Another Week Beyond – 1947

Dear Friends,

A study of 147,004 patients conducted by the Singhealth Regional Health System   reviewing the period 2012 to 2017, found that those who lived in rental housing were 1.57 times more likely to die in the period, compared with those who were living elsewhere.   Public rental housing was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality. This statistic hit home when we joined several neighbours to clean up a home in preparation for the return of an 8-year-old child who is on life-support after passing out while having a high fever.  This was an active boy who attended our reading programme regularly and a volunteer’s reaction to this heartbreaking news provided perspective, “No child will ever be too naughty for me.”

This tragic incident also shifted our perspective of a father who usually showed no interest in the activities of the community. He was the first to step forward to clean up the home and when we spoke with him after the task was done, we found someone who believed deeply in the notion of mutual help among neighbours and he asked us to contact him when needed.

Helping professionals are taught a range of skills to convey our attention and understanding to those we encounter but people tend to decide very quickly if the care and concern   demonstrated is genuine.  Perhaps, it is because these skills help a professional to steer a conversation and remain in control but in a genuine relationship, people give and take and feel free to appreciate each other’s strengths and limitations.

While preparing for the year-end Celebration of Learning a colleague approached some parents for help.  These parents volunteer regularly but this time they turned her down. “It is always us you call upon, we ae so tired,” they told her.  However, sensing that our colleague was overwhelmed they asked her, “What exactly do you want us to do? ‘Help’ is a big word and we don’t want to end up doing everything.” After some discussion, these parents agreed to help pack the gifts for the event but not before advising our colleague to be more specific when requesting for help.

In every relationship there are boundaries but in a genuine and strong relationship, I think the boundary would be a parameter where those fenced in are comfortable, appreciative and cooperative with each other. It is not a line that keeps people on different sides of the fence.  Anyway, sometimes a dividing fence can become a parameter.  A volunteer told us that she was never sure if she was connecting with the child, she taught week in week out. He only spoke when spoken to and they went their separate ways once the lesson was done.  However, during a recent event both were asked to write a note to each other and upon reading the messages it was clear that they had a relationship to cherish. Both volunteer and child are now committed to another year of learning together.

Enjoy your week.

Gerard

Challenges are a gift that forces us to search for a new centre of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand. – Oprah Winfrey

PAST AWB POSTS

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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

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2504 – Growth On The Sidelines

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2503 – How Roblox Helped James Minimize Screen Time

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2502 – Community wasn’t built in a day

Written by Shariffah, Community Worker What is community? This is a question that shapes much of what we do at Beyond. Building a thriving community isn’t just about solving problems or organizing activities — it’s about creating spaces where people can connect meaningfully, share ideas, and take ownership of their collective future. Community development often begins with small, intentional steps. Our “Community Day” is one such step. This isn’t just a celebration, but part of a process — a chance for residents to collaborate, discover their strengths, and build something meaningful together. Our last Community Day of 2024 was held

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2452 – A Fire, A Friend, A Community

When a fire broke out in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat last year, the damage wasn’t confined to just the one unit. Smoke engulfed neighbouring homes, leaving behind physical damage and disruption. One of the worst affected residents was Madam Tan*, an elderly woman whose flat directly above the burning apartment. While her story didn’t make the headlines, her struggles were very real. She clearly needed help. This is where H comes in. The 28-year-old coach and former educator was no stranger to helping others, but this experience would touch him on a personal level. “I didn’t initially think about

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2451 – The Grace to Give

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AWB 2449 – When LIFE Happens

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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 >