Basket for Web

 Weekly column written for the Singapore Unbound newsletter. Sign up here.

In the Cherokee tale of the first fire, which my sixth-graders read as part of a unit on creation narratives from different faith traditions, a river divided the freezing animals from the burning sycamore tree. How to fetch fire back? The big and strong raven couldn't do it, and he was burned black when he tried. None of the owls could do it, earning red eyes and white eye rings in their attempts. The snakes tried, but the fire sent them swimming home. It was up to the unlikellest heroine, the water spider. Not only did she skip across the water, but she also spun her threads into a basket, into which she deposited a burning coal. 

At Singapore Unbound, we wish to imitate the little water spider. Internal discussions on labor equity are landing on the need to pay all team members, including interns, a monthly volunteer's stipend, not just after a year of service, but from the start. The reasons are compelling: (1) we want to recognize the immense value of volunteerism. No one is receiving a salary, but everyone should receive a small stipend so that their talent, time, and work are not taken for granted; (2) we want to lower the financial barrier to joining the team in any way we can; and (3) our supporters believe, as we do, that honest work should be paid and would love to learn more about the creative effort needed to bring all our programs and publications to you.

However, we are wary of falling into the web of perpetual fundraising. To avoid doing so, we must turn the web into the spider's trusty tusti bowl, which she carries on her back everywhere she goes. You may have noticed the new donation link at the top of our website. Now every article on SP Blog ends with the donation link too, in the event that you feel moved to make a generous donation after reading a beautiful poem, original story, insightful essay, informative review, or inspiring interview. In fact, we have big plans for SP Blog, and we can't wait to tell you all about them.

A trap may be turned into an elegant and useful receptacle. A web into a basket. Invention is the daughter of necessity, they say. Well, so is adaptation.

Jee Leong Koh
October 28, 2021

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