Moving toward community on a long board

[Gerard Ee Huck LIan]

Instead of looking for weaknesses that we can correct, we begin  to look for strengths that we can support.

Instead of looking for opportunities to do things to them or for them, we start to look at how we can learn from them.

 

With these principles in mind, some volunteers and us brought together  6 youths and 13 adults who resided in the same block to “build a dream” for their community.   There were also 25 young children who were related to these participants that came to the meeting. We helped to supervise them while their care-givers were engaged in discussions. After the morning session, a couple of our volunteers commented that they found the 6 youths and 13 adults inspiring. For them, it is always a challenge to give a little time to their friends, loved ones or someone deserving of help but these people actually cared about the people in their neighbourhood. These volunteers then remarked  that perhaps the primary purpose in life is to look out for each other.

 

On the other hand, our 6 youths and 13 adults also drew much strength from the presence of these volunteers. A 19 year old youth commented that he could not believe that a banker, a management consultant and a bunch of social workers actually wanted to learn from him. He then shared that he felt very good that people listened with interest and respect when he talked about himself and his experiences  This youth shared about how he dropped out of a vocational training programme because he was unhappy with the problems at home. He was discouraged and acted impulsively. Soon after, he got into trouble with the law but all that is behind him now as he finds much purpose and comfort being a part of this group that strives to improve their neighbourhood. He dreams of getting a long-boarding club going in the neighbourhood where he can pass on his skills.

 

Long-boarding, an off-shoot of skateboarding may seem like a frivolous activity for the serious adult but it is also an activity where young people can shoulder responsibility. Often when entrusted with responsibility, one experiences life in more positive light. A single mother of 7 children shared that she was often very lonely and discouraged. Whenever she returned from a visit to an office dispensing ”welfare”,  she felt even worst as she got a sense that the officers would have preferred not to see her.  Some months ago when she was alone at the void deck taking a break from her children, it dawned on her that the many children who were running around the void deck could be better cared for.  More importantly, she believed that she could make a difference. She started befriending these children, talked to the youths and just about everyone who lived in her block. Soon her neighbours regarded her as their leader and they worked as a group to organise activities for themselves and the neighbourhood.

 

If people in communities realize that they have the confidence, opportunities and the voice to talk with each other, then they can do things by themselves. If such, we will not be directing them or even guiding them, but accompanying them on their journey. When such, we will learn more from the people that we work with.

 

Enjoy your weekend.

Gerard