My involvement with the grassroots stretched some time back when I was unhappy with the turn of events in my estate. Naturally, I voiced several suggestions on ways to improve the estate. As time went on, I was subsequently invited to meetings for my feedback and I gradually became drawn into a consultative process.

Despite their heavy schedules, members of the Residents’ Committee (RC) still found time to try and improve the estate. Instead of shooting from the sidelines, I became part of the process. It was gratifying to be able to voice my concerns about the estate and have my suggestions taken seriously. I soon realised that if the complaints were fair and benefitted the whole community, it usually gets heard and steps would be taken to address the complaints.

In other words, it was a first-hand experience in managing my own estate expeditiously. I also realised that some problems could not be solved with a mere telephone call but more importantly, the channels to process the complaints became clearer to me. For someone who initially thought that community work was meant for those who had nothing better to do, that misconception took a beating. When I tried to find meaning in why anyone would want to get involved, there was no single answer. It was like a calling; you do it because you wanted to do it.

The process of going from door-to-door was a humbling experience as some residents would have nothing to do with you and regarded you as a busybody. However, with some perserverance and friendly "eye-and-hand" contact, door-slamming soon became a thing of the past.

Instead of depending on the karang guni to collect the old newspapers and clothes, we decided to raise funds for the RC. That meant going to every floor, knocking on doors and carrying the newspapers and clothes to a collection point. Although the funds were paltry and the efforts labour-intensive, it became an experience of camaraderie amongst the members.

It was also a bonding experience when our own family members were involved. I remembered my son enjoying the co-ordination process and felt somewhat important about his role in the fund-raising. Perhaps one day he would give up some of his time for community service.

Soon this went beyond my own estate and to the constituency. The ability to gel with yet another diverse group committed to helping the community was indeed an experience that would last a lifetime. The friendship, the gatherings and the extension of the friendly network did have a change in my lifestyle. Instead of just concentrating on my personal pursuits, I became further drawn to activities of a larger scale. I was appointed the editor of the community magazine – something which I had totally no experience in. But with the help from members and the willingness to endure, I soon learnt the tools for producing a simple publication.

I found that many residents might not have the resources to enjoy themselves as they were unable to afford country clubs. Thus, festivals and celebrations in the estate became focal points in their lives. Call it social engineering but the establishment of social contacts made the introductions much easier. It was indeed gratifying to observe residents’ lives turning out to be more colourful and memorable, if not more fulfilling. Soon it became a positive obsession to keep fit, learn cooking, dance and socialise whenever there was an opportunity to do so in the estate. For this group of residents, they became the life of the estate. Community bonding events became more focused and residents now have better neighbourly interactions, hence removing earlier misconceptions of one another.

Many community leaders were able to galvanise fund-raising projects and other mega events. They had the belief system that nothing was too big to handle. Through the regular meetings and social interactions, I soon found a core group of volunteers with a heart for the community. Some had time, others had money, contacts or skills but most importantly, they were all committed to better the lives of others. I began to see that when grassroots leaders objected to some policies, they were just as vocal as members of the public. With feedback from the grassroots, public funds would be more prudently spent.

I feel that the youth has a lot of potential in rejuvenating the grassroots organisations. Efforts must not be spared in getting them into mainstream community work. Youth groups work well when they have a core group who is willing to sacrifice their time to plan out activities for the community. Sadly, such core groups are few and far between and my impression is that there is a general dearth of activities for youths. The problem can also be due to timing as at that point of their lives, they are probably living their dreams. Hence they may not want to focus on community work. Also, they may prefer not to work with the older age groups. Perhaps working or affiliating with youth organisations will be more appropriate. These organisations can work out activities for community organisations from their own level and need not worry about some of the trivialities of community work.

I am appreciative of what the government has done and it is up to me to improve the areas that are lacking and be active in the process of change. A good government provides a framework for better standards of living and it is up to each and every one of us to build on this framework.

Although everyone is busy, I find that if it is my ultimate desire to be of help to the community I will find that time. And in everything that one does, there must be a spark, fire or passion. Otherwise, everything else fails and it is better not to have started.

Community work can be meaningful and often touches the lives of others directly or indirectly. For many, community work is an extension of the self and a willingness to be part of a greater community participating in nation-building. A bonded community at peace is a strong and united community in the face of difficulties. Community participation can help fill in the gaps and missing links of a good government.

Ask not what meaning one can derive from community work but rather ask how much more meaning it would be to the many less fortunate.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Dr Chua Ee Kiam is the Assistant Secretary of Telok Blangah Community Club Management Committee.


The article is published with permission from the National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI). Source: Journal On Active CommUnity, Volume 2 Issue 2, January 2002. website:www.nacli.org.sg