The view from singapore with British High Commissioner to ... - NUSS

nuss IslAnD ADVenTuRes | 20 October 2012 | Lazarus Island
splash and Dash
in the sun
For the less privileged youths from the Ang Mo Kio
Family Service Centres, it was a day of fun, teamwork
and adventures on Lazarus Island, thanks to the big
heartedness of the Community Care Sub-Committee.
On a clear Saturday
morning, 35 children,
aged between 11 and 13
years old, from the Ang
Mo Kio Family Service
Centres (AMKFSC) and members of
the Community Care Sub-Committee
gathered at One°15 Marina Club to
embark on a day of adventures on
Lazarus Island. Co-organiser of the
event, the Singapore Power Boat
Association brought the children
and volunteers across to the island.
The 15-minute powerboat ride was
a treat for everyone as they imbibed
the panoramic views of Sentosa
and its neighbouring islands while
enjoying the invigorating sea breeze.
As one of the eight Southern
islands belonging to Singapore,
Lazarus Island is connected to St
John’s Island by a footbridge. It was
previously called Pulau Sakijang
Pelepah. Set aside for land reclamation
by the Singapore Tourism Board
in 2000, the island is a 5.58 square
kilometres of pristine white sand
*Names have been changed to respect the privacy of the beneficiaries.
and emerald waters haven. Avid
yacht owners dock here for its hidden
lagoon amid the lush palm trees
and quaint milieu, with only cats as
its inhabitants.
Instructors
from Camp Chal-
“Both the laser
gun combat and
kayaking were my
favourite parts of
the day. I enjoyed
playing in the water.”
lenge prepared
the children for
the Laser Combat
Challenge by
teaching them
how to use the laser
guns. Together
with the vigilance
of the Singapore
Gopal singh*, 11
Sea Scout
Association who
volunteered to be
lifeguards and medics on this trip,
the instructors taught kayaking to
the children.
Youthwork Specialist (Social
Work), Mr Lim Shen Yong from the
AMKFSC, welcomed the recreational
activity. “Today’s outing is about
promoting bonding, teamwork, part-
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nership and for the youths to get to
know one another better,” he said.
An AMKFSC intern, Ms Zakiyah
Ibrahim, 22, agreed. “Kayaking really
boosted their self-confidence and
social interaction. At first, they were
scared but after that they wanted
to do it again. This is a great opportunity
for them as they are from
underprivileged families. They have
never had the chance to ride a boat
or kayak before.”
Gopal Singh*,
11, was glad to be
a part of the jaunt.
“Both laser gun
combat and kayaking
were my favourite
parts of the day.
I enjoyed playing in
the water. And during
the laser gun
combat, I was only
shot three times,”
he related excitedly.
Enlivened by the day’s adventure,
the youths went home thrilled and
no doubt proud of themselves at successfully
completing their first kayaking
and laser gun combat experience.
Their heartfelt thank yous and smiles
made the volunteers’ long day worthwhile
and memorable.
JAN-MAr 2013 THE GRADUATE 21