Saturday, April 23, 2011

Good Friday

On this past Good Friday, all the students in Singapore had the day off as a national holiday. To take advantage of this, our teachers worked to set up a community service project for us to take part in. In Singapore this is called a CIP or community involvement project. All students are required to do a certain amount of CIPs. The americans and our buddies, along with some other Hwa Chong students went to a methodist children's home and took the kids out for a day of fun. These children have either lost their family or their family is unable to take care of them full time. We took the kids to a sport center with plans to go bowling and ice staking. Upon arriving we realized the 'queue' (or line) for ice staking was two hours long! Instead we bowled for two hours, played in the arcade, and had ice cream! All in all it was a great day for both the kids and the volunteers!
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10 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 25, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    It's really surprising that Good Friday is a national holiday in Singapore. I never really considered that Good friday could be considered a holiday. I think that it is great that the people came together and participated in the community and helped out kids in need of fun! I really wish there could be times in America where we could all come together and do the same.
    "Steven F. (Rodgers 6)"

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  2. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    It was interesting to hear that in Singapore that Good Friday was a national holiday. In the United States many people celebrate it, but not to the extent of having it as a national holiday. I also thought it was interesting to learn that they have the same volunteer oppurtunities we have and they do similar things for fun such as: ice skating, bowling and playing in the arcades similar to here in the U.S.
    (Ryan D. Rodgers 6)

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  3. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    I think it's really nice that even with their day of, the Singaporeans like to give back to their community. Here in America kids like to sleep in and hang out with their friends, while over there, their main concern is other people. I think it's pretty cool that it's even a requirement for them to have a certain number of CIPs. Students can learn a lot from community service. I also liked that they took the kids out to do everyday activities, especially with the kids that may not normally be able to. I love helping out with the community and volunteering here, so it's nice to see that they take it so seriously there too.

    Raisha C. (Rodgers 6)

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  4. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    I think the Community Involvement Program in Singapore is a great way to get involved. A school sponsored program like that not only a way to help out people in need, but it also gives students there an opportunity to see the other side of life where some people aren't as fortunate as us. Schools in our county should consider implementing a program like this. Students could have opportunities to gain hours to put on college applications and gain an interest in helping others in need.

    Ryan H.

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  5. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    I was surprised to hear that the whole country took the day off to celebrate Good Friday, a religious holiday. So does that mean that there is a national religion or is it that Christianity is such a majority that the country recognizes its holidays? But, it also relates to our country and how the majority of the US takes off for Christmas, another religious holiday, even though Christianity is not an established national religion.
    Catherine G. (Rodgers 8B)

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  6. Michael SchroederApril 26, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I think it is great that they have to have a certain number of CIPs. It is important that everyone volunteers and tries to help out. I think what the volunteers did was great and it is nice to make a difference one person or child at a time.

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  7. RebeccaApril 26, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    I think students in America should also be held accountable for completing a certain amount of community involvement projects. I think this would help build character and responsibility. I think it is really amazing that the students took the kids out for a day of fun. I would’ve never expected Good Friday to be a national holiday in Singapore. I’m glad the Dominion volunteers have had the opportunity to experience the different culture in Singapore.

    Rebecca D. Rodgers 2

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  8. YoselynApril 26, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Wow! I think it's pretty cool how the students in singapore get an actual day of the week as a holiday. I wish we could have that. Why are the students required to do CIPs? I think that by having the sudents do CIPs helps the community be more united. I love helping kids! i wish i could be there to take the kids out. Sounds like fun to me! :)

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  9. Jen R. (Rodgers 3)April 26, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    The fact that Good Friday is a nationalized holiday for students in Singapore is enthralling. I noticed that you said that only your teachers set up the Community Service project for the students... So it’s not a national requirement for the citizens in all? I think it would be a remarkable program to start here in America. If we start locally within our schools and neighborhoods, it could develop to be taken more sincerely and possibly be recognized as a national holiday as well.

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  10. AnonymousApril 27, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Singapore sounds so much alike the United States in so many way, they do a peldge in the morning in school and celebrate most of the holidays we do!
    Ivan ayala

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