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Following the success of our recent ‘Caring Hearts’ concert,
a group of us spent the morning of Children’s Day at the Singapore Children’s
Society Sunbeam Place Home. Many of us woke up on that day feeling excited, not
because it was Children’s Day but because we were doing something different.
Since secondary school, Children’s Day had been taken off our
calendars as we no longer celebrate this day. However, 1st October 2006 was
unique, as we had a chance to relive this special day, celebrating it with the
children from the Children Society Home at Hong San Terrace.
We woke up fresh and ready, with our gifts bought and
prepared for the Home the day before, and headed down with much anticipation.
Upon reaching, we were ushered into a spacious room - the dining area, where we
quickly set up the games planned for the children.
One by one, the children streamed in elatedly, many running
up to greet us, whilst some remained slightly reserved. Children being children,
especially there being 30 of them, they were difficult to control. Many were
running around amok, chattering away loudly, which was really unexpected.
We could not get them to settle down to play our games,
therefore we improvised on the spot. We decided to play whatever games the
children had in mind and that kick started the many great and tiring moments of
fun.
We played catching, carrying them around playing
“dragon’s battle”, eagle-and-hen and many other spontaneous, impromptu games
which we could think of. Either the children were equipped with super-charged
batteries or we were getting older but we simply could not catch up with them.
Even as our energy levels deplete, theirs seemed to get higher!
However, seeing their happy faces encouraged us to keep up our efforts. We
pushed on to provide what we hoped was the best Children’s Day celebration they
ever had.
At the end of the day, we gave the children their presents.
Everyone could see their faces light up with joy, eager to open up the presents
they received. That moment was our paycheck for all the hard work we had put in
to plan this visit.
Sadly, we had to leave by noon. As much as we did not want to
leave the place, we had to say our goodbyes to the children. Some of us received
small ornaments from the children, with only one wish: for us to return again.
This visit left us with not only memories but also with an
important lesson: “Children only require simple joys to make their day. All the
elaborate planning for games and activities for these children to play are
simply not required. All they ask for is our time and company.”
Finally, we wish to express a big THANK YOU to all in RP for
your kind support at our Caring Hearts concert, which helped us to raise funds
for the gifts to these children.
We will certainly return again.
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