Our Intern Writes - #4
With a name like Prison Fellowship Singapore (PFS), it is no wonder a vast majority of people would think our work revolves solely around inmates and ex-offenders. However, a significant and equally important group we support is also the family unit,. One such strategy is through Care Club, which seeks to provide a safe space for children impacted by the incarceration of one or both parents, offering love, care and support in order to bring out their potential.
I had the opportunity to witness first-hand what was done at Care Club, watching both the staff and volunteers in action as they cared for the Care Club kids by conducting fun activities while ensuring each child is given the attention they need. While my main role at these events was as a photographer (i.e. snapping photos with my smartphone), I still found myself interacting extensively with some of the kids. As someone who is not particularly good with kids, I was pleasantly surprised to see how open many of them were with me, and found myself enjoying my time with them.
I got acquainted with Care Club during one of their weekly school holiday programmes in June, with this session’s focus being to paint for someone they admired. The programme also included ice breaker games which allowed them to warm up and gave them a (much needed) release for all their excitement and energy. The painting session was lively with conversation and ideas, and each child had their own way of expressing what they wanted on the canvas, be it through detailed images, portraits of cute characters, or even finger painting. The session, held in collaboration with one of our partners who guided the kids with much care, was a fun and meaningful way to enrich their lives by allowing them to express themselves creatively, bond with one another and show their appreciation to the ones who made an impact in their lives.
“As someone who is not particularly good with kids, I was pleasantly surprised to see how open many of them were with me, and found myself enjoying my time with them.”
More recently, I had the pleasure to accompany Care Club on their trip to the Singapore Zoo last weekend with volunteers from Wesley Methodist Church (WMC), with tickets sponsored by Mandai Wildlife Group. Similar to the holiday programme, the trip was meant to give the kids an enriching experience, this time through education and an active lifestyle in the outdoors. We watched animal shows showcasing the amazing agility of Tiago the sea lion and the great variety of animals in Southeast Asia, and the kids completed a bingo sheet with all the animals they had seen. It was heartening to see how excited they were to find as many animals as they could to fill the bingo sheet despite being under the hot sun, but also how naturally inquisitive they were about some of the unique animals. With help from the WMC volunteers who kept them engaged, I believe that we were able to give each child a fun and fulfilling experience.
Care Club not only fosters the development of their kids, but also places a strong emphasis on character growth and community service. In the coming weeks, Care Club will be visiting Singapore Christian Home, where they will spend the day engaging with the elderly residents through activities and games that the kids will be conducting. The programme is held in line with this month’s theme, ‘Love for the Community’. Through this visit, the kids will develop empathy through better understanding the issues faced by the elderly, as well as learn how they can better serve and express their love in their own capacity.
“Care Club not only fosters the development of their kids, but also places a strong emphasis on character growth and community service. In the coming weeks, Care Club will be visiting Singapore Christian Home, where they will spend the day engaging with the elderly residents through activities and games that the kids will be conducting.”
Care Club is an inextricable part of the work done at PFS. Directly supporting the inmates and ex-offenders by facilitating rehabilitation is without a doubt essential to positive change, but ensuring that their families remain stable and happy is crucial to maintaining this change by promoting reconciliation. Care Club provides opportunities for the children of such families to continue to grow and learn, nourishing them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually despite their unfortunate circumstances. In doing so, we hope to break the intergenerational cycle of offending and empower them to reach their full potential and lead successful lives.