Service learning project bound for Chiang Mai

On 26 November this year, a group of 29 NYJCians and 4 tutors will embark on a 2 week trip to visit the hill tribes in Chiang Rai under this year's Overseas Service Learning Expedition (OSLE) programme: Project De Novo. Our reporter, Haoyi, finds out more...

In collaboration with The Mirror Foundation, Project De Novo -- which means, "new" -- will take this group of students and tutors to visit the hill tribes of Chiang Rai to work with the community there. Activities planned include 5 days of teaching Grade 7 English at Ban Doei School, an Akha village primary school, and hosting a 3-day English Immersion camp at a scenic national park for their Grade 5 and 6 students.

De Novo's fundraising efforts have already begun well in ahead of the College's Promo exams and the excitement of this far-reaching enterprise is starting to pick up on campus already. Fundraising events include the sale of indigenous handicrafts, a kacang puteh drive, and a car-wash for campus staff. Later this term, the team will be collecting slightly used clothing and books for the children as well.

Mrs Joanna Gan, one of the tutors-in-charge, is looking forward to the opportunity to learn what true service means and demands. "It takes a giving heart and a sacrificial spirit, in terms of giving up time spent with family, in terms of denying personal comfort... but it's also about discovering that service transforms our perspectives of ourselves, quickly cutting us down to size."

Project De Novo is an opportunity for both staff and student participants to see the world with new eyes, and develop a renewed passion for serving others. For the hilltribes, acquiring English will give them a new opportunitiy to succeed in life.

More information on De Novo and the hill tribes they will be visiting can be found at their exhibition in the Drum.

By Tan Haoyi
Additional reporting by Mr Seah M Y