In line with Hwa Chong’s culture and core value of 饮水思源 (Remembering our roots and honouring our benefactors), Hwa Chongians are provided with many resources to serve and care for the community. In our school, students are encouraged to initiate their own Service-Learning Projects (SLs) and collaborate with beneficiaries through sustainable partnerships.
Hwa Chongians are given the freedom to choose how they want to serve the partnered beneficiary such that they are best able to address the needs of the beneficiary when initiating their own Service-Learning Projects. Students are also able to collaborate with beneficiaries from all over Singapore, helping our community in their own capacity while being supported by their teachers.
Through initiating Service-Learning Projects and interacting with their beneficiaries, Hwa Chongians will be able to understand more about the community around them as they develop into empathetic leaders who have the humility to serve.
Here, we showcase 3 Service Learning Projects led by Hwa Chongians in 2023 that have impacted the community:
“Project Little Heroes has been working with MINDS Napiri Training and Development Centre (NTDC) since 2022, in a joint effort to enhance the social skills and daily functional abilities of persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs). Apart from tailoring interaction sessions to address the clients’ unique needs, Project Little Heroes have also produced seasonal episodes featuring fellow schoolmates in the hope of raising awareness as well as to dispel misconceptions regarding PWIDs.
Being a Little Hero goes beyond embodying the spirit of compassion, dedication and resilience. While working with MINDS, the tutelage of the experienced and approachable staff was pivotal in shaping our empathy and it allowed us to build stronger rapport with our clients in the process. Our team is grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve the community across the span of our project.”
“As Singapore’s elderly population continues to grow, it is important to ensure these elderly maintain fulfilling lives after retirement. Therefore, Project Orangeade works with Orange Valley Active Ageing Centre to organise handicraft, exercise and activity based sessions, held by our youth volunteers.
Through these sessions, we have not only been humbled by the experiences of the elderly, but also gained deeper empathy for our community and insights on what it means to lead a meaningful life. This is what makes us look forward to our Project Orangeade session each Saturday!”
“Founded in 2021, Project Jiayou Station collaborates with Regent Secondary School by conducting weekly mentorship sessions with Secondary 4 students. Beyond typical tutoring, Jiayou Station offers mentorship and friendship, guiding and motivating students to pursue their aspirations.
Through adopting a holistic approach by combining academic support with empathy, understanding, and responsibility, Jiayou Station serves to foster personal growth, resilience, and self-confidence, empowering students to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Having cultivated a supportive social network, we hope to leave a lasting and meaningful impact by helping students build a strong foundation for their future success.”
