Story Contributed by Dira, Neighbourhood Leader
Some evenings come together in unexpected ways.
Our monthly community birthday celebration in Ang Mo Kio happened to fall at a time when Chinese New Year was still in the air and Ramadan was already underway. So the evening became a mix of all three – oranges for the New Year, dates for those breaking fast, and party plates laid out for the children celebrating their birthdays that month.
Close to a hundred residents – seniors, adults and children – came downstairs to join the gathering. A few of us residents helped organise the evening together with volunteers and home-based business owners living in the block. One of Beyond’s volunteers sponsored oranges, adding a festive touch to the tables downstairs.
As sunset approached, Muslim residents prepared to break their fast. Others waited alongside them and joined in once the meal began. Plates moved around the tables. Someone passed a bowl of dates down the line. Conversations continued between bites.
Later in the evening, some of the children started playing with sparklers. Before long, a few seniors wandered over to watch. One uncle showed the children how to hold the sparkler away from their clothes. Another laughed as a child tried to write her name in the air with the light.
A family attending for the first time shared that it was touching to see the children celebrating together with the rest of the community. They said it added something special they couldn’t quite describe.
Standing there and watching people slowly pack up, I realised how familiar many of the faces had become – children moving between groups of adults, someone calling out to a neighbour across the void deck, another person lingering to finish a conversation before heading upstairs.
That familiarity does not happen all at once. It grows from evenings like this – when people come downstairs, sit at the same tables, and begin recognising one another.
Over time, small moments accumulate. A greeting becomes a longer chat. A familiar face becomes someone you look out for.
Familiarity brings comfort. And comfort slowly builds trust.
When trust grows, neighbours begin to show up for one another – not only for celebrations, but also during more difficult moments.
That is the kind of community we hope to continue nurturing here in Ang Mo Kio.
As long as residents keep coming down – bringing food, sharing stories, wishing the children happy birthday, and saying “see you next month” – we will keep setting up the mats downstairs.
For weekly stories of resilience, hope and community spirit from families and individuals living in public rental housing, and volunteering opportunities, register here