|
The Befrienders of ACS Oldham
Hall
|
|
ACS Oldham Hall has a Befriender Programme in partnership
with Barker Road Methodist Church which reaches out to help
new international student boarders to settle down faster with the
help of a local Singapore Befriender family. In existence since
2004, the programme also aims to let the boarders experience
the hospitality and the care of our Christian community, as well
as the local Singaporean culture.
|
Currently, the befrienders are categorised under two groups –
Hospitality Befrienders engage the boarders through a family
outreach setting; Interest Befrienders share their talent and skill and
engage the boarders in their hobbies such as cooking or sports.
Here are some of the thoughts and photographs of the befrienders
and boarders about the programme:
|
Evelyn
Sim (top
right) &
family
with
boarders
Stephanie
& Kelly
(from
bottom
left) |
|
“It
was a
joy for
my
family
to get
to know
Kelly
and
Stephanie.
We
managed
to spend
some
time
trying
out
local
food,
going to
the
movies,
enjoying
board
games
and
other
activities
through
the
short
period
of time
we got
to know
each
other.
Our
favorite
discussion
topic is
the
similarities
and
differences
in the
cooking
style
and food
between
Medan
and
Singapore.”
–
Evelyn
Sim
(Hospitality
Befriender)
|
|
|
Befrienders
Kam Hong & Lai Fun with boarders
Cindy &
Yvonne (from left to right) |
|
“My journey in Singapore has never been an easy one
as I
often miss my family back home. However, I am very thankful to
God for Aunty Lai Fun and Uncle Kam Hong who treat me like their own daughter.
They've always made the extra effort to spend time
with Yvonne and I, and would take us out for hearty meals during
weekends, help us do our groceries shopping and even bake
goods like brownies (my favorite!) for our snack time. I may feel
homesick at times, but having people who I can call as a family
away from home really makes me feel so much better. I hope
that other boarders would also have the chance to be partnered
with befrienders like mine.” –
Cindy Clara (Boarder)
|
|
|
Karen &
family (left) with boarders Brenna,
Stella and Edwyna (right) |
|
“It’s a
blessing to have an opportunity to pay
it forward. When we were overseas as
young students in different countries,
we both benefitted from the care and
friendship of older couples. Getting to
know these Indonesian girls has been
enriching or our children. Extending a
hand of friendship to them is the least
we can do.” – Karen Wong
and Wen Tai
(Hospitality Befrienders)
|
|
|
Above: Boarders (left) with
Wen Tai & family (right)
Below: Boarders participating in Christmas
Cooking Outreach |
 |
 |