Author: Arman ShahPage 29 of 32
A former travel writer with fond memories of solo adventures in Southeast Asia, Arman is now founder and editor of The Everyday People.
If you ever see him approaching with a camera and voice recorder in hand, please choose kindness and don’t decline his request for an interview.
Joining the crowds on their trek along Serangoon Road, resident photographer Kurt Ganapathy captures the essence of the annual festivities.
In the real world, there will always be underprivileged people who are struggling every day. But where ex-offenders and their children are concerned, I think there is a need for a change in how the community perceives them…
But I want women out there to know I understand what you’re going through, and I just hope to be an inspiration to you. Just stay positive, get the necessary treatment, and everything will be alright. It’s not the end of the world. There is life after cancer.
There’s nothing complex about how I’m going about doing it. I don’t have to be a politician or impact the world in some grand way. If I can just be a friend to somebody, especially somebody in need, that fills my heart with joy…
Now that I’m out, my daughter and I are able to really build our relationship. Our first meeting was very weird and awkward, of course. We didn’t really talk much. I’d speak a word and she’d reply with a single word. But I’m happy that she is slowly starting to open up more…
Looking back upon my life, what I’ve really learnt is the importance of resilience; persist no matter what. I always ask my kids, ‘Do you remember what we went through? Never forget that. Because that period made you so much stronger.’
We want to let these kids see the light in their situations so that they don’t focus on their parents’ problems. By linking them up with mentors who are there to provide healthy influence in their lives, hopefully these kids will be motivated to move towards a positive direction.
Are you ready for this sea of pink? Check out these stunning pictures by Kurt Ganapathy of the annual Pink Ribbon Walk that aims to bring hope and raise awareness of breast cancer in Singapore.
I think the greatest joy of what I do is making a positive impact on someone’s life. Education can really improve someone’s life for the better. When a person is better educated, s/he will be able to contribute meaningfully to society and pay it forward to the rest of the community, as was the case for me.
You can’t expect a 10-year-old to understand the world – even at 68, I still don’t understand the world either. And I know that my relationship with a mentee might not last more than two years, but hopefully when he grows up, whatever impression I’ve had on him will help him in the future.
ISCOS is preventing ex-offenders from returning to the world of crime and helping them become useful citizens of our society. Getting a job can be difficult if you have a record. I hope the public understands their plight and supports them.
Yes, I feel blessed right now. My husband and I are working hard to create a good life for our family. Whenever I’m tempted to do anything bad, I just look at my children’s faces as they remind me of what’s important. I’ve lost my son; I don’t want to lose anything else.
Unless you’ve been through the ecosystem, it really is an entirely different world. The reality of what they go through is really quite difficult. If you believe that someone deserves a second chance, you should sign up as well.
And in an ideal world where we can really make a difference, I want our students to discover and harness the community’s resources so that marginalised groups will be self-motivated to realise their own dreams and aspirations…
Yes, I feel happy and satisfied now. My full-time job helps pay the bills, but the work I do here keeps me feeling fulfilled. To call it a calling would be an exaggeration, but I do feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I can at least contribute something worthwhile back to society.
But the kids at the school don’t label me. They’re only 14, 15 and 16-years old, but not as judgemental as the adults. Instead of pushing me away, they welcomed me into their circles. It’s an experience I cannot find anywhere else, and I’m very happy to be here.
Don’t volunteer for the sake of volunteering; volunteer with commitment and heart. Just know that the universe works in funny ways. The more you give, the more you will get. Stick to this belief and volunteer work won’t be a hassle.
I think all the people who agreed to be part of the video intrinsically understood what being part of a family is, whatever that means to different people. Each of these profiles also have love for our country in some form or another, and I feel like we managed to capture that in each frame.
I think being genuine is the most important thing in my line of work. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. If the way you express yourself makes the ex-offender feel comfortable, he or she will find it easier to trust you.
Everyone makes mistakes, don’t they? But that’s all in the past. These ex-convicts have paid for their mistakes and are on the road to recovery, so why can’t they be treated fairly?