YFC: Reflection/Testimonials (CSL)

Volunteers' Testimonials

Being part of this charity concert has made me realize that I can always use my God-given talent to serve the community. No matter how insignificant it is, I learnt that if something is done whole-heartedly, no effort will be in vain. 

-Efrata, performer in the concert

It is a very tough job to hold a concert, from preparing the technical aspects of the concert to ticket selling. However, when we earn some profits and use it to help the VWO, all our hard work is paid off and I am satisfied.

-Winnie, backstage crew

Team's Reflection

Through the looking glass:

We have learnt that for a project to be successful, We have to take into consideration many possibilities that can arise instead of making assumption. A project which is only based on assumption will not be realistic, thus, the chance of success is very low.

We have also learnt publicity plays a very important role in determining the success of the project, especially a concert. With a strong publicity, the audience will be more impressed and more willing to support the group. This also helps to raise their awareness regarding the social causes that we are trying to advocate. Sometimes, it is not about how much fund we can raise but rather how much more other people understand and sympathise with the disadvantaged children who we are trying to help.

Finally, we have learnt that team work is extremely important as it lays the foundation for a project to succeed. Without co-operation of all the members in the team, we cannot go far. We need to make use of everyone’s strengths to make this project work. If we want to go fast, we go alone. However, if we want to go far, we have to go together.

Looking Within:

Through the project, I have learnt about time management i.e how to manage project without sidelining my academic work. I also learnt how to control my temper even when things seem to go wrong. Besides, the lesson of patience and understanding is also something essential that I have picked up from executing the project with my teammates.

I have learnt a lot from my teammates who manage to work really well even when they are under tremendous stress. They always keep their minds straight and focus in the project regardless of all the obstacles along the way. Their encouragement in hard times helps me to hold on to the project until the very end as well. I really appreciate for having teammates like them. I also learnt how to reach out to other people by demonstrating understanding, care and sympathy. I learnt to persuade people to support our social cause as well.

After the project, I realize that I have grown so much as a person. I know I still have to learn more and participate more in various projects to support more social causes so that I can gain more experiences, understand more and reach out to the less fortunate people in this society.

Youth For Causes Project has changed my perspective of life. I believe that a happy life is not only about having money or being rich but it is more about understanding other people, caring and sharing.

This experience has changed the way I view people. The sales of our tickets for the concert was really bad and we were all extremely worried about not being able to cover the cost, much less make profits. Thankfully, the Saints Advocates (CCA in our school) helped us by manning the booth for the sales of tickets, volunteered as ushers, runners, backstage crew on the day of the concert, helped clean up and tried to garner people to buy the tickets to our concert. Thanks to them, the concert was a huge success and we managed to fill up more than half of the 1000 seats.  It showed me how help can be rendered so generously and willingly by others around us, and how fortunate we are to have people around to help us.

Looking Ahead:

We can contribute to this community by volunteering as a tutor to the young children at the home. These young children need help in their school work and as junior college students, we are equipped with sufficient knowledge in order to aid them in their assipgnments and pull their grades up. In addition, we can also help this community by involving them in our class CIP projects, raising awareness of the home as well, so that more people will know more about the home and the lives these children lead. 

YFC: Hospice Care Association (HCA)

Organization: 
HCA Hospice Care

In 2011, a team was sent to participate in the Citi-YMCA Youth for Causes programme, supporting the beneficiary HCA-Hospice Care. It is an organisation that provides day care hospice services for patients with life-limiting illnesses. 

Our goal was to raise awareness of HCA Hospice Care, so HCA can gain more support and donations from the community. Funds raised will go to the day care centre, and programmes that give the patients morale and monetary support.  

What we did?

Working with SAJC photographic society, a notebook entitled "Happy Memories" was specially created  for the organisation. 

Students from Saint Advocates along with SAJC photographic society, went down to HCA and spent time interacting with the patients there. 

SAJC students interacting and having fun with HCA-Hospice Care patients

Though the sharing session with the patients, interesting stories were compiled. Relevant photographs of patients were also taken and added in, portraying the patients in their best moments. This allowed the patients to leave a legacy through their stories, passing on their knowledge.

An excerpt from the notebook

Poster used for publicity by YFC-HCA Hospice Care team

SAJC students introducing cup stacking to the local community as part of a fundraising event.

Through the sales, we raised about 2.2k. More importantly though the notebook helped raise awareness about HCA throughout the school and to the public. 

YFC: Caregivers Welfare Association (CWA)

Organization: Caregiver Welfare Association (CWA).

The aim of CWA is to improve the quality of life of elderly through dependable direct care services, and to create a generation of responsible and knowledgeable caregivers.

Who is the target audience of help?

There are two groups of target audience, the elderly and their caregivers.

What we have done?

We conducted sales in our school where we set up booth and sell handmade items of the Caregiver Welfare Association. We also distributed some pledge cards to some of our schoolmates. 

On Sundays, we also conducted street sales at churches and town areas like Orchard road. 

Lastly, it was our main event conducted at NEX event plaza. It was a three-day roadshow where we had sales of handmade items, exhibitions and interactive games with the public. We conducted beads-making lesson, balloon scruputuring session and health quiz as well. Not only did we raised funds for the CWA, we also achieved another important objective and that is to raise awareness about the organization.

Our publicity poster for our roadshow

Highlight of our roadshow – Garden of Love.

How much money we have raised?

We exceed our initial targeted amount of $2500 and had a total profit of $5543.59.

Brought to you by:

TEAM CWA 2011 - Nguyen Nguyet Anh, Teh Wen Shun, Sheena Tan, Gina Hiu.

YFC: Wheelchair basketball Association (WBA)

Story of Team N-ABLE '11

Team N-ABLE 11’ came about when 4brave souls decided to take up the challenge of raising funds for Wheelchair Basketball Association (WBA), a non-profit organisation that provides qualified individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play, learn, and compete in the sport of Wheelchair Basketball. We saw that WBA was deeply in need of funds as they lack sufficient facilities for their trainings, and we felt the urge to help them overcome their difficulties, so that they can excel in their passion for basketball.

From this burning desire to help, we applied for Youth for Causes so as to acquire seed money to start our project running. We came out with multiple ideas and in the end; we adopted the strategy of raising funds by selling merchandise and organising events. We made badges, shirts, straw hearts, cookies, and more! 

Shirt Design

Badges

We also wanted to advocate to the public about WBA so as to allow others to accept them and support them. Thus, we had our very own Wheelchair Basketball competition, where we saw many able-bodies competing in wheelchairs to have a firsthand experience of how WBA personnel would feel.

Participant in wheelchair taking a shot

Also, through mobilization of volunteers who shared our same passion, we managed to spread the word about WBA through our street sales in orchard, as well as churches in Singapore. In total, we managed to raise a profit of $1440.15 for WBA! Throughout this project, the greatest achievement would definitely be the growth in each of us, to be better servant leaders with the passion to advocate changes.

Everyone wants to change the world but not everybody wants to change. What about you?

Brought to you by:

Team N-able '11

YFC: La Esperanza (Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home)

Organization:

Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home (CSLMCH)

What we have done:

One main cause that our group is passionate about is cultivating the artistic talents of youths. Therefore, we have put in place the idea of organizing an art concert to raise fund for these children at SAJC Cultural Centre on the 22^nd July,2011. 

The concert La Esperanza was welcome by students from different junior colleges around Singapore and performers are youths from schools such as Saint Andrew’s Junior College, Hwa Chong Institution, Catholic Junior College, Raffles Institution,etc. Children from Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home also got an opportunity to showcase their talents through a performance which received much support from the audience.

Achievement:
Through this, we have achieved the dual purpose of being able to raise more than $1500 in all from the ticket and also to raise public awareness of CSLMCH. To help us achieve our target, more than 30 recruited volunteers from Saint Advocates of Saint Andrew’s Junior College have willingly served as runners and ushers on the day of the concert. This event has provided opportunities for the children in CSLMCH as well as the students involved in the concert to showcase their artistic talents as well as showcase the importance of artistic cultivation in youths.

Funds raised from this project went to CSL Methodist Children's Home,which helps children from needy and disadvantaged families.

YFC: Reflection/Testimonials (WBA)

VWO reflection

The Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore) is very appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with SAJC for the second year under the Youth For Causes Projects 2011.

The funds raised will go a long way towards the Association’s mission of promoting wheelchair basketball as an inclusive sport for all.  Our members participated with the Organising Committee and their fellow SAJC students in wheelchair basketball matches held during a massive outreach event at SAJC on 23 Jul 2011.  It was heart-warming to see young students trying wheelchair basketball for the first time.  To them, maneuvering a wheelchair is difficult enough, let alone having to play basketball sitting on a wheelchair.  To personally witness how they surmount such challenges and still manage to throw the basketball into the basket is an affirmation of the indomitable human spirit.  Their enthusiasm and energy is all inspiration to all.

The Secretariat at YMCA of Singapore has provided much needed skills on fund raising as well as the required information on organising massive outreach programmes.  Members of the Organising Committee acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to have a job well done.

I hope that the journey was educational, challenging but enjoyable to all.  Our members are looking forward to the continued collaboration and support of SAJC in promoting wheelchair basketball in Singapore.

Lim Puay Tiak

President

Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore)

Volunteers Reflection

Helping the project allowed me to understand more about fundraising and its fundamentals. It was a learning experience and I enjoyed every bit. It was a pleasure to help and know that I can do something and support a cause. 

-Andrea Tan

Team's Reflection

Throughout the whole YFC project, I’ve learnt so much that I cannot express in words. From the start of the project we found many difficulties in implementing or even continuing our ideas. We really wanted to make a difference but had too high hopes that never really did happen. In the end, we have a vision in mind and when we decided on our ideas, it was way too late. Furthermore, we made many blunders, including the purchasing of merchandises. Also, we had to overcome many internal conflicts which were aggravated by our problems. This made the project a very difficult one in the end, we barely scrape through but we had a life-changing experience, an experience that challenged our willpower, strength and made us different. We have learnt so many skills especially in countering problems and I’m deeply grateful for this chance.

-Edward Tan

This YFC journey has been enjoyable and fruitful. Through this, I have been shaped into a very dedicated and determined person. Even though there were many setbacks we faced along the way, as a team, we blossomed into thoughtful people. I personally have also gained insights on the community beyond school, especially through our VWO. The knowledge and skills that I have attained from this journey will be helpful for my other pursuits in the future. 

-Renuka

Initially, I thought YFC was a simple fundraising project for our VWOs, it turned out to be much more tedious than I imagined. Through this project, we encountered many difficulties such as communication and management problems. On top of that, we had to solve and settle many issues on our own including execution and planning with little help. It was really stressful and tedious. Despite all these, I feel that YFC project is an enjoyable experience and I learnt a lot from it especially planning and organizing street sales and administrative work. I have also learnt to serve and help the community and this is a meaningful experience.

-Wan Ying

Through this YFC, I’ve learnt about co-operation and what it takes to be a team player. The project taught me about emotional and personal management and gave me a better insight on volunteer work and fundraising itself. The YFC taught me about determination as we initially suffered a loss and it’s with determination and willpower were we able to break even. Though the project was tiring and frustrating, I think it was essential as it enabled us to grow as individuals and know our capabilities.

-Gio Tan

Team N'able 2011 :)

YFC: Reflection/Testimonials (HCA)

Testimonials of Vounteers

As I was selling the notebooks to my family and friends, I took the opportunity to flip through the book and have a look at what is inside. Rather than it being the normal kind of notebook I had expected, the HCA notebook had anecdotes on the life of a person- Mr Tan Jong Kee. The short paragraphs found in the notebook, together with the intro paragraph on the second page of the book made me reflect on the meaning of life for me and what I can and should do to make it more meaningful. Through selling the notebooks, I also appreciated how these patients at HCA such as Mr Tan would continue living positively despite the ailments that beleaguered them. This made me more appreciative of what I have now.

-Fang Yi Shen

I didn’t know about HCA Hospice Care till I was contacted by Jeremy to get involved in this project and help out in his street sales. He briefed us about the cause and we managed to transfer the knowledge to the buyers and managed to raise awareness

-Lim Teng Jie

It was a fun and enriching experience to sell notebooks instead of the usual flag day as we were more aware of our cause and as we needed to promote our cause

-Winston Koh

Team Members' Reflections

Looking Within:

I have learnt that as a leader responsibility is very important especially as a JC student, this project would take up a lot of time and being a social entrepreneur is not easy for 1^st timers like us and when the going gets tough, it’s easy to get demoralized and as leader it is my job to take care and motivate the members in any way possible. Also, its is important to treasure all my teammates as no matter what I will be stuck with this group of people and if they do have flaws, accept them, work with them and take advantage of their capabilities. This experienced have taught me that things will never be as smooth sailing as can be and only with hard work comes results thus we need to be constantly involved to ensure the success of this project.

Looking Out:

I have learnt that the patients in HCA Hospice care really need awareness as they are a group of beneficiaries that are often neglected. They really do need the support from the community to help them. However, while our group was supporting them and there were times we could interact with the patients, we learnt that the most importing things we can give them are not the money but their dignity. Despite needing money, they would not want to be portrayed in a pitiful manner to gain more sympathetic donations but rather a good and happy finish to their remaining days of these life limiting illness patients. This is why our notebooks are titled happy memories to allow these patients to leave a happy legacy of their lives in our notebook. In future I hope to participate more in helping these patients and other beneficiaries to leave their legacy and dignifying them.

Looking ahead:

For now I do not have any plans for the future, but I am hoping to take part in several CIP attachments in other organizations to learn more about the different areas of the community that needs our support and move on from there. 

-Jeremy

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Looking Within:

The Citi – YMCA Youth For Causes project is a precious opportunity for my teammates and me to be more socially conscious and responsible individuals Through executing business plans to raise funds, spread awareness and educate the public about various social causes in Singapore through a tri-partnership with VWO representatives, corporate mentors, I have learnt a lot of valuable entrepreneurial skills which better prepare me for the future. Also, I have learnt to be a better leader as throughout the project, it is important to plan ahead in detail, have back-up plans, expecte the uncertain and unexpected, and to coordinate with teammates to bring out the best in every member of the group and reap most benefits for the whole group.

Looking Out:
I have learnt that the patients in HCA Hospice care need more public awareness and support. At the final staged in their lives, they do not only need to have more and better facilities, medical services but also more people visiting them at the hospice so that they can interact and share their life stories, thoughts and emotions. 

Looking ahead:
I plan to organize more service learning days for my class to HCA Hospice Care where they can interact with patients with life-limiting illnesses to be able to empathize and sympathize for them, as well learn how to treasure and appreciate what they are given in life.

-Dieu Anh

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Looking within:

I’ve learnt a great deal about myself through the course of this project, like how I react to different scenarios and changes. Furthermore, I am able to better identify my strengths and weaknesses in contrast to my team members during this project. For example: the case of sales, where sales is not my strong point whereas accounting is my forte, I’ve learnt to better utilize my abilities to suit the scenario and maximize efficiency as a team. I’ve learnt to give life a more holistic outlook, where I consider different viewpoints from different people and how to better utilize my talents and ability to achieve greater heights.

Looking Out:

The sick and elderly often receive little care and concern from strangers, even if it’s to give a dollar or two as donations people are still hesitant. The acts of the staff at Hospice Care Association have deeply touched me as their efforts to shower the ill with care and concern are extremely commendable, their love and care for the elderly and ill have influenced and made an impression in my heart.

I can further contribute to the community by participating in more community based projected to help VWOs to further raise awareness or funds for their causes.

Looking Ahead:

As an individual, I plan to follow up on my YFC experience by sharing my experience with juniors and influence them to join this program. This is a valuable experience that I would most surely want to share with others. Another follow up project I intend to do is work with the autism sector of Singapore, where there are also the underprivileged whom seek help of various forms.

-Eugene

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During this project, we have faced many problems and obstacles. However, my teammates never give up and keep coming up with ideas and solutions to improve our plight. I learnt the determination and passion in my teammates, and I think I should use what I have learnt from them to apply to future situations. 

Through this project, I think the most important thing that I learnt is to always think of a backup plan when you are planning and be prepared to face changes. I believe there are definitely many challenges wait for me in my future path, and I think that if I can be determined and do not give up easily, I will not be defeated by all those difficulties. Other than having the resilience, I also learnt that we need to have an optimistic mindset. We should not always linger on the mistakes that we have already made and not looking forward, it will forbid our growth. Thus, we need to tell ourselves to think positively and get on the new journey instead of being bounded by the past. 

In addition, other than self-discovery, this project also showed me how much we individuals can make a difference in other people’s life. The community I served was a group of ill patients who have less than a year to live. It was amazing to see them still being passionate about their life and trying to make each day a better one. It made me reflect on how I wasted some of my days and took many things for granted. 

I really do believe that other than trying to supporting the community financially, we can help them by raising awareness so that more people can show their love and care for them. I think we should get more celebrities to be involved in advocating. We have limited resources, but if we can make every single resource effectively, I think we can have greater achievements in helping them. Even though this project has ended, I would like to sign up as a volunteer to continue contribute to those who is in need.
-Xu Guo

YFC: Reflection/Testimonials (CWA)

Volunteers from Road Show at NEX Shopping Mall:

“This experience has shown me that some Singaporeans, despite being said to be selfish, still have hearts of compassion that are willing to help. Looking at a lady who donated 50 dollars touched my heart and made me believe that there's hope for a better tomorrow, not only for the elderly, but also for the needy in the world so as long as we keep on fighting for what we believe in.”

- Efrata Puji Harsono 

“The most valuable lesson learnt to me is that sincerity is the thing that matters the most when it comes to helping the less fortunate. Through helping out, I realised that most young people like me tend to undervalue the pocket money given by our parents to us, some of us may take the money for granted or just spurge on items that we desired. The thought of donating some portion of the money away may probably be the last thing on our minds. As I watched the YFC group members counting the earnings for the day, I see the importance of how every single cent plays a significant role in attaining the final earnings. From this, I really understand how fortunate the young people are today and that every cent that we contribute can really cause a great difference on the lives of the less fortunate. I strongly believe that young people should involve themselves in more community work if any opportunity arises. If there is a chance, I would still choose to take part in helping out as a volunteer again and encourage my friends to do so too as one can achieve a sense of fulfillment as he sees that he himself can also do his part in giving back to the society.”

- Ng Cai Ling 

“What impacted me the most was the effort that everyone contributed - the CWA core team (Vincent, Gina, Nguyet Anh, Sheena) organising and running the event, student volunteers enthusiastically promoting the cause to the public, the CWA staff who ensured the smooth execution of the roadshow. I was particularly impressed with Mr Chiang, an elderly man cared for by CWA, who was willing to spend his time helping out at the booth, making key chains with thin fishing line and tiny beads that required high dexterity.” 

- Jaren Lim 

“The event is truly exciting and memorable. I had a chance to show my compassion to help old people by selling things for charity. I had fun as well. I was taught how to make balloon sculptures and badges. I had chance to interact with people from young to old and some are even willing to donate large sum of money for our fund. The event also provided me with opportunity to interact with students and teachers from different classes in my school. In overall, it was a fruitful time for me and i was thrilled that the event was a big success.”

- Le Anh Tuan 

Team's Reflection

Being a participant of Youth For Causes 2011 was really an enriching experience. Given another chance, I would like to take part in this meaningful cause again. Through these tough 15 weeks, I have managed to learn a lot about myself and also about others. YFC has provided me with the chance to gain experience in social entrepreneurship and that has certainly boost my confidence level when facing the public. Being in a group of 4, I have learnt many about my teammates. 

For example, Gina is a meticulous person, Anh is a hardworking individual and Sheena is a dedicated team leader. Communicating with my fellow teammates is really an ease and enjoyable as each of us have different ideas but in the end, we still managed to accept each other’s opinion. 

YFC has changed my perception about the elderly in Caregiving Welfare Association (CWA). Throughout this journey, I have learnt a lot about how the elderly in Singapore is being neglected and not taken care of. Although there are associations such as CWA to help them, they still lack the funds and may also need more support in order to carry out their operations. For example, building a mini healthcare centre in CWA is a priority as having outsourcing medical treatments to outside organizations require a lot of money.  As for me, I think I can help them by helping them to raise funds, but in the end, I think the most key idea is to direct volunteer. This includes volunteering at CWA to mingle with the elderly and to communicate with them.

Being through this long and tough journey, I actually found it very enjoyable as we can express our opinion freely besides building up on our entrepreneurship skills. I also learnt to communicate better with other people besides being more confident. In the future, I will certainly recommend YFC to my fellow juniors, and also the whole school so that more people will know about this cause. I will also try to work on other projects by collaborating with other VWOs as I would like to try on something new. The next thing I would want to do is probably holding a charity marathon or a concert. 

-Teh Wen Shun

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The 15-week YFC journey is an unforgettable experience in my life. 

The most important lesson is to manage my time efficiently to cope well with my academics and to complete YFC tasks. I realize that all of us have limited amount of time and prioritization of work is very significant in order to achieve the best possible outcome. There were times when our street sales clashed with a critical examination period. I had to pay more attention during lessons and maximize the time in class to digest knowledge so that I would have time for our YFC project. I learnt to treasure my time and make every minute meaningful. As a result, our project ended well and my academic results were satisfying.

The next lesson learnt is to work effectively as a team. Each project involves a lot of tasks which cannot be handled by an individual but should be completed by all members of a team. It is necessary to have an efficient division of work among members according to their strength and weaknesses so as to maximize their potential and attain the best result for our team. Throughout the process, I have discovered that I am good at interacting with people in selling items but often neglect small details. Thus, I was responsible for street sales and my teammate was in charge of accounting. 

The YFC project has equipped me with necessary skills such as time management and teamwork which help me prepare thoroughly to survive and thrive in this increasingly competitive world. I will try my best to utilize these skills effectively to attain higher achievements in the future. Moreover, I will maximize my strength and work on my weaknesses such as trying to be more meticulous. 

Thanks to our project, I am more aware of problems faced by the elderly and their caregivers. This is a serious issue in Singapore because she is experiencing fast rate of ageing population. Therefore, organizations such as CWA are becoming more important to our society. Besides, I have learnt that many senior citizens need our physical and emotional support while many of us see them as a burden to society. Youths should learn more about eldercare to help their ageing relatives.

After the closure of YFC, our group will continue to support CWA. We plan to execute more fund-raising events so as to provide state-of-the-art equipment which aids eldercare. We also intend to carry out an interactive workshop in various secondary schools, junior colleges and polytechnics to raise awareness about challenges encountered by the elderly and the role of caregivers in our society nowadays. 

-Nguyen Nguyet Anh

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Through Youth For Causes (YFC), I had a real taste of what it is like to organize a fund-raising event from scratch. There are so many behind-the-scene matters that one would not really get to know unless it is a hands-on experience. Although I did not have a strong interest towards entrepreneurship, but I wanted to challenge myself to do something that I have never attempted before. This allows me to grow in areas that I have never been able to tap on, to gain knowledge of some of the strengths that I never knew that I could use to my advantage and some of the weaknesses that I never knew I could work on. 

During the project, I was placed in-charge of the rental of event location which is an atrium in a shopping mall and volunteer management.

Regarding the rental of event location, I held a very important role of selecting a location for the roadshow that is easily-accessible by the public. With the low budget we have, rental have to incur as low as a cost as possible. I found this to be quite a tough job after sending several emails to almost all of the shopping malls in Singapore with atriums as only two shopping malls replied - Anchorpoint and Nex shopping mall. Luckily after a few discussions and negotiations with Nex shopping mall, we managed to obtain a three day rental from 26^th to 28^th August of the Event Plaza free-of-charge from the Nex management board.  

This was after a previous attempt to rent the Event Plaza from 5^th to 7^th August but was rejected last minute which caught us aback for a while. This taught me to always be prepared for last minute changes and to adapt quickly to new adjustments as no time can be wasted in panicking over the changes. This was further brought out by sudden changes in some volunteers who could not make it to the roadshow last minute. Many of the times, my team planned for the event to occur in a certain manner. However, I had to accept that things may not go smoothly in reality so I often had to rebut my friend’s suggestions to ensure that the best ideas are picked for the event to occur smoothly. Criticism is not entirely bad; it should actually be encouraged since the formation of a team is for the very purpose for team members to question each other’s suggestion to modify current ideas to make way for even better ones.

Through this project, I also managed to learn of my strength to be able to directly walk up to members of the public and publicizing to them verbally regarding our roadshow event. This require a lot of courage and persuasion skills which made me especially satisfied whenever a passer-by is willing to take a look at our booth after I had approached him/her. However, I have to admit that one of my weaknesses is the ability to stay interested in a particular job for a long period of time. I realized that in order to overcome this, I should not push myself to stay interest but instead to handle different jobs from time to time. This is one of the most enriching learning point I have obtained through YFC as I am able to apply things that I have learnt about myself to my daily life, school work and also the future. 

Although preparations are long and tough, but it is worthwhile when I get to see the fruit of my team’s efforts paying off. To be able to educate the public on the much-needed support the elderly require from the society had warmed my heart as many more are aware of the needs and are able to make decisions that can benefit these elderly in need. Many a time, people say that the elderly are in need, but often, we don’t realize how large that need is and that every support counts. 

Lastly, I had the privilege of working with team mates who are largely responsible and hard-working. This makes the entire exhausting yet satisfying experience even more enriching; the friendships forged will go a long way because we have a common journey. We once had a common goal, and although that goal is reached, I can affirm that each one of us have more knowledge of how to contribute to this society of many needs. Through this experience of helping out this particular sector of the society, I am curious on how I can contribute to the rest. Perhaps the animal society, or the youths or the young. No matter what sector I choose to challenge myself to contribute to next, I owe YFC this opportunity to be able to give back to the society. I hope that many more would be enriched through YFC just like how I did.

-Gina Hiu Feng Ping

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Through this enriching experience, I learn that I need to stay committed to it so as to ensure the success of the project. I learnt that I am capable of doing things as long as I make an effort to try. It also taught me that I have to work well under stressful situation and learn to deal with it appropriately. Certain strengths that I have discovered about myself are that I can work well under stress and I know how to manage them well. For example, I do not crack down easily. Instead, I am able to look for alternatives to solve our sticky situation. 

Other than that, I feel that I was able to communicate skillfully with people. For example, I sent emails to many different kindergartens in Singapore to ask for their help with our flower petals project. I was able to exchange emails with the kindergarten principals to communicate our ideas with them easily. From this experience, I realized that being a skilled communicator is really important and learn a lot from the different knowledgeable principals. At the same time, I also discovered certain weakness about me. I find it hard to juggle between academic work and the YFC project. The YFC project and my academic both required a large amount of commitment. Often I will find myself neglecting one for another. Thus, I realized that I might need better time management skills so that I am able to achieve both of my commitment at the same time.

Our beneficiary in-charge, Ms. Gladys, is an inspiration to me. She helped us greatly in the course of our project. I find it very easy to talk to her about the problems that we encounter along the way as she is also playing the supporting figure, giving us a listening ear and offering many ideas that will help us greatly. Every meeting with her enriched me as a person. I also learn that we should always give without asking for any return.

I feel that through this YFC experience, I will learn how to be a better team player and a better person. I will be more matured in my thinking and understanding towards my peers. At the same time, I will also constantly reflect upon myself so that I can look into my areas for improvement. This YFC experience taught me a lot of thing. However if I were to name only one, it would be to place others before myself. I finally find the joy in helping others and in putting myself into others’ shoe. I understand what a joyful thing it is to serve. By serving, I also gain a lot from it. I enjoyed the fruit of helping others. I enjoyed the success of our project. This also made me realized that not everything is about me, myself and I. It is when I bring joy to others, I bring joy to myself. This kind of joy is not that derived from materialistic satisfaction, but of something that comes deep within the heart.

The community that I am serving is the elderly. I understand how the elderly need so much more support than anyone of us. They are actually the most vulnerable group of people. Eventually, all of us will age and this is a phase that everyone will go through. However, it is up to the society to help create an environment that allow for them to age gracefully. I also learnt that it is every small thing that we do that will help the community. It is as simple as going down to CWA and have a small chat with the elderly there to show them that someone care for them.

-Sheena Tan

Team CWA 2011:)

Our milestones of 2010: Citibanks YMCA Youth-for-Causes projects

Citibanks YMCA Youth-for-Causes: n-ABLE

n-ABLE [A group from Saints Advocate consisting of Zhen Hui (leader), Minh Anh, Andrea and Candice] was one of the participating groups from SAJC that took part in the Youth-for-Causes competition this year-an annual event which promotes social entrepreneurship.

This competition aims to involve youths to take an active, independent role in tackling the many social issues that different community sector currently face.

n-ABLE aimed to tackle the social issues that the disabled face in today’s society, such as public discrimination, etc, and empower the disabled to live a fulfilling life and overcome stereotypes by encouraging them to actively participate in sports-specifically in wheel-chair basketball.

Collaborating with Wheelchair Basketball Association (WBA), a wheelchair basketball event (HOOPS ON WHEELS - A Wheelchair Basketball Competition) in SAJC and held several street and school sales featuring merchandise such as t-shirts, files, etc, all of which were designed specially by n-ABLE. These events were done so as part of n-ABLE’s effort to raise funds to help the beneficiaries of WBA.

Saints Advocate had helped make this project a success by providing the essential manpower for n-ABLE’s events. Thus, through the efforts of everyone who had participated in n-ABLE’s fundraising events, a total of $ $3701.10 was raised. Additionally, the school is now more aware of how sports such as wheelchair basketball can be used as a platform to integrate and encourage interaction between the disabled and the able-bodied in the sporting community, where a divide between both groups is often wide.

Citibanks YMCA Youth-for-Causes: Protecteurs Des Animaux

Protecteurs Des Animaux is the name of a group of Saints Advocate students [task force: Ong Jin (leader), Li Ying, Hilary and Shawn] from SAJC selected to participate in the annual Youth-for-Causes competition in 2010.

Youth-for-Causes is a prestigious competition promoting social entrepreneurship, supported by the President’s Challenge 2010. It aims to encourage youths to take an active independent role in tackling the many social issues that different community sectors currently face.

Protecteurs Des Animaux is a social enterprise which targets both animal lovers and non-animal lovers alike to develop their interest and passion for the wildlife.

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) was founded by a group of Singaporeans and registered as a society on 24th May 2001. It aims to foster respect and compassion for all animals, improve the living conditions and welfare of animals in captivity, and educate people on lifestyle choices which do not involve the abuse of animals and which are environmentally friendly.

Collaborating with ACRES, road shows were organized at various venues to raise awareness about animal cruelty. Street sales were also held both in SAJC and in other places such as in shopping malls to raise funds for ACRES.

Through Protecteurs Des Animaux events, awareness about illegal animal-trafficking and animal abuse had been raised in both SAJC and amongst the Singapore public. Also, through their various street sales and fund-raising events, a sum of $3836.25 was raised. More people are made aware of the degree of cruelty displayed to animals, and had shown their support by purchasing merchandises from ACRES and signing a petition to stop animal abuse.