Thursday, July 27, 2006
Service learning
26/7/06
You know, many of us will be scared off or be cynical when we hear this, cos it entails lots of work, and many deem it unnecessary. However, I belong to a different camp, and I'm proud that I do. I think it's a very important aspect of education, in fact I think it should hold more priority in some sense. Why? Because if it is carried out well, students' characters will be moulded, they will be touched and if their lives don't change forever, at least their outlook will change for the better and this experience will forever remain a chapter in their lives.
Why do I feel so strongly about this? Cos I have done it several times, as a student, as an undergraduate, as a teacher trainee and now as a teacher. And I always felt that it was very fulfilling. But let me illustrate this current service learning activity that I'm involved in.
This particular arts class which I teach decided to do a service learning project for HCA Hospice Day Care centre. It serves to relieve care-givers by providing day care services and to entertain these patients. Here, they aim to increase the life in the days of the lives of the patients. Patients here suffer from terminal illnesses and only have about a year to live. However, when you interact with them, you realise that actually they are full of life, enthusiastic and they make you want to do so much more for them, and you feel so encouraged by their optimism. The nurses there are friendly, lively, jovial and really a perfect bunch of workers who are dedicated to the patients' well-being.
Last week, I watched the students practice a dance that their fellow classmate had choreographed, simplified by another classmate, and I was absolutely touched by their effort (not to mention amused by their silly antics as well). They were really dedicated to learning the dance, a full sense of ownership, and no one complained even though they might have had 2 left feet and 2 left hands. Lots of laughter and commitment. I'm proud of them. Especially when the dance was fast-paced with somewhat complicated moves.
At the hospice, they quickly warmed up to the patients and several were soon attached to individual old persons. Fun chatter, loving massages, attentive looks of concern, initiative, enthusiasm in persuading and encouraging the elderly to participate in activities, etc. I felt a sense of pride for this bunch of kids. Just like a parent. But age-wise, I might as well just be one of them! I clicked with several patients, who told me I looked young, just like one of them. (Heh, I agree!) And the interaction with the patients alongside the kids also helped me to get to know the kids better, and for them to know me better too. Lots of laughter. I liked it.
They performed the dance they had painstakingly choreographed, an Indian dance to a catchy tune and simple but funny movements and the Chicken dance. The patients were really entertained, and were very willing to dance and sing along to the tunes. As I was the self-appointed official photographer and videographer, I felt a sense of warmth, of happiness. I was totally engulfed in the love that exuded itself so naturally. I could not help grinning from ear to ear. The kids all attached to their partner, encouraging them, being sporting enough to join them in forfeits from the game, entertaining them, etc. I sincerely can say that the students were touched, and indeed learnt something from the patients.
This was all confirmed when many of them teared when we had to bid our goodbyes to the dear patients when they had to return home. Mass crying session, especially for those who had grown attached to their aunties or uncles. I sent every single one of them off on the van and shook ther hands, or hugged them, telling that they had touched me and thanking them. Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt my heart ache. An uncle told me to come back to visit him again, an auntie told me that she was really really happy, and several of the old ladies teared as well, and I couldn't help but hug them and soothe them.
In the midst of this suffering, I still have to give thanks to God for providing us with the opportunity to learn from them, to share the love that He has so freely given, to touch their lives, and to be touched, for this learning opportunity for both teachers and students, etc. One signed up to be a volunteer, and I do hope more will come forward. It truly is a fulfilling experience, "beyong words" as one of the kids mentioned.
Death is a scary thing, and no one is ever ready for it, no matter how eager we are to see God. This experience helped to put life into perspective. What are we here on earth for? As an uncle told me, all your wealth and riches can't be brought with you to your grave. All the time you spent slogging, day in day out... you neglect things that really do matter in life, like family, friends, health, etc. Lost opportunities. Treasure the people around you. Place your values on what matters most in life and eternity, and not on things that will pass away. And when problems occur, swallow it and trudge on with strength... there is support around, you never have to suffer alone. And if you think you are the worst suffering person on the earth, look again. And give thanks.
You know, many of us will be scared off or be cynical when we hear this, cos it entails lots of work, and many deem it unnecessary. However, I belong to a different camp, and I'm proud that I do. I think it's a very important aspect of education, in fact I think it should hold more priority in some sense. Why? Because if it is carried out well, students' characters will be moulded, they will be touched and if their lives don't change forever, at least their outlook will change for the better and this experience will forever remain a chapter in their lives.
Why do I feel so strongly about this? Cos I have done it several times, as a student, as an undergraduate, as a teacher trainee and now as a teacher. And I always felt that it was very fulfilling. But let me illustrate this current service learning activity that I'm involved in.
This particular arts class which I teach decided to do a service learning project for HCA Hospice Day Care centre. It serves to relieve care-givers by providing day care services and to entertain these patients. Here, they aim to increase the life in the days of the lives of the patients. Patients here suffer from terminal illnesses and only have about a year to live. However, when you interact with them, you realise that actually they are full of life, enthusiastic and they make you want to do so much more for them, and you feel so encouraged by their optimism. The nurses there are friendly, lively, jovial and really a perfect bunch of workers who are dedicated to the patients' well-being.
Last week, I watched the students practice a dance that their fellow classmate had choreographed, simplified by another classmate, and I was absolutely touched by their effort (not to mention amused by their silly antics as well). They were really dedicated to learning the dance, a full sense of ownership, and no one complained even though they might have had 2 left feet and 2 left hands. Lots of laughter and commitment. I'm proud of them. Especially when the dance was fast-paced with somewhat complicated moves.
At the hospice, they quickly warmed up to the patients and several were soon attached to individual old persons. Fun chatter, loving massages, attentive looks of concern, initiative, enthusiasm in persuading and encouraging the elderly to participate in activities, etc. I felt a sense of pride for this bunch of kids. Just like a parent. But age-wise, I might as well just be one of them! I clicked with several patients, who told me I looked young, just like one of them. (Heh, I agree!) And the interaction with the patients alongside the kids also helped me to get to know the kids better, and for them to know me better too. Lots of laughter. I liked it.
They performed the dance they had painstakingly choreographed, an Indian dance to a catchy tune and simple but funny movements and the Chicken dance. The patients were really entertained, and were very willing to dance and sing along to the tunes. As I was the self-appointed official photographer and videographer, I felt a sense of warmth, of happiness. I was totally engulfed in the love that exuded itself so naturally. I could not help grinning from ear to ear. The kids all attached to their partner, encouraging them, being sporting enough to join them in forfeits from the game, entertaining them, etc. I sincerely can say that the students were touched, and indeed learnt something from the patients.
This was all confirmed when many of them teared when we had to bid our goodbyes to the dear patients when they had to return home. Mass crying session, especially for those who had grown attached to their aunties or uncles. I sent every single one of them off on the van and shook ther hands, or hugged them, telling that they had touched me and thanking them. Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt my heart ache. An uncle told me to come back to visit him again, an auntie told me that she was really really happy, and several of the old ladies teared as well, and I couldn't help but hug them and soothe them.
In the midst of this suffering, I still have to give thanks to God for providing us with the opportunity to learn from them, to share the love that He has so freely given, to touch their lives, and to be touched, for this learning opportunity for both teachers and students, etc. One signed up to be a volunteer, and I do hope more will come forward. It truly is a fulfilling experience, "beyong words" as one of the kids mentioned.
Death is a scary thing, and no one is ever ready for it, no matter how eager we are to see God. This experience helped to put life into perspective. What are we here on earth for? As an uncle told me, all your wealth and riches can't be brought with you to your grave. All the time you spent slogging, day in day out... you neglect things that really do matter in life, like family, friends, health, etc. Lost opportunities. Treasure the people around you. Place your values on what matters most in life and eternity, and not on things that will pass away. And when problems occur, swallow it and trudge on with strength... there is support around, you never have to suffer alone. And if you think you are the worst suffering person on the earth, look again. And give thanks.
# posted by Banana Saviour @ 11:31 AM 
