Gratitude and joy filled the air at the year-end Community Carnival held on 18 November 2023, thanks to the collaborative effort by DBS Bank, Yishun Family Service @ Children’s Society (YFC) and the centre’s community volunteers. The event saw a heartwarming reversal of roles, as beneficiaries turned into contributors, transforming the carnival space into a party of community spirit and connection with the participation of over 200 Yishun residents.
Over the past year, the YFC Community Work team has inculcated the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach in its practice. ABCD believes that individuals and families have innate strengths and capacities and can be organised together to support their own community – the Community Carnival was exactly that.
Instead of simply organising the event for the community, the staff team at YFC gathered a group of like-minded community volunteers who had indicated their interest to do more for their community. These volunteers came together to brainstorm and plan out how they would like the carnival to be. They also volunteered alongside DBS employees on the day of the event.
The fruits of their labour were a testament to their talents and capabilities. During the event, one of the community volunteers took to the stage as an emcee for the first time in his life. His debut performance created a memorable moment for everyone present. Another volunteer, Mr Adam Syah, also graced the event with his musical talent (Side note: He gained traction on TikTok for playing the piano at the Sharing Corner set up by YFC)!
Children from the Kaki Learn* programme were also involved in managing various carnival booths alongside DBS volunteers. They showcased their entrepreneurial spirit and left participants in awe of their talent and enthusiasm. Carnival participants were also treated to delectable delights made by the talented home-based business cooks from Project Cook#.
The overall collaboration was incredible to say the least – it was one that weaved together moments of joy and the community spirit, and showcased the dedication and talents of the community beyond what most can see. It was a reminder for everyone to look beyond the needs and problems of individuals, families, and communities, to recognise the assets and strengths that they possess and leverage on them to build a vibrant and empowered community.
*Kaki Learn is an education-based children’s network for children 12 years old and below from lower-income families and provides these children access to academic and enrichment programmes. To find out more, click here.
#Project Cook provides a platform for Yishun community members to develop and nurture their home-based food businesses through connection building and resource sharing. To read more about it, click here.
We are currently recruiting new cooks! Please reach out to lspeh@childrensociety.org.sg/jyhong@childrensociety.org.sg if you are interested or know anyone who might be interested.
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