Another Week Beyond – 1934

August 23, 2019

Dear Friends,

“What is effective supervision and guidance?” A young colleague who was supporting the youth leaders of our outdoor adventure club realised that it is not just giving instructions and expecting those listening to simply follow. Having observed how much effort the leaders had been putting into organising an “Amazing Race,” she was concerned that they would be deeply discouraged if the event did not turn out as planned. So, she gathered them a day before and went through the programme flow meticulously.

When she arrived at the starting point of the race the following day, she was upset with what she saw. There was no wet weather plan, and little was being done to engage participants before the race was flagged off. In her mind, the leaders simply did not bother taking her good advice and it showed on her face. Thankfully, she kept her feelings in check and tried to recognise what was going right.

The leaders had arrived way ahead of the reporting time and the event was well attended. Everyone present was in good spirits and seemed very comfortable in each other’s company. The leaders took on their roles seriously and were visibly being very supportive of each other. They were cheerful, confident and had the cooperation of participants. As the day proceeded, my colleague was amazed at how everything fell in place and concluded that the event was a success even before it ended.

As she reflected on her experience, she conceded that the event was none the worse without a wet weather plan and icebreakers. She was upset because she had believed that if established good practices in event management were not adhered to, the event would fail. Also, she had imagined that the young people were not listening to her. However, when she sent a congratulatory message to the overall-in- charge after the event, here is what came back, “Hey! Your nagging is okay because I learnt a lot. Being overall ic is not easy but you gave me advice and I tried my best. Happy it was a success. I did listen to you. You’re the best.”

I had a short conversation with my colleague about her experience yesterday and here are some thoughts that emerged. Firstly, we should let the young people we are supervising know that getting frustrated and discouraged when things do not go well is understandable and even natural. Then we must take the view that supervision or guidance is not just about picking out what went wrong but about exploring what could go right. As such, if we have a role in developing human potential, we must have the ability to interpret a situation in a way that takes things forward. We must focus on what people can do and put them in a context where they can experience success. This is a context where what they cannot do matters less.

Enjoy your week.

Gerard

Concern yourself more with accepting responsibility than with assigning blame. Let the possibilities inspire you more than the obstacles discourage you. -Ralph Marston

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