Off to Sri Lanka, 23 September 2013

Hi everyone, sorry for the late updates at the blog. We are having some issues with the internet connection here. Anyway we are all well and are currently in Vavuniya. Let me tell about our first day in Sri Lanka through pictures.

                                                    We all arrived at 0700 at the airport and did the prep work.

Who are we? We are Team SP!

It was also Zheng long’s birthday and we wanted to surprise him so we kept him busy.

Surprise!

One last group photo before we head out.

Bye Ma! I love you!

Bye Singapore! We all love you

We were treated like VIPs when we landed as seen in the picture. Mom and dad I was in the VIP Lounge!

Now to endure a 10 hour bus ride to Jaffna.

Mom and dad, do not worry about our safety, the Sri Lankan army is guarding us.

We went to Saga of the Ruvanmali Maha Stupa, it is the largest pagoda in the world.

Bhante giving us a tour of the sacred place.

Bhante and our Buddhist friends also prayed there.

Bhante leading the prayers.

After sightseeing we endured a long bus ride to our hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, we were so exhausted that we washed up and slept. To the parents who are reading this, we are very safe here as we always have an army personnel following us around. The people here are very friendly as well, even strangers smile and wave at us. The food we tasted so far is very spicy! Enough for today, time to…

Snores!

Trekking Day

On the 19^th of September 2013, we had a trekking expedition. The purpose of this expedition was to bring the family even closer, to learn the strength and weaknesses of each other. The expedition started at Macritchie reservoir and ended at the top of Bukit Timah hill. The distance we covered was approximately 9km. Here are some photos of the day

How do we get to Bukit Timah? 

It has begun!

Now we are here, OMG so far!

Photo time

Crossing the bridge, a really nice view.

Can I join you guys? Please!

Helping one another, that’s what family do for one another.

Teck wah “I am the man!” Huda “Hi! I am here” Firman “Ewah,Ewah!” Azhar doing bhangra, I think.Sadid “ Haiz, I give up”

The weather was really hot but we kept on going. It began to take a toll on one of our members, Jeremy.

Jeremy clearly showing signs of fatigue

One of the pit stops we had.

Jeremy kept on going, the family was supporting him as well!

Everyone showing signs of fatigue

We began to think whether we could actually complete this trek

But we only had one last hurdle, which was this long flight of steps!

 And so it began.

At this point, all of us were exhausted but we kept on motivating one another. We could do this.

We did make it. All of us!

We made it!

We met our objective for this trekking expedition which was to learn each other weaknesses and strength. During the trek, we supported and kept one another motivated. We made it through the expedition because we had one another, if we were to be alone, we would have failed. This family is ready to make a difference in the life of the people that they are going to help. Well done everyone.

Local CIP at Farrer Park Primary School

We started off our CIP by volunteering our sercive to Farrer Park Primary School which is under Farrer Lodge Project.The project started in 2010 to provide after school care for the underprivileged students at Farrer Park Primary School. We went to the school every Friday, starting on the 2nd of August from from 3 to 530pm. 

What did we do there?

-We guided 20-25 students on their homework and checked though it once it was done.

-We sat beside the students to better engage them.

-We explained the students on how to arrive to the solution of the problem, not just merely giving them the answers.

-After assisting them with their work, we had games with them. We wanted them to have fun after studying so hard.

How long will we offer our services?

2 August 2013 - 13 December 2013

Here are some of the pics! The student faces are blurred to keep their identities confidential.

"Professor Jeremy" at work!

Students and teachers hard at work

Another "Professor"

More studying!

Time for a short break!Lets play arm wrestling. Firman being cheerleader

Okay back to studying.

Time for games!Lets surround Azhar

And jump on him!Jeremy why you no help?!

Firman to the rescue!

Teck Wah!

Teck wah showing his love!

Your are the chosen one!

Musical chairs!

"Dog & Bone"

Ants in Jeremy's pants?

After interacting with these students, we felt very grateful for what we had. Unlike these kids, we had a easy time growing up but these kids always had a smile on their faces, they never complained about anything. Who knew that we would learn from these kids?

Our Bonding Day

Coming from different backgrounds as well classes, most of us did not know each other. Thus the bonding day was important. Our motive of having this bonding day was to bring individuals to come together and bond as a family.Here are the photos!

Mr Teoh briefing us

Everyone listening attentively,except for Firman!

Preparing for the games!

All set

Firman's planning something.Hmmm

And BAM! executes it!

Together as one

I will help you!

Nice pose guys!

Awwww

Another "awww" moment

Showing our love for one another

Bonded!

Another way of bonding! Hugging one another!Not too hard Jeremy!

Executing wrestling moves

Huda, " Alex bully me! "

Doyle decided it was time to show his moves

I want to join in!

Vidya shows how its done!

Three blind mice!

Blind folded, trying to pour the water into the cup!

Totally missing the cup!

Opps! Cup overfilled!

Oh no! Its our turn next

Poor Firman

Strategising for the next game

Getting ready for "Dog & bone" Only Zu seems to be ready

Kenneth this is not rugby!

Let the games begin!

After having so much fun, it was time for serious matters. We sat down and had reflection time. It was emotional moment for most of us. We opened up to one another. We made a promise that we will look after one another. Our family was formed.

Our family, some of us are missing from the picture but we're all important members of this family!