Date: 24 October 2009
Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Venue: CR 111

Fang Ying's Reflections
Before attending this workshop, I thought that it would be pretty much boring. However, after the day, I realized that it was in fact, alright. Also, I had the chance to really interact with my group for the first time.

We were asked to bring something that represented ourselves before the workshop. I’ve thought really hard for that something to represent myself. I’ve even asked some of my friends for opinions. I ended up bringing my spectacles. It does represent me some way or rather, and it is also very very important to me, I can’t live without my spectacles/ contact lens. But since I can’t bring my contact lens to Yunnan, I thought that bringing my spectacles to represent me would be more appropriate. I also like that the teachers wanted ask to pose questions to the respective items’ owners and we then eventually answer it. This allows us to have a broader area to ponder about how that item really represents us. From this activity, I have also learnt that a single thing may mean differently for different individuals. Just like how Yiguan and I brought our spectacles as a representative of ourselves, the rationale behind it may not be the same. Similarly, Jinyi and Wenqing who brought waterbottle to represent them have totally different rationale. Hence, I realized that every single one of us is unique. We have our own strengths and weaknesses. We can only accomplish things as a whole, complementing each other, but not on our own.

We played several games. Some of which tested on our knowledge on Singapore, our homeland. We realized that what we know is very limited. In order for us to learn about others’ culture (Yunnan), it is important that we first know our own. Hence, I think that the game was meaningful in letting us know more about our history, culture etc. Not only this, we were also made to pose questions that we want to ask the villagers in Yunnan about Yunnan, and also some questions were posed by the teachers. I believe this is important us we should plan our daily activities by what we intend to learn eventually. “ Begin with the end in mind”, it is important that we first recognize what our learning points should be, and work towards our goal.

Last but not least, the most thought provoking activity was the importance of service or learning. First, we were required to compare and contrast between CIP and Service Learning (SL). After much discussion, we concluded that both have their set of characteristics. Some may overlap; however, this is also a subjective issue. It depends on the volunteer mentality and therefore determining whether it is a SL or CIP. An exact same event may be a SL to one but CIP to another. Hence, we must set our goals right as Temasek Overseas Outreach Programme aim to be a service learning trip but not just an Overseas CIP trip. This continued with an intense debate on whether we should be doing more SERVICE or more LEARNING or equal of both in Yunnan. All of us stood by our views. In the end, we realized that there is no answer that is absolutely right or wrong. It is just an opinion of every one of us. This difference may also lead to further conflicts, hence we must keep in mind that as everyone objective or opinions are different, we cannot condemn others, instead we should try to understand their point of view and hear them out.

All in all, I think that today’s workshop was quite interesting and meaningful. I wonder why kind of activities we will be doing nextweek.

Charmaine's Reflections
Just like there are many parts and parcels of life, this overseas outreach programme gives me greater exposure to various things. Today's experience was something different from the usual meetings, and most importantly, I have gained more out of it. The workshop left me with many learning points. Once again, I am reminded of the issue of what I would like to achieve through this process. Indeed, I have to admit that this workshop has played a role in guiding me back to my initial aim of being one of the participants of the outreach programme.

The questions session regarding Singapore and Yunnan was one which allowed me to be more aware of my country and its uniqueness. Honestly, I never knew the exact size of Singapore and also the answers to some other questions. It was nevertheless impressive to see how the team-members actually manage to translate the answers from English to Chinese. Definitely, it strikes me that it is time for me to brush up on my Chinese before embarking on the trip.

Another highlight to me was the S-L, S-l, s-L, and s-l debate. I understood that we were in the team with different priorities in terms of Service and Learning and have really benefitted a lot from it.

In short, this workshop is surely enriching and I feel more equipped mentally as we move every step closer to the day of departure to Yunnan.

Aonan's Reflections
After the two days of Sports Carnival and Titans Challenge, I was really very exhausted and reluctant to come for this workshop this morning. On my way here, I was wondering what it is going to be like and thinking it would be another boring talk which many of us would not bring back much. However, to my surprise, I was wrong and I have gained a lot of things from this workshop. That includes not only about service learning, but things related to my current and future life.

I learnt to look at people from different angles. Through the first game, I found out that many characteristics of my friends are not shown to us or kept to their inner self. Therefore, sometimes they will tend to behave in a different manner and we have to really understand each other so that we can better cooperate and work with each other.

It is important that we know what we are doing service learning instead of community involvement program. I understand the differences and similarities between the two through Ms Koh’s talk and group discussion. Reflect/Debrief is a very crucial part of service learning. We have to go through the things that we have done so that to learn from these incidents and experiences. There are also different aspects of service learning (i.e. S-L, s-L, S-l) and I believe that we will definitely learn more through the process of planning, serving and post-trip evaluation. Nevertheless, people’s opinions differ and we have to negotiate with each other to achieve mutual benefits. :D

When there is a problem, we have to stay calm and listen to a leader. Chaos will lead us to nowhere and all of us will suffer. Thus, in any case of emergency we have to remember that do not panic and listen to the instruction given but also have to voice out own views at the same time so that we can a better solution to tackle the problems. Communication and planning also play very important roles under such circumstances.

Do not have the mindset that we are going to save the world or change the world, but we are going there to learning from them through serving them. REMEMBER :D

I ENJOYED THE SESSION ^^

Yiguan's Reflections
We were supposed to bring an item to represent ourselves. I wanted to bring my alarm clock (because I totally cannot wake up in the morning and I really need my alarm clock to help me!) but I woke up late and left home in a rush! I just randomly choose something from my bag to represent me instead and I chose my spectacles! Coincidentally, Fangying also chose her spectacles! One of the question posted to me was about how I feel that someone actually has the same item with me? The reasons why Fangying and I chose our spectacles were different but with certain similarities. Frankly, I feel quite lucky because I don't think it is easy to find someone who is likely to think the same way as you do!Roy's Reflections
Today was a very enriching day for me. There are many things that can be taken away from this lesson.

Firstly, I learnt more about my peers who would be going for the trip through the sharing session. It would likely to be impossible to hear what they have said today to introduce themselves if a normal, plain introductory session was held instead. A statement that I remembered was how a clip Jiaming brought, could actually serve as a reminder to not make more mistakes. This was new. I felt that this session really helped me to understand more about the people who I am working with.

Secondly, through the game we played, which resembles the musical chairs, I learnt the importance of keeping a lookout for my fellow peers. With us going abroad with just each other, this is of greatest importance. Also, through the game, I learnt that in any situation, we should remain calm. Panicking would certainly not help.

Thirdly, I learnt that there is actually an imaginary line that separates service learning and community involvement programme. What we are doing, that is to say to go overseas to help children in Yunnan, is in fact a form of service learning. There is also a great difference in the way one perceives service learning. This activity gave us a brief thought of what each individual would like to take away from the trip.

In conclusion, there are many key points to learn from the lesson today and I hope that everyone in the group has brought home as much as I did.

Si Hui's Reflections
AHH! Want to go yunnan!^^ SL is fun today. Not as boring as I've expected. Learned a lot from today also^^. Initially my thoughts about the trip was more of thinking of ways to raise funds, worrying about the funds we have and stuff. Somewhere in between log stuff and fund raising, some of us may have really lost the direction of the objective of the trip, learning while rendering our service. Seriously, I've not thought about what I wanted to learn from the whole trip until today when everyone sat and brainstorm. What I've gotten from today's meeting is that when we go yunnan(if I can pass promos that's it) we have to take note of the locals too. We cannot just take note what we think is the best for them and ignore their own needs. What we can learn from them maybe even more than what we are able to provide them with. Even though, I've been to quite a number of countries to experience their culture, I don't think all of them would be as enriching as going to yunnan so, I have to list down all the questions I want to ask them about their lifestyle. It would be the first time that I can interact so closely with the locals. I really want to go yunnan to help and to learn. Going there would not be like any OCIP as it is more sustainable and enriching. Haish have to pass promos!!! promos!!!

Wen Qing's Reflections
The team went for service learning today. Everyone had to bring an item that best represents him/her to school. At the start, all the items were laid out on a table and everyone had 3 Post-its to ask any question we want for any item we liked. After that, everyone would collect their items back and then introduce themselves based on their item and also answer all the questions on the Post-its.

The introductions made me get to know everyone in the team better. I think that this is a really good way to let everyone in the team know each other more because as Ms Koh said, we would not have said what we said during our introductions if not for the items we had brought with us.

Later, everyone had to write down what we thought of Singapore and answer some questions about our country. I think this part of the programme was to let us become more aware of our country and give us some preparation in case some of the people in Yunnan ask us these questions. We also wrote down the questions we had for any of the Yunnan people.

Each team wrote down the things we would do in a day in Yunnan and then shared them with the other 2 teams. The teachers then showed us a list of questions that we would be asked when we came back to Singapore after Yunnan and asked us if we could answer them. Everyone then reviewed the list of things we wrote down to include other important things we had neglected. I think during the planning of the programmes in Yunnan, we need to be more aware of our learning objectives.

After lunch, everyone played the chair game. It taught me to always be vigilant and to watch over my friends’ back for them as anything can happen. It also helps that a leader is around to help to coordinate the activities and to lead us in our discussions. Everyone should not panic during emergencies and should try to keep calm and to think of other methods to cope with the problem.

There was a long discussion about the difference between CIP and service learning after the game. Everyone had differing opinions about what differentiates the two. Service learning is more guided and we are very deeply involved in the planning and the carrying out of the activity. CIP is less guided and we choose what we want to do for CIP. Service learning, however, strives to really meet the people’s needs in contrast with CIP, which might not necessarily achieve that. There are also learning objectives in mind for service learning, which is not the case with CIP. Although things can also be learnt during CIP, CIP does not specifically have any learning objectives to be achieved. Questions were also given to us to think more about service learning.

Everyone split up into 3 groups according to what we place more emphasis on in Yunnan, whether it is service, learning or both at the same time. We had a debate and it turned out to be quite messy. Ms Koh then told us that our personal preferences would differentiate our behaviours in Yunnan and this might cause rifts in the group as we would not be able to understand the behaviour of another group mate. I learnt that we should not be quick to jump to conclusions about another person’s preferences and behaviour. Instead, we should take the time to understand the rationale behind it.

In conclusion, today’s service learning has really taught everyone a lot to prepare for Yunnan and I think I have benefitted plenty today.

Grace's Reflections
Today’s meeting was different because the focus was not on planning or fundraising. Instead, we talked about what going to the trip meant to us. For example, for some, they were going with the objective of serving more than learning, and others vice versa. It was interesting to know what everyone thought of the trip, and to know that something as basic as our intentions can get in the way of us working as a group.
In addition, we had to bring in an object which represented us. It was interesting to find out how everyone defined themselves. I personally enjoyed Iyn Yi’s presentation because she made a point of how she hopes we will be able to form a family-like bond during this trip.
Also, we discovered about the distinctions between service learning and CIP, which to me, solidified my intentions of learning from this trip and not merely getting it done with results in mind, much like what CIP is, as we agreed during the discussion.
For me, today’s experience was wholly enriching, as it brought forward the real meaning of the trip that got blurred for me in the process of fundraising and numerous meetings and deadlines to be met. It reminded me of our real intentions and purpose of planning for this trip. It also gave me an opportunity to get to know my group members better!