Dear Friends, Since March this year, parents from 2 families found it extremely awkward whenever they bumped into each other. Both mothers were also involved in our baking projects, but they cooperated dutifully in the interest of finishing the work. So, it was much relief to both families that they are on speaking terms once again after attending a family group conference for the care and supervision of an 8-year-old boy we shall call Eddie. About 3 months ago, Eddie was watching over his 6-year-old brother who was having fun on a skate scooter. After whizzing around the playground on …
Another Week Beyond – 1929
DearFriends, Two months ago, 52-year-old Hasan had a high fever and while waiting to see the doctor at the polyclinic, a nurse approached him to have his blood pressure taken. He was rather reluctant as he did not want to hear more bad news but was cheered when he was complimented for having a normal reading. A few days later when he was feeling better, he walked past a roadshow by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and noticed that there was a counter helping visitors to check their blood pressure. He took another reading and was delighted to learn that …
Another Week Beyond – 1928
Dear Friends, For a while now, residents and other stakeholders in a neighbourhood we work in have been expressing their concern about youth who have gotten into trouble with the law as well as those whom they feel are in danger of doing so. “What is Beyond going to do about it?” is a question that is frequently asked of us but our response that “We will work alongside those who would like to act on these concerns,” is not an answer some find satisfying. It is flattering being in a position of a problem-solver but when we hit the …
Another Week Beyond – 1927
Dear Friends 55 youth aged from 12 to 23 years old finished a 50km cycling trip last Saturday morning. They started off at East Coast Park at 10pm on Friday evening, headed toward Changi and looped back passing through Pasir Ris and Bedok Reservoir. They were exhausted and some had minor cuts and bruises, but they were all in good spirts and feeling rather proud of themselves. Many were on such a trip for the first time and finishing the strenuous physical activity was a satisfying achievement. We were proud of them too, especially the 15 who organized the activity. …
Another Week Beyond – 1926
DearFriends About 6 years ago, the residents at the Henderson Neighbourhood showed us the meaning of local leadership and how a caring community could be an important factor that kept children out of trouble. However, like everything else, a group has a lifespan and in between its inception and its closure there are the stages of development, maturity and decline. The Henderson Caring Community did not officially close but in the last couple years, it was also not exactly active. Hence, instead of simply letting the decline move toward closure, we are heartened that a few of its members decided …