Volunteering at the ASEAN Para Games

It’s 9th December, the last day of the 8th ASEAN Para Games, the para equivalent to the SEA Games held in June earlier this year. This time round, there’s a lot less attention on the Games, which I felt to be a pity because I think more than the SEA Games, the Para Games truly reflect the common Games theme of “Celebrate the Extraordinary”.

This time round, however, I spent significantly more time watching and being involved in the APG as I signed up as a volunteer. Knowing that this could be my last time being involved in something like this, I enthusiastically signed up for this a little after the SEA Games concluded. Over time, as enthusiasm gathered for the APG, I was naturally excited for the games to start too. It’s also a good thing that my exams ended on the 2nd, so I could devote my time to APG from the 3rd to the 9th.

Other than the weekend, I was down at the National Stadium every day with many other volunteers, doing half-day shifts. Some days started as early as 6:30am, some ended as late as 9pm. I enjoyed myself tremendously nonetheless.

The things we do are mind-numbingly simple. Ushering people in, blocking off areas to ensure only accredited people are allowed through (surprisingly – for me at least – there are a few people who ‘act blur’ walking into the blocked areas), etc. There were many, many volunteers, so many that there was a lot of duplication of resources. I guess the good thing is that none of us are paid so there’s not much financial wastage.

However, what was really special was watching the para athletes up close, in action, in competition. We are lucky because sometimes we get to go up to the field of play to interact with them and see them compete. While Singapore is definitely no athletic powerhouse, it was inspiring to see para athletes in general perform things that are beyond what is expected of them.

Earlier today – Singapore v Malaysia CP Football

4x100m

Team Malaysia

100m T11 – with guides in yellow

Wheelchair athlete looking on another 400m heat for the same event

To see para athletes do high jumps above 2 metres with just one leg – they literally hop over the pole – is simply inspiring. Likewise for blind athletes who sprint down the track… they don’t even know they have crossed the finish line first until their guide slows or stops completely.

And that’s just athletics. Similar, if not more, inspiring acts all around the Sports Hub and Marina Bay Sands over the last week.

Of course, I’ve met many volunteers from all walks of life that we’ve spent many hours watching the games together and talking over lunch. Many uncles, aunties and students, and each has a story to share. It’s very interesting.

I’m glad I signed up as a volunteer. While I signed up alone initially, getting to know others over time made Team Nila feel more like a family than just a group of disparate volunteers.

 

A Hundred Dollars

If you were a eleven-year-old kid, and you just received a hundred dollars that you must spend… what will you spend it on?

It is a difficult question with a difficult answer. Thankfully there was an event to help me do so – The Great Singapore Sale Gift-a-Wish Day. And through this event, I saw the answer from a hundred children who are beneficiaries of the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, through the eyes of a volunteer.

By volunteer, it means a combination of personal shopper, advisor, cash keeper, admin assistant, etc.

Some of these answers that I saw were quite surprising.

Take my buddy for example. This young dude (called Rui You) from Corporation Primary School, ten years younger than me… and kinda looks like me. The first place we went to was Popular at United Square (the entire shopping experience was held within United Square and Velocity as they are the nice malls that helped in this event). And the first thing he decided to buy was a mathematics assessment book.

It was quite humbling for me to know that. I am, after all, from a comfortable financial background. At least a background where my mother did not object to buying me assessment books as a result of scarcity. (In fact she was quite glad that I wanted to get assessment books) My entire perception of “what-a-kid-would-want-with-free-money” was blown away. If I had a hundred dollars when I was eleven, I would not even think of getting assessment books. But yet, Rui You decided to buy it. Along with some stationery and a Chinese assessment book.

It’s impressive that he wants to use his free money to get something that will help him to improve academically, before looking at things that were more enjoyable. And I am humbled.

Of course, he bought other indulgences like his first Adidas shirt, a new basketball (probably his first basketball too), and his first atas cupcake (from Twelve Cupcakes) for sharing back home. And the joy it brings him is… hard to describe. You can see it in his eyes that he was genuinely grateful and not merely happy for the free money. It was probably the only time he has to really get something he wants for a long time (and I, along with Jared whose kid didn’t appear and joined me instead, got to give him free advice!).

While there were many other kids who bought expected stuff, there was one who ended up with a big shopping cart from Cold Storage. Inside was filled with snacks and groceries for the whole family. There was even beer (which I assumed was meant for his dad) in the cart. This kid decided to share his free money with stuff for the whole family. Like going on an overseas trip and buying souvenirs for everyone. But better. His thoughtfulness is simply amazing.

The event ended way took quickly and the kids were soon on their way home with their new found stuff, probably very very happy with how the day went. I can imagine giving some rich kid the same hundred dollars and he would probably shrug it off. But to these kids with a poorer background, it probably means the world.

Jared, Rui You and I. With his newly acquired stuff!

Another shot, with Mr David Hoe looking very happy

Many volunteers with many happy children