Post Event Report Kidz Day Out
(Article by Gwenneth Kirsten, Republic Polytechnic)
On the 23rd of March 2010, 65 volunteers including myself participated in “Kidz Day Out”- a day of fun learning at Snow City with children from Chen Su Lan and ABC Children’s Home.
Personally, I had always wanted to be a volunteer to the more unfortunate ones be it children or the aged but I never knew where to start and I’m glad this care initiative by nEbO and Young NTUC gave me this opportunity.
During the event, I was paired up with a charming little boy who was quiet at first but within minutes, got me running around and answering the many questions he had. When we were at the Ice Cream Making Program, he ran around almost every table wanting to touch the “smoke” triggered by the ingredient liquid nitrogen. After the ice cream was made, he asked for “a big one” and offered me some. He was very adorable and sweet.
Thereafter, we headed to the snow chamber where most of the kids went on the slide with the volunteers while others were at the mini playground enjoying the snow fall. It was a -6.2 degrees Celsius inside and I was too afraid to go for the slide thus I let a teacher look after the little boy while I went to go outside for some warmth. Awhile later when the little boy came out, he asked me “why didn’t you come with me?” and I told him that I was cold. Giving me a pitiful look, he said “you could have brought me out with you!”
At about 12.15pm to 12.45pm, we were on board the bus to NTUC Centre. On the bus, the little boy told me interesting things about himself such as his likes, dislikes and about his family. And I gained an insight on what kids generally like these days – Ben10 and Spiderman. During the travelling, I was quite tired but each time I closed my eyes, he would shake me and ask “Why are you sleeping?”
At NTUC Centre, we had our lunch. I didn’t have much difficulty during lunch because he knew how to eat on his own except that he insisted that I take out some food which he didn’t like. After lunch, there was a photo taking session and ended with a speech by Young NTUC followed by a short debrief.
It was indeed an enlightening and memorable experience. I realized that even with the smallest gesture, it can make a difference to these wonderful children. I think that all the volunteers had a positive impact to the event. Without their enthusiasm, their smiles, their sincerity, their good hearts, the event is altogether something else.
“Love cannot remain by itself -- it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service” –Mother Teresa