A heARtwarming Nature Walk with The Purple Symphony

By Lim Qiu Ping
An excursion to Gardens by the Bay, on 12 November 2023, was planned in collaboration with the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CSCDC) and The Purple Symphony (TPS) to create awareness of Persons with Disabilities and provide an opportunity for our alumni to build meaningful relationships with them.
Joining us for this excursion, we have TPS musicians with Visual Impairment and Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with their caregivers. The day prior, the five alumni volunteers had been briefed on how to care for the musicians’ needs. Moreover, Mr. Tam Ching Yi, Team leader of Partnerships and Programme for CSCDC, assured the alumni volunteers that he and his colleagues would always be nearby to offer support.
Volunteer Training Workshop at Jalan Besar Community Centre.
Mr. Tay Yi Sen (Eeson), BSc Multimedia Technology and Design alumnus, Class of 2010 shared that volunteering for this outing was “a meaningful event which [he] can be involved, on [his] rest day”.
Mr Tay Yisen (Eeson) ensuring all attendees are present before the next activity.
Meanwhile, it was Ms. Li Jie (Jasmine)’s – BA Chinese Language and Literature alumna, Class of 2019 first time being a befriender. “[In Mandarin] I’m curious about this Symphony, an orchestra comprising musicians with and without disabilities. How did they work together to offer so much to the audience? They must have put in so much effort to achieve this. I feel so fulfilled and happy to contribute to this excursion through my interactions with the musicians.”
Ms. Li Jie (Jasmine) taking photos of the TPS musicians and caregivers.
The day started as early as 9am with everyone gathered at Exit D of the Bishan MRT station. All attendees arrived at Gardens by the Bay by about 10 am and were divided into three groups, each able to sightsee freely so long as they knew where and when to meet up. The duty of each alumni volunteer encompassed taking the lead in exploring the gardens, interacting with TPS members and making sure the activities were carried out smoothly. Lunch was at the Jurassic Nest Food Hall, with a ten-dollar voucher given to every participant for their preferred food orders, by SUSS Alumni Relations and CSCDC.
Group photos are a must!
At the Flower Dome
At the Cloud Forest
The alumni felt that they had learned valuable lessons from the musicians. Ms. Zhang Liqun, Bachelor of Early Childhood and Chinese Language Education alumna, Class of 2023 praised, “They are resilient individuals. I have prior experience in interacting with special needs children. Through this new volunteering experience, I realise that persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder can sustain conversations. I will bring such positivity back to my classroom. Their attitude towards life is great!”
Ms. Zhang Liqun and Ms. Li Jie (Jasmine) leading the way.
SUSS alumni volunteers, Ms. Chen Haifeng (pointing to an attraction in the distance) and Ms. Zhu Danxia (to her right).
Members of TPS enjoyed their day at Gardens by the Bay. Ms. Karen Tang, who was accompanying her son, Mr. Lim Yi Hang, a percussionist, shared [in Mandarin] “He rarely has the opportunity to interact in large groups, so this is a good chance for him to mingle and interact with people. Plus, he likes to explore different places and he likes to walk!”.
Ms. Karen Tang, with her son, Mr. Lim Yi Hang.
Ms. Nurul Natasya, also a percussionist, liked the Cloud Forest for its waterfall. When asked if she enjoyed the water splashing on her face as the group walked past the waterfall, she replied, “Yeah.”
Ms. Nurul Natasya, learning about her environment through touch.
During the ride back to Bishan MRT, when asked if it had been a great day, everyone lit up, replying with a resounding, “Yes!”
Do keep a lookout for similar volunteering events or let us know if you would like us to co-organise a volunteering event with TPS next year! ☺
A wonderful end to a meaningful outing!

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