Another Week Beyond – 1841

October 15, 2018

Dear Friends,

Kathirvel, Leena and Nicholas folded 120 origami flowers and presented them to primary school children in their neighbourhood. It was a children’s day gift and for those who were taking their primary school leaving examination (PSLE), words of encouragement were written on the flower. These 14-year olds told us that when they were taking their PSLE, they had received a bar of chocolate with words of encouragement from volunteers who visited them, and they wanted to do the same for others.

Hearing how a small act of kindness is being replicated was heart-warming and what touched us was how they had saved up for the paper. Their teacher in school would reward them with a $1 gift voucher whenever they excelled with an assignment. On those occasions they would set aside their vouchers and the origami paper was purchased with these vouchers and some savings from their pocket money. These 3 caring teenagers found the experience of wishing others well most meaningful and they are now planning a Christmas theme origami project.

Last Sunday, 25 children commemorated Children’s Day with an event that celebrated the energy and spontaneity that characterises childhood. Volunteers from the Lodge of St George together with the Kebun Baru Bestari Residents’ Committee transformed a void deck into a mini arena where children could race each other, jump, shout, laugh and be genuinely appreciated for all of it. During the relays and other competitions, each child was urged on by a volunteer. For those 4 hours, our children felt that it was perfectly good to be goofing around, laughing and simply doing things that came naturally to them. They were not loved and celebrated for spectacular accomplishments but simply for what they could already do and for who they are.

The success of the event got us reflecting on what a celebration actually means. Seeing how a little encouragement got our children trying a little harder and feeling positive about themselves was a sight worth celebrating. It reminded us that every moment we have with another person can potentially be a celebration if we are able to genuinely appreciate each other. Just as how the presence of children’s spontaneous laughter and joy could enrich our day, it could be worth considering how the people around us are enriching our life. I suppose every genuine answer would be a celebratory moment even if we keep it to ourselves.

At this time of the year, some students would have already finished their year-end exams while others are still at it. While we will probably find it easy to praise those who excel, how would we regard those who do not? If our answer does not take away the self-belief or self-worth of the student, I think we would have discovered the meaning of celebration.

Enjoy your weekend.

Gerard

Every choice we make can be a celebration of the world we want. – Frances Moore Lappe

PAST AWB POSTS

2515 – The Hand That Folded, The Heart That Shared

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Story contributed by Myna, Community Worker Ayu* is a single mother working toward the day when all three of her children can live under the same roof again. Due to financial strain, two of them are currently in the care of her aunt while Ayu focuses on rebuilding her stability. Recently, she left a job where she had endured months of bullying. The emotional and financial toll was heavy, but she was grateful to walk away from a place that had worn down her confidence. Since then, she’s been searching for work with one simple hope: a kind environment. But

2514 – Labour of Pride

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Story contributed by Hani, Community Worker Earlier this month, I was going door to door to invite youths to join a new sports programme. I stopped by a flat where two of the boys on my list lived. Their father, Jamal*, greeted me at the door and invited me to wait while one of his sons made his way back from school. We started with small talk. He asked about the programme; I asked about his day. The conversation flowed easily. He shared that his family had returned to Singapore about seven or eight years ago after living in Indonesia

2513 – Where It Hurts

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Story Contributed by Xu Yang, Volunteer During a recent session at Beyond’s Homework Support programme for primary school children, I was playing a math board game with two boys, Frank and Steve, and another volunteer, Stef. As I was still figuring out the instructions, Frank suddenly pulled all the tiles toward himself. Then, out of the blue, he turned to Stef and said, “You wear glasses and have an ugly face. Go away.” I didn’t quite know how to respond. I suggested that if he wasn’t comfortable, maybe we could return to our original table, since we had joined Stef’s.

2512 – The Burden of Education

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Written by Amelia, member of the community Growing up, I was always aware that I was the “costly child.” My school fees and medical expenses were a constant concern for my parents. My younger brothers were born in Singapore, so they had access to fully subsidised education. My schooling, however, came at a price – one that my family struggled to afford. In Malaysia, school-related costs were manageable. If I recall correctly, my school fees amounted to only about $100 a year. But in Singapore, the difference is stark. I saw it firsthand when my brothers started primary school. Their

2511 – More Than A Meal

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Story Contributed by Hani and Siti, Community Workers “This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful – in a word, more alive.” – Alice Waters During Ramadan in March, a group of mothers in Ghim Moh began planning their annual iftar gathering. This year, they wanted it to mean something more than simply inviting neighbours to break fast together. They wanted to open their doors wider and welcome not only familiar faces but new ones as well – families they hadn’t yet met, residents of all ages, races, and religions.

2510 – Trusting People As The Experts of Their Own Lives

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Written by Wilson, Community Worker In social work, we’re taught to see people as the experts of their own lives. It’s a principle that feels empowering – and in theory, it is. But in practice, I’ve often heard something quite different. Before joining Beyond as a community worker, I spent nearly five years in various social service settings. A recurring belief I encountered was that people from lower-income communities couldn’t always be trusted to make the “right” decisions for themselves and their families. “Look at where their choices have gotten them,” I’d hear. It was a perspective I came to recognise, but never fully accepted. And my time at Beyond has continued to challenge it. One moment in particular stands out.

2509 – If Community Isn’t Found, Can It Be Built?

May 30, 2025 No Comments

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.

2508 – The Pen is Mightier Than The Lock

May 30, 2025 No Comments

Story contributed by Shariffah, Community Worker The lock was heavy. Solid. Final. The street soccer court in Yio Chu Kang had been closed off after repeated acts of vandalism. A group of boys stood by the fence where they used to gather after school – a simple court that had been their meeting point and favourite hangout to kick the ball around with friends. “So unfair…”, one of them muttered. Another shrugged. “Aiya, nothing we can do. Just find something else.” But one of our Community Workers heard more than frustration in their voices. He saw an opportunity to show