Wasted the night time yesterday, fell asleep some time and woke up at 11.30pm, then decided to brush and stuff then fell asleep again, haha.

Woke up at 9am today and just started reading the news and then did some work, before going to school for community day, where we will be going to different parts of Singapore to do community service in our CCAs. Track and Field is divided into three groups, one to Ang Mo Kio, one to Tampines and one to Woodlands. I went to a primary school in Tampines, to interact with some students with slight behavioural problems through sports and games. When we reached, I was really excited about it, but didnt know the whole point of interacting with normal students. (I didnt know how they were special) We discussed about how we were going to hold everything, what we were going to do, etc. But when they came to meet us, I immediately knew what we were really there for, and we all knew that we had to scrap whatever we had planned.

The scene: Students running about the baketball court, shouting, and some at the nearby water cooler playing with the water by spraying the water everywhere. (the force of the water was fairly strong) I saw fellow schoolmates running around chasing them, asking them to settle down so that we can have a short briefing and start. The facilitators were also shouting and scrreaming for them to settle down. It was just chaotic. I really didnt expect to see that, and so was a bit stunned and shocked by what I saw.

After a while, we sort of naturally got started, without talking much. And they were playing basketball. It was rather rough, cos there were a few instances where the primary school pupils were pushed or fell down. And so I quickly reminded all the people to be more gentle when playing...scary. I felt like a failure, seeing all these happening. The teacher who brought us there, Mr Adrian Chan, must have been traumatised. And so, when help was needed to have something else for those who didnt want to play basketball (mostly girls), I volunteered and went to plan some programmes for them with ZiYang, JunYang and Jim.

We went to a classroom nearby and did some basic introduction. And then we saw what was happening. A lot, for a small group like that. One almost spoke like shouting every time she talked, one was really shy and didnt talk much. Since the planning wasnt good, we didnt know what to do but play some games to help them to calm themselves down and focus. Like some slightly modified games and hangman and jenga and stuff. I was very confused, didnt know what to do, but someone seems to come up with something when needed, so that was okay...except a few small 'happenings'.

Then I got back to the basketball court and saw that everything was quite in place, and joined in for a while before we had to pack and get ready to leave. Helped to pack, which wasnt as easy as you thought, cos it is hard to get the things back from some of them...had to give them their neverending lasts, and race them for the ball and stuff. So we got ready to take a final group photo and I sat down at the last row of the seats. And after a while, I heard some people laughing behind me and turned around to see my shorts wet and a 'trail'. Some of them actually poured 100plus on my shorts, and claimed that I wetted my pants. Was tired then, so just laughed with them and told them to have a seat. And then another boy was waving his smelly socks in my face, and I told him it stank, only told him nicely, haha. So we took our photo, one that I would 'remember for some time'. Like what Mr Chan said. Then we didnt do anything much after that and left.

Yes, some of those children were behaving quite badly, and I sound like im criticising them. But im indeed very happy to have a chance to be there to interact with them, and what I said was just accounting my experience there and not to talk bad about them. It was good that they expressed themselves truthfully, we wouldnt want to ask them to keep their feelings to themselves, but most of them might need to learn how to behave appropriately and stuff. There are also others who are very shy or are easily pushed around, so those should learn to speak up about how they feel and open up, make more friends, etc. If I had another chance, I would gladly return to that school to see how they were doing and maybe help them in other ways too. I have had a very interesting experience and have a new idea on another group of people in society who sort of need a bit of help. Was also a fun experience going with my CCA mates too, although most of them were complete strangers to me before today, cos we didnt belong to the same section...

RI Community Day: For the community, as a community.
(though the t-shirt could be improved on)