Scholars enhance UWC life - United World College of South East Asia

Dunia, April 2010
24
Grade 1 Shoebox deliveries
A main focus of the Infant social service
programme for both campuses is the
annual Shoe Box initiative which takes
place around Chinese New Year. The
Grade 1 students deliver shoeboxes full
of personal use items for every senior
citizen.
In February the Dover Grade 1 students
travelled to Ang Mo Kio to deliver shoe
boxes to elderly residents at the AWWA
Community Home for senior citizens. The
children certainly had to be risk takers
as the Community Home is very different
to anything they will have experienced
before.
As they entered the one roomed homes
of the seniors, escorted by teachers and
parents, communication was initially
difficult, as many of the residents do not
speak English. However, as the children
relaxed they discovered a common bond
as they began to sing Chinese New Year
songs together.
Delivering shoeboxes
“When I sang a song the old people
responded with a clap and they looked
happy and I was also happy because
all of them looked happy……”
Anabella
We went to the home of the aged now I
know that I am luckier than them and I
hope they have a long life.”
Harriet
“I felt scared before I went and I
thought it was going to be smelly but it
wasn’t”. They were so happy when we
gave them the shoeboxes.”
Willliam
A big thank you must go to Infant parents
for the generous donations of items that
were packed into the shoeboxes. Here
are some reflections….
Chris Fensom
East Grade 1 students have been visiting the Kheng Chiu Loke Tin Kee Home and
building stronger relationships since the beginning of the year. The week after Chinese
New Year, the students delivered their carefully-packed shoeboxes to the residents
at the home. All children had been fully involved in wrapping their shoebox in hand
painted gift wrapping paper and had also written personalized letters and cards.
The residents were delighted to receive their gifts and an email from Wilma, the manager
of the Kheng Chiu Loke Tin Kee Home says: “The elderly were full of smiles when
they received the shoebox gift and interacting with all the beautiful and lovely children.
They greatly appreciate the selection of gifts and also were overjoyed to receive the big
red packet as well. We are very grateful to all of you for bringing so much joy and cheer
to our elderly during this festive celebration. Your kind gesture is deeply appreciated by
all of us in the home.”
Photos by the Grade 1 Team
Children were asked to reflect on the visit
and it is evident that it wasn’t just the
elderly that benefited from the visit:
“I learnt that one of them was 101 years
old and I learned that they give love and
care to us also.”
Tara 1CTh
“I learnt from visiting our friends that having
visitors is fun and you can have grown
up friends too.”
Shweta 1BRo
“What I enjoyed most about visiting
Happy Lodge was we put smiles on their
faces.”
Ella 1BRo
“Something I would like to do now is visit
them again and take them for a walk
around the building. I wonder if they can
go for a walk themselves or does someone
else need to take them.”
Aishu 1CRa
“I enjoyed giving the shoeboxes and singing
songs.”
Aarohi 1MaW