Another Week Beyond – 2017

Dear Friends,

When a single mother with 6 children aged from 5 months to 14 years old     realised that she had a problem with bed bugs, she cleared out her furniture. Exhausted and distressed, she called us asking   what more she could do to resolve the problem. She did not call just to ask a question, but to tell someone that she worries constantly about the safety of her children. She  also said she found it stressful ensuring that her children finished their schoolwork with the one computer and 2 handphones that they shared among themselves. 

While we will ensure that   financial support and more computers get to her, we thought that they did not quite meet her need for social connection. So, we asked if we could pose her question on the neighbourhood WhatsApp chat. Within moments, helpful suggestions and responses started coming in. From pouring kerosene at the nest and protecting the sleeping area with leaves from the soursop plant or serai wangi which is Malay for lemon grass. Several also messaged us privately to ask if they could provide detergent, bedbug sprays and furniture. Some even responded that they would check with their friends who worked with pest control companies to see if they could help in their personal capacity.  

The mother who called us was visibly touched by the prompt support from neighbours she hardly knew. We were also most heartened by the spontaneous show of support from people who already did not have much to begin with. However, this is certainly not to say that support from our larger Singapore community has not been forthcoming.  

Never in our history have we experienced such immense generosity. We are deeply encouraged by the trust emplaced in us to ensure that   families   receive the financial assistance to remain stable during this difficult period. Hence, we have revised the target of our Covid-19 Family Assistance Fund to $2 million and it would support 1000 to 1200 families for 3 months.  

We are also deeply grateful to have been white listed as a food distribution agency during the circuit breaker period and will do our utmost to ensure safety for all involved in our exercises.  

Finally, we wish all our Muslim friends a joyous start to the month of Ramadan.  

Wishing you and all at home good health and peace of mind.  

Sincerely,

Gerard

“You often say, ‘I would give, but only to the deserving.’ The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.” —Kahlil Gibran

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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

Read more >

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I joined Beyond in 2005 as a community worker reaching out to children under 6 years old to get them registered for early childhood education and after a couple of years, I was seconded to support our main grant maker. After which, I left social services but rejoined Beyond in 2016.  I came back and rejoined the sector to meet my needs for meaning, connection and well-being. Last Friday, I was supporting a corporate volunteer group to distribute care packs comprising necessities for the new school year to children in a neighbourhood where we work. This group engaged youth from

Read more >