3J Arifin (01)

How has the service-learning experience changed my thinking, attitudes, and actions towards others, myself and the community?

The society today have become more oblivious to the people in need. However,being able to study in Victoria school,it enables me to reformed my thinking in a way that even though we live in a rich country,there are still people out there who are in need. Our class have embark on a project to raise funds for a charity organisation. We planned to raised funds by washing cars during the Victoria Challenge(an initiative by Victoria School to complete a challenge in 24 hours) and set a target of $1000,which is quite a hefty sum of money to collect in 24 hours,just by washing cars. At first, I was reluctant of this idea as it is very tiring and was not confident that our class is able to reach the target. However,seeing that its for the people in need,our class put in a lot of effort into this project.

A lot of effort in advertising ensures that cars will come in. As cars enter and leave all the time, we had almost no rest and have to continue washing. Although i was tired, I carried on washing as I want to enlighten the burden of the needy.

What stands out as the best or worst thing that happened to you in your service learning experience? What did you learn from these experiences?

Cars continue streaming in at the wee hours of the night, so we have no choice but to sacrifice our sleep to achieve our target. The word 'sacrifice' is often misunderstood. A lot of people have a mindset that if we sacrifice ourselves(time and energy),we would not benefit from it. But the dictionary definition states that giving up something for something of greater importance. For us,the dictionary definition is the case. We sacrifice ourselves lightening the burden of the needy,which is a a rare feeling due to the sense of achievement in meeting our $1000 target.

Do you see yourself staying involved in the community during your college and adult years? Why or why not?

I may be very busy in my college and adult years. But if I do have the time, I would like to contribute back to the community. In this modern era, the community is a great teacher in teaching us moral values that we would not be able to learn in classes. We have to reach out to the community so the values will be instilled in us.