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Geylang Methodist Secondary School brings joy to community

A dance well received by the audience. — Geylang Methodist Secondary School picture.

Community Outreach Day

STAFF and pupils of Geylang Methodist Secondary School put in time, effort and money to bring some joy to the community recently as part of the school’s Community Outreach programme.

The school also made arrangements with the National Kidney Foundation for a free health screening for the community.

The programme was part of the school’s Community Outreach Day celebrations on March 23, 2002. The theme for the day was “A Heart of Compassion”. Ms Teoh Zsin Woon, General Manager for the South-East Community Development Council, was the guest-of-honour.

The objectives for holding the Community Outreach Day were to nurture the hearts of the children to have compassion, to meet the needs of the community by imparting valuable skills, and to raise funds for the homes in need.

The day started with a welcome parade by the Guard of Honour. As soon as the event was declared open, 72 food and game stalls started to draw the crowd.

All the stalls were run by Secondary 1 pupils as part of their project work. They picked up entrepreneurial skills in their modest attempt at making a profit. The funds raised went to the needy households that the school has adopted since 2001.

To help pupils relate with the aged, 25 elderly people from the Geylang East Home for the aged and from the families in the school’s Home Adoption programme were invited.

Lunch was served by the student volunteers and the elderly were entertained to an hour-long concert and singspiration. There were dance items, a band performance, violin and piano recitals, skits and an arms drill performance by the National Police Cadet Corps. The elderly guests enjoyed themselves as they clapped and sang along with the pupils.

Thirteen concurrent workshop sessions were held for parents and members of the community. These workshops included a Healthy Cooking demonstration and Internet sessions facilitated by the pupils. There were also talks by staff and invited speakers on “How to help your child excel at school”, “Surfing the net” and “Building a strong relationship with your teenage child”.

The Secondary 4 and 5 pupils went out to collect newspapers and old clothes to raise funds for the Home Adoption programme. Through this activity they learned to work as one for a common cause to raise funds for the needy.

The final item for the day was a Street Soccer competition. The pupils formed teams with their friends and relatives and competed with one another.

The school is thankful for the partnership of the school alumni, South-East Community Development Council and the National Kidney Foundation in providing help and support for the programme. Most of all, the school is thankful to God for His Hand of protection on the pupils, and for the way He moved hearts to work as one to make the Community Outreach Day a truly successful and memorable one for all.

The game stalls are all set to draw the “customers”. — Geylang Methodist Secondary School picture.

Michael Koh is Subject Head, Civics and Moral Education as well as Community Involvement Programme.

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