27 members from NTU Cultural Activities Club’s Arts from the Heart (AFTH) hosted a Chinese New Year Celebration with beneficiaries of Singapore Association of Mental Health (SAMH).
The Chinese New Year Celebration was split into two phases. For the first phase, volunteers distributed food to the beneficiaries in six SAMH centres. A new initiative for AFTH, snacks and packet drinks were given out in hopes that they would serve as a perk-me-up for the beneficiaries. In addition, thank you cards written by the 30 main committee members of AFTH were given out to the six SAMH centres, to show appreciation to the staff of SAMH for their hard work and dedication in providing mental health services during these trying times.
In the second phase, the team held a virtual Chinese New Year celebration. Conducted by six volunteers and involving 20 participants from SAMH, the celebration centered around an origami folding session, whereby the volunteers taught the participants how to fold an origami ox. The volunteers then collectively wished the participants well, with some auspicious phrases.
As the celebration was done virtually, the volunteers were concerned that they might not be able to engage the participants. However, as the session went on, they were heartened to see that the participants were actively participating, as they would regularly show their folding progress to the volunteers.
Overall, the committee was glad that despite the pandemic, they were still able to provide prosperity and joy to 180 beneficiaries through food distribution and virtual celebration.
The SAMH interaction was a new experience for me, given that it was done online through Zoom. Being able to connect and have fun with the participants through origami made it pleasant and interesting for both us and the beneficiaries. Quek Jing Yu, Liaison Officer
About Arts From The Heart
NTU Cultural Activities Club (CAC) is one of the four largest student organisations in NTU and was set up to nurture the artistic talents of NTU and promote a vibrant campus with performing arts and cultural activities. It has attained considerable popularity and recognition from the public as a staunch advocate of the performing arts.
Established since 2004, AFTH is the charity arm of the NTU CAC. The vision is to help the less fortunate in the society and promote the Arts through performances by their 23 CAC member clubs. They also hope to reach out to the general public to increase awareness about their beneficiaries and fundraise for them.
