2026 Founder’s Day in Action: Embracing the Kah Kee Spirit

Written by: Tan Jian Ting (1A3, 2026)

Before this VIA activity, I felt excited about the opportunity to help others better understand climate change and encourage them to reduce their energy and water consumption. At the same time, I was also nervous about approaching strangers, as I had never done anything like this before. I expected the activity to be relatively straightforward, assuming that residents would be open to listening since it was for a meaningful cause.

As my class’s Welfare Secretary, my responsibilities went beyond going door-to-door to introduce the programme. Once a group had completed their assigned block, I had to reassign them to another so they could continue. This meant I had to stay alert at all times and think ahead to ensure everything ran smoothly.

However, the actual experience was very different from what I had imagined. Many residents did not open their doors or were not at home. Surprisingly, quite a number were uninterested and rejected us immediately. At first, it also felt awkward approaching strangers and speaking to them.

This experience made me realise that people are not always receptive, even when the cause is a good one. Despite this, being in a group made a big difference. The three of us encouraged and supported one another throughout the activity by offering helpful tips and maintaining a positive mindset. We would remind each other, “At least we tried” or “It’s okay, let’s try the next one,” which helped us push through the initial discomfort and gradually become more confident.

As time went on, we grew more comfortable approaching residents and interacting with them, even when faced with rejection. Toward the end of the activity, when I became busier reallocating groups, my groupmates stepped up to support me by helping to speak on my behalf or waiting patiently. This showed me the importance of teamwork and allowed me to grow closer to them. Although I initially felt stressed juggling these responsibilities, I eventually adapted and got the hang of it with their support.

Even though many interactions did not go as planned, we persevered and continued contributing to the activity while bonding along the way. While we could not control how residents responded, we maintained a positive attitude and gave our best. In the end, we successfully encouraged five residents to sign up for the Reduce@North West programme.

One particularly memorable moment was when we met an alumnus of Hwa Chong Institution. Despite having graduated many years ago, he still remembered Founders’ Day. It was inspiring to see this connection across generations, with all of us influenced by Tan Kah Kee and the Kah Kee Spirit (嘉庚精神). This encounter reminded me of the value of “饮水思源”, and how the school’s values continue to stay with its alumni.

From this experience, I learnt to step out of my comfort zone and respond to unfamiliar situations, adjusting along the way to make things work better. I also developed resilience by facing repeated rejection without giving up, and I strengthened my bond with my groupmates. My role as Welfare Secretary helped me better understand the importance of responsibility and awareness, as I had to stay attentive to messages and ensure others were not kept waiting.

More importantly, this experience showed me that the Kah Kee Spirit does not only manifest in grand actions, but can also be expressed through small, meaningful contributions.

Moving forward, I hope to continue participating in VIA activities that allow me to serve others and contribute to the community, while also developing new skills and values. I will strive to step out of my comfort zone more willingly and play a more active role in unfamiliar situations.