Pull corners to flip to next page
Welfare Ser vices Club
THE
BOOK OF
IGNITION 2008/09
3
CONTENTS08/09 Main Comm. 14 WSC in da house
EVENTS
19
8
Annual General Meeting Orientations Appreciation Night Life Skills Workshop Christmas Snack Making VH Beach Hunt
History 心不老 圣诞 派对
33 51
7 RSP VH A Bear in Vietnam
16
Article
4
Article
SENIORS
ELDERS FOC YOUTH VH ID HI OVE COR PATCHWORKS PnP PR SE MI VM FC CurL
Global Starvation
ARTICLE
40
A Bear in Vietnam Doing Good & The Feeling Good Factor Global Starvation: I am here or I’ll be here? Shop for Charity Patches of Hearts ELDERS
44 73
EVENTS 19
Christmas Song in Sign Language Performance PSSA Winner Movie Marathon Chinese Dumpling Festival Kite Making Workshop Ignite Change ‘09
SP COR
60
43
YOUTH
48
Asst. Hon. Gen.
Hon. Gen.
Development Unit
Development Officer
Publication and Publicity
PnP officer
Financial Controller
Finance Committee
Public Relations
Supporting Committees
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
COR Chairperson
Camp Outreach
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
CurL Chairperson
Challenge ur Limits
Special Projects
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
OVE Chairperson
Overseas Volunteering Expedition
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
Volunteer Manager
Volunteer Management
Volunteer Management
Elders
Vice President
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
Elders Coordinator
Vice President
President
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
ID Coordinator
Intellectually Disabled
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
HI Coordinator
Hearing Impaired
Business Manager
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
VH Coordinator
Visually Handicapped
Regular Service Projects
New WSC Structure
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
FOC Coordinator
Friends of Children
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
Youth (Boys) Coordinator
Youth
Publicity Liaison
Financial Controller
Youth (Girls) Coordinator
5
6 The Team Chief Editor Ng Boon Ming boon0915@gmail.com
Hi WSC Family!
Editorial
This is the first magazinestyled yearbook ever done in the history of WSC. I am so proud with the publication team that worked so hard with limited resources and time to pull out this issue. Great work guys and girls!
Assistant Chief Editor Goh Lam Chye lamchye@yahoo.com Event News Editor Leong Mang Yew placidwolf@hotmail.com Event News Editor Seow Ruqing smiley_rq@hotmail.com Graphics Editor Alex Chew Kar Yeong e_alex86@yahoo.com
Contributors Ooi Chin Hong ooic0004@ntu.edu.sg
To make it more worthwhile, this issue is also the “pre-celebration” of the coming15-anniverssary of WSC on 2009/10. Hopefully this book will inspire the coming committee to put out more effort into producing a high quality publication for WSC. Life is short. The size of the impact that you can make, well, doesn’t really important. What’s more important is how far would you do to make a change? Hence the theme for WSC this year --- “IGNITE CHANGE”. We are talking about trying to increase the awareness of the population in community service and ignite their passion to serve the society.
Lim Chun Ping lim.chunping@gmail.com Lam Jia Chyi jiachyi_lam@yahoo.com and the whole Publication Team working so hard and endlessly towards to final production of this yearbook. Thank You!
The challenge is hard. The stake is high. It would now depend on the incoming new blood to take over the job and I wish the new committee all the best in this coming year of challenges. Get ignited!
Layout Team Printed By
Ng Boon Ming boon0915@gmail.com
Fong Kem Goon, Gary hellokg584@hotmail.com
aNTZ design n print 9 Simei Street 4 #02-06 Singapore 529865 T:(65) 6786 4945 F:(65) 6785 4370 www.antz-dp.com
Book Cover Design
res
Welfare Ser vices Club
THE
BOOK OF
IGNITION
Volonta
ires
2008/09
Welfare Services Club Copyright Reserved 2009
Designed by Ng Boon Ming
Chew Kar Yeong, Alex e_alex86@yahoo.com
Pang Chong Wei cwpangmusician@hotmail.com
Published annually by Welfare Services Club, Publication team. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner in whole or part in English or other languages prohibited. The opinions expressed in BOOK of IGNITION are those of writers and are not necessarily endorsed by Welfare Services Club. Welfare Services Club accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies, or other materials. If you claim ownership of something we have published, we will be pleased to make a proper acknowledgement. Copyright 2009. Welfare Services Club is a registered student organisation from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. For any further enquiries you may write to us at WSC c/o Student Affairs Office, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 or fax to us at (65) 6316 5342 or email us at ntuwsc@ntu.edu.sg.
7
Yo! Listen up to
the President Year 2008 marks a very special and important occasion in the history of NTU Welfare Services Club (WSC). We are proud to say that we were awarded the President’s Social Service Award (PSSA) under the “Informal group” category. The PSSA is a prestigious award conferred to individuals, corporate organisations and Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) who have made outstanding contributions to the social service sector. The award reaffirmed WSC’s volunteering efforts for the past 14 years and undoubtedly rewarded our past and present volunteers for their selfless dedication and commitment to serving the underprivileged.
Onlookers often perceive our volunteering efforts as a worthy and noble cause. However, we ourselves are aware that we are merely doing what each and every fortunate student can do. That is to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate in whichever way we can. WSC’s mission is to promote and instil the spirit of volunteering into all NTU students and provide opportunities for them to give back to the society. For the past year, our Regular Service Projects (RSPs) continue to service their beneficiaries and integrat e them into the society. The Special Projects (SPs) seek to raise awareness for our beneficiaries by organisin g various outreach events. The Supporting Committees work to bond and shape the club, improving our image. It is impossible to summarise the satisfaction and joy derived from volunteering in a few words or sentence s. You have to experience it to know how it feels to be able to brighten up a person’s day, even when you feel that you did not do much. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every WSC volunteer for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Thank you taking time off to volunteer with WSC despite the heavy workload of a student. I would also like to thank those who participated in our activities. Your participation made a positive difference to the lives of our beneficiaries. On behalf of the 14th Management Committee, I want to thank all WSC volunteers and members for the relentless support and trust you have given to us. Thank you for voting us into office a year ago and giving us the opportunity to do our part for the Club and the society. WSC molded me into who I am today. I hope being in WSC made as huge an impact in your life as mine.
Gina Low Ren Feng
8
Ucit quis est ipit omnimpo rrorum et utatem laut verio doluptio volut faces deratium idusdae eatet volo blaut exped ea cus sequat vellor simus eos essitatibus, culpa dolectur restium, conectum apero molor sequam eribus nam volorpora dolupta sperumquid minis estiorem quiae voluptae sit eruptatis ipsus doloreriam, odi occae numet quae pa doluptati qui in pliandem eius ex es autaquas magnatur? Quibusam ipsam esecepe llessuntur a qui nonsequidem non corporibus ad qui nihilibusae et, sequatem quod quatiunt estior mi, vel excerum essum es acernam sam eum rae simporem deliquis ea serro imusa
a r ati liatu vot pta nt ve oria u l o v ia ab Dolo l s n o e i i m m Cor a sin peru ctur? cone t e lup , ulla ipiss ris sa eum e b sam pella s exc repro volor e a e lor eossit r asp atur, o sus rio it dol e sequ p i r us, s fug ae po m s. a i u u q q tu Qui . s a a t u i o upt uriat , cup atur? olorp t t m Na ucia olup scia v i end tate m lupti o i Ug iet v n om tur? a rat
Ucit qu is laut ve est ipit omnim rio po idusdae doluptio volu rrorum et ut t at ea vellor s tet volo blau faces deratium em t im tur rest us eos essitat exped ea cus s ibu eq iu eribus n m, conectum a s, culpa dolec uat pe am minis es volorpora do ro molor sequ a lup ti m ipsus do orem quiae vol ta sperumquid up lo dolupta reriam, odi occ tae sit erupta ti ti ae magnat qui in pliande numet quae s ur? m pa tur a q Quibusam ips eius ex es aut aq ui am nihilibus nonsequidem n esecepe lles uas su o ae et, s equatem n corporibus a nmi, vel dq ex q rae sim cerum essum e uod quatiunt ui porem d s e eliquis acernam sam stior ea serr o imusa eum
9
raluptio volut faces de do o ri ve ut la em at a nimpo rrorum et ut s eos essitatibus, culp mu si or ll ve Ucit quis est ipit om at qu se s lo blaut exped ea cu rpora dolupta spelo vo m na us ib tium idusdae eatet vo er am ctum apero molor sequ am, odi occae numet ri re lo do s su ip s dolectur restium, cone ti ta up m Uci quiae voluptae sit er gnatur? Quibusam ipsa ma as tq qu rumquid minis estiorem ta au es ex v us ei em em o at nd ia qu pl se , in l et i qu ae i u us at lib pt hi i ni t f uis es qu ad us quae pa dolu v ib or rp co e n no a t uis l qui nonsequidem eum rae simporem deliq ape lor si ces d ipit m sa m na esecepe llessuntur a er ac es m e m o - r mi, vel excerum essu s ne plia dolupti ncteestio o mol us eo ratium mnimp cu oc o rr lo vo quod quatiunt estior ma de vi rem or s s es id o r nullandi aut aut rero squi dolupta ndenndumem ri pa lia e ve qui equa sita usdae rorum in di ea serro imusantem si t em ut ipis il a el ev q em m nt ni t da om en es At u ad m. u por co r? ae ae vo m er tibus, eat et im gn ma nt si r iu it seritate int ut ut re mn , co r o ipsaQmu pa lupt ibus cul et v utat otas inihillab illoribus rivbeelrionpes ribu ibu dol ae po n io nt su as pt re lo doloreh entiant offict sam upt sit nam pa do olo bl em la as do ui s liq e re lo vo mq i x te nd s , su nt a t, le c n ne veritiam enerrom vo erum d qu ipsa ati q erup volor lectu aut ut ve us lib hi t reratur sinctisquis co us ss ta o ct e p r i m u -i iditae offic to offi ostiatis vemniushia l ibeusssuanm nihili esec i in p tatis ora do resti xped e rio do ri ve it rc re bo fugit laborempera qu ca E . io l u i b l e re re volupta musand et, voluptu rehentoes ac usae pe ll iandem psus d lupta m, co a cus u m la ut ni om t uam quianda nam exce au si e n us o ern et, ssu s s lliqu ibuscim agniatib am seq ntu eius loreri perum ectum equ lesecus accuptat ve et et e qu ta dandem quiam rem ve hi rc ea sam uat r a ex e am, qui que moloriandit ipsum eum em q qui s au odi o d min rporepu digenim aionse id es nt ru pe re tu a it rae uod nons taqu ccae is occuptat antumen iass sim quat equid as m por iun em ag em t e no del stio n iqu r m is e i, a
voluptatium e u q se n o c re n io t Enetur, occa l et vollese e d n e v e a u q i n a fugiandis ulp nestor e u q s u b li e v m e t a pt ctaecus quat dolu occabor ibus, m a L . o ri e b o u q magnam expli t ipsum n su r, iu t p o t n u d , si andic tem aperum ntotatet u u iq ll e v e t n e d e u voluptat odit aliq nimus tiante v t e is d n a d s u b adipien turi re evellat unt m e t u a i d e p st le emposam ve omnia es , t is d n e M . io st o rp io utet aut aliquat iaepudi u q m iu i t a e m u t a moluptatem volupt uam ad molore q m re o p ia sc iu st blam, imole molore, io st e c a r o p t e x e porepel ictaquas delisquid s e e a t c in ss o p m e te ommod moditat quid moditatur? t que ocie n re o p im n re r u t Re aut aut dolup
14 MAIN COMMITTEE 2008/09 TH
The
e e r h T f o r e w Po
t n e d i s ati e r P Vicer i J u n i w Fit
Presiden Gina L t ow
t n e d i s e ui r P e Vic h e n g H C
Regular Service Project Coordinator 11
Hui
th l d i n e u o Y RSP& G e r a min
RSP F R o n a OC ld
s r e d l E P S R ugene E
RSP H Xinyi I
H V P S R uhui Sh
RSP I Andy D
12
Honorary General Secretary & Assistant r e l l o r ont C Union Rep l a i c n a n i F n a Robin Gavin Ch
D E N C Y
S H U M I N
Publicity O fficer Di Ming
Xiuyi
Publication Officer Boon Ming
Social Entrepreneurs Ziqian
Media & Information Officer Volunteer M anager Kai Xiong Zhanxin T e e Seng Assistant MI Officer
Supporting Committee
13
Special Project Coordinator Overseas Voluntary Expedition Yen Ling
Patchworks Hup Kee
Challenge ur limit Jia Sheng
Camp OutReach Ryan
14
History of WSC IT
all started wuth a man’s passion for community work and desire to contribute to the society. Then a 3rd year MPE undergraduate, Mr. Tay andhis group of friends harbored an ambitious vision to set up a club that provides community services to society’s underprivileged not only within NTI (Nanyang Technological Institute), but also extending to other tertiary institutions and community centres. Hence NTI’s first WSC was born in 1984. Start up was an uphill task for them, especially to raise awareness among academically-oriented students. With only 5 committee members, the pioneering batch of WSC tried everything to encourage participation. The initial goal to include RSP ID was aborted due to poor response. Despite these obstacles, these passion-driven youngsters pursued on with community work, starting a tuition program for poor children. To raise funds, the members bought 2 photocopying machines for photocopying reference books to be sold for profits. Although the voluntake off as well as Mr. help but admire the resourcefulness
teer program did not Tay wanted, one cannot sense of solidarity and that they displayed.
15
And of all glad words of prose or rhyme, The gladdest are “Act while there yet is time” Franklin P. Adams
16
Article
a bear in vietnam An adventure embarked in the city of Ho Chi Minh by NG BOON MING seeks new meaning in overseas community services
“G
ấu” means BEAR, was what a group of cheerful kids called me when I visited them in an orphanage located far away from the city of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. (pronounce as “g-ou”, ou as in ouch without –ch sound) Undeniably, it was one experience of a life time. Apart of being able to involve myself in various community service projects in Vietnam, I was being exposed to the values that I might never learn without experiencing it. I can feel the hardship, the determination and the fights that they put up who stay strong to survive and earn a chance of living there. What touched me the most was that among many of them were children. Children that were supposed to be in school, happily learning their ABCs and making friends, playing those little games that we used to play. However, scenes weren’t quite the same everywhere. The orphanage I visited is situated almost 1 hour away from the city centre of Ho Chi Minh.
Dropping down at the main road, me and my other 20 friends still needed to walk across a muddy path to get through paddy fields, into this small little hut. What had been already waiting for our arrival was the cheerful sound of these children, h a p p i l y playing with each other until our arrival. I thought we scared them off. (In fact some of them did really become afraid of my Caucasian friends)
Touching the Lives of the Kids
afternoon playing with the kids. We didn’t speak much. All I knew were the kids kept pointing at me and repeating the word “Gấu”. I was left confused for half a dy until my
Vietnamese friend told me that they said I looked like a “bear” due to my size. I laughed. We all laughed. The kids were having a wonderful day. I had one too!
We left around 2pm after lunch. The kids were crying and to be honest I had the sourest We started with a coloring session which moment in my heart. On the bus back to my ended about 30 minutes later. hotel, the bear At the beginning “Afterall, it’s not how much finally broke I was afraid of the good deed you had done down and cried. language barrier that counts, it’s the influence Those kids had since I do not know nothing but the Vietnamese at all you had on the children and basic necessities. (all I know was how how much you had inspired They had nothing to order food). But them to be in the future.” except their happy mind. soon after that coloring session started, the kids were They had nothing but their innocence and so happy drawing with me that we naiveté. They were easily contented. No, a more got connected to each other, as suitable expression would be “being mediocre”. easy as that. We need not to speak They are happy even if it’s an afternoon spent much. All we did was to draw with strangers happily. They are rich in hearts. what we meant from our heart. My drawings were ugly and so we Project SEALNet by Stanford laughed together. We got click University together very fast, as easy as that! All that was only one of the days I had out of Later in the day, I spent the whole the 2 weeks I spent in Vietnam. Being chosen
17 as the 20 volunteers in Project Vietnam by SEALNet (Southeast Asian Service Leadership Network), one of the elite and well-known student initiated projects from Stanford University (USA), I was greatly involved in this culturally diversed group of people and felt being appreciated throughout the whole process. SEALNet projects aren’t the same as other community service projects in the region. Apart from achieving the short term objectives of the projects, the real meaning behind the projects is to train a group of local brilliant minds (generally high school students in the project country) so that they can take up responsibility and being able to carry out long term community service projects on their own even after the SEALNet volunteers left.
“It’s like creating ripples after ripples in the middle of the pond.“ Quoted from one of the project leaders. During the 2 weeks in Vietnam, I was given a choice of developing a Summer English curiculum for Vietnamese children or to develop a “Leadership Workshop” content for a group of high school students as a preparation for them to embark new community service projects in the city. I was amazed with the flexibility and responsibility that was provided to me in the whole project. I felt important and every decision that I made would directly influence the outcome of the whole project. It’s a great projects with great people. It’s a rare chance that you get a bunch of such people that is so dynamically working together as a team and achieving something great together. The friendships that you get in the end is priceless.
Opportunities are Everywhere All of you must be wondering about the opportunities of doing all these overseas community projects. If you stepped back from your busy life and take a good look around, there are huge amount of chances available in the varsity for volunteers like you and me. In the varsity, there are quite a number of voluntary clubs that provide voluntary programmes from time to time. All you need to do is just to take some moment and some initiative to look for the opportunities. WSC provides an annual special project called “Overseas Voluntary Expedition” where the selected volunteers will travel across ASEAN for community services. SEALNet provides annual projects in several ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, The Phillipines, Indonesia and Laos. The registration usually opens during early of the year around February. The selection usually depends on your leadership background as well as your essays that you submitted together. Who knows? It may change your life forever. For more information on WSC OVE: http://ntu-ove.blogspot.com/ For more information on SEALNet Projects: http://www.sealnetonline.org/ Or you can write to the author Boon Ming for enquiries at boon0915@gmail.com
SEALNet project is an student initiated project originated from Stanford University, USA.
18
Doing Good and the Feel Good Factor Written by Ooi Chin Hong Images from Internet
S
ometimes I hear people reminiscing about the good old times, the simplicity of life back then and how bleak our future would be. I for one, beg to differ. We are a generation of spoilt brats! We are born in the right place at the right time. I never experienced prolonged starvation, haven’t first handedly witnessed widespread oppression and most of my physical and mental needs are well taken care of. In retrospect, our forefathers were still fighting the Japanese army some 60 years ago. They served the colonial masters, wrestled for their own freedom and inherited a severely exploited wasteland. Come to think about it, what did we really suffer? Rotary telephones? Compared to many parts of the world, we are quite an affluent
society and we know that. This is why sometimes we donate a fraction of our excess when we feel like it. We donate to various non-profitable organisations, join activist groups both physically and in the cyber space (a plethora of self-proclaimed activist groups can be found on various popular social networking platforms), we celebrate Earth Day, Earth Hour and whatnot. These minor convictions give us the rights to feel good, knowing that we’ve done our part to make this world a better place. Or, have we? The feel good part is gleefully tangible, but what differences have we made? We never think too much about it because if we do, the feel good factor vanishes. The world is plagued with a myriad of problems: political conflicts, social unjusts, economic instabilities and the looming threat of a pandemic which could potentially wipe out human kind. This time
however, I’d like to draw your attention to the problem that has plagued uman kind since the beginning of human civilisation – hunger. In this age of globalisation and information technology, we have many feats under our belt. We can now travel around the world in about a day, we sent men to the moon and we created the internet. However, in view of the tens of thousands of children who die everyday because of hunger, we have failed in epic proportions too. Let’s do some reality check, and what better way to do so than flipping through news articles? Nowadays, we’re bombarded with the status quo of the global financial crisis, the countries affected by swine flu, pirate activities in Gulf of Aden and so on. Do you think the deaths of 16,000 children would make headlines? It wouldn’t, because 16,000 children are dying every day due to hunger right now. No terrorism act, war or disease can kill so many people so fast. People talk about increasing awareness so that these people can be helped. I believe that this is only partially true. Who doesn’t know about the hunger problem? The problem is: who cares? Fortunately, some people do care. However, most of them can’t comprehend the gravity of the situation and none of them knows how to solve the problem. That’s right, I can assure you that those people who guaranteed the elimination of hunger and poverty are grossly optimistic and they are prone to wishful thinking. Although Deng Xiaoping came pretty close to doing the impossible by lifting millions out of poverty and starvation through economic reforms, heroes like him are yet to be found. Let’s commit some thinking onto this question: what can we do to help? For those who put their will to help into action, congratulations! You’ve done your part to make this world a better place. This is by no means the remedy to the situation though, it merely alleviates some people’s sufferings. For those who donated, we’ll see where the money goes later. For those who forwarded e-mails of plea and joined online groups to champion the crusade against poverty and hunger, it’s time you started practising some reality-based thinking. When faced with the hunger problem, most of us are tempted to suggest a highly obvious solution – feed the hungry people! In some impoverished nations, they’re everywhere. What about the elusive urban vagabonds who make a living out of scavenging? Some people or authorities don’t even acknowledge their existence, let alone feeding them. Don’t they deserve some food? Even imprisoned rapists, thieves
and serial killers are fed. Aren’t the poor people out there even more justified to be fed? Dying of hunger is a very bad way to go, and no one, not even the worst psychopathic criminal in the world deserves to die this way. Back to the feeding programme, we all know that this is a short-term and unsustainable solution. Besides, humanitarian aids often get hijacked by evil regimes to feed their armies and further assert their influences. To create a more independent society, aids now have self-sustenance as the main objective. People are taught to farm, schools are built to teach living skills and some forms of trade are introduced gradually into the society to break the clinches of poverty and hunger. Nevertheless, these people are still oppressed, as long as the evil regimes and social unjusts remain. These people can farm all they want, but most of their crops will be confiscated by warring factions in the region. Of course, most of our world leaders know this and some of them took the effort to annex several governments. The situation eventually improved, until the other warlords took over the governments and then it’s back to square one. Some nations opt for the more controversial actions, such as trading with these martial governments and investing in their local businesses instead of barging into the countries with guns blazing. According to local sources, these actions actually helped but they’re plagued with ethical issues. So what can we do? That’s the most compelling question. Politicians, sociologists and economists would suggest many complex solutions to this problem. In the mean time, why don’t we think of that question for a moment? We’re receiving too much information and doing too little thinking for our own good, so we might as well think of how to help people, starting with people around us. We should plant our feet into the ground and think realistically, instead of doing something like toasting for world peace at some social event, which is all for show. As a final word, I would really love to give a blanket assurance saying that the situation will improve and someday we’ll eliminate poverty, hunger and oppression altogether. Politicians are obliged to say something like that, but I’m not. Based on the current situation and historic trend, I don’t expect any radical improvement in the foreseeable future. If you want a practical and immediate solution to the hunger problem, go get yourself something to eat. §
EVENTS
aug 08 to jul 09
20 - Events
Annual General Meeting Aug 14
Events - 21
WSC Fair Outside LT1A AUG 6-8
WSC
Fair was held annually w ithout failure to reach out to th e NTU population. It was a 3- day event i n o rd e r fo r t h e p ublic to know more abou t WSC b e fo re t h e re c ru i t ment drive.
22 - Events
WSC Committee Interview AUG 12-13
R
ecruitment was usuall y c a r r i e d at Student Ac tivitie s Ce nte r (SAC ) during the 3rd we e k i n a new ac ademic year to rec ru i t f re s h blood to drive thebrandnew ye a r o f WSC! Ever yone was so excited to s e e t h e great turnout of about 400 p e o p l e i n total that showed up for inte r v i e w s.
Events - 23
C
urL’08 witness the construc tion of a large mosaic mural which is c urrently displayed at the Hor tPark . A total of 100 beneficiaries from various VWOs such as Friends of D isabled S ociet y and MINDS Youth G roup par ticipated in the event. In addi tion, students from various junior colleges and secondar y schools also took par t in the event.
Challenge Your Limit (CurL) Mosaic AUG 31
24 - Events
P&P and MI Oreintation Sep 13
O
r i e nt at i o n b et ween all the committee m e m b e r s o f Publicit y and Public ation ( P & P) a n d M edia Information (MI) was s u cce s s f u l l y h e l d f u ll with blasting ac tivities!
M e m b e r s we re h av i ng lots of fun while spend i n g t i m e to kn ow more of other members that t h e y we re g o i n g to spend the whole ac ademic ye a r wo r ki n g to g e t her.
Events - 25
VH & ELDERS Garang Guni Sep 21
WSC Appreciation Night Sep 22
26 - Events
FOC Orientation Sep 24
ELDERS Mid-Autumn Celebration Sep 26
Events - 27
FOC Life Skill WorkShop Sep 27
Mid-Autumn Festival Sep 29
R
SP FOC celebrated their 1-week break with kids with various workshops. In life skill workshop the kids were exposed to some of the fun-filled ac tivites. In MAF they were taught on moonc ake making. It was so fun!
28 - Events
Kids‘ World Dec 3 - 5
FOC Farm Outing Dec 13
Events - 29
FOC Christmas Snack Making Dec 13 Christmas Snack Making session at Yishun Student Care Service Shrieks of laughter greeted me when I entered the simple, well lit room. There were about 4 groups of kids sitting on tables, with cookie dough, trays and utensils cluttered in front of them. The volunteers from WSC were scattered everywhere. This is the first time I am given the chance to interact with kids as a writer, but I don’t intend to watch. I intend to participate and to learn from the kids. A chubby, boisterous boy was mixing the cookie dough and giving instructions to the other kids and volunteers on how to make the shapes, while a bespectacled boy looked on. Occasionally he would erupt into infectious laughter as he made a mistake. Like when his heart-shaped cookie became burnt. Or when his cookie broke. But he was upbeat about it and had the intention of presenting the cookie, flaws and all to his mother. While molding the cookie, several kids displayed their artistic and creative talents. Unlike us grown-ups who were embarrassed to showcase our talents for fear of being poked fun at or making mistakes, most kids opted to create their own cookie shapes instead of using the cookie cutter. Some molded a gingerbread man, some a stick and others, who tried to use a cookie cutter but ended up messing up their dough, modified their messy dough. They had more freedom than adults who were afraid of trying. As the cookies baked in the oven, the kids were sometimes as we were afraid that they would get burnt while removeven so, the kids were curious to experience baking and near us while we tried our best to remove the laden, Although one particular kid shrieked a lot when he was near the oven, he was adamant in experiencing the whole baking process. Once bitten, twice shy, right? Wrong.
restrained by us ing the trays. But often hovered scorching tray.
30 - Events
VH’s Beach Hunt Dec 13 Lose Sight, Not Vision Regular Service Project Visually Handicapped (RSPVH) is always ready to reach out to visually handicapped community and provides huge support all along. To mention one of the events they held in the month of December which called “Beach Hunt 2008: Knights in the Concrete Jungle”, a total of 20 beneficiaries, mostly youths, and 60 volunteers gathered at the heart of the Tampines Town area, with smiles across all their faces as they were all pumped up for the activities-packed day. Games involved were designed to allow the beneficiaries to use their sense of touch, smell, taste, memory and luck in each of the stations. At one point where a beneficiary needed to throw a ball into a box far away, which looked very impossible for. I wondered, what is all this about? What is the point of making them to throw a ball when they can’t even see it? The committee explained that the games were supposed to challenge them to step out of their comfort zone and to extend their limit.”We hope to bridge their lack and empower them for a brighter future.” Don’t hesitate. Be a volunteer and with your guidance, their future may be different!
FOC Make A Wish Dec 18
Events - 31
Christmas Song in Sign Language Performance by RSPHI Dec 19 - 23
32 - Events
WSC Mass Gathering Bowl-O-Rama Dec 23
2008
年12月23日星期二大约早上十一时五十分，我与 另外两位P&P的伙伴—Zhi Yan和Kem Goon抵达 了位于Bukit Batok的Civil Services Centre参加 Bowl-O-Rama。那是一项由WSC主办的活动，主要的目的是促进WSC 各部门的关系互动。 报到后，我们到柜台领取适合我们尺寸的鞋子，并且与WSC其他部 门的同伴交流。参加者陆陆续续到场。大约十二时三十五分，节目 便开始了。 一开始司仪邀请WSC主席Gina致词。她欢迎所有出席者的 到来，希望大家可以在今天认识一些新的朋友同事，也希 望大家玩得开心，可以尽兴而归。 过后，每一个lane都派出一位代表打保龄球来代表节目正式 开始。主办单位给大家大约半个小时的时间来暖身。 下午一时正，比赛正式开始。在现场可以看到大家不分彼此 的打成一片。在玩乐的同时，主办当局所准备的自助餐也不 容忽视。其中包括了饭、米粉、面包、糖水等等，还蛮丰富的一 餐。大家就一面吃一面玩一面交流，气氛非常热闹。 大约三点半左右，每一个lane的参加者都陆陆续续的打完了他们 的游戏。这时，紧张的一刻终于到来。比赛成绩揭晓。最佳个人奖 及最佳组合奖分别夺下了292及平均分数210的佳绩。颁 奖后，节目正式结束。我们便带着愉悦的 心情踏上归途。
ELDERS AWWA X’mas Celebration 心不老圣诞派对 Dec 27 仁爱之心是人的天赋本能，但体恤、 分享、爱人的善行义举，则须落实于 生活中逐步学习体现。在十二月二十七 日，RSP ELDERS 在 ANG MO KIO 的 乐龄之家一起与老人家庆祝圣诞节。当 天，志工们与老人家一块玩游戏，看着 他们开心的样子，让一个月前就开始筹 备这项活动的筹委都觉得格外窝心。 活动负责人，李可航在受访时表示老人 家都对他们表示欢迎，反应相当热烈。 同时，他也希望所有参与者都可以好好 享受这项活动并从中获益良多。“乐龄 之家”的服务是以服务老年人、提升老 龄人群生活质量为宗旨。对于活动于最 后时刻获得许多公司的赞助，李先生也 借这个机会对他们表示感激。 在派完点心和礼品袋给老人家后，这项 活动大约在四时许结束。志工们亲手将 爱与温暖传送出去，收到这份心意的老 人家无不欣喜万分的。 Chun Wei 著
Events - 33
34 - Events
Informal Group Category PROFILE OF WINNERS Nanyang Technological University Welfare Services Club Befriending and Empowering the beneficiaries, and Creating public awareness of their needs. The above encapsulates what the Nanyang Technological University Welfare Services Club (NTUWSC), a non-profit student club, hopes to achieve through its six regular service projects and four special projects. Two of NTUWSC’s regular service projects are targeted at befriending the elderly and the youth. Every week, some 60 NTU student volunteers will visit the 130 elderly residents at the Asian Women’s Welfare Association Community Home for Senior Citizens to talk and interact with them. Its volunteers also double up as big brothers and sisters to the youths at the Singapore Boys’ Home, Singapore Boys’ Hostel and the Singapore Girls’ Home. Besides engaging in activities, these brothers and sisters would readily lend a listening ear to the younger ones and be positive role models for them. NTUWSC seeks to empower the beneficiaries through availing opportunities for them to contribute to society. For example, ‘Patchworks’, the social entrepreneurship venture of the club, was an intergenerational collaboration with the elderly to share their recipes with younger Singaporeans through the publishing of ‘Patchwork of Flavours’ last year. To help beneficiaries with intellectual disabilities integrate into the
society and build up their confidence, NTUWSC conducts weekly basic life and social skills sessions at the Woodlands Gardens School. Some of the outcomes of their efforts include seeing their beneficiaries being able to handle tasks such as crossing the road safely and taking buses by themselves. NTUWSC has been relentless in creating public awareness of their beneficiaries through public education. One of the annual projects, ‘Project IDentity’, is organised to raise public awareness of persons with intellectual disabilities. Another annual project, Challenge ur Limits (CurL), seeks to encourage their beneficiaries to look beyond their disabilities as they showcase their determination and will through physically and mentally challenging activities. In addition to helping local beneficiaries, NTUWSC also conducts overseas voluntary expeditions to help the less privileged abroad. In 2007, its club members helped to build homes and teach English in a pre-school in the Philippines. The NTUWSC started its services in 1985 and currently has over 700 student volunteers rolling out weekly and project-based programmes. For its extensive outreach efforts involving a wide spectrumof beneficiaries, NTUWSC is the winner of the President’s Social Service Award (Informal Group Category.)
Events - 35
FOC Movie Marathon Mar 14
Wall·E with FOC in WHFSC RSP Friends Of Children once again brought a cheerful and educational activity to the kids in Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre (WHFSC), known as movie marathon plus games on this lovely Saturday (14 March 2009). The volunteers hit their aim to benefit and cater to underprivileged and needy children, to be the light that guides the children with a meaningful movie called “Wall·E” this time. WHFSC as a community project of Viriya Community Services aims to bring joy and enhance the quality of life by providing care and assistance to families and individuals in need of support regardless race and religion. The children there seem so happy to the visit of volunteers and close to whoever approached them, they start to greet each other and chit-chatting before the activity started. Everything went smooth except that the in-charged people encountered problem to show the movie on screen. During the preparation, the volunteers played game with the kids to cheer them up. The very first game is a tough one, called “Tell a Story”. The players take turn to create and continue a story line with a sentence; the imaginations of the kids are so powerful and creative and then an amazing story came out eventually! Next, since the in-charged people still cannot fix up the problem, they continue on another game which is more energetic and funny, called “Simon says”. The winner was Ker Wei baby girl who told us that the essential of this game is concentration. The show finally started at about 11.30 in the morning with the help of the coordinator of WHFSC. The in-charged leader, Chong Tat claimed that “Wall·E” was chosen to be the movie of this day because it is educational, containing some moral values that the children can learn from whilst the theme for month of March is discipline. He hoped that the children enjoyed the movie that last for about one and a half hour. In the other hand, he wished all the volunteers also enjoyed this event, especially the exchanged students who came from Korea, Philippines and other countries, because this event might be their last activity to cover before the semester end. Besides, he also mentioned that this event was quite special; this was the first time they organize such movie watching event since their activities normally were story telling or games or vocabulary teaching. Indeed showing a movie is a pretty good way in order to send some meaningful messages to the children.
36 - Events
T
he day starts of with WSC members telling the kids the rules for playing various games. Firstly, after the WSC members finished doing preparations for glass gobble games for the kid, the kids concentrated in playing the game with the WSC member. In the chasing game, the kids will try to catch the member he is assigned to. This game improves the reflexes of the kids. As for the WSC members themselves, while holding the games, also have gained affluent happiness, enjoying the interactions with the kids. Other games played including the hoop game, shooting the basketball with the guidance of the WSC member, sepak takraw, and the billiard game. The members and kids are having fun together in the game throughout the day. And before the event ends, the group photo for the team carrying out the games for the kids.
FOC Kids Flick Camp June 8
FOC Sports Event Mar 21
Events - 37
Elders Chinese Dumpling Festival Celebration Jun 13
2009年6月13日，南洋理工大学Regular Service Project Elders义工到AWWA老人院为老者们欢庆端午节。 中午十二时正开始，义工们已到场准备。端午节庆典 由义工与老者揭开序幕，他们一起玩游戏。义工筹委 们准备了六项游戏。活跃的老者们玩得很尽情，而义 工们亦玩得不亦了呼。游戏后，义工们便到function room准备分派食物予老者们。对于那些较不善于交际 与行动不便的老者们，义工们都会把事食物一一送到 他们的房间。午餐后，义工们把包裹好的goodies和裹 粽送予他们。对于义工们的热心，老者们无一不感到 感激。 此次活动的赞助商包括：Soon Teck Hap Kee, Fong Yit Kaya Pte Ltd, SunShine Bakeries, Tat Hui Foods Pte Ltd, Eastern Rice Dumplings Pte Ltd, Hisamitsu (SALONPAS)。对于赞助商们的慷慨解囊，义工们在此 致于万分谢意。 据负责人Sir Seng，老者们平时生活很单调，纳闷，所 以每周六，他们都会到老人院来陪老者们聊聊天。每 年，他们都会在此老人院为老者们欢庆佳节如农历新 年，中秋节，圣诞节。。。。。。此次端午节庆典是 让老者们感受佳节气氛。 有个受访老者表示，他很开心可以参与类似活动，因 为平时的生活都很闷，有义工们的陪伴，他的日子过 的比较快乐。他非常感激义工们的无私付出，也为义 工们送上祝福。受访完毕，他便拿着两个小裹粽，一 拐一拐地走向附近的咖啡厅与友人喝茶，闲聊。 若你家中有老者，尽可能抽出时间陪伴与关怀他们 吧！他们需要你，你也需要他们！
38 - Events
Curl Marina Barrage Kite Making Jul 4
O
n the bright morning of 4 th July 2009, Challenge Your Limits (CURL), a special project under NTU Welfare Services Club (WSC), took place at the Marina Barrage. The participants include beneficiaries from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) and the Regular Service Project – Intellectually Disabled (RSPID) under WSC, and also volunteers from NTU. The main objectives are to increase awareness of the intellectually disabled community and promote interaction between the beneficiaries and volunteers. It was a fun-filled day which started off with ice-breaking games in the morning, followed by kite-making. After a sumptuous lunch, the RSPID beneficiaries then put up a wonderful performance. Following the performance, Mr. Fan Jia Sheng, the chairperson for the event, then gave a speech, followed by prize presentation. After which, everyone happily went outdoors to take photos and fly kites in the beautiful weather. It was indeed a memorable day for both beneficiaries and volunteers as they had fun together playing games, decorating kites, taking photos, and flying kites!
Events - 39
40 Article
Global Starvation I am here or I’ll be here?
This issue has been around for so many years. Our contributor, LIM CHUN PING, brings the issue back for discussion and see how much it has improved so far.
W
hen was the last time you starve? The moment you are pondering this question, millions are starving. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 25,000 people died of starvation every day in 2003, and as of 2001 to 2003, about 800 million humans were chronically undernourished. In the “food crisis” of 2007-2008, we saw a drastic increase in food prices globally. Is the famine spreading like an epidemic? Will we also be starving like the millions of people who already are?
To answer these two questions, we need to look at the cause of the food crisis in 2007-2008 which saw a dramatic turn of the trend of food prices which has been declining over the years. Many believed that the rising food prices is caused by global warming which indirectly causes natural disaster to strike fiercer, causing crop shortfalls, conversion of crop for food for crop for fuel, and overpopulation. However, how significant are these factors? Firstly natural disasters, it only hit certain regions of the world and the crop shortfalls shouldn’t cause that steep an increase in food prices as governments has food stockpiles which is to prevent such a price hike due to these incidents. Secondly, crop for fuel (mainly ethanol). Does it really matter? Does the farmland converted from producing food to biofuel affects the market so much? At least for rice, it shouldn’t since biofuels are not very popular among farmers in Asia. Third, overpopulation, this factor is unfounded as population growth had slowed down since 1980 and food production has been outpacing population growth. In short, the food production per capital has been increasing.
So, why has the food prices risen though more food is available? What or who is the culprit? Speculators are the answer. Foods are one of the commodities traded in today’s free market system. Grain prices are boosted artificially by large scale speculative operations on the global free market. The recent spike in food prices coincides with the merger of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) which formed the largest worldwide entity dealing in commodity trade including a wide range of speculative instruments (options, options on futures, index funds, etc). Unfortunately, foods, especially grains, are one of those commodities they trade in. Speculative trade occur without the ity transactions. ing in the grain
in wheat, rice or corn, can occurrence of real commodThe institutions speculatmarket are not necessarily
Photo Description: A little boy sits in a dusty courtyard at the Saga feeding center in Niamey, Niger. Copyright: Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
41 involved in the actual selling or delivery of grain. The transactions may use commodity index funds which are bets on the general upward or downward movement of commodity prices. Through concerted manipulation, institutional traders and financial institutions make the price go up and then place their bets on an upward movement in the price of grains. Profits are made when the grains’ price goes up. Conversely, if the speculator is short-selling the market, money will be made when the grains’ price collapses. Therefore, the recent upsurge in the prices of food is the aftermath of speculators betting on the market.
market reforms. However, human population is growing exponentially and yet farmland is constant. The earth’s surface is limited and land suitable for farming is much more limited. Moreover, farmlands are competing with settlements and industrial land. Thus, it will come a day when our farmlands are unable to sustain the food production growth needed to cope with the population growth. In conclusion, global famine is a fundamental population control system built into nature.
Although the recent “food crisis” is caused by speculators and is a false image projected by the market, the threat of global famine remains very real.
advances showed glimpses of hope. cells are differentiated cells which normally do Vertical farming is one of the leading contend- not proliferate by themselves, but only arises ers for future food production method. Vertical when a precursor cells (stem cells or satellite farming is a proposal to conduct large-scale cells) fuse. To grow meat, precursor cells are agriculture in urban high-rises or “farm scrap- grown in a “bioreactor” and then made to fuse ers”. Using recycled resources and greenhouse in the presence of a perfusion system, which methods such as hydroponics, these build- simulates blood flow, and the muscle cells are ings would produce subjected to electrical fruit, vegetables, edible Every 3 seconds, stimulation to simulate mushrooms and algae somewhere in the world, exercise such that the year-round. Mankind had someone dies of hunger. resulting meat is tender. evolved into an urban In future, there will be species where 60% of the ONE.org factories producing meat population now lives in as in today’s factory the cities where skyscrapers abound. We learnt producing semiconductor chips. There will be to accommodate millions of people in the automated production lines growing in-vitro limited space of a city. It is time now for us to meat around the clock. It will be faster, cheaper learn how to create space for our food-bearing and possibly healthier than the meat we crops. The farms carpers can be integrated into produce today. Various patents had been file for the cities and the proximity to the population in-vitro meat. Jon F. Vein of the United States will save on energy need to mobilize food to the secured a patent for the production of tissuepeople. Also, the crops will be shielded from engineered meat for human consumption, the harsh weather as we humans are in our wherein muscle and fat cells would be grown apartments. Hence, there will not be anymore in an integrated fashion to create food products production shortfalls due to natural disaster such as beef, poultry and fish. It seems that in-vitro meat is not so farfetched after all. It is very true that a global famine is imminent and we will be well-armed to confront it. However, continuous effort in ensuring food security is essential. The technology to confront the nemesis is in its infancy and there is no doubt that we have the potential to perfect it. However, obstacles such as war and politics need to be transcended. Thus, to carve out the path to global food security, everyone —biologists, engineers, venture capitalists, politicians, terrorists, laymen, have to be united and rally behind this common cause of survival. §
The effect of global warming and overpopulation is unable to affect the food supply today but it will not be so in the future. There are researches which showed that the increase in the world’s temperature will reduce crop yields and farmers will only be able to cope with 1 to 3 degrees of temperature hike using genetically engineered breed of crops. What will happen if global temperature increases beyond that tolerable range? An ill fate will be awaiting mankind should it ever materialize. In addition, overpopulation is not an issue as of today since food production per capita is still increasing. The famine occurring around the world can be solved by a better mobilization of foods and a reduction in food prices through
such as hurricanes and draughts. The vertical farming project is currently still in the design phase but large cities, such as Inchon (South Korea), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), and Dongtan (China), are already showing real interest in the proposal. You would ask what about meat? Can we grow meat? Yes, we can. Scientist around the world had reportedly grown meat in-vitro. Muscles
The “semi-living steak” (right) was made of embryonic sheep It seems that global famine is imminent in a muscle cells that were grown few generations and mankind is doomed to an ill fate. However, the destiny of mankind on a polyester scaffold (left) for is still in our own hands as recent technology more than two months.
Contributor Lim Chun Ping Images from Internet We welcome your opinion and feedback, drop us an email at boon0915@gmail.com or http://boonming.com/ Photo Description: May Nzama at Sicelekuhle Preschool where she pays for meals out of her pension. Now new toys, tables, and sleeping mats are provided through charity funding. The preschools are affordable solutions to aid families affected by AIDS in South Africa. Copyright: Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
42
Shop for Charity Salvation Army Family Store Our contributor Charlene Seah figures out that there are some places that you can actually shop for charity!!
I
am sure everyone have heard of the Salvation Army and probably see them most prominently during Christmas when they go around ringing bells and giving out pocket calendars when we donate. However, I believe less people are aware that the Salvation Army owns many thrift stores as much as they are aware of the Salvation Army as a Christian charitable organization. Not to point fingers, I am actually one of the ignorant few who really isn’t aware of the thrift stores that the Salvation Army runs in Singapore. But now that I am on exchange in the United States, the vibrancy of shopping at thrift stores has finally hit me and this happened one fine day when I was taking the trolley (they call it the trolley here instead of MRT back home) to the Downtown area of San Diego and saw stretches of thrift stores.
Article
Amongst these thrift stores, some of them are run by the Salvation Army and everyone can recognize it by its red logo. However, what struck me was how popular these thrift stores were with the Americans as compared to back home. Now, most of the thrift stores had the signs “NEW STOCKS DAILY” and besides stocking the usual wearables, the thrift stores also had furniture like sofas, tables, antique lamps, cupboards and even chandeliers! Perhaps due to the economy downturn which has affected many normal middle-class Americans, these thrift stores were patronized by a steady stream of visitors. Bringing the topic back to a Singaporean context, since few would hesitate to pay $500 for a 2nd hand Louis Vuitton hand bag or $1000 for a 2nd hand Vera Wang evening gown, why should everyone be missing out on possibly good deals like this in thrift stores back
home? Now, the items in these thrift stores are definitely not new, and perhaps even wellused but I believe more can be done to promote the thrift stores in Singapore so that there will be more people donating and more people aware that these thrift stores are an alternative for cheap chic and a good place to hunt for big ticket items especially in tough times like now. Just for Information, the Salvation Army thrift stores in Singapore are located in : Upper Serangoon Family Store 309 Upper Serangoon Road Praisehaven Family Store Praisehaven 500 Upper Bukit Timah Road Hope Centre FTS 7 Upper Changi Road North Bukit Merah FTS Blk 133 Jln Bukit Merah #01-1530 IMH Pick & Choose Thrift Store Address: 10 Buangkok View Singapore 539747 Now that you know where they are, go pop in and visit the one nearest to you this weekend! §
S en ior Ap p r e c i at io n RSP ELDERS RSP FOC RSP YOUTH RSP VH RSP ID RSP HI SP CurL SP OVE SP COR SP PATCHWORKS SC FC SC PR SC MI SC PnP SC SE VM
44
RSP E L D E R S
Committee Members: Coordinator: External Centre-Head: Internal Centre-Head: Financial Controller: Business Manager: Media Head:
Lee Ker Hang, Eugene Tan Sir Seng Chow Meiyin Ng Xinyu Lee Chia Wen Raymond Foo
RSP
Elders actually existed 2 years before the Welfare Services Club was formed. It was classified as a Regular Services Project upon the founding of WSC, and the rest was history! RSP Elders have donned the motto of “Bridging the Generation Gap� a few batches back, and the current committee is proud to say that we still stand strong with our motto, and in fact, the bridge between the generation gap is indeed getting smaller. Currently volunteering at the AWWA Community Home for Senior Citizens, we do befriending services for the elderly situated there. The elderly who stays there are mostly single, or have been admitted by their families. Some live on their life savings, while the less fortunate ones actually depend on a Social Welfare scheme which provides them a small sum of $200+ a month. Living expenses, rent for the home, as well as medical bills, their life is indeed tough for some. Hence, RSP Elders hope to be a friend to them, and provide companionship and moral support to the elderly. We even hope to play a role as grandchildren for them, as most of them are single and might not have experienced grandparenthood. Other than the regular sessions held every Saturday, we organize special events during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. We also do games and cooking sessions for them, and provided goodie bags loaded with daily necessities to ease their financial burden. RSP Elders hope to continue with what we are doing, and eventually have even more ideas and contributions for the elderly. We want the elderly to know that, they are never forgotten, and the volunteers in RSP Elders want the elderly to enjoy themselves during their last stages in life.
Every week, the elderly will look forward to you visiting and accompanying them. The smiles on their faces showed how much they cherished your company. Just a few hours of your time each week helps brighten up their lives. Eventually, it’s not about what you have but what you give and share with others. ~ Xinyu
45
I love everyone that made RSP Elders a success! Hope that everyone has gained wonderful experiences and made friends in WSC. The little “thanks” and “hi” and “bye” from the elders, are something that you’ll always remember and cherish throughout your life. ~Sir Seng
Member Award list: Gold Tan Sir Seng Chow Meiyin Lee Chia Wen Ng Xinyu Raymond Foo Yeo Hwee Leng Kow Cilin Lim Zhiyu Lum Zhiming Abel Tay Wee Cheng, Bryan Ooi Yee Loong Kelvin Yip
Silver Low Yong Ming Loh Pei Guat Low Yi Qi Tang Li Zhu Regine Hong Yun Shan Joan Chio Hui Qi Michelle Ho Pei Shan Ho Xun Kiat Duncun Lim Puay Ying Koh Yu Han Siah Peishan Mery Chia Lim Shiyun Choong Yi Lian Elaine Lim An Qi Angie Ye Jiankang Derek Ho Jun Xing Priscilla Lim Vanessa Goh Heng Pei Kiat Lei Kai Wong Toh Zhiyong
Bronze Seow Huaming Ho Wanqi Lau Fong Ming Priscillia Lim Si Ling Dessy Lai Kai Lin Foo Sek Kiang Simon Mah Siew Wai Foo Jing Jing Chua Mei Ling
Special Mention For Alumni Wu Zhiwei Pek Yuan Xing Long Tian Tao Wee Sue Yuan
I just want to thank all the volunteers, be it the active and inactive ones, the juniors, the seniors or my batch. All of you contributed to everything in RSP Elders. You guys are the main factor for our success in all the events, and it was definitely great to have your help! And it was definitely fun during session to see all of the volunteers in the relaxing moments in the conference room, random lame moments, or the busy period during events where we have to get things done. Not forgetting the rehearsal for the Chinese New Year Skit!! Kudos to all of you =) Also, I want to thank some of the seniors who have graduated, and yet they are still so supportive and attend most of the sessions and events. Zhiwei, Yuan Xing, Tian Tao and Sue Yuen, thank you! ~ Eugene
46
RSP
F .
O .
C .
F
Committee Members: Coordinator: Vice Coordinator: Honorary General Secretary: Financial Controller: IT Officer: Events Coordinator:
Tay Ronald Teh Suk Yen Christopher Goh Yee Hui Tan Ker Jia Nikhil Agarwal Huang Zhilian
riends Of Children (FOC) is a regular service project of Nanyang Technological University(NTU)'s Welfare Services Club.
FOC is a group of volunteers who are passionate about lending a hand to under-privileged children, it was set up in the summer of 2003 as a special project, with 15 volunters.
In the year 2006, FOC was formally recognised as a Regular Service Project. Today we have a family of 50 volunteers serving under various projects at our current centre, Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre, located at Jurong West Extension. In Academic Year 2008/09, FOC expanded to 6 programs across 4 centres in Singapore, including one in Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang and Yishun. By mid-2009, FOC will be opening a new centre in Clementi, with sessions conducted in Rotary Family Service Centre for Primary 3 to 6 children.
Current Projects:
Student Care Service (Yishun Centre) Trampoline Club
It has been a wonderful and fulfilling year with WSC Friends of Children. Not only have I enhanced my leadership skills, more importantly I get to see how all the programmes under WSC FOC function, how children from different backgrounds with different lifestyles behave and how to work with our beneficiaries’ centre to cater to our beneficiaries. I’m very happy that, together with my very capable team, we’ve brought joy to many of our beneficiaries through our regular sessions, outings and events! ~ Ronald Tay
Ling Kwang Youth Centre Head: Secretary: Financial Controller: Events Coordinator:
Centre Head: Billy Chua Events Secretary: Zhang Jing Chao Financial Controller: Wong Yoke Keong Events Coordinator: Jacqueline Lim
Regular Volunteers
Yong Si Mei Pai Su Qin Chen Mei Jin Lim Ji Rong Wong Song Jau Choo Shu Fen
Aditya Mahesh Khatri Ng Puay Boon Thye Jia Le Cheryl Yong R. Ramaderi
Regular Lee Sock Kee Volunteers
Goh Hui Min Tan Xuan Wong Weng Kuan Caleb
The volunteers and social workers dedicate their time to Club Fidentia to tutor and mentor underprivileged secondary school students from the welfare organization, Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre. We also organized enrichment workshops and experiential learning outings for the beneficiaries and their families, to guide them to discover the social values of friendship, family, communication, self-awareness and group dynamics. Having the opportunity to be part of Club Fidentia for the past few years, I believe that no words can describe the impact of the programme’s contributions on the lives of our beneficiaries. More importantly, I discovered that positive influence on a youth or children can never be erased. ~ Justin Ong
47
Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre: Club Fidentia
Centre Head: Asst Centre Head: Secretary: Financial Controller: IT & Publication Officer:
Regular Volunteers
Amy Lai Jui Yee Chan Li Ru Chen Kangshun Raymond Chew Wei Liang William Regular Volunteers Chong Wai Fun Czarina Ann Foo Cui Min Foo Wenney Foo Yiting Foong Sin Mun Ho Pei Zhen Hoo Chi Yan Kristin
Kenny Chee Wen Kai Koo Fui Fen Lai Xiao Yuan Lee Yi Hui Liang Ying Ying Lim Koon Thye Lim Li Hui Lim Wei Bin Benjamin Liu Liyan Marilyn Loh Hui Shan Jillian Loo Tian Tsyh Low Kay Boon Alan Ng Sim Hui Ong Si Ying
Ong Wei Sheng Justin Wong Ying Cai Low Hwee Miang Selina Ang Shiyin Loh See Ming Chen Jingting Seow Bee Hian Lai Pui Ee Teo Yon Shin Huang Zhongwei Choo Kok Siong Ankita Gupta Samuel Tay Gwendolyn Soh Goh Huei Ping Gretchen Marie
Chen Qi Wei Loh Lucia U Yasmeen Hong Liying Goh Yi Zhen Teng Hui Ling Chia Zhong-Yi Teo Li Zhen Sharon Goh Guan Hui Lim Ming Yong Phua Wen Xin
Pradita Septiwerdani Siew Choo Ting Tan Hong Yue Tan Jia Xin Vanessa Tan Mei Yan Serene Tan Pei Min Tan Yi Jie Tan Ying Han Tan Zhi Lei Tay Ming Li Tok Yan Shuang Yeam Chin Heng
Bright Owl Project
Centre Head: Secretary: Financial Controller: Events Coordinator:
Tree House Club
Regular Volunteers
Kids’ Buddy
Centre Head: Secretary: Financial Controller: Events Coordinator: Regular Haryono Volunteers Loh Lee Peng
Ge Hailin Neo Bao Ling Cheng Xin Ying
Lee Chong Tat Mu Jinzhao Chua Ming Jie Kanika Bansal Calvin Tay Hwei Sim Steven Tay Su Ming Quah Hui Li Toh Yee Chin Adeline Peng Hui Wong Sai Leong Kai
Yeo Zi Feng Chan Yueng Theng Valerie Ng Yee Theng Ang Gim Yean
Elaine Toh Lai Ming Hui Nurfitria Bte Zainal Tan Hwee Hoon Guan Mei Ting Aini Chaw Jian Xian Koo Siew Kiang James Chen Defeng Heng Yuan Rong Clarence Clarin Tan Si Min Lee Mei Hui Carmen Tan Yee Shin Seet Qi Yao Liu Xiaoyan Jolyn Cheo S.Preiyaa Tharrshini Seelakaren d/o Lee Xin Bei Cynthia Jeyaseelan
Centre Head: Secretary: Financial Controller: Events Coordinator:
Priscilla Hoon Jasmine Lim Diane Tiong Ling Ying Sing Swee Leong
48
RSP
Y O U T H
Committee Members: Youth Boys Coordinator: Centerhead – Blk B: Centerhead – Blk D: Centerhead – Blk E: Centerhead – Hostel: Financial Controller :
Lee Hui Min Tang Yuling Tan Chin Han Chin Shi Yun Yammie Koh Chao Xiong Desmond Low Kai Ling Michelle
“For Youth, We Dare” has been Regular Service Project Youth (RSP Ho Yi Ting Geraldine Youth)’s slogan since it was formed. We Teo Xin Xin work with juvenile delinquents in the Huang Xiaohan Singapore Boys’ Home (SBH), Singapore Suen Ka Man Boys’ Hostel (SBH) and Singapore Girls’ Home (SGH) and conduct weekly tuition and befriending session at the respective homes and works closely with the MCYS and the Homes. Other activities carried out during sessions includes card games, board games, movie screening etc to try to make it a more vibrant volunteering experience for both the residents and the volunteers. Other than the weekly sessions, RSP Youth also helps in the organization of the Homes’ annual events such as Family Day, Camp and Swimming Meet. Youth Girls Coordinator: Centerhead – Blk A: Centerhead – Blk C: Financial Controller:
Due to the restricted access into the Homes, volunteers have to undergo screening by the MCYS and also ensure that there is no disclosure of any confidential information, which is why there are rarely photographs of volunteers working with the beneficiaries.
Girls Blk A and C (From Left to Right): 4th row: Foo Jiying, Suen Kaman, Neo Suhui, Chua Persis, Cheryl Goh, Ng Mei Fang, Lim Zhi Wei, Phebe Bay, Poon Shu Xuan, Jaime Quek 3rd Row: Ng Guan Ling, Teo Xin Xin, Judith Ho (alumni), Lim Sin Lay, Cherie Aw, Fiona Koh, Goh Li Ying 2nd Row: Nadiah Rahmat, Geraldine Ho 1st Row: Yvonne Goh, Lin Siping, Huang Xiaohan, Wendy You, Yu Fujing, Lee Hui Ming & SGH Staff Left without taking picture: Tan Hui Fen, Nur Adillia Bte Ayoub
Boys Blk B From bottom left to right: Yoke wen, Sandra, Sabrina, Pamala, Chihui, Yuling, Mable, Mitchell From top left to right: Yee Tien, Peng Juay, Karen, Doreen, Hafiz, Wei Yang, Yong Yong
49
Boys Blk D From bottom left to back: Yenbin, Michelle, Poh ling, Yi yun, Ken Vin, Peggy From bottom right to back: Min guan, Vaibhav, Hao sheng, Seow hong, Khalisah, Daisy, Nicole, Barbara
Boys Blk E (From left to right): 1st row: Jennifer, Shirley, Zoe 2nd row: Yanfeng, Cheryl, Yammie, Jing Xuan, Julyn, Ye Woon, Rasiah 3rd Row: Felicia, Mei Yun, Shaun, Sze Xiong, Yuan Gan, Huiting 4th Row: Jian Chang, Cher Teck
Member Award list:
Gold
Bay Chun Hui Phebe Fiona Koh May Hui Foo Ji Ying Goh Li Ying Goh Shu Ping Cheryl Ho Shu Ling Judith (Hononary Alumni) Ho Yi Ting Geraldine Huang Xiaohan Jaime Quek Lee Cheah Woon Lee Hui Ming Lim Hui Shan Vanessa Lim Sin Lay Lim Zhi Wei Lin Siping
Nadiah Rahmat Neo Su Hui Ng Guan Ling Ng Mei Fang Nur Adillia Bte Ayoub Poon Shu Xuan Suen Ka Man Teo Xin Xin Wendy You Hui Min Yu Fujing Yvonne Goh Qian Ru Chua Persis Tan Hui Fen Tan Chin Han Cheung Feng Shan Daisy Ong Min Guan Chia Yen Bin
Khalisah Kamisan Vaibhav Vij Yam Hui Min Barbara Rebecca Alvis Chin Wei Chiat Chin Shi Yun Yammie Loh Cher Teck Julyn Ng Tan Sze Yin Felicia Leong Hon Choong Lim Xin Xuan Mok Kai Luen Tan PengWen Tan Yih Keng Tang Jun Sheng Tow Li Wan Yu Yong Thieng
Zhang Yang Lee Hui Min Chong Chen Hui Tan Xue Qi Sherri Koh Chao Xiong, Desmond Tan Yean Sang Neo Chern Ee Frederick Tiang Peck Kin Quentin Ong Jing Wen Ivy Mitchell Tan Mable Lee Abdul Hafix Bin Oman Goh Sok Hui Karen Goh Xin Yi Doreen Man Jun Shermaine Ng Wei Yang Joanne Tang Yuling
The RSP Youth (Girls) Legacy Three years ago, RSP Youth (Girls) had only one single member left. She was the one and only volunteer who persevered and went on for weekly sessions with the residents in the SGH. On the following recruitment drive, she recruited three other enthusiastic girls who started out on their volunteering stints. So two years ago, RSP Youth (Girls) had four volunteers, who eventually expanded the club till it has about thirty active members today. Though still considered a rather small constituent, we will strive and hold onto the perseverance shown by our lone predecessor, Judith Ho (who has already graduated in 2008 but is still volunteering with us), in making this volunteering journey more fulfilling, vibrant and exciting and not let her efforts go to waste!
50 Volunteering session: Singapore Boys’ Home
Every Thursday Singapore Boys’ Hostel Every Wednesday Singapore Girls’ Home Every Saturday 730 pm to 9pm 730pm to 9pm (Only Female volunteers) 3pm to 5pm
Silver Ko Hao Sheng Kwek Seow Hong Peggy Soon Pei Yi Yeap Ken Vin Cheong Mei Suen Jennifer Fu Yan Feng Rasiah Bte Kamsani Tan HuiTing Yuen Wei Zhong Shaun Loh Jingda Neo Wei Jin Lionel Siak Cheng Mun Oh Yong Yang Sim Yhee Yhee Pamela
Bronze Anisha Ghani Ooi Yuen Mun Jeyannanthini D/O Joan Ong Wei Qi Jeyapal Tan Kian Boon Choi Hock Heng Thng Chew Yen Low Kai Ling Michelle Yap Kar Wei Nicole Tan Tze Ying Tan Chi Hui Tang Hui Wen Ng Boon Ming Lai Jian Chang Tay Hui Koon Liu Qianqi Neo Siok Tin Cheryl Wong Yi Xiang Elaine Low Xiao Mei Lau Sze Hui Ng San San
Special Mention For Alumni Chua Persis Ng Guan Ling Wendy You Hui Min Lee Hui Ming Celine Prakash Lee Jianwen Tan Chin Han Belinda Mok Xin Hong Cheung Feng Shan Daisy Chia Hui Li Elizabeth Nancy Ng Seow Yan Peggy Soon Pei Yi Tang Hui Wen Tay Hui Koon
Alvis Chin Wei Chiat Joan Ong Wei Qi Neo Chern Ee Frederick Loh Jingda Wong Jenn Wah Tein Seong Jung
RSP Youth (Boys) More than 60 over active volunteers have walked through this exciting journey with us this year. Although we might be working in different blocks, everyone shares a common belief in making a difference. Thus, we would like to thank each and every one of you for your enthusiasm and efforts in enriching the lives of the beneficiaries. We are also grateful to the graduated volunteers who continued to volunteer in the home and hostel! Also, we would like to take this chance to wish all graduating seniors a successful and beautiful life ahead! All the best for your future endeavors, and may your heart stay gold forever! *PS Should you wish to continue your service, RSP Youth will always welcome you with open arms! (and donations too! =P)
51 “Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values” ~ Ayn Rand
Committee Members: Coordinator: Secretary: Internal Centre Head: Business Manager: Financial Controller: Events Coordinator: West Bus Coordinator: East Bus Coordinator:
RSP
Gold Zhong Shuhui Chong Wan Ying Vong Xiaoxiang Liow Yu Qi Tay Wang Ling Stephanie Wu Peijia Huang Qiao Ru Sutrisno Siman Wong Joo Hong Angel Lee Shi Ning Vanessa
V . H .
Regular Service Project for the Visually Handicapped (RSPVH) is set up in year 2000 and seeks to reach out to the visually handicapped community in Singapore. Currently, RSPVH’s target group is visually handicapped students ranging from primary to University level. Their ability to see varies. Some are completely blind while others utilize magnifying devices to help them see better. Every week, volunteers provide tuition to these students and also plan fun and interactive events for them to participate in. The weekly tuition sessions are held at the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) at Braddell on Saturdays, from 2 to 4.30pm. Events planned by RSPVH include the recent HDB Park Hunt where our beneficiaries have to go through a series of game stations testing their memory and sense of taste, touch and hearing. Another is the Sports League event where our beneficiaries get to compete in different sports related games specially designed for them. Through these activities, RSPVH not only aims to improve their academic grades but also build up their confidence and self-worth, bringing colours into their lives! Over time, through interacting and relating to the beneficiaries, volunteers gain their trust and friendships are forged. Volunteers have become like mentors and buddies, sharing in the students’ joys and sorrows and helping them to integrate into society.
I am really inspired by the patience and concern that my fellow volunteers show towards the student beneficiaries. From the weekly tuition sessions I have learnt that I often take things like good eyesight for granted. I am also grateful being able to work with such wonderful and committed committee members, especially our capable leaders Shu Hui and Xiao Xiang! They are really the best. Just ask anyone and they will tell you so. :) :) ~ Pei Jia
Would like to express my gratitude to everyone for giving me this chance to serve as event manager, feel happy to work with dedicated people like you all and hope that next batch of volunteers will take RSPVH to even greater heights! ~ Zhao Kai
52
It is really fun working with people who share the same interest and goal. I have learnt a lot through volunteering. RSPVH Rocks!! ~ Stephanie
Member Award list:
Volunteering in RSPVH has been a fun, inspiring and valuable experience for me as I can a chance to interact with more people and most importantly being able to lend my helping hand to the less fortunate. ~ Yu Qi
Gold Nur Azura Binte Chumat Sarjanee Ye Qinyi Kow Pei Ling Chue Kok Loong Joey Ivy Ong Jing Wen Tan Yan Shan Carmen Chaw Jian Xian James Jason Wang Yao Zhong Chua Jing Yi Alister Lim Teng Lee Phee Pei Zhen Veronica Liow Yu Ting Seah Kai Qi, Charlene Muhammad Adnan Bin Abdul Khalik Trinh Lien Huong Pricycia Goh Mong Sei Bharath Vijay Palukurthi Chow Pei Yin Lau Wai Kent Lee Wai Hong Long Jiren Tan Gui De Tan Kian Boon Tan Ying Guang Wang Bing Teo Shu Min
Silver Lim Huiting Su Tzu-Jung (Venus) Sirichat Vongsomtakul Chan Bao Xuan Chng Weilong Chang Su-Mei Victor Adrian Liew Wei Lin
Bronze Ho Jianwei John Muhammad Aidilsofyan Bin Abdul Rahman
Special Mention For Alumni
Colina Christerson Shing Min Li En Allan Edmund Robin Him Yick Alex David Ye Shyh Qin Wendy Rabin Peiling Paramitha Huang Mingda Peter Calvin Melinda Gek Eng Murni Hoeng Hong Yuxian Michelle Chew Sinn Yun Kok Wen Ya Ng Yao Heng Chiew Yan Grace Lim
One lesson that I have learnt through volunteering is to treasure all the simple things in life such as family, friends, health and more. I would like to thank all who have committed themselves in volunteering for not just their effort in helping the less fortunate, but also for being a silent yet strong motivation to others to spread kindness unconditionally. ~ Xiaoxiang
53
It has been an enriching volunteering experience spent with my greatly treasured, like-hearted friends! I am thankful to all of you for bring colours to my once mundane life and at the same time doing likewise to brighten up the lives of all our beneficiaries! ~ Qiao Ru
Having joined RSPVH for almost 2 years, I have personally gain a lot of learning experience and better understanding towards our beneficiaries in terms of how they think, study and play. Despite having visual impairment, their determination to study and the ability to move on with their lives despite having setbacks really do inspire me. It also motivates me to work even harder to overcome all the challenges ahead! During this journey of volunteering, it is great to know other people who share the same aspiration, sharing their hearts of love and lending their hands to help the less fortunate. The moments that we had together and establishment of friendships are things that I will preciously treasure. It is also a pleasure to be able to work with a dedicated team of committee members who are always so well-oriented, responsible and dedicated in making RSPVH a better place. In addition, I would also like to express gratitude to all the seniors for all your hard work and all the volunteers who has all along been contributing perpetually to the community. It is because of you that makes a difference to their lives! ~ Shuhui
My experience in RSPVH has been immensely fruitful and meaningful. By reaching out to the visually handicapped students, I understand better the difficulties they faced in life especially in their studies, due to their disability. Nonetheless, most of them have embraced their lives optimistically. Their perseverance and determination in life have also inspired me. Along the way, our seniors have been extremely encouraging and helpful to us. By sharing their past experiences with us, we are able to improve on our interaction with the VH students and be more sensitive to their needs. Deepest appreciation to our seniors’ hard work in the club and guidance to the juniors. ~ Wan Ying
54
RSP Committee Members:
I . D .
Coordinator: Vice Coordinator: Training Officer: Financial Controller: Logistics Officer: Volunteer Officer : Liaison Officer:
Andy Wong Jing Hon Deborah Tan Wei Cheng Tan Chu Jie Rowena Diana Chia Xue Qi Lim Bing Yao Sim Lin Ping Salome Ong Soo Pei
Hi everyone, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write an open letter to everyone in WSC and RSPID. 2008/2009 has been an eventful year for RSPID. The shift from our cozy humble lodge in Jurong Gardens School to the spacious and modern facility in Woodlands Gardens School in Aug 2008 marked the start of a new chapter in the history of RSPID, one in which we, the pioneer current batch of volunteers at WGS will lay the foundation for the future generations to build on. Adjusting to the new surroundings and conditions wasn’t easy, but eventually we did. Over the past year, I have learnt a lot throughout my journey as the coordinator of RSPID and a volunteer. However, I would just like to share one personal learning aspect with everyone. Volunteering is a 2 way thing. When we volunteer, we contribute to the society and the underprivileged in our own way, but from them we do gain something back as well. The happiness that we get from their appreciation for the things we do-a simple thank you or a heartfelt smile, the satisfaction when you see the positive impact you’ve made on them- better mannerisms, skills like road safety and money concept. These intangible feelings are the gifts of volunteering of which money can’t buy. To sum it up, embrace the gift when you give. ;) I would like to take this opportunity to show my appreciation to all the volunteers of RSPID, be it the past or the present. Their selfless dedication to our trainees has definitely made a difference in their lives. I would also like to specially thank my main committee- Deborah, Diana, Chujie, Bing Yao, Salome and Soo Pei, for spending considerable time and effort on RSPID throughout the past year. Lastly, I would like to thank WestEnd of MINDS Youth Group (MYG) for their guidance and support. Their dedication to the intellectually disabled despite their busy working lives is an inspiration to us all. With the advent of my tenure, the time has come for the next batch to take over the reins and bring RSPID to greater heights. It will be a daunting task no doubt, but I have faith in you guys. Most importantly, do remember that in everything we do, we do it for our trainees. The joy of seeing the smile on their faces as a result of what we did for them has served me well throughout my tenure, and I hope it will do the same for you too. Warmest Regards, Andy Wong Coordinator for RSPID(08/09)
Small & Steady
55
Visa ad dancer Runner
Gong Gong Princess
Yang Yang’s
Member Award list: Gold Au Hui Yan Au Reuben Chen Qing Cheo Ting Ting Chua Wai Ming Chua Zhiting, Charlene Fong Shu Yi Goh Mavis Goh Pei Yong Ho Puay Boon Karen Khoo Yin Peng Edmund Koh Hui Yun Lee Han Siang Liao Hui Shan Liew Si Min Lim Ai Yi Michelle Lim Cher Siong Lim Jun Jing Lim Kelvin Lim Wen Bin Ling Wee Kee Low Yi Chuang Loy Yawen Neo Wendy
Ng Chooi Yew Lyn Ng Pei Qi Ng Shao Qin Ng Siew Ling Jacqueline Ong Jia Yin Carol Ong Shee Yin Pang Shu Hui Quek Wee Yong Ryan Seah Jiaren Darren Teo Shu Ying Toh Her Shuang Wong Hao Cheng Eric Wong Min Li Woo Sein Chyi Wu Juan Xu Rui Yat Ruo Wei Yong Yik How Jonathan
Silver Ang Hui San Fiona Chen Yushan Shannie Chia Jie Sin Chia Xue Qi Diana Chong Qiu Rong Choo Maslyn Chu Pei Ko Kok Wei Lau Hui Tzy Lee Ying Qin Lim Bing Yao Lim Hui Shan Lim Hui Xian Lim Wei Meng Eugene Ong Chong Tiang Ong Soo Pei Sim Lin Ping Salome Tan Chu Jie Tan Wei Cheng Deborah Tay Pei Si Wong Jing Hon Andy Yee Melissa Ng Yong Huat Yu Xin Yang
Hip Hop Queen
Bronze Ang Shimin Geraldine Ang Wei Kain Chew Kok Soon Chiok Aveline Chua Chin Yee Chua Xiu Xia Fitri Juniwati Ho Chin Ee Huang Shi Min Jase Khoo Ee Wei Jasmine Wong Lee Yinjie Lim Feng Ying Sheena LIn Shiyin Low Kim Huat Man Shu Mei Ong Hui Ling, Lucinda Ong Wei Lin Sng Yu Chao Wong Shu Ching
56
RSP
H . I .
Committee Members:
From top left, Athene Foo, Enchen, Xin Yi, Ellie Second Row: Yen Yah, Gladys Third Row: Wei Hong and Sin Hang
Coordinator: Tan Xin Yi Financial Controller: Tan Yen Yah Clementi Centre Head: Chueng Sin Hang Guo Enchen Kallang Centre Head: Athene Foo Yong Qing Gladys Wong Jia Li Farrago Centre Head: Ellie Chua Seng Yih Loh Wei Hong
Welfare Services Club – Regular Service Project for the Hearing Impaired (RSPHI) has been serving the deaf community since 1991. The Tuition and Enrichment Programme (TEP) was established by RSPHI to provide weekly tuition to deaf students and also enrichment courses for deaf adults. Tuition was aimed to improve the academic results of deaf students and also improve their social skills while enrichment courses target to increase the employment chances of deaf adults by equipping them with practical skills. In addition to weekly session, TEP also includes 3 annual events organized for the Deaf. They include HI! Singapore, SPARKZ and Christmas Song Signing. All RSPHI volunteers attended a workshop on Deaf Culture, Communication and Language (DCCL) and a Beginner Stage 1 (BS1) Sign Language course to enable them to have a fundamental understanding of the hearing impaired community and to have the basic proficiency of communicating with the hearing impaired. In October 2008, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) became the official sponsor of TEP. With the extra resources, RSPHI underwent expansion. By February 2009, two new tuition centres were set up. As of April 2009, RSPHI has a total of four tuition centres at Kallang, Clementi, Sembawang and Toa Payoh. A total of 60 students are enrolled in it. On top of that, another extension of RSPHI, Club Farrago, also runs an enrichment course at the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf ).
57
Recognized Volunteers: Athene Foo Yong Qing Aw Yi Ping Beh Sue Hwa Chan Hui Min Cheung Sin Hang Chew Mei Ying Choong Zie Cheng Chow Wai Yen Chua Qi Min Chua Seng Yih Ellie Deanna Poon Xue En Djaya Salim En Yen Teng Foo Ye Zhe, Benjamin Guo Enchen Han Yuen Kwang Andy Heng Yi Siang Delfine Hengky Joycelyn Kang Boon Kee Koh Bing Sheng Kok Meili Lee Hui Zhi Shirley Lee Jia Hui Lee Jie Ying Edelyn Leong Mang Yew
Lim Hong Yi Lim Zhi Yuan Lim Zhicheng Liong Kek Yee Loh Wei Hong Loo Yi Lin Eileen Melvin Wong Chor Wan Ting Fam Jiamin Foo Xiang Quan Gary Seet Su Hua Aileen Tan Xiang Ying Angeline Ting Shu Lin Neo Huay Han Ng Hui Hui Ng Hui Ying Ng Shi Hui Nurliyanah Ali Ong Hui Juan Ong Jing Ru Ong Kian Chye Poon Wen Jie Qin Miao Jing Seow Ru Qing Shawn Lee Shiyang
Words from RSPHI Main Committee: We love RSPHI! For all the hopes ignited in the hearts of our beneficiaries, for all the friendships that blossomed, for all the superb memories created and for all the laughters generated. Even a billion of thanks to each of our volunteer and alumni would not be sufficient to express our heartfelt gratitude towards you. Your unrelenting support and love for RSPHI are the exact elements that made RSPHI so unique and outstanding. Special thanks to our partner, Singapore Association for the Deaf for their continuous assistance in the past 18 years and the many years to come. Last but not least, deepest appreciation to our main sponsor, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) for their generous sponsorship and belief in our program. THANK YOU!
Sng Cui Xia Soon Han Kuan Steven Too Chen Siong Sum Xue Fen Tan Cheng Hui Tan Hui Shan Christine Tan Kok Ping Tan Peiling Tan Xin Yi Tan Xin Ying Tan Yen Yah Tan Ze Lin Tan Zhi Qi Ter Mei Mei Wong Jia Li Gladys Yap Boon Chao Ezra Yap Ching Ting Yap Ken Shaun Yong Shu Fui Zhang Wei Tang Siang Ning Teoh Ming Wei Tan Wei Yuan Lim Keng Woon Madeline Teh Hui Chian
58
SP
O V E
Committee Members: Chairperson: VC: Secretary/Logistic: Business Managers: Publication & Publicity: Liaison Officer: Programmers:
Tan Yen Ling Sarah Chang Lin Zhe Qin Chong Shoulian Evonne Huang Tay Wei Yang Lin Huixian Ang Chuan Hui Tan Sir Seng Yap Yi-Ning
Chong Yao Long Marianne Teo Chen Heng Qing Chua Xinyi Ng Li Sha Khoo Fangxuan Charmaine Tan
OVE
is a team of volunteers from NTU WSC (Welfare Service Club), who plans special projects to be implemented overseas, which will value-add and impact the lives of the less privileged. Every year, the OVE team will lead a team of volunteers overseas to embark on a volunteering expedition, with the aim of helping others, improve the lives of the beneficiaries and put a smile on the faces of the less privileged. Through these trips, volunteers are able to immerse themselves in the culture and lifestyle of the host country. Going abroad to do voluntary work is indeed an eye-opener for many of the volunteers, where they are given the chance to maximize their skills, talents and capabilities to help others, and at the same time, learn to appreciate and value the things and people around them. Also, through the trip, we have forged valuable friendships that we treasure for the rest of our lives.
Canvassing for the Project
59
Main Objectives of OVE 2009: i. ii. iii.
To promote the spirit of volunteerism and cultivate the passion for helping others in many young volunteers. To ensure continuity in the projects that we embark on overseas so as to create a long term impact on the lives of our beneficiaries. To create a close-knitted, spontaneous and committed team of volunteers who can work together as a unified team towards a common goal of helping others.
Throughout the year, OVE has organised several canvassing activities in order to raise sufficient funds for the expedition. Some of these canvassing events are the Christmas Sales, Chinese New Year Bak Kwa Sales, Valentine’s Day canvassing, Hall sales and other adhoc jobs, for instance, data entry and collaborating with BrightMinds for the CareerFair held in NTU. These funds raised by the committee and volunteers form part of the contribution to the project fees and some expenses for the expedition. Furthermore, the canvassing activities also serve to tighten our team and bonding purposes. This year, OVE has collaborated with a Rotary Club partner, Mr Jimmy Ooi, who has worked on several community projects in Cambodia for numerous years, during the first part of our expedition in Siem Reap. Next, the 2nd project OVE has embarked on is in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. For this, we have worked with Mr Tommy Luc of Family Care Foundation (FCF), which is a global NGO. FCF is a very established international Foundation that has helped set up 2 orphanages (Kolap4 and Kleang Klen Orphanages) in Phnom Penh. A big thank you to all the committee members, who have showed much dedication and commitment to the team and the cause of OVE. The OVE’09 team has been very united and spontaneous throughout the year in all our canvassing activities, pre-trip camp and the planning process for the expedition. This year has been a very fulfilling and memorable journey for all of us and this experience has created splendid opportunities for lifelong friendships. With this, I pass on the baton to the next committee of OVE and believe that there will always be a passion for volunteerism. Tan Yen Ling (Chairperson, Overseas Volunteering Expedition 2009)
Site Recee
60
SP
C O R
C
amp OutReach (COR) organises annual overseas camp for the hearing impaired youths with the aim to widen their social circle and to help them in integrating into the society. The camp exposes our participants to challenging and enriching activities, therefore providing a platform for our participants’ growth and development. COR started out as a local adventure camp, and to date, we have ventured further to places like Kota Tinggi, Mount Kinabalu, Taman Negara, Karimun Island and Bintan. The benefits and rewards of COR for all our participants is more than just a getaway trip. It provides sufficient time for all of us to reflect and ponder about the relations we are having around us. This overseas experience can bring about deep and permanent changes in the way all of us perceive and approach life especially to all the participants who are new to this camp. Valuable lessons could only be by experiencing it on your own.
Many of the activities that we have planned are one-of-a-kind experience, not available to people living in the city. This not only enhance the whole camp experience, it will also allow participants to appreciate our high standard of living and the natives’ simple way of life more. The camp can also foster strong and lasting friendships among the many participants involved, as evident in the many COR the different committees have organized. The HI youths, our volunteers and locals will be forming a tri-directional friendship bond, which will directly promote and encourage volunteerism among the youths, contributing to a caring and gracious society in Singapore.
Main Committee: Chairperson: VC: Secretary: Financial Controller: Chief Interpreter: Business Managers: Program Director: Logistic: Chief Group Leaders: P & P Officers: Media & Infocomm:
Sai Tu Jian, Ryan ChewMei Ying Lim Chuan Han Tan Wei Yuan Tan Peiling Grace Tan Xue Bing Lim Junrong Goh Yeh Lin Low Ying Xu Chong Choa Meng Koh Bing Sheng Ong Si Yun Tan Zhi Qi Geneca Tan
Low Hwee Min Lim Sheau Fong Tabitha Tan Ong Qian Hao Han Shu Hui Elaine Choong
61
Few Words from Ryan... This column is dedicated to all those who
have put their heart, soul, time, and resources into COR ’09. It has been an incredibly wonderful experience working together with a vibrant and committed group of individuals. Thank you for believing in this camp and for believing in ourselves that we will make this camp happen, and we did! In this one year, I hope you have learned a lot, matured, and most importantly, enjoyed your volunteering experience with Welfare Services Club. Keep up the spirit of volunteerism and continue to make a difference to this society. Special thanks to the Regular Service Project for the Hearing Impaired and its enthusiastic volunteers for their support, and the Singapore Association for the Deaf for their guidance and administrative assistance. Last but not least, this camp would not be possible without our friendly Hearing Impaired beneficiaries who have been so supportive of COR all these years. We look forward to seeing you the next year.
Sub-Committee: Business Managers: Logistic: P & P Officers:
Gary Foo Lee Tze Yang Lee Wan Xin Ong Kian Chye Nur Syazwani
Gladys Wong Tan Yong Lim Lao Siobhan Chua Shi Wei Melodie Tan
- Ryan
62
SP
P
W
P
atchworks is a special project undertaken by Nanyang Technological University- Welfare Services Club. Led by a group of passionate undergraduates, Patchworks has launched a series of social entrepreneurship ventures which target to amend social perceptions of the society and to encourage social cohesiveness. Patchworks is currently working on projects with the elderly and seniors of our society. Proceeds of the project: “Patchwork Of Flavours” will be donated to Patchworks’ current four beneficiaries, AWWA Community Home for Senior Citizens, Kheng Chiu Loke Tin Kee Home, Geylang East Home for The Aged and Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme.
Launch of Chinese version of PoF...
Handling of SGD10,OOO cheque to nebeficiaries
63
Committee Members: Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary Financial Controller Asst Financial Controller Operations Managers Business Managers IT Manager Publicity Officers
Lee Hup Kee Daniel Cheng Weijie Yong Ziling Teo Wan Ching Jocelyn Desmond Wong Xiang An Ho Mei Xian Lim Jian Shun Poh Yan Bing Eileen Lim Chia Li Karen Kee Hong Wei Marlene Lee Swee Lee Lee Changwei, Eugene Alister Chua Jing Yi Lim Jun Jie Tan Wei Yee Adrian Chew Sin Yee Vanchana Phetchompu Wong Kuan Lung See Liwen Yeo Jia Ling Lam Wan Yee
64
SC
P PnP &
offers a wide range of services to WSC and consist of four main portfolios. They are the writers, photographers, designers and notice board personnel.
We publicise the Club’s activities through the boundless world of the Internet and multimedia presentations and provide technical support in the field of video productions.
P
In the past, Publicity team and Publication team have been working independently and differentiate from Media & Information team. Publicity team will be in0charge mainly the designing jobs and tasks for the clubs while publication team will take responsibilities of event coverage and the archives of those happenings in the club, including publishing it in newsletter or annual yearbook like this. In the academic year of 2009/2010, PnP will merge with MI to form a big new family under the same name again but with a much larger scope and responsibilities and hope together will bring WSC to new height!
Thank You for a wonderful year in PnP!
65
P
ublic Relations committee is one of the core supporting committees of WSC. Our committee aims to promote interaction among WSC members and raise awareness of WSC to the NTU population.
SC
We organize bonding events to bring WSC members together and the event of the year was Bowl-O-Rama, held in December 2008. The bowling event was a great success, with an attendance of more than 100 members. Our committee organizes the annual recruitment drive with a team of representatives from each WSC committee. We also plan and manage among others, the WSC Fair, Welcome Tea, Recruitment Interview and Appreciation Dinner. These involve great teamwork, liaison, planning and dedication from every of our member, for the various events to run smoothly. Hi PR Officers! All of you have emerged as experienced event organizers after a year in Public Relations. All the hard work has paid off with the continuous successes of our events and what makes us stand out from the rest is our determination and passion in eventorganizing. Bowl-O-Rama, the first event we organized, would not have been successful without Fathiah’s liaising with the various bowling centres and Marcus’ sourcing of sponsorship from SDU. It would not have run smoothly without Karen and Gavin’s efficient publicity and Fabian’s emcee-ing. Everyone else who contributed has done a fantastic job too.
Committee Members: Cheng Lin Shi, Dency Lin Shumin Chan Yao Zhong Gavin Nur Fathiah Binte Abdul Malik Goh Sok Hui Karen Goh Zhi Jun, Marcus Koh Tze Hao Fabian Pritha Saraf Sahil Kaushik Tan Eng Ling Catherine
The recruitment drive has yet to begun at this point in time, but I have great confidence we will do great. The adrenaline rush and excitement of seeing our event turn into reality is very satisfying and I am very sure the recruitment drive will be the peak of our year in PR. It has been a wonderful year working with all of you. I sincerely hope that all of you have obtained an insight into event-planning and will contribute to other areas with the skills you have learnt here. Thank you for your commitment and contributions. We’ve been an awesome team! - Dency
P R
66
SC
S E
S
ocial Entrepreneurship is a supporting committee of Welfare Services Club and was founded in 2006. Its mission is to ensure sufficient funds and kinds for Club events & maintain good relationships with all external organizations. It primarily has two main duties and responsibilities which are to:- liaise with the school authorities & corporate organisations to provide for the Club’s activities and - set up self-sustaining projects to provide funds for the Club’s activities.
Mingyang and Doreen: To our mentors, thank you for trusting us and passing on the baton of SE to us. Thank you for offering us valuable advice and guidance when we were lost. Yoke Keong: The funny senior who loves to take pictures and tagged us on facebook. Thank you for capturing the beautiful moments of SE. Heng, Huang eong, Doreen K ke Yo g n o Hwee ght: W From left to ri , Lun Mingyang, Chng Bee yi iu X n Ziqian, Ha
Chin Yuen: Our partner and senior for our tuition agency venture. Thank you for giving us this experience. And thank you for listening and advising us on our carnival project. Bee Hwee, Lay Yong: Thank you for sticking with From left to right: Ng Lay Yong, H an Xiuyi, us and offering your assistance when we greatly needed Wong Yoke Keong them.
Mark of Love
From left to right: Han Xiu
yi, Tay Chin Yuen
The main project that Social Entrepreneurship worked on over the past academic year envisages a large-scale carnival to be held in town, named Mark of Love. Mark of Love is born with two main objectives in mind. 1. To raise awareness about WSC and the various beneficiaries. 2. To raise funds for WSC’s beneficiaries/subsidiary clubs Much effort was spent by all members in sourcing for sponsors and the embarking of an event with such scale that has never been encountered in WSC. It would involve both external vendors (Uncle Ringo) and school students in setting up of food and games stalls. However, external factors beyond our control briefly halted our progress. The unprecedented worldwide economic slum resulted in dashed hopes of holding a carnival of such a scale. Nonetheless, we would continue to endeavour new long term projects, with a major structural change in the committee. This brings us to the following point.
67
Gold
Lam Wan Yee Lam Yat Sun David Low Silin Serene Ng Jian Yuan Lun Mingyang Doreen Heng
Silver
Wong Yoke Keong Tay Chin Yuen Ng Lay Yong Tracy Goh Huihui Leung Ka Yu Claudia
Bronze
Chua Bee Ying Foo Cuimin Ng Yu Lin Chou Koklong
From left to right: Tracy Goh Hui Hui, Huang Ziqian, Han Xiuyi, Ong Weiguang, Leung Ka Yu Claudia, Ng Jian Yuan, Low Silin Serene, Chua Bee Ying, Lam Yat Sun David, Low Seng Kim, Chue Kok Loong Joey From left to right: Chou Koklong, Low Silin Serene, Lam Wan Yee
Low Seng Kim Chue Kok Loong Joey Ong Wei Guang Chng Bee Hwee
Structural Change
Chua Bee Ying, Chue Kok Loong Joey, Chou Koklong, Foo Cuimin, Ng Yu Lin, Ong Wei Guang: Thank you juniors for supporting all SE’s activities. Your contributions are greatly appreciated by us.
Social Entrepreneurship will be renamed Development that will be branched into 2 sections – namely Growth and Business. In particular, Growth will be concerned with possible growth potentials for WSC. For example, collaborating with new old folks home, or even branching a new Regular Service Project portfolio such as hospice care. Growth will oversee the entire process of moving and expanding. Business, will retain much of Social Entrepreneurship’s roots, but the focus will be on long-term contracts. An example of which, is the Spectacle Hut contract. The main purpose is to create lasting relationships with external businesses to bring a win-win situation for both. We look forward to the new structure of Development as it signifies a greater potential for WSC in efficient running and handing over.
Tracy Goh Hui Hui, Leung Ka Yu Claudia, Low Seng Kim: Our spokespersons for SE. Thank you juniors standing up for SE whenever we were in “trouble”. Thank you for your insights which have allowed us to view things from another perspective.
n Yee,
ne, Lam Wa
ilin Sere right: Low S to ft le m Fro n David Lam Yat Su
Lam Wan Yee, Lam Yat Sun David, Low Silin Serene, Ng Jian Yuan: Thank you juniors for all your hard work and efforts. Your From left to right: Lam Wa n Yee, Chue Kok Loong Joe enthusiasm never failed to rub off on us and gave y, Lam Yat Sun David, Huan g Ziqian, Han Xiuyi us the drive and motivation. Thank you for sharing our workload.
From left to right: Ng Jian Sun David
Yat Yuan, Lam Wan Yee, Lam
68
SC
M I
M
edia & Information (MI) Supporting Committee is a dedicated force behind WSC whose primary objectives is to provide technical support such video coverage, disseminate information to the NTU population and provide publicity for WSC through digital media, ie Website, e-Banner, Campus Buzz. This is made possible through the various portfolios in MI: Videography, Video-editing, Animation and Web design. In addition, MI also maintains a media library which includes video archives of the club. This year, MI has covered major projects by WSC, namely Kid’s World, CurL, Christmas Song Signing, Camp Outreach, Overseas Volunteering Expedition, Sparkz, Ignite Change, Project ID and Thank You Dinner Video coverage/productions. In addition to the major projects, MI is in the process of making the new WSC Website, PnP Website and some other projects. In the academic year of 2009/2010, MI will merge with PnP to form a new committee with bigger combined functions and responsibilities.
Gold
Neo Kai Xiong Lee Tat Shin Lim Bing Cong Foo Ce Yao
Silver
Joseph Lam Karelin Loh Meng Chie Chow Jin Cong Wang Jieying Wilson Eng Ee Ee Bian Zhiwei Ong Kai Yie Tan Ying Ru Goh Hui Min Fu Yong Jeremy Tan Jun Long Fong Shu Ning Celine
Silver
Lim Shiyun Benjamin Ng Khow Jun Cong Ayu Aaron Alexander Pang Bo
Bronze
James Moo Guo Sheng Dang Bao Duc Chua Xin Yi Khoo Fang Xuan Ken Pratama Arsjad Li Jianwei Tran Hong Chuong Saransh Bansal Yeung Yu Ching Noor Hayati Lim Shyh Horng
Bronze
Wang Huishen Doan The Vinh Do Thi Hai Ha Yeo Yanlin Julia Lim Zhao Qin Huang Jiemin Lim Seng Siong Long Yinghan Chua Hong Yao Tan Xiao Liang Lan Song Lee Wai Hong Nang Duc Chinh Lim Yihn Shin Ting Sze Hui Ee Zhi Chang Lim Li Hwang Iris Yao Zhiyun Melissa Lee Rui Lin Er Zhi Hui
Hi All, Very big thank to all of you who have turned out for the events, providing excellent support. This is one good opportunity to show our appreciation for all of you being such a wonderful supporting crew. You have been doing a great job for the past year, capturing every precious moment, and coming up with a short video to eternalize the moments. There are hard times and good times, I am sure every single of you enjoyed the process. In the coming years, hope you can continue your service in WSC, be it on the ground support, or providing advice to the freshies, hope you will be there. Lastly, thank you all and all the best in future endeavors! - Kai Xiong
69
V
olunteer Management basically organizes events to expose the students and staff population of NTU, who are not regular volunteers, to volunteering. Every year, we will source for different beneficiaries outside of what we are regularly helping out at. The events we organize differ yearly ranging from fund raisers to outings except for our annual 3 day camp for underprivileged children in December. Our events range from 1 day to 3 days for the beneficiaries and then recruit volunteers directly from the school population to volunteer at these events. This provides an avenue for students and staff who are unfamiliar with or are unable to volunteer regularly to enrich them and learn more about volunteering. We can basically view Volunteer Management as a bridge which links the beneficiaries to a larger population and to potential regular volunteers.
Kids’ World ‘09 Our yearly Kids World event has always been to raise awareness and understanding of underprivileged children in Singapore. It provides an avenue for NTU staff and students to spend their time in a meaningful way. Lastly, to allow these underprivileged children to engage in interesting activities, as well as to take home valuable lessons and skills after the camp. This year is no exception. The first day was mainly filled with ice breakers, handicrafts and station games. The volunteers and children were split into 10 groups with 1 volunteer attached to each child Everyone bonded very well on the first day and all of them seemed to have had great fun. On the second day we went to the science centre. We can see that the children and volunteers really enjoyed themselves and learning about science together at the same time. The children to explore the whole of science centre, which allowed them to enjoy a full science centre experience Finally, the last day, started off with station games, which included some sports and simple team games. Our finale which included a buffet, performances by each of the 10 groups, a video made by WSC MI on the 3 days and also a mini prize presentation for the colouring and bookmark making competition.
SC
V
M
70
Kenneth Low Wong Xiao Lee Seah Kang Li Delphine Mark Yawen Aw Baoxin Chua Chun Kiang Ng Chek Lee Sonakshi Kansal Hong Yuxian Cheung Wai Keung Wicky Oh Wan Ting Poon Kai Hong Tan Gek Eng Kok Wen Ya Chan Kin Hao Royston Yap Zong Xiang Wu ZhiHuai Grace Emmanuella Wang WeiXian
Cheng Li Yen Myat Nyein Zaw Goh Kok Yong Thong Jie Yang May Cho Chit Htwe Goh Zhi Jun,Marcus Julyn Ng Ng Hui Qi Koh Tze Hao Fabian Ashish anand roy Kew Pei Pei Lee Shu Qing Leong Shin yee Lim Zuan Ling Ngeng Shu Wen Seow Simin Tan Poh Jee Tan Shu Gin Michelle Rena Tan YiYing
MADAGASCAR 3 2009
PIN-IT-UP! 2009
71
F
inancial Committee is instrumental in ensuring transparency and efficiency of the club’s financial operations. We are responsible for the formulation of budgets, setting standards of reimbursement and preparation of financial statements that reflect a true and fair view.
The Finance Committee is like the silent horse that runs in the background. Seldom heard of but vital in ensuring smooth monetary flow in the club. Afterall, any organization requires the administrative support, and the finance committe gives volunteers exposure to the accounting aspect of the club. The Committee is run by a group of dedicated volunteers, some whom are involved with the other RSPs. There are no limits on who can join us. All you need is a passion and a willingness to learn.
SC
F
C
Committee Members: Mah Siew Wai Sao Xin Yi Tee Han Bin
C
Loo Jing Wen Soh Lin Sin
hallenge ur Limits (Curl) is a special project under Welfare Service Club (WSC) that aims to reach out beyond NTU and to challenge the abilities of our beneficiaries involved. Through this national scale even, we hope to promote volunteerism through challenging yet fun activities. Working hand in hand, Curl hopes that volunteers and beneficiaries can work together as they experience the fun and difficulties that challenge their physical and mental strength.
SP
C u r L
72
Main Committee
Publicity
Ong Jia Sheng Tan Pei Ying Ho Peiyan Lim Pei Shan Han Meiqi Teo Chin Seng Tan Bao Ling Charlene Mabel Lee Khoo Yin Peng Edmund Ng Liu Yi Priscilla Tang Siang Ning Tay Wensi Leong Wai Keong Colin Eu Li Qing Sandra Sim Jia Li Genevieve Quek Wee Yong Ryan Eileen Chong Tan Yang Jie James Tung Kwai Fu
Choo Huey Min Gaynor Lau Qiuying Lee Li Wei Lee Wanqi Wenda Lim Yi Wee Low Wei Jie Jason Tan Jia Xian Josephine Tan Puay Kah Amy Wang Qiumei Stephanie Wee Teck Shiun Yeo Yang Hong Yin Xiaohui
Logistics Branson Lim Chang Choa Meng Jessie Foo SiHui Keong Sin Gen Long Xueling Nathaniel Putra Akuan Rokanta Noor Hayati Bte Kamari R Ramadevi Tee Chun Xiang Yong Qiu Hua Serene
Business Managers Chen Li Feng Louisa Kermaine Sia Kaiming Lin Fangjing Ng Mei Fang See Wei Wei Serene Pok Shine Koh Hui Shan Tan Ning Xin Tan Wei Yen Yeo Shu Min
Volunteer Chia Hui Leng Jessica Goh Wei Lin Goh Xiu Lan Koh Kai Ting Lee Chun Hoe Lee Silk Hui Ng Shihan Kezia Ng Yan Leng Shereen Novilisa Tan Ong Jie Min Tan Thye Ren Tan Yih Keng Steve Teo Mei Ping Xie Qiongkuanz
Liaison Chan Li Chuen Agnessa Cassandra Huang Zhilian Jaime Quek Koh Cheng Lin Bendy Phee Pei Zhen Veronica Seng Yuan Gan Seow Bee Hian Toh Lay Tin Wong Min Li
Events Belinda Lim Kah Siew Carol Ong Jia Yin Cassandra Chua Siok Leng Cho Xing Ling Chua Ming Jie Edwin Kwek Fong Shu Yi Hong Jing Jing Kwan Weiheng Kenneth Lau Siobhan Lee Yan Qing Genevieve Liu Weiling Low Qui Fong Melody Toh Xin Yuan Poh Yan Bing Eileen Su Jasslyn Teo Jia Yun Toh Si Min Joli Tovia Ng Yun Jie Yong Si Mei
73
Patches of Hearts Who has got some patches of hearts for the elderly? Our journalist, LAM JIA CHYI finds out the person-in-charge behind the brilliant project that bright up the hearts of many elders in Singapore.
74 Q: Can you briefly tell us what’s the position you held in WSC and what are your job scopes? A: I am a Special Project Officer, the Chairperson for WSC Patchworks where “Patchworks” is a series of social entrepreneurial ventures, providing meaningful channels for the elderly to continue contributing to society, thereby challenging ageist attitudes directed towards older persons, especially in view of Singapore’s aging population nowadays. Usually, I coordinate between the WSC main committee and the Patchworks committee, as well as ensuring the smooth operations and plans of Patchworks. I, too, liaise with school and external organizations. I also involved to
band with like-minded individuals in pursuing social causes that include raising funds for social welfare homes and organizing community events for the elderly. Q: What are the expectations when you first joining WSC? A: When I first joined WSC, I wish to learn more about how a student club like Patchworks would operate and be part of the big WSC family where we could reach out to the less fortunate. Q: What are the most unforgettable events or experience happen throughout? A: The most memorable event was the Chinese launch of “Patchwork of Flavours” in this early Janurary where we conducted cooking demostrations with Aunty Seeni and Aunty Anna. The cooking preparations and process were fun and engaging. It was very fulfilling to see how the public enjoyed the dishes after all our hard work. The books sales for the day were also good to kick off the start of the sales of the books with Kopitiam. Q: Since you are double specialization in Marketing and Banking&Finance, how do you balance your work in WSC, study and leisure?
A: Time management would be the key to balancing social work and studies besides having a supporting committee to handle the different commitments. NBS curriculum has definitely equipped me with the relevant soft skills that assisted me in my social welfare work. Interpersonal skills are the key when it comes to interacting with the elderly, external organizations and corporate sponsors. Q: What are the activities or events or projects organized throughout the year after you took over? A: We had organized cooking classes with Hakka Clan where more than 15 elderly shared their cooking experience with youths. The culinary skills and warm nature of the seniors were met
with enthusiastic and curious young mindsabsorbing the art and science of whipping an appetizing dish! The outcome was astonishing! Patchworks hope these series of classes would open the minds of both the seniors and juniors with regard to cross-generation interaction and learning. Another event was the compilation of 38 traditional recipes from several elderly members in all walks of life in which turned into a bestselling cookbook titled “Patchwork of Flavours”, available in English and Mandarin version. There was collaboration with Kopitiam Group of Companies where Kopitiam allowed us to place our books at more than 10 of their outlets for sales as well as the sales of the books at the Annual Dinner of Hakka Clan, which gives huge responses and exposures for our books. For the project, we worked with the club’s beneficiaries, various clans, secondary schools and organizations. Student volunteers were also recruited to transcribe the recipes as the elderly went about preparing the dishes. It was a success as $30, 000 has been raised so far through the sale of the cookbook. The club intends to donate the current profits to its beneficiaries which include Kheng Chiu Loke Tin Kee Home,
Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) Singapore, Geylang East Home for the Aged and AWWA Community Home for Senior Citizens. Q: Is there any new project coming soon? A: The upcoming project is entitled “Patchwork of Reminiscences” which is a collection of true, heart-warming and inspirational life experiences and short stories of elderly from all walks of life, publishing it in an easy to read short stories book. Q: That sounds interesting! Do you mind telling more about that? A: The stories will involve elderly recounting war experiences, sharing about occupations of the yesteryear and how some of them overcame their physical disabilities. It acts as a record and preservation of valuable stories that would be lost over time and the experiences would be enriching for many of the younger generation. It allows the older generation to recollect about the past and for the younger ones to gain an insight of them. Q: Why would you have such an idea? A: I believe that old age is a special life stage that could offer profound experiences where one could grow and develop into a better and stronger person. Through Patchwork of Reminiscences, students and seniors are able to interact in a lively way as students help the elders to recount their lives’ journeys. Students will also benefit from the experiences of the seniors during those challenging times. Meanwhile, seniors will have a platform to publish their life stories and reach out to a greater audience. Q: What’s your biggest achievement throughout by joining WSC? A: The biggest achievement throughout when joining WSC Patchworks is to be able to overcome many challenges to get the new project started, seeing it progressed and completing it in time to come. Q: Before ending this interview, do you have any encouragement or advice for our readers? A: I would like to advice all the members as well as non members to always believe in things that you do. You will never know how far this belief could bring you to in life. Be confident in yourself. Interviewer: Lam Jia Chyi Interviewee: Lee Hup Kee
75
76
Volunteer Management basically organizes events to expose the students and staff population of NTU, who are not regular volunteers, to volunteering. Every year, we will source for different beneficiaries outside of what we are regularly helping out at. The events we organize differ yearly ranging from fund raisers to outings except for our annual 3 day camp for underprivileged children in December. Our events range from 1 day to 3 days for the beneficiaries and then recruit volunteers directly from the school population to volunteer at these events. This provides an avenue for students and staff who are unfamiliar with or are unable to volunteer regularly to enrich them and learn more about volunteering. We can basically view Volunteer Management as a bridge which links the beneficiaries to a larger population and to potential regular volunteers. Join us!
77
Autograph
There is a tremendous strength that is growing in the world through... sharing together, praying together, suffering together, and working together. Mother Teressa
78
Autograph
If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain. Martin Luther King, Jr.
79
Autograph
In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it. Marianne Williamson
Volonta
ires
Welfare Services Club Copyright Reserved 2009