Sharing on Y Outing to Pulau Ubin by Tay Jia Yin
I had my first Y outing with Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH Oasis Centre) on the 17th March 2007. Before the trip, I was filled with apprehension because I did not know how I should interact with the beneficiaries from SAMH. I knew little about them – their behaviour, how they react towards strangers and whether I could communicate with them. But soon after we all met, we warmed up to one another.

Talking to them and getting to know them has been a very enriching experience. I realised that the beneficiaries have their own challenges they face in life - to overcome their disability so as to be accepted into society and to lead a happy life. Although their goal may pale in comparison to many of ours, to them, it is a big hurdle to cross. The seemingly insignificant outing probably made a whole lot of difference to the beneficiaries. It made me realise that “at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person, hence each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us”, as what Albert Schweitzer once mentioned.

Tay Jia Yin, Y Outing Volunteer

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