YEAR 1
A group of Year 1 boys and 11 Primers set off in high spirits last Saturday down to NUS to help out with a charity program called "Groceries on Wheels" organized by the NUSS (National University of Singapore Society) for our BBCARES 2011 :) This program was designed to provide and deliver basic foodstuffs, supplies and necessities the lower-income families in Singapore. We started off the day by heaving huge blue grocery bags containing food such as bread, rice, drinks, biscuits onto four buses. Although we were under the hot and unforgiving heat of the Sun, the boys eagerly loaded the buses up without complaints! :) Everyone worked cooperatively together to load the four buses up with grocery bags. Next, we had a short lunch and briefing on what we were supposed to do when delivering the groceries. The hall was packed with volunteers from all walks of life and all age groups! Soon after that we set off for the activity itself. We had a short bus journey to the Holland area - that was the area we were delivering groceries to. Upon arrival at the block of flats, we unloaded the groceries and with the small group of volunteers that came along with us, we began delivering groceries from doorstep to doorstep.
Because most of the residents there were elderly folks who spoke mostly mandarin and their dialects, there were some difficulties in communicating with them. It was quite brainwracking to think of the right words to say and attempt to make conversation with them. However, most of them were quite friendly and helpful and it made the charity work a lot more fun. :D Another problem we encountered was that there were many residents who were not at home as they were out working and hence, many grocery bags were left undelivered. however, at the end of the day, we felt accomplished and pleased with ourselves and it was truly an experience to remember. It also reminded us to place others before ourselves and gave the boys a chance to experience how it felt to serve to the needs of our community and the importance of giving back. :) The primers and boys got the chance to hang out and get to know each other more, and overall it was a worthwhile and fun experience! :D It also made me realize how we took so many things in our life for granted, and we don't see how blessed we are. Truly, this BBCARES made me think back to all the good things I have had in life, and thank God for everything!
~Written by:
Clt/5 Genevieve Lim
YEAR 2
This was my 1st time going for BBcares and thus it was a new experience for me going out with the Sec 2 juniors to St. Luke’s hospital with some Year 3s tagging along. When we got there, we were immediately split up for the different wards, with me being in charge of a few Year 3s and 2s for ward 22. We immediately began interacting with the patients there, trying to talk to them and brighten up their days whichever way we could. We 1st went around asking why they were in the hospital in the 1st place, and from there, struck up a lively conversation. It was a new experience because of the fact that I have never done this sort of thing before, going around a hospital talking to each and every patient to cheer them up. However, we soon encountered problems as most patients were still sleeping as it was early in the morning when we began walking around the wards. For the sleeping patients, we left a card for them to read when they woke up. There were other patients as well who couldn’t understand English. For them, we managed to make origami art as a present.
Throughout this whole program, I’ve truly learned the value of being grateful for just being healthy and being able to live a normal life. And thus, I’ve learned to treasure the little things that we take for granted in our life better.
~Written by:
Clt/5 Daryl Tan
YEAR 3
On the 21st and 22nd of July, the Year 3s and some Primers went to Saint Andrew's Autism Centre to engage the 7-18 year olds in physical, music and dance activities, through which we hoped to bless the welfare organisation, while inculcating in the Year 3s a heart for the autistic children of Singapore.
The Year 3s planned a concert in conjunction with the school's Racial Harmony Day celebrations. They performed a skit and a mass dance with simple actions that the children could follow. The children were well engaged by their exuberant performances. On the second day the Year 3s conducted an obstacle course comprising of three stations with simple activities (e.g. throwing a disc into a hoop). By guiding the children through the actions, we were able to successfully engage the children in the activities.
Carissa and Amanda playing with the children
We found it rather difficult and intimidating interacting with these autistic children initially, however we soon found most of the children to be just like us, but with mental capacities of smaller children. They are also very cute. With ample guidance and patience on our parts, the children were able to enjoy the activities. Seeing the smiles on their faces made all our efforts worthwhile and truly meaningful. We left with a better understanding of autism, a deeper appreciation of the work of the staff, and a stronger sense of empathy for the autistic children.
~Written by:
Clt/5 Carissa Lim
YEAR 4
On 23rd July, we fell in at the parade square in the morning, just like any ordinary Saturday. However, it was BB CARES day, and all the cohorts had been assigned to help out with different voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs). I was with the Year 4 cohort and would be helping out with an event organised for the Oasis youth, FIRE@ACS. The purpose of this event was to provide a platform for the Year 4s to get to know the youth as they would be taking over this ministry at the end of this year.
The youth were scheduled to reach ACS (I) by 10am, so we had about 2 hours to prepare before they arrived. The games committee, Audrey, Brian, Joshua and Mike spent time setting up the logistics for games. Nic and I practiced for worship and Dorothy and Mike joined us soon after. I was nervous and excited as I couldn’t wait to meet the youth and for the programme to start, but I was also afraid that something might go wrong as this was my first time organising such an event.
Nicholas, Jeanette and Ms Petrina Liam
BB CARES Primer Boss, FIRE@ACS Boss, and Community Service Officer Boss
At 10am, we gathered at the spaceframe to meet the youth before bringing them to LT4 for a short briefing on the day’s programme. Mike and Dorothy led a short but meaningful time of worship, after which Joshua took over for the station games.
The youth and Year 4 Boys were organised into four different groups and participated in the different games situated around the school. Mike and I were in charge of the Rollie Pollie Ollie station, where groups would be given 2 minutes to eat as many marshmallows as they could before stuffing as many marshmallows as possible into their mouths in 20 seconds. The youth were really enthusiastic in taking part in the games even though it was pretty messy at some points. It warmed my heart seeing them enjoy themselves and just have fun with one another.
GAMES TROLOLOLOL
After the station games were completed, we had lunch, which Aldo and Nic had collected for us, in the SAC. The programme for the day was not too rushed thus lunch was very relaxed and some of the youth had time to play on the piano as well. Team-building activities for the groups were held after lunch, giving the youth and Year 4s further opportunities to get to know one another and bond.
After the activities ended, we gathered in LT4 again for a time of worship. It was scary playing the guitar and singing in front of so many people, but I reminded myself that I was doing this for God and not for man. Despite our sore throats and hoarse voices from all the excited screaming earlier on in the day, Nic and I managed to pull through! There was a short sharing by Nic on humility and we closed the day in prayer. There was also a prize presentation and each group walked away with some prizes, which had been bought by Pheng Hwee and Duc in the morning. We said goodbye to the youths as they boarded the bus back to Oasis and I felt really glad that they were all smiling as they had enjoyed the day’s activities.
(Top left) Nicholas and Jeanette give briefings
(Bottom right) Michael takes a nice shot with Mr David Ho
(Right) Ms Petrina Liam contemplates the meaning of life,
while enjoying the bliss of a successful BB CARES!!
Ms Petrina with the Oasis girls
FIRE@ACS truly gave me the chance to lead and plan and I am really thankful that everyone involved was so supportive during the planning and organising process. Although the day was long and tiring, it was definitely a fulfilling experience, seeing the event through to completion, and being rewarded by the smiles on the faces of the youth at the end of the day.
~Written by:
Clt/5 Jeanette Loke
Psalm 50:15
"and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
