With every big event that we organise and execute for the children, we are blessed to always have our village rooting for us and coming through with their different talents and time to make things work. For Creation C.A.R.E this year, we were fortunate to have a variety of parent volunteers who took on different roles in helping us, from creating the artworks to being there for the art showcase.
Over at LOT Holland Village, it started with the mother of one of the K2s who offered to help with the craft work. Lian Choon, Principal of Holland Village then approached a father who is currently not working and also managed to get another student's grandmother to come down to the school to assist. Soon enough, it extended to the children's helpers, an ex-teacher and a church volunteer, who was a contact of one of the teachers. This church volunteer loves children and wishes to engage with the 2 - 3 year old children – thus Lian Choon has arranged for her to drop by to volunteer 2 times a week to spend time with the children in the afternoon.
Indeed, many hands make light work! With so many people from the LOT family stepping up to help, the leaves for the tree sculpture were completed way ahead of schedule. One of the student’s dad had noticed that the leaves and stems they had previously made were going in the wrong direction - it was pointing down! He guided the team to ensure that the leaves goes upward, and showed them the way to install the leaves into the straw to create a cluster. During the Opening Ceremony on 16 May, the mother of an N2 child from LOT Pasir Ris 21, Wang Shao Qing, volunteered to support by ushering senior citizens and kids as well as assisting teachers and children while they toured the showcase and did their activities. Having done volunteering over many years, she felt that it is challenging to work with kids as you have to understand each child and listen to their requests because everyone is unique. Thus, she must have patience and passion to serve all kids.
"If you are willing to become a volunteer, you will set a good example for children including your own kids...Like our school name Little Olive Tree, our children will grow up from a little tree. One day, I believe they will become a big tree and protect the world as same way that we protect them. Contributing back to society, protecting their loved ones!" - Wang Shao Qing
“If you are willing to become a volunteer, you will set a good example for children, including your own kids. Let them study and learn from ourselves to understand the social responsibility and the meaning of life. Like our school name Little Olive Tree, our children will grow up from a little tree. One day, I believe they will become a big tree and protect the world as same way that we protect them. Contributing back to society, protecting their loved ones!” shared Shao Qing.
Last but not least, we have Clarence, who is the father of our K1 child from LOT Bethany. He wanted to show his support to the preschool by volunteering for this event, especially after all the great effort put in by the teachers and children in coming up with the fantastic exhibits. He mentioned that his daughter, Charlotte thoroughly enjoyed the outing to One Punggol with her teachers and friends. When he asked her at home how the event was, she gave an emphatic thumbs up!He had supported the showcase on 17 May by being on site to ensure the exhibition structures were fine and that the area was clean.
“What I enjoyed was looking at the various tree exhibits, and meeting some of the HQ staff, the Bethany teachers and staff, and seeing their passion and enthusiasm for the event. Continue the great work, everyone! Through this event, I could see and feel the great support, care and love that you are giving to the children under your care. Thank you,” expressed Clarence Eng. It has been heartwarming and encouraging to see the work of the children, teachers, parents, HQ staff and other volunteers who have made Creation C.A.R.E possible. We welcome more volunteers in our schools, and not just for big events like this! It would be wonderful to explore more opportunities for LOT to collaborate with our parents and the community.