virtual overseas community service
As the Covid-19 pandemic changes our world, we also must adapt and change with it. Building on the relationships that we’ve forged over the years with our overseas community partners, we invite you to experience our virtual skilled volunteerism programmes.
By leveraging on the unique skills and knowledge that our local students have, as well as equipping them with the confidence to share these skills and knowledge, the aim of these programmes is to empower the host community through a virtual platform.
Engagement Session between SMU and BEAM Foundation
SMU OCSP 2021: PROJECT HAI KHUN
In the inaugural virtual OCSP, we partnered with Singapore Management University (SMU) and BEAM Education Foundation (BEAM) in Thailand, an organisation that seeks to provide educational access to marginalised people, many of whom are Burmese refugees living in Thailand.
In this 3 months programme, our SMU participants were challenged and empowered to design and facilitate a 6-week programme for the BEAM students. As part of supporting the SMU participants, we conducted 4 pre-equipping sessions to set the programme context as well as equipping the participants with skill sets such as Asset-Based Community Development, Dignity & Stereotypes etc. that will support their virtual engagement with the BEAM students.
During the planning phase, the SMU participants also have regular clinic and practice sessions with the Skillseed team as our facilitators guide and provide feedback to refine the curricula and ensure meaningful engagement with the BEAM students. We concluded the programme with a reflection and debriefing session with the individual teams as well as a finale showcase. The finale showcase the programmes SMU participants have designed and carried out with the BEAM students, as well as the learnings and insights they have gained from this experience, to their peers and the teaching faculty at SMU.
Duration
4-6 pre-equipping sessions for students
6 weeks of engagement with the host-community, twice a week (2-2.5 hours per session)
“This experience has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, improve my communication and public speaking skills. The highlight of the programme was definitely hearing about all the experiences the BEAM participants had, as well as sharing my own so we can better connect with them.”