Another Week Beyond – 2419

Change is hard. It is not something everyone deals with well.  

We discovered this when we spoke to 4 young people who had to relocate to new homes (AWB-2417 dated Friday, April 26, 2024}.  They had to leave their ageing flats in Henderson and move to new homes. It was a change they were not looking forward to. 

But such change is not only often necessary, but it is also a good way to shake things up and create a better life situation.  To help spin what was to some a negative experience into something positive, we took it upon ourselves to engage people on this very issue of “moving house.” 

During a recent food distribution exercise, we put up charts to ascertain what people felt about their having to relocate.  We hoped this would encourage people to strike up conversations and in so doing, realise that this could well be a good thing for them – a fresh start. 

One chart posed this statement:   

Before I leave, I would like to:  

  1. Get to know my current neighbours better 
  1. Have more opportunities to hang out with my neighbours 
  1. Organise a floor or a block party 
  1. Have small group discussions about the relocation 

Interestingly, there wasn’t a single vote for option D, but lots for the rest. One mother explained, “I am already stressed so I voted for options that could help me relax, I need a distraction.”  It was also clear, they wanted connections with the community. 

On another chart, we asked if they were excited or looking forward to: 

  1. Meeting new neighbours 
  1. Decorating their new home 
  1. Exploring their new neighbourhood 
  1. Looking at new/different scenery 

This time the votes were evenly distributed. 

We also spoke directly to 2O families at various stages of life. 40% expressed sadness about moving, highlighting practical concerns. They also indicated that they would need some help adjusting.  

And while these feelings and concerns are real, it seems that when the possibility of exciting new times is presented, people do lean into it. Couched this way – that relocating was a new beginning for them – they were more open and enthusiastic about saying goodbye to their old neighbourhoods and starting afresh somewhere new. 

It’s all about perspective, the way in which we choose to view the world and our daily situations.  

That’s what Beyond tries to do at every turn. It is one of the cornerstones of our philosophy.  We, as an organization, always strive to see possibilities rather than problems. And we encourage our residents and stakeholders to do the same.  

Problem-solving keeps us focused on the deficiencies and the gaps – basically what is NOT working. Possibilities, on the other hand, can create a present (and future) untethered from the baggage of the past.  

This shift in perspective, when we successfully share it with others in our community, can make all the difference in outcomes.  

So, while we continue to offer practical assistance to these residents, it is also important that we see ourselves as cheerleaders intent on “infecting” residents with a positive attitude towards change, no matter what. It is an attitude that gives us the best shot at creating a better future. 

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell 

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 >