Over 2 weeks, Bamboo Builders planned an enriching and meaningful programme to broaden our participants’ horizons on the social landscape in Singapore. We zoomed in on three key focus areas: social isolation, inclusion, and environmental stewardship. These three domains were intentionally selected due to their growing relevance both in Singapore and across ASEAN.

First, social isolation– Bamboo Builders introduced our participants to the issue of elderly loneliness and isolation, a growing problem faced in Singapore due to our rapidly ageing population. In parallel, ASEAN nations are struggling to combat rural depopulation which leaves elderly behind in the countryside while the cities flourish. Our participants immersed themselves in this social issue, not by learning facts, but diving into direct engagement. With our guidance, the youths befriended elderly residents residing in rental flats and engaged them through craft activities and board games. Through this experience, they saw the often concealed side of poverty in Singapore.

Next, social inclusion– our participants were deployed to the Cerebral Palsy Association of Singapore (CPAS), where they led upskilling and training workshops for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). There, the youths equipped the PWDs with life skills such as counting money, as well as digital know-how on how to recognise and respond to scams. Over the two weeks here, our participants grew closer to CPAS’ clients and had a rare insight into the lives of PWDs. This experience sparked the question in their minds: How can we develop without leaving anyone else behind?

Finally, environmental stewardship– the students participated in two beach clean-ups, gaining a deeper appreciation for marine life and the small ways in which we can do our part for the environment. Participants also better understood the unique challenges faced in Singapore’s environmental landscape. For example, the creation of micro-plastics and the stresses caused by humans’ presence are key issues in our urban landscape. While a beach clean-up may be a small act, this activity showed the youth the impact of grassroots work, and how sometimes, the best solution may be the easiest.