Another Week Beyond – 1912

Dear Friends

In our endeavour to help youth develop into contributing members of our society, we provide opportunities. The opportunity to be forgiven and to put things right if one runs afoul of authority or the law; the opportunity to make headway in education and employment, the opportunity to experience family stability and the opportunity for social capital or friendships that bridge them to experiences and networks that enhance their personal or professional development.

Over 3 weekends last month, 10 youth participated in the Future Ready Sailor Programme(FRS) of the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF).  They were introduced to sailing as a sport, a recreational activity and an applied learning course in physics, biology as well as data and technology.  Apart from braving the waters and the wind, they were introduced to subjects such as buoyancy, sailing trigonometry, marine biodiversity, water quality testing, solar panel modelling and the skill of charting speed, distance and time.

After 3 weeks, the youth were discussing how they could put their newly acquired skill to good use. They were thinking that they could encourage others in the neighbourhood to take up the sport but for us, it was most gratifying seeing how they were confidently relating to their instructors and others from SSF.  Just to digress a little. On Tuesday evening I had the privilege of listening to Minister Grace Fu at the NUS Social Policy Forum as she advocated for sport as a means of   building a more cohesive society and this was an example how it happens.

Anyway, for one of the youths who completed the FRS Programme, her new friendships led her to an experience that she will remember for a long time.  Last Saturday, she was helping to steer one of the 2 SM40 sailboats, in a “mini regatta” on Marina Bay. Evangeline was racing against another  boat where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was on. Our Prime Minister was hosted by the DBS Sailing by the Bay Programme  https://go.dbs.com/sail which   is free and open to anyone above 7 years old and below 70 years old. Each person may register for up to 4 participants (including him/herself) and each session is 40 minutes.


Evangeline is a 3rd year student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic studying Aerospace Engineering. When she first heard that she was going to meet the Prime Minister, she excitedly told her mom. Mom was shocked that her daughter was chosen for this special event and told Evangeline that it would make her very proud and happy to see a photo of her with the Prime Minister. An opportunity to pick up a new sport and make new friends has enhanced Evangeline’s self-confidence profoundly but she tells us that the best thing about the whole experience was the opportunity to make her mom proud and happy.

Enjoy your week

Gerard

Children are the anchors of a mother’s life. – Sophocles

PAST AWB POSTS

2443 – Why Do You Work?

I was visiting Meelah, a resident who has led food drives and many social activities to enhance the wellbeing of her neighbours.   I listened intently, as she expressed her concern for families that would require assistance. I was   touched that she continued to keep track of so many lives in spite of her own declining health. She donned on the new spectacles she had recently afforded and checked her reflection using her phone before looking at me expectantly for a response. “How? I look like a teacher or not?” She exclaimed while tucking some strands of hair behind her ears.

Read More »

2442 – It Starts with “Hello”

Every morning, like clockwork, four-year-old Lisa (not her real name) stops by her neighbour’s flat on her way to preschool. She stands at the gate, waiting patiently to say “Hello” to the elderly man who lived there. Known for his stern demeanour and habit of scolding noisy children, this Uncle wasn’t someone most would approach. At first, he ignored her. Undeterred, she stands there, day after day, offering her simple greeting. Then one day, something changed. The Uncle returned her greeting. Soon after, they began sharing quiet moments – sitting together, eating biscuits, and watching TV —always under the watchful

Read More »

2441 – Looking for Treasure not Dirt

As a community worker, I knock on doors to introduce myself and to explore how residents may contribute toward the wellbeing of their neighbourhood.  By chatting with them, I discover their talents, aspirations and values. Of course, not everyone talks to me when I knock but it is always so rewarding when they do. Last week, I met 98-year-old Madam Wong and her son who is in his 70s. I learnt that Madam Wong shares her art and craft skills with the older residents in her community.  What she enjoys doing most and is really good at is “weaving” together

Read More »

2440 – Leading the Charge for Change

For years, the residents of a public rental block in Yishun struggled with unsanitary rubbish disposal, bird-feeding, and littering from open windows. As tensions mounted, frustration could have easily divided the community. But instead, a group of proactive volunteers decided to address the issue themselves, determined to improve their living environment—not just for themselves, but for everyone in the neighbourhood. These volunteers initiated a series of conversations with their neighbours where residents openly expressed their frustrations and shared personal stories. “It doesn’t feel good to come home from work after a long day to a living environment that is unhygienic,”

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2439 – The Strength of Community

“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals.” – Jean Vanier Our work is grounded in an approach known as Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). ABCD is a relationship-driven, strengths-based approach that focuses on identifying and mobilizing often overlooked community assets for sustainable development. During this year’s Youth Appreciation Day, we experienced firsthand the power of Gifts, Relationships, and Care (GRC), core principles of ABCD. GRC reminds us that everyone holds unique gifts — skills, strengths, and lived experiences. When shared within the framework of

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2438 – A Game Changer

A Game Changer Submitted by: Adrian, Community Worker During a community gathering in April, along with the spread of food on the table, a robust serving of soccer talk was served up. This is a topic that energized the youth who were present. Their excitement wasn’t just about the game; they were eager to form a proper soccer team. So enthusiastic were they, that that very evening, the Bukit Ho Swee Soccer programme was born. Our first training session took place at an outdoor court that was well-maintained and ideal for practice, but it was too far away. The commute

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2437 – A House is not a Home

By Pei Ling, Community Worker What is a home to you? Is it just a place filled with your stuff? Where you store your sofa, TV, bed, clothes?   These are questions we ask ourselves as we walk along the corridors of the small flats in the neighbourhoods we serve. We catch glimpses of everyday life along these corridors – mismatched footwear, potted plants, toys scattered about, and front doors of various colours – some freshly painted, some faded. Inside, some of these flats have varying degrees of stuff, but they most certainly hold more than that. For each is Home

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2436 – Small Fortune, Big Friends

By Jie Min & Marlina, Community Workers We were in conversation with 9 mothers who dreamed of having their own home-based business to alleviate their financial challenges. 3 of them had already started baking, cooking and catering from home for small events while the rest were just very interested in exploring how they could get started. Hence, we thought that inviting them to manage a booth at Parking Day, an upcoming community event on Saturday, 14 September 2024, would be a good hands-on learning experience especially for those who have never hawked their wares.  There was much excitement and enthusiasm

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PAST AWB POSTS

2443 – Why Do You Work?

I was visiting Meelah, a resident who has led food drives and many social activities to enhance the wellbeing of her neighbours.   I listened intently, as she expressed her concern for families that would require assistance. I was   touched that she continued to keep track of so many lives in spite of her own declining health. She donned on the new spectacles she had recently afforded and checked her reflection using her phone before looking at me expectantly for a response. “How? I look like a teacher or not?” She exclaimed while tucking some strands of hair behind her ears.

Read more >

2442 – It Starts with “Hello”

Every morning, like clockwork, four-year-old Lisa (not her real name) stops by her neighbour’s flat on her way to preschool. She stands at the gate, waiting patiently to say “Hello” to the elderly man who lived there. Known for his stern demeanour and habit of scolding noisy children, this Uncle wasn’t someone most would approach. At first, he ignored her. Undeterred, she stands there, day after day, offering her simple greeting. Then one day, something changed. The Uncle returned her greeting. Soon after, they began sharing quiet moments – sitting together, eating biscuits, and watching TV —always under the watchful

Read more >

2441 – Looking for Treasure not Dirt

As a community worker, I knock on doors to introduce myself and to explore how residents may contribute toward the wellbeing of their neighbourhood.  By chatting with them, I discover their talents, aspirations and values. Of course, not everyone talks to me when I knock but it is always so rewarding when they do. Last week, I met 98-year-old Madam Wong and her son who is in his 70s. I learnt that Madam Wong shares her art and craft skills with the older residents in her community.  What she enjoys doing most and is really good at is “weaving” together

Read more >