The
LTC (Leadership Training Camp) kick
started the Seventh batch’s journey as Saints Advocates on 26th February. It
started with ice-breaking games like H2O and double whacko, which engaged both
the Seventh and the Sixth. These ice-breaker games gave us a chance to know our
batchmates and seniors.
After
the ice-breaker games, members of the Seventh were split into various groups
and we went around the school from one station to another, playing an amazing
race which showed us the importance of certain values which are important for a
servant leader. The games tested our teamwork skills, patience and
understanding for one another. Besides the playing of games or completion of
tasks, at each station, all groups were given parts of the Saints Advocate
pledge.
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| Some of the station games |
On
the 2nd day, the entire cca went to a HDB estate where we used the
cleaning of the homes of elderly as a platform to interact with them and
provide them some company. We were assigned to various houses hence as a cca we
covered around 7 houses. This provided us with an idea of how our monthly Big
Sweep and J1 service-learning day is going to be like. We realized the purpose
of visiting the elderly is to understand their needs and provide them with
company through the interaction we had with them.
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| The 7th Saints Advocate's first Big Sweep during LTC |
“Through the big sweep,
i managed to get some insight about the elderly people's lives. I realised that
some of them are actually leading very lonely lives. They are neglected and
they have to take care of themselves although their bodies are not as strong as
when they were young. This makes me want to take part in more of such activities
to be able to some joy into their lives by visiting and bonding with them. If I
were in their position, I would certainly want someone to do that for me. I'm
grateful that this activity was able to open my eyes.”
-Christine
After this, we went to various shopping malls
(E.g. Toa Payoh hub/ Junction8 ), in our groups and had to participate in an
activity called “Operation 007”. It was a mission, which required us to
advocate a cause and provided us with a first-hand experience to interact with
the members of the public.
“Since it was our very first time handling a
task like ‘Operation 007’, we were initially uncertain about the way we should
approach it. With the help of our group leaders and seniors within each group,
all of the groups managed to complete our respective projects within the time
limit.”
-Sree
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| 'Operation 007' at Toa Payoh Hub |
On
the last day, we played water games, which taught us the importance of teamwork
and division of our works according to the requirements. After this, we were
brought to the corridor of LT1 and the last activity the Seventh had to engage
in as a whole before ending the LTC camp was piecing the pledge. This was
indeed difficult but we managed to accomplish the task successfully, with
teamwork, dedication and time-management.
Overall,
these 3 days of LTC taught us a lot of important things which we, as Advocates
and Servant Leaders would need as stepping stones to undertake our journey
ahead. It also provided all of us a chance to get to know each other and start
forming our bonds together as the Saints Advocate.
“LTC was the start of
my Advocate’s journey and it allowed all of us to get to know each other a lot
better through the process. It allowed us to bond together as an advocate
family, as leaders who are willing to help other with passion.’
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| Our reflection time!- Most of our reflections were done at the end of the day and these helped us consolidate what we have learnt and how we can improve, as such it is a habit all of us Advocates are strongly encouraged to practice. |
