Blog 1: Ideal Victim

Community: Volunteers and members of Migrant Writers of Singapore

Activities -  actions people take to reach their goal -  how people behave to reach their (simple/complex) goals	Migrant Storytelling Festival Preparation work Mary and some other volunteers were dutifully setting up the event area at NLB Level 1. Books written by migrant workers were placed on display. The videographer was setting up her phone and tripod in the middle of the function room. I set up the laptop provided by the library and tested the sound system. [sight]  Some of the ladies were packing the goodie bags outside, with free books and water provided by Sing Lit Station. After packing the goodie bags, they started doing makeup for each other and also curling their hair in the waiting area outside the function room. Plosive sounds distinctive of Tagalog filled the air. There was the smell of powder in the air as they were dolling up. [sight, sound, smell]  Performances There was a dance performance by 4-5 of the migrants. Before the start of the event, they were rehearsed in time with the music a handful of times. The music they chose was “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns, an English song with encouraging lyrics. [sight, sound] During the storytelling event, migrants and locals both told harrowing and heartfelt stories that tugged at the heartstrings of the audience members. At the same time, an artist was commissioned to draw out the stories. We saw vibrant colours painted out on a rough canvas, depicting stories of migration, courage and perseverance. [sight, touch, sound] Break Around 90 minutes into the performance, Mary asked me if we could allow the audience to eat while watching the performance, as she was worried that the performances would not end in time.  We made the announcement, and some volunteers gave out biscuits and chocolate rolls. We could hear the packets being ripped open and some participants wolfing down the biscuits. The National Library Board allowed us to have food in the function room, though usually food is prohibited in libraries. [sound, sight]   End At the end of the event, chairs were no longer in their original rows, the floor was littered with biscuit crumbs, and the volunteers were scrambling to have their group selfies to post on their social media. Only one or two volunteers joined me in aligning the chairs so that we can return the room to the NLB staff. I used toilet paper to scoop up some of the crumbs, but with no other cleaning tool available, the result was not satisfactory. [sight] Feedback from Susan, a volunteer Susan was very lively and animated as she began the conversation by sharing about the vibrant personalities she met while volunteering. [sight, sound] Halfway through, Susan had many interesting reflections that I would not have thought of.  ‘It’s really amazing that they are very vocal. Some also have good leadership qualities. It’s not what I would have expected before I came to volunteer.’ ‘If I were a minority and from an underprivileged group, I would try to come earlier for sessions.’  ‘They don’t clean up after themselves.’  ‘They like to gather together to drink alcohol and…’ She breaks off and doesn’t really continue on. Her eyes averted my gaze.
Environment -  overall setting in which the activities are taking place -  how people behave in this particular setting	Migrant Storytelling Festival Beginning Cool air was blowing strongly at me as I first entered the function room. [touch] The floor was smooth, spotless and squeaky clean. [touch, sight] The chairs were arranged very neatly. [sight] Middle Rousing applause from the audience members. Some were crying as they empathised with the storytellers. Many raised their phone cameras to record their fellow migrant friends performing. [sight, sound] End There were crumbs from biscuits left on the floor and the chairs were messily arranged. [sight] Feedback from Susan, a volunteer Noisy environment in the canteen [sound, sight]
Interactions -  the basic interactions occurring for people to reach goals -  what effect do people have on activities and the environment?	Migrant Storytelling Festival  Volunteers interacting with one another to prepare for the event and conduct last-minute rehearsals  Volunteers helping out during the event and ushering audience members in or giving them snacks. Audience members cried as they were hearing the stories. A few volunteers helped out with arranging the chairs neatly at the end of the event. Feedback from Susan, a volunteer Susan was giving me feedback and asking for advice as I have been volunteering with the Migrant Writers of Singapore for the past 5 years.
Objects - What are all the different elements that form the environment? - How do objects relate to people, activities and interactions?	Migrant Storytelling Festival  Tools which the artist used  Used to interact with the storyteller Microphones Used by the storyteller to weave a beautiful story Projector and slides  Used by the emcee to introduce the programmes for the day Snacks  Given to audience members Ended up dirtying the floor Certificates of appreciation for volunteers Feedback from Susan Food and cutlery
Users -  the main groups / individuals being observed -  How do they engage with other groups / individuals to reach their goals?	Volunteers from Migrant Writers of Singapore (MWS) -- mostly from the Philippines, Susan, and myself. Audience members -- migrant and local  NLB library staff

Clues (similar details grouped together, or anomalies of interest)	Codes (themes / concepts)
Migrant Storytelling Festival  Volunteers interacting with one another to prepare for the event and conduct last-minute rehearsals  Volunteers helping out during the event and ushering audience members in or giving them snacks. Audience members crying as they were hearing the stories. Presenters dancing, telling stories, painting. Few volunteers helping out with arranging the chairs neatly at the end of the event.	Organised, vibrant, empathetic community.  There seems to be a lot of people who love performing who join such events, but they don’t really like helping out with admin or back-end work, which is why things like this happen.
Halfway through, Susan had many interesting reflections that I would not have thought of.  ‘It’s really amazing that they are very vocal. Some also have good leadership qualities. It’s not what I would have expected before I came to volunteer.’ ‘If I were a minority and from an underprivileged group, I would try to come earlier for sessions.’  ‘They don’t clean up after themselves.’  ‘They like to gather together to drink alcohol and…’ She breaks off and doesn’t really continue on. Her eyes averted my gaze.	Preconceived notions about what an underprivileged group/ people needing help should behave
End At the end of the event, chairs were no longer in their original rows, the floor was littered with biscuit crumbs, and the volunteers were scrambling to have their group selfies to post on their social media. Only one or two volunteers joined me in neatening the chairs so that we can return the room to the NLB staff. I used toilet paper to scoop up some of the crumbs, but with no other cleaning tool available, the result was not satisfactory. [sight]	migrant volunteers did not help to clean; it was mostly left to me as I felt responsible for the organisation. I have also worked with NLB before and I know that we should return the room in proper condition so that we can continue our partnership.
Implications (use hedges, consider the deeper significance of the themes / concepts) Organised, vibrant, empathetic community → Essential in Singapore as they face a wide range of social, political and legal issues as a migrant worker, and require a good support system.  Preconceived notions about the underprivileged → Will it affect our choice to help them or not, depending on whether they fit into our impression of what someone deserving of help is supposed to be like? Migrant volunteers not cleaning after the event → Is this human nature, or is this ‘laziness’ specific to the migrant community?