Four friends aged 17 to 20 years old were telling us that their flats would be demolished in a year or so and they would be relocating to a different public rental neighbourhood.
One of them seemed rather distressed but when we asked if he would be badly affected by the move, he clarified that he was living a few blocks away and was not affected. He was troubled that his friends were moving away and was thinking that it would only be a matter of time before he had to move to a different neighbourhood too.
These young men recognised that moving would be troublesome and expressed concern for their elderly neighbours and those who required assistance getting about. “Maybe we can help those who are moving to the same place as us but right now, we don’t know our options yet,” one thought aloud. Anyway, we sensed that they felt uprooted and asked if they would draw a picture of their neighbourhood to help us appreciate why it was so difficult for them to move. In any case, the picture could be a nice memento of their lives here.
They took on the task cheerfully and we learnt that one would miss a space between the blocks he had carved out as a personal fitness corner for strength training. Also, the playground, basketball courts and open spaces were not just common amenities but facilities that held memories of joyful friendships, events and encounters that enriched their lives. Interestingly, in the picture, there were 5 cats that none of them wanted to leave behind. They elaborated that a memory that haunts all of them is the shape of a cat protruding from the center of a python resting at the playground.
The 17-year-old appeared the least affected and after the picture was completed, he reflected that it was probably because he preferred spending time at home rather than in the common areas. So, a different flat held the promise of a more comfortable home and although he acknowledged that his new flat may not be to his liking, he wanted to look on the bright side and “stay positive.”
The other two youths were rather sad and a little worried. They delivered food to supplement their family income and were concerned about the possibility of their younger siblings having to change schools. They said that while they don’t have much, they have achieved a sense of stability juggling school, work and family obligations and were afraid that this would be disrupted when they move into unfamiliar surroundings.
In short, the neighbourhood has been life as they know it and they are not sure if they are ready for a different life.
Listening to these young people sensitized us to the importance of place, belonging and relationships as factors for our well-being. Place is not just a physical entity but an entry into a treasure trove of memories, experiences and feelings that give us a sense of place in the world.
Finally, thank you for giving this weekly note a place among the many things you read. From next week, you will not be receiving this weekly note from me but from the Beyond Editorial Team and their email will be editorial@beyond.org.sg
As always, wishing you all things good.
Gerard
We all need a sense of place. That’s what makes our physical surroundings worth caring about.
