CIP in Clementi

Last Saturday, the Ortus sec 4s and the HCINCC went to Clementi for a food drive, organized by the Ortus Service Learning Club. There were 55 of us and I earned 8 hours of CIP.
Our aim was to collect food (such as instant noodles, rice) from various houses and donate them to the needy and helpless elderly who are living in Clementi. We were divided into four groups. The three groups, which comprises about 45 students, was in charge of collecting food whereas the second group was in charge of classifying the collected food into groups such as instant noodles, oil and canned food. All the sec 1s were in group 1.
The SLC had rented the nearby RC for convenience and a place for us to rest. To be frank, it was my first time approaching so many houses to collect something. Our group was given three black garbage bags and off we went!
Usually, most of the doors were closed as it was 9pm then, which I think that it was quite early as it was a Sat. The people would normally give instant noodles as they were cheap but some kind Samaritans gave food like rice, oil and canned food. Unluckily, for my group, we met an unreasonable Aunty……
We saw an apartment which the door was opened. We approached it and rang the doorbell. Out came an obese Aunty. My friend said that we came from HCI and were here to collect food and … Do you know what her reply was? She replied in Chinese, “ I can give the food to the elderly myself and not need middlemen like you all! After all, I am an elderly and you all not only do not give me food, you all still want me to give you food! Tell me, is this world fair?” Having heard her words, we stood rooted to the ground, not knowing what to say. “Aunty, come on, your house is so well-furnished and you still claim that you need those food? Morever, you can just gave us a straight ‘No’, instead of telling us a long story!” I muttered to myself. After calming ourselves, we thanked her and left in a hurry, not wanting anymore ‘trouble’!
With the strength of so many people, we managed to collect quite a large amount of food for the needy elderly. I think that when the elderly receive these food, they will be elated as they know that there are people around to help them.
From this CIP opportunity, I not only earned some CIP hours, I also get to learn on how to socialise with all sorts of people. Also, I had learnt that being a salesman is not easy as they will be rejected or rebutted when they attempt to sell their products.

Sec 1 NCC Camp Feast

On 2o-21 April, we, the sec 1 of HCINCC went to Ang Mo Kio where the NCC HQ is located. We spent a fun and interesting 2 Day- 1 Night camp there. Alot of schools were there like New Town, West Spring, Nan Hua High and the one that I can't forget most--- Crescents' Girls. The Crescent girls really gave me a deep impression and they let me think again what NCC is like. They were so disciplined, more "obedient" than boys.
They even had their own club water bottles and attire. Maybe I should suggest this to my seniors. I was so-called traumatised when they could 'stone' under the hot sun for two long hours, and they neither moved nor talked! For the boys, including our school, we just chatted happily, as if no one was watching. Unluckily, one of the 'Sirs' saw our act and he decided to 'knock us down' ( which means to make us do push-ups). At first, all the boys were pumping and the girls continued being statues. Then, a Malay boy from Kent Ridge shouted, "Sir, u taught us the meaning of 'one for all, all for one', so I think that the girls should pump with us to show team spirit!!!" After hearing his words, my eyes widened and jaw dropped, body still in the pumping position. I think it was not only the boys, the girls were shocked too!(Haha!!)
After much consideration, the Sir ordered the girls to pump. Giggles could be heard among the boys. The boys were told to do 30 whereas the girls---15. This was the most interesting and shocking experience I had in NCC!
The food provided there was not too bad( since the name of the camp is Camp Feast). Surprisingly, we slept on beds and I thought it was tents at first. For the whole of two days, we did abseiling, flying fox, shooting paintballs at targets and the night performance! Actually, when I was told to go up the 5-storey building for the flying fox, my legs really wobbled and went numb instantly! After all the safety measures were checked, I was told to sit on the edge of the building, ready to jump. I really felt like backing out but it was all too late. The staff pushed me down with his legs and here I went!! The experience was really thrilling and fascinating. My newly- made friend from West Spring did the Flying Fox for three times as he joked in improper English, " Why u so stupid? U know, outside, one trip costs 70 Bucks and I can save 210 Bucks if I go for three times!" What a typical Singaporean!
After all camp, we exchanged contacts with one another. We reached the school at 4pm. What a fun and exciting camp I had!