to support. To create the conditions where people can come together, build trust, and shape their neighbourhoods in ways that reflect who they are and what they value.
This festive season, may we all be inspired by Wati’s quiet courage and her belief that kindness grows when shared, and that even in unfamiliar places, we have the power to make others feel at home.
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