Marilyn Ann's Posts - Community life competence2024-03-28T11:45:27ZMarilyn Annhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/MarilynAnnhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2523256573?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2bk1zr1jnekda&xn_auth=noSALT – It’s a WAY of LIFE indeed! =)tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2012-05-03:2028109:BlogPost:960972012-05-03T17:13:46.000ZMarilyn Annhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/MarilynAnn
<p>On Sunday, we had a soccer friendly amongst the youths and J.P Morgan. Since <b>Boy A</b> helped me to co-ordinate everything and was the I/C I sent him an SMS saying “You make an awesome youth leader, you guys did great today! Thanks for everything” His reply was “your welcome, I just want to make sure everything goes by plan. I won’t give up on those around me. I may get mad at times, but I would control”</p>
<p><b><i>If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another…</i></b></p>
<p>On Sunday, we had a soccer friendly amongst the youths and J.P Morgan. Since <b>Boy A</b> helped me to co-ordinate everything and was the I/C I sent him an SMS saying “You make an awesome youth leader, you guys did great today! Thanks for everything” His reply was “your welcome, I just want to make sure everything goes by plan. I won’t give up on those around me. I may get mad at times, but I would control”</p>
<p><b><i>If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down. -Mary Pickford</i></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>On Monday, to my delight, I came across this:</p>
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<p><b>“Guys, I need everyone's contact number. We need to do some team bonding. We'll have a meeting soon. I need to keep you all updated. Thanks. The tournament is in 1 month time. We need to train, have some meetings & chill together to get to know each other much better. Hope everyone turns up for every session. Thanks for understanding and do co-operate. - Your Sincere Team Captain”</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>He posted those words on a facebook group which they recently added me on.</p>
<p>This were the exact words of an 18 year old youth who has been with Beyond since he was in primary school. He’s been through a lot in life and those who knew him would have much to say. His life was a roller-coaster and his younger brother used to be ever so fearful of <b>Boy A</b>. Time passed by, things got better and I’m happy to say that <b>Boy A</b> is now an active member of the Henderson community. The fact that there is so much hope within himself for a better life ahead of him is enough for him to be an inspiration to his fellow comrades.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>These were the comments from two other youth in response to <b>Boy A’s post.</b></p>
<p><br/><i>1) “Dude! great to hear, that u are taking initiative to bring all the Henderson youth's n get them to bond n understand each other! <b>Proud of you Bro! Hail Boy A!</b></i></p>
<p><i>2) “Great to see you doing this. You such a good leader. Proud of you man”</i></p>
<p><b><i>Boy A’s reply:<br/></i></b>“Hey. Thanks! Seriously appreciate the comments. <b>I'm back on track guys”</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>When I read all of this last night, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. It’s simply amazing how these youth, despite their personal struggles and challenges they face, take the time to affirm and encourage one another.</p>
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<p>After smiling to my laptop screen for about 5 minutes, like a little mad kid, I sent an SMS to <b>boy A</b> to say “ you have no idea how proud I am of you! Glad to know you’re back on track! Stay focused and live your dreams! Always remember that we’re here for you.. I’ve got your back” =)</p>
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<p><b>Boy A</b> then replied to say “Hey! Thanks! Yeah, I’m back on track because I know that I’m not alone. I’m still living my dream. I will one day make everyone proud. Life has plenty of things to do. I’m not just doing for myself, but for everyone. I will share my dreams when I meet you k sis? “</p>
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<p>Doesnt life just become so much more beautiful when people are able to accept one another’s differences and journey alongside through it all? Knowing that one is not ALONE makes a HUGE difference. These youth who have no idea about what “SALT” is are already practicing the principles of SALT in their daily lives.</p>
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<p>Honestly, after knowing <b>Boy A</b> for a long time now and having known his past, it’s not easy to believe all he says as we know sometimes he adds salt n pepper in conversations. However, a colleague and I have told ourselves that everyone deserves a second chance and people do change. <b>We have made it a point not to judge Boy A according to <u>what he WAS</u>, but to be there for him and to support him <u>as he tries his best to become the person he wants to BECOME.</u></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>SALT is a way of life for me and for these youth. I wish for all of you to make it a part of yours too if it isnt already. I must admit, it is not the easiest to practice, but it’s worth the try! =)</p>
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<p><b><i>“<a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/i_am_here_again-in_a_familiar_place_feeling/258336.html">I am here again, in a familiar place feeling something I've felt before, wondering why it's still here, why I didn't deal with it more fully before. But I'm glad I have a second chance at it ... and I know that if I need a third chance, I'll get it. I also know that if it comes up again, I'll recognize it sooner and deal with it more readily. This is growth. And, I am happy to be alive.</a>”</i></b></p>
<p><b><i><a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotes/jan_denise/">Jan Denise</a></i></b></p>“The Power of WE”tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2012-03-28:2028109:BlogPost:947332012-03-28T18:40:56.000ZMarilyn Annhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/MarilynAnn
<p>The question of how to develop and strengthen the social capital of the community has been on my mind over the past months as I walked around the neighbourhood of Henderson. It was by coincidence that two of my teammates chanced upon a small notice in the RC about an upcoming youth volunteers meeting.</p>
<p>Last Friday night, my colleague Anne and I attended the <strong>“Youth Volunteers Network”</strong> meeting that was initiated by a 15 year old Youth leader of the Henderson RC. We…</p>
<p>The question of how to develop and strengthen the social capital of the community has been on my mind over the past months as I walked around the neighbourhood of Henderson. It was by coincidence that two of my teammates chanced upon a small notice in the RC about an upcoming youth volunteers meeting.</p>
<p>Last Friday night, my colleague Anne and I attended the <strong>“Youth Volunteers Network”</strong> meeting that was initiated by a 15 year old Youth leader of the Henderson RC. We contacted them to ask if it was okay if we attended the meeting. Anne and I went down with the intention to just listen to what’s been planned. Little did we know, we were going to be overwhelmed by the ideas and suggestions that were discussed.</p>
<p>Just to share two points which I was in complete AWE of! The volunteer committee came up with the idea of having a tuition programme for children/youth once a week. This was with the aim of helping those who were struggling to even complete their homework. In the hopes of finding some volunteers to run this programme, this youth leader contacted his former teachers to ask them if they would be keen to volunteer to teach the children English as he realised that many children could barely read.</p>
<p>To his surprise, they were very forthcoming and he managed to get five teachers to come down every Sunday to run the programme. As some of us might already know, Henderson was voted the “dirtiest estate” in Singapore! Thus, on Sunday, there was a “Happy Block Campaign (My Estate, My Home, My Pride)” where many residents gathered to pick up litter around the neighbourhood. I was amazed when the youth leader mentioned that he informed his school principal about it, and that his principal made an announcement during morning assembly to encourage students to volunteer! In addition to that, they are also planning their very own volunteer training that is planned to take place sometime next month.</p>
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<p>At the end of the day, I was just sitting there in COMPLETE AWE of the great leadership potential this 15 year old displayed...... and I still am by the way!!! =) =) =) Anne and I shared with them what Beyond’s currently doing and said that we would love to be a part of their future discussions as well. We suggested that since we are both trying to do quite similar things, it would be great to collaborate and work together towards the goals for the community.</p>
<p>Indeed, <strong>GREAT things happen when we work in collaboration and not compete against one another.</strong></p>
<p><strong>3 lessons learned for me this time!</strong></p>
<p>1) Had it not been for my 2 colleagues, I would have missed out on this great opportunity to attend the meeting (<strong>TEAMWORK</strong> is KEY at all times)</p>
<p>2) Acknowledging the fact that no matter WHO we are or who we represent, we are all on a <strong>learning Journey</strong> <strong>TOGETHER and we can LEARN from one another.</strong> In order to learn, we’ve got to also be OPEN to change, and keep in mind that we don’t always have the answers to each situation.</p>
<p>3) If not for <strong>collaboration and communication</strong> we would have found ourselves struggling to reach out to the SAME target audience to achieve a common goal, separately! In just two hours, I was reminded that I should not underestimate the POWER of WE and that I should be open to the various opportunities of learning from the “EXPERTS” which are the residents themselves.</p>
<p><em><strong>A man not only needs to know how to fish, he needs to have the freedom to do it and a place to do it. That’s where community comes in. We have to help each other. </strong></em></p>Simplicity is BLISS!tag:aidscompetence.ning.com,2012-03-14:2028109:BlogPost:935762012-03-14T14:25:42.000ZMarilyn Annhttps://aidscompetence.ning.com/profile/MarilynAnn
<p><strong>As defined - Social Work</strong> is a professional and academic discipline committed to the pursuit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice" title="Social justice">social justice</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights" title="Human rights">human rights</a>.</p>
<p>Yes, no doubt it's a profession! However, personally I see social work more as a vocation rather than a JOB that requires so much "fakeness" just cause it's a PROFESSION! It's sad to see…</p>
<p><strong>As defined - Social Work</strong> is a professional and academic discipline committed to the pursuit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice" title="Social justice">social justice</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights" title="Human rights">human rights</a>.</p>
<p>Yes, no doubt it's a profession! However, personally I see social work more as a vocation rather than a JOB that requires so much "fakeness" just cause it's a PROFESSION! It's sad to see how much the field of social work has evolved into becoming so "industrialised" thus involving many complicating factors! <span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage"> </span></p>
<p><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage">It brings me much joy however, to say that NOT EVERYBODY has been "brainwashed" into thinking like that! There are still many out there who still treat the service users of welfare organizations with much RESPECT and dignity!<br/></span></p>
<p><br/><strong>To me.......</strong></p>
<p><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage">In our small little ways, we can all <strong>make a difference</strong> with <strong>HELPING hands</strong>, a <strong>GENUINE smile</strong> =), <strong>KIND words</strong>, and a <strong>LOVING heart</strong>. ♥ It's as simple as that REALLY!!!</span></p>
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<p><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage">food for thought. . . <br/><br/>Cheers,</span></p>
<p><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage">Marilyn <br/></span></p>
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