Learning Journey to Pathlight School

Special needs.

Whenever we hear this particular term, we often assume such people have disability and hence require charity. At the Student Leadership Dialogue at Pathlight School, this view was challenged.

Why is a person different?

What is autism                                                      

Seated in a state of the art auditorium complete with hi-tech equipment, one would not expect what was to come.

‘What is joy and meaning to you?’

This was what Ms Denise Phua, Chairperson of Autism Resource Centre and MP of Jalan Besar GRC, challenged us at the annual Student Leadership Dialogue at Pathlight School.

It was evident that a life of service and empowering others was hers. She shared her inspiring story of how learning that her son was diagnosed with autism compelled her to champion the autism cause. It was with this passion that enabled Pathlight to be born.

The fruits of her labour can be seen from the impressive architecture and state of the art technology at Pathlight to the planning and execution of education.

The programme at Pathlight is catered for children from the different autism spectrums, with both the academic track and vocational track in place so that the students could fully tap into their abilities.

Pathlight uses the same academic curriculum as mainstream primary and secondary schools, unlike many special needs schools. This was to empower students with a full-fledged education, such that they will be dignified because they do not deserve less simply due to special needs.

For the vocational training, Pathlight collaborates with Starbucks and Mr Bean allowing their students to pick up valuable life skills such as preparing and serving food. All these trainings are conducted within the Pathlight campus, with a quasi-cafeteria doubling up as their workstation.

As the dialogue closed, I asked her what are the problems that youth today face, with respect to serving the community. She simply replied – the same as everyone else: Time. It’s about making the seconds count.

This philosophy of hers extends to the entire school, displayed by staff and students alike.

The eager and earnest students of Pathlight School, who were wearing smiles all the time, served us refreshments that they had prepared themselves. I could really see the pride and joy they put into their work, something many of us could definitely learn from.

With that, I would like to end off with a quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, that summarizes what is the essence of what a person is.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

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 :)

World Play Day 2011

Organisation: Metropolitan YMCA

What we did? : Help MYMCA organise World Play Day, which is an annual event aim to encourage playing. We helped in 2 aspects: organising and manning game booths (8 in total) and were in charge of the performance.

Target Audience: Singaporean families

Our students teaching the ladies how to play the “Pair Up” game as a part of their Service Learning with Metropolitan YMCA.

The son and his mom compete against his sister and their dad in the “Pair Up” game.

Our students facilitating the children as they play “Throwing Tic Tac Toe”.

SL rep briefing classmates how to play the game

Teaching the children how to play the game

Our SAJC students, who went down to support World Play Day, are dancing to our Mass Dance, Shake It, as the closing performance.

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