Another Week Beyond – 2136

Dear friends,

3 interns have been supporting 5 children to participate in an online reading programme at home. These children live in the same housing block and a significant part of this endeavour has been troubleshooting whenever the digital tools and access we provided were not working optimally.  Our interns realised that often, it was not faulty equipment but the lack of confidence navigating the digital space. Nonetheless, they are much heartened by the efforts our members are making to explore and embrace this space.

A father who was not digitally literate, humbly welcomed our interns to show his 7-year-old son how to log onto an online session. After which, he wrote the password on a whiteboard at home and ensured that the child was punctual for the online reading session. With his father’s encouragement, the boy developed much confidence and enjoyed the learning experience. His father noticed this and when he learned that a neighbour’s child was accessing the same session on a mobile phone, he immediately invited that boy to attend the session at his home. He had seen the benefits of online learning and did not want other children to miss out.

The children attending this online reading programme are aged from 4 to 8 years old and so they have been receiving some support from family members and our interns to participate meaningfully. Those supporting the children have told us that by doing so, they feel like they are learning too. When children are not cooperating, they try to learn the reason why and this is often because they are not engaged meaningfully or understanding what is being said to them. 

As I reflected on this, it seemed like to facilitate or enable children’s learning, we would be more successful if we set off to learn alongside them rather than to teach. If we can learn to see what’s hindering their ability and desire to learn, we will also see how we may get a “lesson” across.

Today is Teachers’ Day and as we express our appreciation to all in the service of education, I think the best way of honouring those who have taught us is to recognise that there is a teacher within ourselves.  Like the father who welcomed the assistance of our interns, his actions conveyed the value of care and the importance of self-belief. He taught his son that it is alright that one does not know as long as one is humble enough to keep trying to learn.  When we can remember this lesson for ourselves and to convey it to all around us, we are teachers. 

Happy Teachers Day.

Gerard

*Education does not make us educable. It is our awareness of being unfinished that makes us educable. ― Paulo Freire*

PAST AWB POSTS

2502 – Community wasn’t built in a day

Written by Shariffah, Community Worker What is community? This is a question that shapes much of what we do at Beyond. Building a thriving community isn’t just about solving problems or organizing activities — it’s about creating spaces where people can connect meaningfully, share ideas, and take ownership of their collective future. Community development often begins with small, intentional steps. Our “Community Day” is one such step. This isn’t just a celebration, but part of a process — a chance for residents to collaborate, discover their strengths, and build something meaningful together. Our last Community Day of 2024 was held

Read More »

2452 – A Fire, A Friend, A Community

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 »

2451 – The Grace to Give

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 »

AWB 2449 – When LIFE Happens

Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” We at Beyond, wholeheartedly believe this. So we’ve made it one of our missions to bring education to life for the kids in the neighbourhoods we serve. So, it is no coincidence that we call one of our education programme, LIFE! or Learning is Fun and Exciting! LIFE is a child-centric initiative that’s designed to make learning enjoyable and meaningful. Activities are tailored to children’s individual strengths, interests, and learning styles. At every turn, we nurture them to become independent, self-motivated learners. We

Read More »

2450 – Change Happens When A Ripple Becomes A Wave

Fahmidah, a 19-year-old active volunteer from Lengkok Bahru, recently stepped out of her comfort zone and joined her friends as a community guide for a Learning Journey organised by Beyond in collaboration with ImpactSG. This initiative connects members of ImpactSG with families living in public rental housing, who lead guided tours of their neighbourhood, offering a glimpse into their daily lives, challenges and strengths that define their community. These interactions foster mutual respect, deeper understanding, and an appreciation for the resilience and spirit within these communities. Before the event, Beyond worked closely with Fahmidah and several of her neighbours, preparing

Read More »

2448 – Caring Through Sport

Written by Hani & Shariffah, Community Workers When we received an invitation from SportCares to participate in a Sepak Takraw Tournament, we were hesitant to accept. It was only a week away and we were not sure if we could rally enough interest among our youth members in the different neighbourhoods.  Nonetheless, we put the word out and within the day, we realised that our anxiety was unnecessary. Regus or Teams from different neigbourhoods started registering with us which affirmed our belief in the strength of people’s ability to self-organise around their interest and aspirations. These young people loved the

Read More »

2447 – The Accidental Pianist

Shariff was only 10 when he was first mesmerised by the piano. A schoolmate was performing at a school event.  Something clicked for the 10-year-old that day – he had stumbled upon what was to become a passion. He found a very basic, beat-up keyboard at home, and began teaching himself to play. His instructors were YouTube videos. This year, Shariff was one of several children who attended a day camp organized by Genie in a Bottle, a volunteer group that picked Beyond as their charity of choice for YMCA’s Youth For Causes (YFC) programme. This initiative encourages youth to

Read More »

2446 – Brownie Points of the Heart

Story Contributed by Swathi, Community Worker In Ghim Moh, Angie was known for her many gifts – a talented chef, baker, seamstress, and a nurturing grandmother. Through Beyond’s Sew Can We and Bakers Beyond programmes, which provide seasonal income through sewing and baking projects, Angie applied her skills to create items that held meaning for her community. But as cancer began to reshape her life, hospital stays and treatments became part of her routine, pulling her away from her daily comforts. Despite her illness, Angie’s spirit remained intact, resilient and unyielding. During a recent hospital stay, some nurses encouraged her

Read More »

PAST AWB POSTS

2502 – Community wasn’t built in a day

Written by Shariffah, Community Worker What is community? This is a question that shapes much of what we do at Beyond. Building a thriving community isn’t just about solving problems or organizing activities — it’s about creating spaces where people can connect meaningfully, share ideas, and take ownership of their collective future. Community development often begins with small, intentional steps. Our “Community Day” is one such step. This isn’t just a celebration, but part of a process — a chance for residents to collaborate, discover their strengths, and build something meaningful together. Our last Community Day of 2024 was held

Read more >

2452 – A Fire, A Friend, A Community

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 >

2451 – The Grace to Give

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 >