• Objectives

The primary objective is to establish a central coordinating body of student leaders with a passion for voluntary community service who, through their initiative, encouragement and personal example, will be able to motivate the students of both Hwa Chong Institution (College Section) and Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section) to initiate and execute meaningful service programmes in Taman Jurong. In the process they will have gained valuable experience working at grassroots levels with both community leaders and residents.

Another important objective is to streamline the CIP scheme in both schools so that it becomes more focused, organized and effective in providing services to the largercommunity outside the school. This will enable the CIP activities in Hwa Chong Institution (College Section) and Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section) to assume a definite shape and greater coherence than is the case now.

• Benefits

It will provide an opportunity for grassroots organizations to tap the vast pool of talent in our schools and junior colleges for specific community-oriented civic projects. Secondly, it will provide students with an inclination for community service the opportunities to direct their efforts in the best possible manner within the context of grassroots organizations. Thirdly, students will acquire first hand experience on the concept of volunteerism which we want all our citizens to espouse in their adult years. Finally, and most importantly, the community will gain immensely from such efforts if these are efficiently managed.

The Hwa Chong Institution Taman Jurong Service-Learning Club serves as a platform for us, the students, to be involved in service at the community level and at the same time, discover new knowledge for ourselves.

One of the activities that was organised was the collaboration with the Assyakirin Mosque in Taman Jurong. It aims to enhance the understanding of the different races and religions amongst the students. Through this activity, we get the chance to interact with the Fityan students in the mosque.

On our first visit there, we were introduced to the culture of the Malay community and also the beliefs of the Muslims. A volunteer from the Assyakirin mosque gave us a presentation and he was able to link the ideas to what Chinese philosopher, Confucius, had said before. We were also impressed with his ability to communicate in both English and Mandarin. Thereafter, a Q&A session was held, where we cleared up some doubts regarding the presentation and Muslim culture as a whole. For example, food is divided into 2 categories - Halal and Haraam. 'Halal' means permitted, while 'Haaram' referred to anything prohibited by the faith. These foods include alcohol and pork. Evidently, there was much to be learnt.

Next, we were treated to an ice-breaking session with our ever-friendly Muslim buddies there. We gathered around and sat in a circle, sharing with each other our hobbies, aspirations and a little about ourselves. We were pleased to find that some of us were avid 'shoppers' and 'sleepers'. Our buddies also shared with us their big ambitions, with some aiming to be doctors and lawyers.

We helped out in the "Spring Cleaning" on our next visit there. The cleaning was for the coming Hari Raya Puasa. Our students were divided into three groups, which were assigned different tasks. The tasks were to clean the mosque, deliver food to the needy, and to clean up the homes of the disabled or aged. It was a good experience for all of us, regardless of what we did. After that, we shared our experience with each other and some of us really benefited thoroughly. For example, while cleaning up the homes of the disabled or aged, we get the chance to experience first hand their living conditions. Many of us take the food and shelter that we have now for granted. Through this activity, we opened our eyes to the different dimensions of the world. Not all the people are as lucky as we are, but we could do our best to share the joy around.

After all that hard work, it was time to break fast - the long-awaited end to fasting. However, while all our stomachs were growling, we had to endure a full hour of laying eating mats and helping to prepare the food. We were also given a talk about fasting and it's importance. It was only then that we learnt, the Muslims believe that the essence of fasting was to draw closer to their god by abandoning the things they enjoy. This in turn allows them to appreciate what they have, and to be content. In addition, Muslims also learnt to be more disciplined through fasting. They would observe a period of fasting during daylight hours for about a month where no food and drinks were consumed. Fasting also provides a sense of fraternity and solidarity experience of what their needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel. This was the reason that our groups went around Taman Jurong, bringing food to the needy - to break the fast together.

Therefore, on the micro view, this experience gave us an insight on Muslim culture, as well as the enjoyable time helping out. On the macro view, this was the beginning of an everlasting friendship and understanding between people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.