As part of the Community Service-Learning SUSS LEAD (Learn, Experience, and Develop) initiative, SUSS students from the Project Learn, Love, Live (LLL) team partners with Pertapis to provide academic and social-emotional support to children and youths who are recipients of the Pertapis’ welfare assistance scheme through engaging them in weekly tutoring sessions.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, these mentoring sessions shifted online through Zoom. To bridge the bond between the 30 SUSS mentors and the 18 mentees from Pertapis, the SUSS Campus Tour was organised on 16 March 2022. By showcasing SUSS, Team LLL aimed to kindle the interest and aspirations towards higher education in the mentees.
SUSS student mentors with their mentees from Pertapis.
All smiles at the end of the event! The team organised a series of games such as crossing a ‘glass’ bridge, marble rolling and charades for the mentees to enjoy. Through the activities, the mentees warmed up and were evidently more open to their mentors as compared to the start of the event. When asked about his thoughts, 15-year-old Aiman, remarked that he had a “nice experience with kind and friendly mentors, with wonderful game stations that allowed students from any age to participate.”
Crossing the Bridge: The children and youths participating in the games planned by Team LLL.
Doing the limbo: SUSS student mentors modeling the way! SUSS student mentors also experienced the warmth brought by the friendships formed on the day. Yvonne Tay, SUSS Bachelor of Accountancy Student commented, “With the Zoom sessions, it was very hard to form a genuine connection with my mentee, but I am looking forward to future sessions after today’s event.” The project’s community partner mentor, Mr Mohd Noh, a Senior Corporate Communications Executive from Pertapis, also shared his appreciation for the team as he witnessed that the children and youths enjoyed the time spent playing and interacting with the mentors.
Project Learn, Love, Live’s SUSS Campus Tour event was supported by the generous funding of BinjaiTree Foundation through the BinjaiTree Community Engagement Fund.