With the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual events
have become the NEW normal. Tender Love & Care (TL&C), one of the teams
under Singapore Pools' iShine Community Programme, has also adopted this
modality by organising a virtual Zumba class for children from Sunbeam Place
with help from staff volunteers.
Sunbeam Place, which is managed by the
Singapore Children’s Society, is a non-profit charity which offers a safe shelter
for abused or neglected children. TL&C has been engaging with Sunbeam
Place, its adopted charity since 2003, with the aim of equipping children in
need of protection with knowledge, positive values, friendship and a listening
ear.
The virtual class started with the children
dancing to their favourite Tik Tok music, followed by games such as “freeze
dance”, “silly-face wefie” and ended with a scavenger hunt. All of these were
carried out with safe distancing in mind, either at the children’s dormitories
or homes of the respective Singapore Pools’ volunteers. Although it was
difficult to maintain their attention virtually, the children and volunteers
were still able to have lots of fun together.
Team TL&C’s volunteer Christine said:
“The virtual Zumba class is a fun and engaging way to connect the kids with the
volunteers. It is more like a dance party than a workout for the kids. I am
glad that the kids enjoyed the activity as much as the volunteers themselves. I
hope the volunteers have been able to bring some spark to the lives of these
children amidst the pandemic.”
Technology has made it possible for
volunteers to continue to engage with their beneficiaries despite a pandemic.
For the team at TL&C, this was a first but definitely not the last! Stay
tuned for more adventures!