Spotlight on Hwa Chong’s Service Learning Projects

Written by: Kaelyn Hong Yan Ning (24A10)

Edited by: Megan Lim (24S6E)

Service Learning projects, or more commonly known as SL projects, are a quintessential part of the lives of many in Hwa Chong. Service Learning projects provide students with a platform to take concrete action for causes they are passionate about, and the valuable opportunity to grow in many aspects.

Why is starting Service Learning projects important?

But why is taking the initiative to start Service Learning projects important? Starting Service Learning projects is a form of volunteering, though it does differ from typical individual and/or ad-hoc volunteer work that many partner with organisations. However, volunteering on a whole, does already bring a plethora of benefits to both the individual and the community. 

From an individual standpoint, volunteering can develop empathy and other fundamental skills. Being part of the Organising Team of any Service Learning project, however, brings about additional areas of learning for the individual. For instance, through engaging and interacting with beneficiaries, students can learn how to liaise with external partners. This is something that inevitably occurs in the process of each and every Service Learning project. 

From a community standpoint, volunteering forges relationships between people in the community. In an article from Generation Singapore, “Volunteering encourages community cohesion by fostering an environment of mutual aid and cooperation.” Hence, it is evident that volunteering truly brings people together for a common cause, causing bonds to form among many. This thereby shows that having such a volunteering programme plays a crucial part towards the development of the culture we have in our school. 

SL Project Spotlight 

Project Do Good’s Organising Team members, volunteers and HRHS representatives

Project Do Good is a Service Learning Project aimed at assisting the distribution of daily necessities to the underprivileged in Singapore. In collaboration with Hao Ren Hao Shi (HRHS), seven sessions were organized under the 23/24 Organising Team, in which a total of over 100 HCI volunteers participated. Its Team Leader, Grace Lim Yu Ching from 23A12, shared that her favourite volunteering experience from the project was the face-to-face interactions with the beneficiaries. She said that “seeing the smiles on their faces as I handed over the necessities was incredibly rewarding. Sometimes, I even had the chance to engage in a short chat with them, as I helped to carry the items back to their doorstep. Moments like this make my volunteer experience so much more meaningful, and motivates me to continue to serve the community.” 

Helping to distribute food items and necessities to beneficiaries

Partnering Generations is another of Hwa Chong’s service learning projects. Every alternate Friday, on Flexible Learning Day, volunteers of this project head on down to Singapore Christian Home to volunteer. This project improved the quality of lives of the residents of Singapore Christian Home by curating thoughtful programmes for them. These residents are the elderly from the nursing home and youths, some of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or have physical illnesses. When Kim Jun Yang from 24A10, a member of the project’s Organising Team, was asked about his takeaways, he shared that he learnt the importance of practicing empathy. Moreover, he noted the importance of exercising caution when engaging in conversation with the elderly, so as to build meaningful relationships with them. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, volunteering proves to be fruitful to people who partake in it, and as a student, Service Learning projects are truly a good way to start volunteering. The projects featured in this article are great examples of students taking the initiative, and making meaningful contributions to the community around them.