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Initiatives like these may boost kids’ self-confidence, but their benefits ripple outwards.<\/p>\n
According to senior community worker Cheryl Gan, many of the children in the Boon Lay area where Tak Takut Kids Club operates are “latchkey kids” who are unsupervised after school as many parents work different shifts, or have grandparents as their main caregiver.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ya Xuan said it is not uncommon to see adults drinking and smoking at the playground<\/span> during the day, in plain sight of kids wandering around the neighbourhood after school.<\/span><\/p>\n “A good percentage of kids are quite autonomous, but that can be very dangerous also,” said Ms Gan.<\/span><\/p>\n While running club activities, the team also looks out for signs that may suggest problems or issues the children may be facing at home, such as abuse, parents’ incarcerations, academic challenges or grooming issues.<\/span><\/p>\n The club is intentionally designed to encourage children to develop an interest in community connections and take up leadership roles \u2013 a “more kind, caring” environment where kids can “learn better behaviours”, said Ya Xuan.<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Gan said: “The impact is doubled, because \u2026 it’s not us telling them what to do. It’s their own community members influencing them.”<\/p>\n Education Minister Desmond Lee \u2013 who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for the Boon Lay area \u2013 told CNA TODAY that he has seen many children grow into caring, confident young adults with the club’s support. Boon Lay is part of West Coast-Jurong West Group Representation Constituency.<\/span><\/p>\n “When youths from vulnerable backgrounds step forward to serve, they gain a greater sense of purpose, grow in confidence and recognise that they too can contribute to the community,” said Mr Lee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “The residents they serve often feel a stronger sense of trust and connection, knowing that support is coming from someone who (comes) from similar circumstances and understands their journey.”<\/span><\/p>\n In Lengkok Bahru, the emergency response team members have become young experts of the area. They’re now adept at picking up on subtle signs they might have overlooked before \u2013 for example, that a foul smell that may indicate animal hoarding or an elderly neighbour in distress.<\/span><\/p>\n Zuanita and Nur’s mother is Ms Nasita Nasrul, 32, who works in a community and operations role in a social enterprise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “We just moved in here about a year ago, so I’m still learning about the neighbours as well,” she said. “Now, (after patrolling with the team), they know which neighbours need help and what they can do better.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n