Reflection on ABCD Assembly
by our ABCD Community of Practice member, Roger Tan, SPD
The Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Assembly started with our Preface speaker, Jason sharing with us what ABCD is and how we can use this concept to promote an informal and organic space in the community. He shared a touching story about his aunt who collects used newspapers, someone I see everyday on the way to work. When Jason shared a picture of his aunt cleaning the wet floor with the used newspapers, I was then able to understand her objective for collecting the newspapers. She did this not to earn money, but rather she was concerned about passers-by possibly slipping and hence through her small efforts of placing newspapers on the wet floor, she hopes that no one will slip and fall.
Huijia, the Founding Director of Skillseed, shared with us Skillseed’s mission and why she started the organisation. Her sharing of how different community partners come together to make a difference in people’s lives helped me to realise that I can also make a difference in the lives of my clients in SPD. It was inspiring to see how Skillseed empowers and trains their participants and volunteers to become changemakers in their own spheres of influence and projects.
Following which, we had a panel discussion which was impactful for me as I learned and gained many insights during the session. The four panellists, Abhishek, Adrian, Wei Jie and Wira shared with us their experiences of applying an ABCD lens in their respective sectors of ground up initiatives, technology, business and the environment.
While it might be natural to focus on what we lack or need, the asset-based perspective helps us to be grateful and appreciative of what we already have. With the many challenges that organisers face, even though sometimes programmes may be messy on the ground but from the perspective of our clients, they enjoyed the programmes and it was meaningful for them. It reminded me of why I do the work that I do to run programmes in SPD. At times it may appear messy to me but it is fulfilling to see the smiles on their faces.
During the human library session with Abhishek, he shared with us his experiences and challenges when he started his ground-up initiative, Sixth Sense. I was impressed that he left his previous organisation to start this initiative, because he was driven by his passion to meet the gaps of the community. It was a timely reminder for me to have constant check-ins / reviews on the objectives of the programme in which I am heading in SPD. With these clear objectives in mind, I will not lose sight of my direction and it will help me to overcome all the challenges that I may face.
Finally, the ABCD Assembly wrapped up with a Head-Heart-Hands (H3) workshop conducted by Dione, where participants shared their many gifts of the Head, Heart and Hands. By listing them, we can see and appreciate that each of us come bearing gifts that we can tap on, complementing each other in the community. This activity encourages me to explore the gifts of the community I am working with and consider how I can tap on the different networks to make this community more organic.
Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to the organising committee who took the time and effort to plan this ABCD assembly and create a safe space for discussion and exchange of ideas. I am grateful and thankful to have spent this time to learn more and hear from different participants on their understanding of ABCD.
Good Job!