On December 3rd 2022, a team of 12 SUSS students volunteered for the Youth ConnectHike initiative, which marked the first student-led community engagement project in partnership with the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF). The team carefully crafted and executed a Bingo-themed hike along the Southern Ridges, aimed at engaging and empowering a group of childhood cancer survivors. Through this initiative, the team successfully created an interactive and memorable experience that fostered a sense of community and provided the children with an opportunity to socialize and connect with their peers.
Inspired by CCF’s support after her brother was diagnosed with childhood leukaemia in 2015, Year 2 student leader Rebecca Koh, embarked on this project with fellow student leader Meira Ayuni to give back to a cause that she felt strongly for.
Meira Ayuni, Year 3 student shared, “Having the members from the outdoor adventure club join us on this project enabled us to create awareness and build a more inclusive environment for childhood cancer survivors while sharing our love for hiking with them.”
SUSS students and CCF participants completing fun-filled games at checkpoints
In the weeks leading up to the event, the SUSS students worked together to design and experiment with fun unique games, while taking great care to prioritize the safety of the cancer survivors. Under the tutelage of the CCF staff, our students obtained a greater understanding of the intricacies of cancer and the challenges that patients and survivors endure, including those that persist long after recovery. This acquired knowledge equipped our students with the awareness necessary to curate meaningful and engaging activities for the youths.
SUSS students and CCF participants posing for the “most cringy” photo as part of a challenge activity at the hike
During the event, our students and youths showcased their competency by completing games at various checkpoints of the hike. Despite the strenuous uphill climb, the young participants uplifted each other's morale, fostering an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and joy. Along the way, everyone engaged in lighthearted conversation, playful activities, and good-natured humour, which helped them persevere until they reached the summit. Upon reaching the top, they were rewarded with a stunning panoramic view and an overwhelming sense of achievement.
Radiant faces of SUSS students and CCF staff at the finale of the event
The finale of the hike ended with creative cheers produced by the efforts of youths and SUSS students at the Henderson waves. Preeya Bajaj, Senior Programme Executive from CCF shared that “it was a very good partnership with SUSS as we got to learn about their current processes and protocols that are in place for their outdoor activities”, and that CCF “[hopes] to adopt them into [their] own outdoor activities”.
The event was truly remarkable, and its impact was felt by all participants from beginning to end, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. The survivors cherished the wonderful memories they made and developed a newfound appreciation for the outdoors. Meanwhile, the SUSS students gained a deeper understanding of cancer survivors and felt a sense of fulfilment from their involvement.