NYAA GAHA – Singapore Boys Home Mentoring Project II
March 2nd, 2010
The NYAA GAHA - Singapore Boys Home Mentoring Project II started in July 2009. The selected NYAA GAHA members served as mentors to the boys from Singapore Boys Home. The goal is to assist the boys to achieve the NYAA Bronze Award and to re-integrate them back into the society through the NYAA Programme.The boys selected the following activities they would like to engage in to be able to fulfill their NYAA Bronze Award mainly: Community Service - Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); Skills Development - Baking; Physical Recreation - Archery.
For the Expedition Section, the outdoor camp was held from16 to17 January 2010 at MOE Dairy Farm. The activities at the camp included hiking, tent pitching, outdoor cooking, campfire and high element rope courses. Each day ended with a daily debrief led by the mentors. During debrief, the boys reflected on the activities they had undergone and the values they had learnt. It was heartening to see the boys taking the initiative to lead the team in activities, while the mentors acted as facilitators to assist them in taking up the leadership role. The bond between the mentors and the boys was strengthened as a result of the time spent together.
The Expedition was coordinated by our mentors, Yap Jia Wei and Melissa Ho, Camp Commandants for the Camp. Jia Wei was extremely happy and proud of the boys who displayed their courage, discipline and enthusiasm throughout the camp.
Melissa Ho, a certified MOE Adventure Outdoor Specialist, was impressed with the boys for overcoming the fear to complete the challenge of the high element rope course.
To sum up the mentoring project, the boys had these to say:
“I feel very satisfied and appreciate all the hard work that the mentors did for us.”
“I was given the opportunity to lead the team and with the guidance from our mentors, I was able to perform my tasks.”
”The camp was fantastic. I really enjoyed myself. I liked the campfire most.”
“I felt very happy as the camp was very fun.”
“The most exciting part of the camp was the hiking. Overall, it was a fun learning experience.”
Contributed by:
Wong Chong Wai Kenneth
Entry Filed under: At-Risk Youth, Leadership, Sports & Adventure
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