Another Week Beyond – 2420

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Volunteers

Community offers the promise of belonging and calls for us to acknowledge our interdependence. To belong is to act as an investor, owner, and creator of this place. – Peter Block In 2021, as we were trying to get activities in the community up and running again following the gradual relaxation of the COVID-19 safe-distancing rules, we met 10 youths who were mighty pleased to see us. They were bored stiff and were ready to join any activity that we introduced. Initially, they helped with the distribution of food and other household essentials, and they surprised themselves when they concluded …

Another Week Beyond – 2413

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Community, Volunteers

Yesterday, I had a discussion with some colleagues about how we may get residents in the neighbourhoods we engage to present themselves “better” to volunteers especially those from corporations who provide funds and other resources. This discussion was triggered by feedback that these residents do not brief the volunteers well enough on their tasks or explain to them how their time and efforts add value to their neighbourhood. The goodwill from corporations is important for the sustainability of our work and obviously, we want to create a positive experience for these corporate volunteers lest we lose their support. However, this …

Another Week Beyond – 2409

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Community, food insecurity, Volunteers

Community offers the promise of belonging and calls for us to acknowledge our interdependence. To belong is to act as an investor, owner, and creator of this place.  – Peter Block Yesterday, lunch for 22 neighbours was prepared by our members of our community, at our premises with the harvest from our very own vegetable garden. While it was not quite a harvest festival celebration, it was nonetheless a joyous occasion. We were commemorating the end of an 8-session programme-cum-pilot study to explore the positive effects of urban farming on the physical and mental well-being of those aged 50 and …

Another Week Beyond – 2402

ek kiat Another Week Beyond, community, food insecurity, Volunteers

When Covid-19 was at its peak and we were busy coordinating food drops, some of us wondered aloud if those who were able to grow their own food would also be anxious about not having enough to eat. In 2021, we were made aware of the SG Eco Fund which support projects that advance environmental sustainability and foster community, and we thought that offering people an opportunity to grow their own food would be a good way to transform a community’s anxiety and concern about food insecurity into constructive action that strengthens community ties. Today we have a vegetable garden …

Another Week Beyond – 2013

Comms Team Another Week Beyond, Children and youth, Donation laptops, Donations in kind, Laptop donation, Tutoring, Volunteers

Dear Friends, “In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” This is the difference between life and school articulated by author Tom Bodett.  As of midnight today, all gatherings outside school and work are to be limited to 10 persons or less as directed by our multi-ministerial task force against COVID-19. Hence, “How do we continue to support children with their schoolwork?” was a test and the answers emerging are the lessons we are learning. Before sorting out the practicalities of tutoring via a face call, …