Dear Friends Since the first day of work this year, we have been discussing in our different teams what it means for our members to have ownership of the challenges we are working together on. We questioned the value of the tasks we had completed in the name of progress. These activities were listed in our plans as indicators of success but on hindsight, they would be more accurately described as exploratory efforts. Our teams are organised to achieve specific objectives that arguably are rather abstract. For example, the nurturance of neighbourhoods with a restorative problem solving climate, a culture of employment …
Another Week Beyond – 2102
Dear Friends We bumped into Farhana, an 11-year-old as she was skateboarding in her neighbourhood. A week ago, a family we knew had introduced her to us incidentally and she nodded nonchalantly as we caught her eye. Farhana is the oldest of 5 siblings and cared for by her grandmother when dad is at work. When we got within speaking distance, we asked her for a minute of her time. We told her that we had a lot of toys and school bags which we thought children in her neighbourhood would appreciate. However, we did not know many families living there …
Another Week Beyond – 2101
Dear Friends Happy New Year! As we are now in Phase 3 and gradually expanding the domains of our work and personal lives, we have much to be grateful for and optimistic about. In the later part of this year, schools will implement home-based learning as a regular part of their routine, and I suppose virtual meetings and working from home will continue at the workplace. Virtual meetings and learning while not always preferred or ideal, have been the gains of the pandemic that we will take advantage of whenever appropriate or desired. Another gain has been the stark demonstration of …
Another Week Beyond – 2052
Coco, Addie and Xavi aged 10, 7 and 5 respectively, knocked on our office door tentatively with their mom. In accordance with safety directives, our doors are still closed but it would have been most improper if we had not welcomed them. These 3 angels had used up their Christmas gift money to purchase 6 “back-to-school” packs worth $50 each for children who needed them. Happy Christmas and wishing you every blessing of the Season. I was deeply touched by how Coco, Addie and Xavi spared a thought for children who had less, and their gesture got me thinking that we have …
Another Week Beyond – 2051
Dear Friends “What would you buy if you had a million dollars?” Ian, a Beyond intern, posed the question to siblings Nurul and Putra, aged 11 and 12, respectively. Predictably, the kids talked about nice homes, cars and perhaps not sure what wealth will bring, they said that they will hire security guards for their homes too. This hypothetical question was another make-believe activity for the children, but for Ian, he was trying to fulfil a request from their mother. She had come to him asking for help to speak to her children about their family’s financial situation. Contrary to their …
Another Week Beyond – 2050
Dear Friends We are in the midst of a study to understand the issue of food (in)security among our members. Being part of a culture where “Have you eaten?” is an innocuous greeting among people, for our members, the pleasantry is a stark reminder of their paucity. Nonetheless, polite responses such as, “Oh yes I had something earlier, thank you” or “Not yet but later when I am hungry” would be likely answers. Many adapt to their challenges and eventually accept their circumstances as normal. The United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security determines that food security exists when “all people, at …
Another Week Beyond – 2049
Dear Friends After a severe illness, Haslinda kept to herself most of the time. She was aware of our presence in her neighbourhood but never felt inclined to join the activities she was invited to. 3 months ago, a neighbour told her that we were looking for skilled seamstresses to produce face masks. With many years of experience sewing curtains, sofa covers and such before she fell ill, she decided to check out the opportunity. With the help of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, we are evaluating our income generation projects and when asked how it has been …
Another Week Beyond – 2048
Dear Friends, Our Digital and Family Competence Enabling Team (AWB – 2033 & AWB – 2037) finished their 3-month stint and we were speaking with the 4 women involved to better appreciate their experience. This was their first experience with white collar work and were entrusted with coordinating applications for digital and financial assistance after some basic training in the use of spreadsheets. All 4 women are recipients of such assistance themselves, have heavy care-giving responsibilities and were only able to take on this task because they had the flexibility to organize their own work hours. These women were proud that they met …
Another Week Beyond – 2047
Dear Friends An 11-year-old girl waited her turn timidly in the safe-distancing queue and when we asked if she was alone, she said. “Yes, mummy does not like these things.” Nonetheless, we ushered her into our premises to receive her food, goodie bag and a note of encouragement acknowledging her efforts at school. Around this time every year, we hold a Celebration of Learning to affirm our young people’s learning efforts. So, from 10 am to 6 pm last Sunday, young people and their families arrived at their assigned time slot and we were so glad that even without the music, a …