Minds Craft

• Text by: Ms Hema D/O Thenarassu, Assistant Training Officer • Photos by: Mdm Flora D’Cruz, Assistant Training Officer •
A BEAUTIFUL DAY
OUT AT CHINESE GARDEN
Painting activity with a volunteer
On 29 July 2011, the Boys’ Brigade from Boon Lay
Secondary School organized a trip for Clementi Training
& Development Centre’s (CTDC) trainees to Chinese
Garden. The aim was to facilitate the trainees in their
integration into society, as well as to increase public
awareness of persons with intellectual disability. They
also wished to understand the needs of those with
intellectual disability to assist them in future projects.
During the volunteer briefing before the actual outing,
the Boys’ Brigade volunteers were taught a few basic
gestures to recognise a trainee’s need to drink, wait or
go to the toilet. This training was put to practice on the
actual day of outing.
The trainees were divided into three different groups
catering to different activities such as kite-flying, touring
and painting. Kite-Flying was a fun and whimsical affair
which produced many smiles and much laughter from
everyone. The trainees learned to manoeuvre the kite in
the air, which was a a good activity to help strengthen
their hand-eye coordination.
Touring around Chinese Garden was breathtaking! We got to view
the legendary Chinese statues. Although the walk was long, it was
very pleasant and calming. We took the opportunity during the tour
to bond with one other and indulge in the beauty of Chinese Garden
by capturing it in photography. There were groups also involved in a
painting activity. Instead of preparing a picture for them to paint on
canvas, the art groups were encouraged to observe the scenery and
paint their interpretation of it.
Trainees were later treated to a scrumptious McChicken meal to
round of the day’s events. The volunteers interacted well with our
trainees; persevering to understand them better by interacting and
caring for their needs throughout the day. Our trainees had a great
time, and apart from having the chance to interact with people
outside of their normal circles, they learnt to fly a kite and articulate
their imagination and thoughts through painting. Furthermore, our
trainees engaged in gainful activities too. They learnt to use facilities
outside of their daily centre engagement and took initiatives to keep
their surroundings clean by throwing rubbish into public bins.
See the joy reflected on their faces in relishing the opportunity to appreciate the garden’s scenic beauty
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