2006-06-21T12:29:00.000+08:00

Heys all RHYA out there who doesn't have an idea of the official RHYA yahoogroup, come join here at:

http://asia.groups.yahoo.com/group/secdc_rhya/join

Or find someone who can contact me and I'll invite you in.

Catch more updates here! =) A tagboard should be up in a jiffy!

Wen Hao

2006-05-31T21:41:00.000+08:00

Upcoming...we have the RHYA Cohort 8 Camp, to be held in NACLI, the usual old memorable campsite, from 12-16 June 06. Take Note!!

2005-10-22T11:19:00.000+08:00

In recent articles concerning racism in blogs, I feel saddened because the message of racial harmony has not reached these teenagers. Given the history of Singapore, we would not want to take any risk against the thin line of inter-religious and inter-racial harmony. More must be done to promote racial harmony amongst teenagers of this generation.

I cannot deny that the innate nature of people tends towards mixing with people of the same race, but we must look beyond features of the skin and have a good look at the colour of every single race's blood. Don't we all possess the same red blood that runs in everyone's veins?

For a start, teenagers must learn to accept and understand other races' culture and practices. It is no easy task. Schools are extensively trying to expose their students to different races' religions and practices, but I think it's not enough. Teenagers must take a proactive role to discover more and promote inter-racial harmony within their own schools, and that is what we racial harmony ambassadors are here for.

2005-06-29T00:52:00.000+08:00

Human beings search of a purpose in life. To a RHYA, the purpose for our existence lies in the presence of understanding and accepting differing cultures and religions.

As we, the youths of today, embark on the harmonious journey full of opportunities and challenges, we seek to remember our forefathers who came here in search for a new hope. It is with this common acknowledgement that we live in this present peaceful environment.

Our purpose continues, and extends far wide into the diversified communities, where young buddings are challenged to aspire to develop and preserve our mutual heritage.

But to all the Singaporean youths out there, are you willing to take on this challenge?

2005-06-24T17:09:00.000+08:00

South East Community Development Council (South East CDC)
Racial Harmony Youth Ambassadors (RHYA) Camp - Cohort 7
8 to 10 June 2005

On the morning of 8th June 2005, all the participants of the South East Community Development (South East CDC) Racial Harmony Youth Ambassadors (RHYA) camp gathered at Eunos MRT station, excitedly anticipating the next three days that we would all be spending together.
Attendance was taken and we were split up into 4 different groups. Although I was slightly disappointed to be assigned to a group (group 3) which was different from that during our pre-camp meeting (group 4), I introduced myself to my new group members who were very warm and friendly. After posing for a group picture, we set off in buses for our campsite!
The campsite which greeted us at National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI) was modern, surrounded by lush foliage and equipped with many facilities such as an expansive courtyard, a basketball court, an air-conditioned canteen and even a mini ‘Campus Mall’ selling souvenirs! It was with great awe and excitement that we moved to the Learning Lounge, where most of our activities during the camp would be conducted.
Icebreaker games such as ‘Human Bingo’ and ‘Egg, Chicken, Eagle, Phoenix’ were played to get everyone to warm up to each other. We also designed personalized name tags with words describing ourselves eg. ‘Mad Michelle’, ‘Ninja Turtle’, ‘Jumping Jac’. On a group level, we brainstormed together to think up of a group name, cheer and motto. My group, the Crazy Wheezies, decided that “Excellence through Perseverance” would be the motto that we would all live by throughout this camp.
And indeed it was with great perseverance that we participated in an activity requiring all four groups to bounce a ball up in the air as many times as possible without touching the floor. Notwithstanding, there were many opinions as to how everyone should position themselves and how we should hit the ball. We gave the different methods a try and also put into practice what we had learnt from the previously conducted discussions on goal setting and positive thinking. Ultimately, although we did not manage to achieve our goal of hitting the ball 505 times (to break the current record of 504 at NACLI), the entire activity was still a heartening one because of the consistent shouts of encouragement “We can do it!” “It’s okay, it’s not your fault!” and the act of coordination and cooperation amongst everyone.
Another particularly enjoyable activity on the first day which also helped to bond everyone together was the “War Game”, which, ironic as it sounds, highlighted the importance of peace and harmony existing between different groups of people. Fictitiously named groups – the Red Indians, Hooligans, Chinese Warriors and Cowboys – launched attacks on one another in the form of hilarious sounding shouts, yells and body gestures. We also put our creative skills to test by creating costumes out of newspaper and scotch tape for mascots to represent our respective groups.
In the evening, we were given time to prepare for the campfire which would take place on the second night. There was a short round of auditions for those interested to become a campfire emcee while others took up the roles of becoming group cheerleaders, campfire lighters (to light the campfire), safety personnel (to ensure that no one goes too near to the fire) and others. Each group also took this time to prepare a performance which they would present on the campfire night. In accordance to the theme of ‘Let’s Make Some Music’, groups choreographed their own music masterpieces using a myriad of ‘instruments’ like metals pots, plastic dustbin covers, cardboard boxes and even pieces of paper! In addition, we also practiced our group cheers to make sure that they were up to standard to show off to the rest and also excitedly prepared a ‘special item’ to surprise everyone.
The anticipation of the campfire and the following day’s activities almost left us too excited to sleep, but we knew that we would need all the energy we could muster for the next day, and hence, went to sleep in our comfortable rooms.
Apart from taking part in the camp activities, each of us also took up duties and had responsibilities. Campers helped out in different committees to ensure the smooth running of the camp. For instance, people in the Flag Raising and Lowering Committee drew up a roster taking turns to lead the saying of Singapore pledge, raise and lower the flag each day. The Food Committee helped to serve food during mealtimes while others in the Sports and Recreation Committee planned and organized games and morning exercises. We even had a Room Checking Committee to patrol rooms at night to ensure that everyone was safely in his or her room. These duties not only instilled a sense of responsibility in each and everyone of us, but also made us feel that we each had a part to play in contributing to the smooth running of our camp.
The second day of camp started out with flag raising, pledge taking and morning exercises in the courtyard. After tucking into sumptuous breakfast, groups alternated between watching a short video about different ethnic groups in Singapore, preparing a skit to showcase the significant customs and traditions of each race, and playing a paper plate game in which we had to direct one group member to hit paper plates numbered 1 to 50 within 2 minutes. With regards to the paper plate game, it was challenging but at the same time very enriching because people from the different races had to help each other decipher numerals and mathematical equations written in different languages. At the same time, we also had to make sure not to step into the boundary of the paper plates and also keep to the time limit of 2 minutes. This was an exemplary game of teamwork and assisting other groups instead of competing against them, in the sense that we helped to tell other teams which numbers had missing plates so that all teams could achieve the goal together.
The acting out of the skit was both a hilarious and educational affair. Each of the 4 groups took turns to highlight to the rest of the campers the significant cultural practices and beliefs of the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians. This actually also tied in with our meals, when we got the chance to sample Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian cuisine. In addition, on the occasion when we got to eat Nasi Lemak, everyone took the opportunity to eat using their hands as the Muslims do. This was a totally new experience for most of the non-Muslims, but with the patient guidance of our Muslim friends, everyone had an enjoyable meal and a memorable experience to take home with them.
Before it started to get dark on the second night, everyone eagerly did their preparations for one of the highlight of the camp – the campfire! The campfire we set up in the middle of the courtyard and a square area around it was cordoned off so that no one could get too near to the fire. We then sat in our respective groups around the campfire and mingled with the senior RHYAs – youths who had also attended this camp at one point of time. We had a good time exchanging stories about being a Youth Ambassador and other camp anecdotes.
The four Campfire Lighters, one from each ethnic group, lit the fire and this kickstarted the campfire for the RHYA Camp 2005! The group leaders and campfire cheerleader rallied their respective groups to cheer as loudly as they could and everyone was in high spirits as we sang evergreen campfire songs and cheers such as ‘Campfire’s Burning’ and ‘Flea, Fly, Mosquito’. Our groups then took turns to perform our group cheers, music piece and surprise item for everyone. For my group, the Crazy Wheezies, we demonstrated our Water Break cheer at the tops of our voices and surprised everyone by splashing water from our water bottles at them! Due to an impending storm, we had to shift our campfire indoors into the Learning Lounge, a multi-purpose room. However, the change in location did not drown our spirits. We rose to the occasion by dimming the lights and sat close together to create a cosy campfire ambience.
After many rounds of cheers, songs, the friendship dance, chicken dance and even the Macarena, the campfire had to come to an end. With reluctance, we said goodbye to the senior RHYAs but were cheered up by the fact that we would all probably see each other again at another CDC activity.
On the morning of the final day of the camp, we were all encouraged to tuck into a hearty breakfast so as to sustain us with enough energy for the upcoming hike. Everyone was briefed on the safety precautions to take and we were also reminded not to disrupt the natural environment by littering or plucking plants and flowers en route. After filling up our water bottles, applying sun block, insect repellent and packing our bags for the hike, we were ready to go! As a group, we trekked through the nature trail, singing songs and doing cheers to keep our spirits high. Some parts of the trail were steep and rocky, but with our team members in front relaying messages such as “Look out for the ditch”, “Steep trail ahead!” to us, the entire group managed to complete the hike safely. For my group, we also held hands as we walked down the steeper slopes together for additional support.
Upon reaching different checkpoints of the hike, we had to complete certain tasks together. For example, one of the tasks required every member of the group to scale a low wooden wall. While some of the fitter guys managed to do this on their own, the rest of us in the group did not have to despair because with each of us helping to give the rest a leg up, even the most apprehensive member managed to make his/her way over the wall.
One portion of the hike also required us to crawl through a covered drain individually because it was too narrow for the group to proceed together. This was truly a time for many of us to face and tackle our fear of insects, dirt, confined places, physically strenuous activities among others. It was with a great sense of accomplishment that the entire cohort of campers assembled back together at NACLI after the hike.
All too soon, the hike and debrief thereafter drew the RHYA camp to a close. Though physically tired from all the various activities over the past three days, we were all in happy spirits because of the new friends we had formed, the new things we had learnt about other ethnic groups and the personal fears we had managed to overcome. It was truly a wonderful camp which will bring back fond memories for a long time to come.

Michelle Chan
South East CDC RHYA
Cohort 7

2005-06-21T09:37:00.000+08:00

The South East Community Development Council (CDC) Racial Harmony Youth Ambassadors (RHYA) Programme seeks to develop a dynamic and cohesive generation of youths who participate actively in the development of a cohesive and harmonious community.

Youths will undergo the RHYA Induction Camp which consists of teambuilding racial harmony awareness as well as visit places of worship to learn more about the various religions and cultures. Thereafter, they will initiate, plan and organise racial harmony related projects for their schools and CDC. The senior ambassadors will also act as mentors to the younger students in the projects.

To date, we have more trained an estimated 500 RHYAs in the South East District. Besides being involved in racial harmony related events, our RHYA are also actively involved in other South East CDC events as volunteers or even organizers.

Zatan

Home of South East CDC Racial Harmony Youth Ambassadors (RHYAs)