Marking 20 years of helping neighbours make peace

Be it quarrels over noise, smoke or even a broom, the Community Mediation Centre, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has seen it all. Cara Wong speaks to three volunteer mediators to find out how they have helped to resolve such spats.

Madam Kamaria Djorimi, Mr Benjamin Chua and Mr G. Anthony Samy are among some 150 volunteer mediators with the Community Mediation Centre, which handles about 500 disputes each year.
Madam Kamaria Djorimi, Mr Benjamin Chua and Mr G. Anthony Samy are among some 150 volunteer mediators with the Community Mediation Centre, which handles about 500 disputes each year. ST PHOTO: KHALID BABA
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In nearly 20 years as a mediator, Madam Kamaria Djorimi has found that it is best to keep silent when dealing with bickering parties.

"When there's silence, there's this magic where parties will stop and reflect... and they can see that the solution is there," said Madam Kamaria, who is in her 50s.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 08, 2018, with the headline Marking 20 years of helping neighbours make peace. Subscribe