Dear friends, This week’s sharing is co-written with Felice, an intern who was moved to pen down her experience after helping with a recent conversation among mothers on the theme of “Health and Dreams”. Felice was struck by the genuine care and concern people accorded each other even though they did not really know each other well and importantly, how people walked away from the conversation feeling stronger and hopeful. To some, “health” was good hygiene, preventing illnesses and keeping fit. To others, it meant being surrounded by loved ones and caring for one’s mental health. A mother recounted a period in …
Another Week Beyond – 2211
Dear friends, “We are here to create a safe and brave space. What do you think that is?” This was how we began our very first session for 4 youth to explore if they would like to nurture a small community where members help each other learn strategies for psychological and emotional wellbeing. A safe space is one where people feel comfortable with each other and experience a curious sense of trust and connection. It is also a space that protects them from the fear of abandonment or isolation, or being treated differently, after sharing in the space. They envision a …
Another Week Beyond – 2210
Dear friends, As they pick up their food packs during a food distribution exercise at the end of the month, representatives from some 100 households will also vote for 2 proposals they would like implemented in their neighbourhood. On their neighbourhood phone chat group, they have already seen a short video pitch of the 4 different proposals put forth by neighbours who are vying to serve as a Community Fellow. Nonetheless, at the food collection point, more information about each proposal will be available. We are holding the selection of a community enhancement initiative in conjunction with a food exercise to suggest …
Another Week Beyond – 2209
Dear friends, A planned face-to-face meeting was changed at the last moment when a child of one participant was tested positive for COVID-19. Nonetheless, the 3 women showed up online without their spirits dampened. They seemed really pleased to see other and reminisced about the times they could meet at each other’s home, and they unanimously agreed that meeting at Dee’s place was the best. Dee moved out of the rental-flat neighbourhood in 2019 after purchasing a 3-room flat, and her home got voted the top meeting venue because of the food she serves and the availability of a karaoke system. …
Another Week Beyond – 2208
Dear friends, 6 youth arrive at the Leng Kee Community Club before their learning circle begins to catch the sun setting behind the housing blocks in their neighbourhood. It is not a spectacular sight, but they greet the occasion enthusiastically and perhaps, it is because the hues of orange that colour the sky reflect their warm newfound friendship. The learning circle is a self-directed peer learning group supported by others in the community who have its interest at heart. For one, the management of the community club who has provided a room for these students to meet with volunteers who …
Another Week Beyond – 2207
Dear friends, Now that the Year of the Tiger is on its way, a sharing related to cats seems apt. Grey, one of several cats in the neighbourhood sauntered in, stretched himself and rested near the straw mats where 2 families were sitting on. Despite not drawing any attention to himself, he was noticed, and everyone present could not help smiling at Grey’s timely entrance. It was as if he had come to watch what the children who were performing would be saying about him and his feline friends who prowl the neighbourhood. The occasion was a modest interactive theatre performance by …
Another Week Beyond – 2206
Dear friends, “My friends and I never thought that we could trust the boys,” declared a 15-year-old girl. “We never thought that they will care about our fears and our safety,” she added. Her friends who were with her nodded but together they said that they are happy to have been proven wrong. Since 2020 a group of girls have been coming together to discuss sexuality, relationships, and other topics that youth find difficult to raise with others (AWB -2043). They have benefitted from the experience and feel that they could do something to support their peers who may be at risk of sexual …
Another Week Beyond – 2205
Dear friends, Wishing you strength and vitality this Year of the Tiger. Good health is the blessing that all of us could do with regardless of who and where we are in life. 12 residents came together to select 2 neighbours as Community Fellows who would be responsible for executing initiatives that encourage healthier lifestyles and positive health-seeking behaviour. The Community Enablers Fellowship Programme is our new endeavour to support residents who are passionate about initiating and incubating a neighbourhood project that tackles a local concern or aspiration. We are aiming to appoint 6 Community Fellows from 3 different localities who …
Another Week Beyond – 2204
Dear friends, Since the start of the year, I have been sharing about our staff activities. Our commitment to decision making by consent, non-violent communication and encountering our failures. So, I thought that I will round off the month with today’s sharing in similar vein. The core purpose of our performance appraisal exercise is to facilitate team success, personal accountability, and professional development. I believe many people development professionals would not disagree with this, but they would add that it also an exercise to recognise and reward high performing employees. So, regardless of whether there is a financial reward or not, we …
Another Week Beyond – 2203
Dear friends, Twice a month, we have an in-house learning session among the staff we call Journey Beyond. These sessions are a “journey” because we never stop learning as we keep pace with work that constantly evolves. Importantly, these sessions are not just about professional skills and knowledge but our growth as a person. Often when we are journeying with others through difficult moments, it is not just what we can do but who we can be. For instance, patience, care, respectfulness, or compassion are not exactly skills but qualities we need to embody. Our first session of the new year is …