From 19th to 22nd of May, our Secondary 3 pupils embarked on their National Education and Service Learning Journey to Karimun Island (Indonesia).

The 2 Days and 1 Night Camp certainly built up the physical strength and mental toughness of the pupils. They also learnt that “perseverance?is about believing in what they do, staying committed, and putting in lots of hard work and waiting to see their dreams come true by untiring endurance.

On the first day, the pupils gamely took on the challenge of conquering Mount Jantan which is 450 metres above sea level. Initially, the pupils and teachers had their reservations and some were even frightened at the sheer height of the mountain! In the end, most of the pupils made it to the summit of the mountain through sheer perseverance, encouragement from their peers and teachers and staying united as a team. On the last day, Secondary 3A and 3B pupils even broke the record of conquering the mountain in 3.5 hours! Well done pupils!

On the second day, the pupils served in a myriad of community involvement programmes which include teaching games and English to their Indonesian friends at Madrasah School and Santo Yusop School. It was a rich cultural exchange as our pupils were exposed to a different culture and learnt from our Indonesian friends?many skills, one of which is their superb football skills. Some of our pupils were also involved in helping to check the eye-sight of the villagers at the Tidal Village and distributing free spectacles to those in need. Giving the gift of sight was indeed a very meaningful deed. In addition, our pupils were also involved in assisting Karimun in its tree-planting effort and raising environmental consciousness.

This learning journey to Karimun was without a doubt an enriching and meaningful experience. It has taught us not to take for granted the comfortable life which homeland Singapore has given us. The pupils also saw how our Indonesian friends never complained and remained so positive despite their social conditions. We want to thank Karimun for giving us the chance to serve them, learn from them the meaning of simple bliss and hosting us with such hospitality beyond our expectations. See all of you again next year! Do visit our travel blog at www.questkarimun.blogspot com for more photos and write-ups.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or heard. They must be felt with the heart."