2009-06-07 9:37PM /
標準BLOG
Ho ho ho... After 2 days of fasting, I am finally back at home from the 30 Hours Famine Camp.
Though there are a lot of problems still unresolved in my life, and the
fact that I have been not very confidence about my leading and my
leadership qualities, I still decided to go for this camp in an attempt
to find back my own self.
Going for this camp is extremely important to me because not only I
wanted to find back myself, I wanted to get a break from the hectic
schedule I had in life. Youth For Causes have already made me stressed
out, my studies were doing well, but as the school term goes to an end,
I want to give myself a good break from those assignments and projects.
After the camp ended, I found out one thing, this camp has given me the
best experience to lead a group of youngsters and I am very very happy
in the process. I will not forget my group, Chara. Their support has
given me the courage to continue my leadership skills.
I know that there may be a lot of problems facing me in my life,
however, if I were to escape from it, then going to this camp is surely
a waste.
On
June 05 2009, I reached ACS Barker Road at around 9.30am. The whole
situation is chaotic at the collection of t-shirt. The registration
point is at a different place of the canteen and after the
registration, I proceed to collect my Famine Camp t-shirt. The queue
was so long that facilitator, station master and general helpers were
all messed up in the queuing, fortunately, I still managed to get my
t-shirt after finding the right place.
After some time waiting in the canteen, all the facilitators went to
the auditorium for the briefing. Some general instructions and ensuring
that what is needed to be done later. I also got to know I am leading
one of the family in the country called Ethiopia.
I do not really know what this country, Ethiopia is about, however, I
am very thrilled about all these as this is my first time to lead my
own group. Actually, why are there countries and families, is because
this camp is to raise awareness about poverty and aids, therefore, to
let the campers experience these, they are separated into countries,
and then families.
After lunch with my other friends known during the dry run of the camp,
we proceed to put our bags in a classroom and then the whole program
starts in the auditorium. Fasting begins at 2pm, after speeches follow
by speeches, and the introduction of the ambassador, A Mei, the Famine
Camp opens.
All the facilitators had to chase out all the campers out of the
auditorium as the 1st activity, the disaster scenario had started. I
then went to get the information of my family, its called CHARA. Hm...
Looking at the list of 11 members in the family, there are a lot of
females and only one male, I was thinking, 'Oh My'....
After 15 minutes of walking around the school, I finally reached the
tennis court where in the scenario, all the family members had to find
their lost family members and to build a shelter. After reaching the
tennis court, its another chaotic situation, as there are around 70
families, therefore, I had to find for some time before I even could
find them.
Reaching there, I knew the time has come for me to lead. Its definitely
not easy as I had to advise them on how to build the shelter. Looking
at their shelter built, I felt that there's still room for improvement,
but their creativity and the ability to find resources were good
already.
After debrief with them, they went for their 1st workshop. Then it was
the survival part in the scenario. Seeing how from the point where they
were unfamiliar with each other, till the point that they began to have
some chit chatting with each other, I think its really a good start for
them.
Why its so important for them to communicate, because during the
survival part in the scenario, they needed to work as a family to
reached the objectives of getting 80 dollars (in the form of ice cream
sticks) and not getting aids.
In the end, my family managed to earn 51 dollars, with 2 members
educated and no aids. This was really a good strategy done with the
rest of my family members. Though we did not manage to get the
objectives of 80 dollars, but I was so proud of them with no one
tempted in the scenario to get aids.
Then after the scenario which ended around 6.30pm, all of us went for
the next workshops which will end around 9pm. It was really a long
session, and all of us in the family started to feel the hungriness in
us. However, we managed to have 100 plus provided by World Vision to
drink, and we are able to stay through the workshops with some chit
chats in the process.
Around 9pm, all the families got into country level as a whole, and
they were bought through a tunnel to see the impact aids have on
people. Then, we went back to the auditorium and have a reflection
session.
The whole session ended around 10pm plus, though one of my camper, M,
got a swelling which is unfortunate. I then went to seek medical aid
for her. Haiz... How come incident like that happen to my campers sia...
Anyway, I had a short debrief with my family before they went on to
rest. The bad news for that night was that we are not able to bath as
there were no shower heads, however, I do not know how true this was,
because somehow some campers are able to get bath. Haha.
But in any case, I still bought 2 powders for my family, one for the
girls, the other for the guy. After reminding them to meet in the
canteen at 6.30am the next morning, with some instructions given to
them, I proceed to the faciliatators' briefing for the newspaper
collection on June 06 2009.
The whole briefing ended around 12 midnight plus. After that, the
facilitators slept in another room different from the other campers.
Actually, all were sleeping in the indoor basketball court, just that
the campers and the facilitators were separated by a room.
One of my facilitator friend and me decided to go and search for shower
heads after the briefing, but to no luck, so we decided to have a wash
up instead. I merely just use the soap and wash-up myself, then we both
went back to rest.
The night ended for me thinking back about my family and me in this
camp. I am really glad that I have these bunch of cheerful kids with
me, though they were quite shag after the end of first day and were
very hungry ( I can see from the conversation that they were talking
which involves food a lot.). Though no matter how shag they were, I am
glad that they are supportive with what I told them to do. I think its
also due that I gave them time to rest as well.
Alas, first night ended. I woke up in the 2nd day at 6am sharp.
Somehow, in camp, I managed to wake up on time when my alarm rang, but
at home, I had such hard time in waking up, which till now, I do not
understand why.
The 2nd day, after some washing up, I proceed to put my bag in the
classroom. After some thoughts of how shag they were for the 1st day, I
guess not many of them could wake up at 6.30am in the morning and
therefore, decided to go to the meeting place around 7am.
Coming down from the stairs to the meeting place at the canteen, I only
managed to find 2 members of my family. Then to 7.25am, only all of
them came to the meeting place, and at this point of time, I began to
be strict with them. Therefore, coming up with a strange method of
punishment, I told the 3 who are the latest to sing the indian version
of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars'.
With that, I began to rush them to drink their breakfast of the
morning, which was some sugar drinks such as soya bean and winter
melon. Then, I rushed them to the auditorium immediately as they are
very late for the briefing for the newspaper collection.
Around 8am, before they went to the bus to go down to Tampines, I gave
them some instructions on what to do later during the collections. I
also explained to them on why I am so strict with them in regards to
the timing, its because that they are so shag that if they can finished
what is given to them early, then they can rest early. This theory is
what I developed from Y camp, and its true, cause in Y camp when the
campers are tired, they will tend to lose their motivation to continue,
so aiming to finish everything as soon as possible is very important.
When we reached tampines, we started the collections. My family was
assigned 6 blocks in total in Tampines. I strategized on the method of
collection with the family spilt into 2 groups, and leaving one person
at the collection point. Then the 2 groups are spilt into left and
right side on the 6th and 11th floor in the block, but on the other
floors, the left group have to also go for the left house and right
house which applies to the right group.
Before we start the collection, I told them to do the cheer they
thought of together before the collection. It was a good time seeing
them doing something together. Though the cheer is not really what is
so important, which I felt the closeness is.
I think my theory of doing things fast have spread to them as a message
because by 11.30am, we had to finish 3 blocks and by 2pm, we had to
finish 6 blocks. The effect appeared where in 11.30am, all of them had
cleared 3 blocks.
After the whole collection, they were bascially shag out. I decided to
bring them to the Mac donald in Tampines street 21 to have some air con
resting and some drinks. We also took some pictures in Tampines during
the collections.
After returning to ACS, we began to do the area cleaning. My family and
country were assigned to the most clean place in the school, the
adminstration block whereby there is not much rubbish basically, so I
told my family after one round of 'nothing much to clear up' session,
to go for a rest.
At there, I told the 3 of them who were late earlier to sing me the
indian version of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars'. However, seeing them
so tired and after much negotiation, I decided to give in to them and
told all of them to do the team cheer together.
Back at the auditorium, all the countries had to do one country cheer.
Haha... my team cheer was not selected as a country cheer in the end.
Anyway, I had a good time seeing all the families in the country
working together. The facilitators were also having a good time too.
The end of the Famine Camp was coming to an end. My whole family
travelled to Downtown East in the bus together. I guessed this was the
last thing we did together as a family, as after we went into the
concert hall, some of the members still stayed on with me, but some
went to find their friends.
It was alright for me for them to go and find their friends, after all
this concert is something you would want to be with your friends,
though it would be better to be seating together with your family.
Around 8pm, after performances by guests and A Mei. The 30 Hour Famine
Camp ended, all of them came to me to authorized for them their booklet
in order for them to get their 30 hours of CIP points. Wah.... Like signing autographs sia...
Anyway, this also marks an end of my leadership stage for this 2 day
camp, which I am really glad and happy to be here. I had the dinner
which was nasi lemak before I went home.
Overall, I felt that it was a great time for me to be able to reflect
on myself for this camp. A lot has been on my mind in this camp,
because I always thought how a bad leader I was. However, after this
famine camp, I realised my leadership skill has changed. With the
faciliatator skill being taught in the Y confidence last year, I
certainly felt recharged.
My family was also the 1st team to be lead by me in all the camps I
had, and we had gone through all the rough moments together which was
definetly unforgettable. At the point where I was low on confidence,
these kids (haha... The youngest was only sec 4, while most of them
were JC, so it makes me feel like an uncle and father to them.) gave me
their support, though they were shag which makes me really appreciate
what we had done together.
I can now officially announce that this Famine Camp is definitely one of
the best camp moments I had. I will not forget all of them, the moments
we had together. :) Though time will passed, a lot of stuffs are coming
up for me, I will not forget about them.
I AM BACK. I have finally proved that I can be a good leader not only
in outings, but in camp. I may not be the best, but definitely, I have
improved now.
All thanks to 30 Hour Famine Camp. Watch out for me, I will be back next year. :)
我來說兩句
2009-05-22 5:30AM /
標準BLOG
Ever since the last entry of my blog, though the problems had been slowly solving, thanks to LORD, however, I am hiding. Hiding from the fact that I am no longer having any confidences at all.
First, let me talk about my studies. I really enjoy going to school every now and then. Never in my education life, I enjoy the time to study. I guessed I really cherish it. My diploma in psychology, though is something unfamiliar to me, but what the lecturer has taught, I will always be there to take notes and to listen to what she is teaching attentively.
LORD is looking after me. I have been smiling a lot whenever I go to school or any other places, but that's during when I am outside. Nowadays, people see me smiling more often, from the fact that the last few years, I am always in a 'cucumber face'. Now, I guess I can really smile to people to let them find that I am approachable.
Back to my diploma in psychology. Now, this 'law of attraction' really helps me in a way or another. Somehow, positive attracts all positive things. Alicia said to me this when we went out then: "Use what you had learn."
No matter how I understand the 'law of attractions' or all the stuffs being taught in psychology class, I just had not utilize them to the max. I guess I really had a long way to go before I can become a true master in understanding people.
That's partly one of the reason. But the main reason is that I didn't get my confidence back ever since February started. Even after I believe in Christ, and going to the Encounter, I realised that I had not any confidence at all, and this is getting serious when I am now into Youth For Causes.
You maybe asking what kind of confidence I do not have? To be honest with you, the confidence of becoming a leader. The nights when I do not sleep, is not that I do not want to, but I am scared. Because once I close my eyes, all fears of a leader appears to me.
I have cried for nights. Nowadays, any pressure from anyone could easily make me fall. In the last few years, I can still continue like nothing has happen. However, years passed, and now, I am just as fragile as I thought I was not.
Am I really good to be a leader? Should I just quit? Whenever I am not in leadership nowadays, the fear would not be with me, and I feel more ease than I was. Probably in the past, I would feel ease when I am a leader, but definitely not now.
The feeling of being scared to be a leader arises whenever I had to make any decisions as a leader. At times, I am at a total lost, telling myself that I can get through, but in actual fact, I just can't.
Tired... No. Just scared and with a lot of fear.
Anyway, I just received the letter from National Youth Council that I am out of the Singapore Youth Award. I guess luck isn't on my side, and all these years, I never really win much awards either.
Now, I really know what I am scared of....
我來說兩句
2009-05-01 10:18PM /
標準BLOG
Ever since I put my faith in the Lord, I always trust that he will pave the way for all the solutions to all my problems. But now, its not that I have no faith in the Lord, but I am finally tired of my passion.
At the end of last year, I actually have decided to take a break from the volunteering scene for 2 years. However, after I believe in the Lord, I started to have faith that my volunteering journey will continue for some more years, but I start to wonder whether I am really wrong now...
My brother, Vic, told me once: "Are you not busy already? Why are you doing so many stuffs?" I guessed partly the reason why I am doing so much is due to my road towards the resting period from volunteering work.
As due to that reason, I formed a team to take part in Youth For Causes, joined World Vision's 30 Hour Famine Camp, participated in NVPC's SG Care program. To my surprise was that I was interviewed by the Straits Times, in the Singapore Youth Award (which I may not win the award.) and still be able to be part of Y Camp as the background staff.
I am already contented already, but now, YFC (Youth For Causes 2009) has started to make me really wonder why am I still in this program?
My partner's problems at the start causes him to not wanting to do, then, he starts blaming the people around him. After that, when he wanted to fully concentrate, he is in this program for a very wrong reason. Now coming to worst, he blames me not giving me my best and insults all the committee members and me.
I really wonder, what have I done wrong to get all those insults? Yes, he may be working hard to find the sponsors and planning alot. But, he expects everyone to be on the same pace as he is. I do not think it is possible as in our time for a year, we have so much to do, and when we can do that much, then we are already doing the best.
I have not give in my best, huh? Seriously said, I am not someone who is good at fund raising program. Tell me to go and plan program for fund raising program, I will be in a daze. My strength of planning does not lie in this, so why does my partner does not understand this at all???
Now, I have my own planning for the volunteering side for YFC. But somehow, he just want all that to be done within a month for so many things when I have plan slowly for everything to be ready by July and to have all volunteering work done twice or thrice in a month during weekdays, I do not think it is possible at all, because weekdays is hard to find volunteers.
And because of the arguments, my partner wants to go on a rest for two months. What? Actually, due to fund raising is not my strength, that is why I passed the responsibility of fund raising to him and now, he just wants to go on break. Sigh. I mean, come on, YFC was a platform for him to regain his confidence in the first place and he gives a attitude of suddenly don't want to do.
I guessed I was at fault too. I cannot really blame him entirely. However, with me not really that good in the business side of fund raising, that is why I already concentrate on volunteering side already. What else can I do now?
Tired. If you have a partner who because of arguments and just want to not to do anything. Because he cannot try and understand that not everyone is able to help him all the time. Because he cannot continue to keep on planning and do what he is doing. And because he keeps insulting you, making you look worthless and thinks that he is right.
I am sure its not enitrely his fault. I have to take some blame too. But I am wondering what am I still continuing this for?
我來說兩句
THE STRAITS TIMES, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 2009 PAGE B10
