Esther ’25 shares an appreciation for Singapore’s multicultural society while helping students develop their soft skills and learning about the importance of patience and flexibility while planning group outings.
After organizing daily activities at the Special Student Care Center (SSCC) for two weeks, I focused on executing my final and largest activity: an outing to the Singapore Flyer, one of the largest observation wheels in the world. Through the drafting of proposals, a site visit, and coordination with teachers at SSCC, I finally designed a safe, enjoyable, and memorable afternoon activity for 12 students.
In line with Singapore’s National Day at the beginning of August, our outing revolved around understanding Singapore’s history, culture, and identity. First, our visit to the immersive Time Capsule showcased the nation’s transformation from its humble origins as a small island to the vibrant global metropolis it is today. Additionally, at one of the stations, students actively engaged in learning about Singapore’s multicultural society as they tried on traditional ethnic costumes virtually. This helped their appreciation for other cultures to grow as they grasped the importance of cultural awareness for racial harmony. Finally, our ride on the Singapore Flyer provided panoramic views of the cosmopolitan cityscape. As we traveled to a height of 165 meters, I pointed out numerous iconic and historical landmarks like the Merlion Park, Singapore River, and Gardens by the Bay, some of which the students had not visited or seen in person before.
Besides carrying out the outing, I also finished collecting and sorting through over 100 pieces of clothing for donation. At the center, I passed on the clothes to students according to their financial needs, and I am grateful that the donation drive created a positive impact in the lives of 50 children.
Overall, in the process of my project, I was challenged to be patient, flexible, and consistent as I ran numerous activities. Moreover, I was pushed to identify the community’s needs and take action to address them. To provide students exposure and experience for building more soft skills, I conducted a variety of new and modified activities to enrich the current curriculum. To alleviate the financial burden of families in affording new and larger clothes for their children, I rallied people to donate their older clothes in good condition.
I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to serve students with additional needs in my community and create meaningful connections with them. In the future, I look forward to utilizing this experience as motivation to continue serving others.
