Another Week Beyond – 1830

Dear Friends
“Whenever I felt like giving up during a run, my coach will encourage me, and I would push myself. That’s how I relate my training to my life. Everyone faces difficulties, but it is how we persevere. When I push the kids during training, I think they can learn a lot from it,” says Thaslim, 20 years old who runs a weekly fitness programme for our children. Thaslim is convinced that he has benefitted much from the many sporting and personal development opportunities he had received and is simply doing his bit for others. This year, to inspire his charges he decided to participate in Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2018 which is a 310Km ride from Seremban to Muar in Malaysia from Friday, 14th to Sunday, 16th September. To join the event, riders raise a minimum of $1800 that will benefit the Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home and Beyond Social Services.

Mike has been involved with Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade for the past 13 years in various capacities. While he was initially just a rider, he became a member of the organizing committee helping with all aspects of the event but this year, being Thaslim’s coach is yet another new role. “I remember how others took the effort to help me when I first started long distance road cycling some 13 years ago. Since, I have an extra bike, I thought I could help someone who seems so keen to get into the sport.” Mike has offered Thaslim the use of his first bike which has a special place in his heart. However, he is also pleased to see his first trusted servant serving the purpose of developing a young person.

“Aside from training sessions cancelled because of heavy rain and work-related travel, the training has progressed really well I think,” Mike who is a corporate legal counsel reflected. “Thaslim is a fast learner and already has the fitness of a seasoned runner. He needs to strengthen his handling, develop specific muscles, adhere to the ethics of group cycling and to chalk up road time. All these I believe he can do if not for his biggest challenge – ‘Time!’ As a full-time student with a heavy commitment to community service and his family, committing to such a long road trip as a first attempt is difficult.”

Thaslim agrees with Mike but explains. “I am the eldest in the family and so I need to set a good example for my siblings and to help with the family budget. I know it is not the same but my part-time job as delivery-man on a bicycle is also part of my training routine.” Nonetheless, he is more than aware that to deliver on his promise of completing the 310km ride, he must make time on Sundays with Mike.

Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2018 is still open for registration. If you or a friend would like to ride for 2 good causes, please sign up here. To support Thaslim’s fund-raising efforts visit Thaslim for Chairity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2018.

Enjoy your weekend.

Gerard

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.” – Oprah Winfrey

PAST AWB POSTS

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2505 – Saving Together, Growing Together

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2503 – How Roblox Helped James Minimize Screen Time

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2452 – A Fire, A Friend, A Community

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2451 – The Grace to Give

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PAST AWB POSTS

2506 – Collective Wisdom, Community Building

Written by Wilson, Community Worker As is our practice at Beyond, we start every new year by sharing the goals we hope to achieve as a community. We gather young and old, have discussions and plot the journey ahead together. We call these sessions Community Conversations. Typically, everyone present introduces themselves and shares their experience volunteering in the community, and what “community” means to them. We then wrap up with a Beyond staff talking about the value of community development. That, however, was not how a session held in the Bukit Ho Swee neighbourhood went. The Beyond team just sat

Read more >

2505 – Saving Together, Growing Together

One of the most pervasive problems encountered by lower-income communities is building financial reserves. The daily demands for every cent, when you have little, usually takes priority. However, there is still a value of building such reserves, even if in small amounts. This is why we created the Community Tabung Programme. Loosely translated, “Tabung” means “money box” in Malay – an apt name for an initiative to help our members grow their savings in support of their children’s health and educational needs. It is a means to help our members achieve their aspirations and save for those rainy days. And

Read more >

2504 – Growth On The Sidelines

Amir* wasn’t always the calm, composed young man people look up to today. Not so long ago, he his fiery temper put him in the midst of a heated argument. So to witness him play the peacemaker recently was pleasantly astonishing. That moment could have shaped how others saw him — and how he saw himself — but instead, it became a lesson that helped him grow. Amir was playing at a futsal tournament. Two boys – Danial* and Josh* – got into an altercation. Danial accused Josh of “showboating” and not being a team player…costing them the game. Josh,

Read more >