Volunteering Experience
YOUTH GUIDE
I was the youth guide at an intergenerational activity session for the 'Home Truly' exhibition at National Museum Singapore in 2020.
By showcasing the moments and experiences of growing up in Singapore, 'Home Truly' exhibition aims to cultivate a strong national identity in Singaporeans, ultimately building a more united and harmonious nation.
What I did:
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Prompted dialogues and reflection on what 'Home' means.
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I had a fruitful time engaging in childhood games such as five stones, and exchanging conversations with the elderly on the different memories we have while living in Singapore.
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I switched between English and Mandarin while conversing, so as to ensure that my elderly partner is able to understand my opinions clearly, and help her in expressing her thoughts in an accurate and comfortable manner. By doing so, I manage to speed up the discussion by 50%.
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After the session, I did a short write up to collate the interesting stories shared by the elderly, which were showcased during the exhibition.
Video of my elderly partner and I at the intergenerational activity session
What I Learnt:
This is one of the key highlights of my volunteering experiences as I have gained important insights to the Singapore culture and practices in the past. I have also fostered a strong bond and sense of empathy towards the elderly during the discussion.
What I Learnt:
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
What I did:
The S.M.I.L.E workshop under Esplande Da:ns Festival 2019 is an interactive, performance integrated dance workshop that promotes dance by engaging the public through simple yet creative choreographies and improvisations.
I assisted in the facilitation of the workshop by
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Demonstrating the movements
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Attending to the queries that the participants have
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Going through the choreography with the participants
Photograph of S.M.I.L.E workshop facilitators with ScRach MarCs
Working with the artist duo, ScRach MarCs, has allowed me gain knowledge in crowd control techniques and audience engagement strategies.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
What I did:
I helped with the setting up and execution of the air clay workshop called "Curry Puff Toppers" for Verve 2019.
I assisted in the facilitation of the workshop by
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Explaining the instructions clearly
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Teaching participants basic knowledge of colours (e.g. primary and secondary colours, how to mix colours to get the ideal shade, etc)
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Teaching the participants how to create a curry puff using air clay
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Encouraging participants to create other characters
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Attending to the queries that of the participants
What I Learnt:
Learning from the artist himself, I have broadened my insights to the visual arts sector in Singapore and have learnt important knowledge about clay art upon working with the art form during a workshop for volunteers of Verve 2019. For instance, the various factors affecting the quality of air clay.
I have also gained knowledge of how to facilitate a fun filled visual arts workshop.
Photograph of Verve 2019's volunteers at Bukit Batok East CC
Photograph of "curry puff heroes" made by volunteers and participants of workshop
Photograph of a "curry puff hero" I made during the workshop
Photographs taken during Shintaro Oue's dance class