Service-Learning

In line with Hwa Chong’s culture and core value of 饮水思源 (remembering our roots and honouring our benefactors), students are provided with ample opportunities and resources to serve and care for the community. Beyond the Individual VIA opportunities sourced by the Values-In-Action Council (VIAC), students are also encouraged to initiate their own Service-Learning projects and to collaborate with beneficiaries through sustainable partnerships.

Students are given the freedom to choose how they wish to serve partnered beneficiaries, ensuring that their Service-Learning projects are best aligned with the beneficiaries’ needs. They are also able to collaborate with a wide range of organisations across Singapore, contributing meaningfully to the community while receiving support from their teachers. Throughout the rigorous process of planning and vetting, students are guided and mentored by VIA Councillors and teacher mentors.

By initiating Service-Learning projects and engaging directly with beneficiaries, students gain deeper insight into the community around them, while developing into empathetic leaders with the humility to serve. We invite you to explore our gallery of Service-Learning projects which demonstrates the meaningful impact students have made on the community.

Project Heart

With Singapore’s ageing population, we see an increasing need for palliative care, which places an emphasis on holistically improving the quality of life for patients. Therefore, Project Heart works with HCA Hospice@Oasis to organise diverse yet inclusive activities for elderly patients with life-limiting illnesses, from karaoke sessions to carnival-style activities!

Through adopting HCA’s 3D concept of dignity, diversity and development, Project Heart aims to provide patients with an avenue to foster stronger relationships with others, and to discover their unique sense of purpose even as they undergo treatment. Ultimately, our project strives to embody the spirit of serving by prioritising the needs of our beneficiaries, which is what enables us to take away so much from our sessions!

Team: Tan Si Hui Abigail (Chen Sihui) (Leader), Carmen Yong Jia Wen, Neo Hui Min, Shannan Chung Xuan En

"These experiences that we gain from interacting with the wider community will definitely remain with us for life. "

"We witnessed the joy that the patients experience when they are taking their minds off things by sharing day-to-day things with us."

Project Evexia

Founded in 2022, Project Evexia has been working directly with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) to provide companionship and support to patients through regular visits to a dialysis centre. Evexia means "wellness" in Greek, which is what we hope to bring to the patients we work with. Through befriending sessions, we aim to make their dialysis experience more engaging, helping them leave the centre with a happier heart. We also visit NKF’s storehouse to help pack medical items for distribution to patients across NKF centres in Singapore. This year, we will be holding the first edition of our on-site kidney health talk. These experiences have given us a better understanding of the treatments patients undergo and have allowed us to become more empathetic and grateful individuals.

Team: Phoebe Yip Yin (Leader), Amanda Chua Jia Ying (Cai Jiaying), Chantal Alayna Divinia, Lee Yixin, Kayla, Nyam Yufang,

Project Lumina

Project Lumina is a joint effort between students of Hwa Chong Institution and Nanyang Junior College to engage children from FaithActs Student Care via arts and crafts, and games. The collaborative nature of our project helps reach out to more youths who are passionate about serving, enabling students of different schools to work together to facilitate meaningful activities. Our activities aim to provide leisure and enjoyment to the children we work with, and foster closer bonds between youths and children, while creating unforgettable memories that make Project Lumina an impactful platform in this community. We hope to benefit both our beneficiaries and volunteers in the course of our project, reinforcing the fulfilment and joy that service brings. For us, service means taking the leap to reach out to people so as to make your project as lively and meaningful as possible.

Team: Chung Xin Tong (Leader), Ong Ming, Liu Jinghan, Sophie, Stephanie Lim, Tan Ser Kai Nathaniel

" What we really love most, is the smile on the children's face after we make them laugh and smile through our activities."

"Being connected and making a difference in the seniors' lives is the main purpose that drives our SL."

Project Golden

We are Project Golden, a project that aims to bring joy to those in their golden age! We partner with IDeAL@115 to conduct fulfilling activities for the elderly, with the hope of making a meaningful impact on them. We go to Block 115's void deck biweekly to conduct activities like ball games, arts and crafts, and origami sessions. We plan to hold our project's first musical performance for the elderly this year. We have set up a piano in the void deck to allow residents to use it on a day-to-day basis as well. What we really treasure are the friendships that we have built with the seniors of Block 115. Hearing about their week and their friends make them feel remembered and that is what we hope everyone at Project Golden would feel.

Team: Phoebe Yip Yin (Leader), Derrick Chua Cheng Jun, Koh Tim Jee Talia (Xu Xin'Er), Loh Hui En Corrine, Ting Rui Wen Tricia (Ting Ruiwen)

Project Caring Hearts

Project Caring Hearts is a Service-Learning initiative carried out by a team of five passionate students in collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation. We visit one of NKF’s dialysis centre branches on Flexible-learning-day (FLD) Wednesdays to interact with and befriend the patients there. Dialysis sessions are often long and physically draining, and many patients experience them in isolation. Through this project, we aim to brighten their experience by offering companionship and emotional support. Our team visits the dialysis centre every alternate Wednesday, where we engage patients in light conversation and simple activities tailored to their comfort. These interactions not only help make dialysis sessions feel shorter for these patients, but also foster a sense of community and care.

Team: Goh Xi Ting Keia (Leader), Hsu Jia Qi, Ong En Ting Shermaine, Tan Rui Xuan, Wong Yuk Kei

"Go in with an open heart, be sincere in your interactions, and don’t be afraid of change."

"We learnt a lot about how to manage a project, including budgeting, proposal writing and various other aspects of project management. "

Project Cool for Care

Cool for Care is a newly initiated Service-Learning project that aims to raise awareness about Singapore's urban heat and its potential dangers. Singapore's temperature continues to rise rapidly, and daily highs are projected to reach 40°C by 2045. Combined with Singapore's high humidity, health risks like heat exhaustion and heat stroke are increasingly prevalent. Cool for Care partners Fei Yue Active Ageing Centre and Self-Help Group Student Care to promote this cause to elderly and children. We are currently conducting educational modules with these beneficiaries on heat related illnesses and coping with rising temperatures. Each module covers a different topic and is designed to combine education with befriending. Additionally, we are planning to host carnival booths with outdoor workers or at marathons to increase our outreach and impact.

Team: Chin Yuzhi (Leader), Ee Bin He, Eshai Ho, Liau Wei Han, Caelen (Liao Weihan), Tee Jing Long

Project Starborn

Project Starborn, in collaboration with Wonderfully You Early Intervention Centre, is dedicated to empowering and uplifting children with developmental needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), speech delays, and more. Through bonding activities, interactive games, and excursions to nature reserves and iconic landmarks, Project Starborn creates unforgettable learning experiences that nurture essential values and life skills in these young individuals. At the heart of Project Starborn lies a firm belief: every child is 'starborn'—exceptionally and wonderfully made. While the children may be different, they are never less. This conviction is deeply rooted in our team and fuels our mission to make a meaningful impact in their lives. By fostering inclusion and understanding, we strive to break down the stigma surrounding the special needs community, raise awareness, and cultivate a more empathetic and supportive society.

Team: Rishika Kashyap (Leader), Gwendolyn Chia Yu Tong (Xie Yutong), Shanna Teo Jia Xuan, Wang Liying

"Everything contributed to a deeper understanding of our special needs community, which is something we truly treasure. "

"Service is not only about what we do, but how we make people feel."

Project Soulace

In collaboration with Jurong Community Hospital under JurongHealth Campus (JHCampus), Project Soulace aims to connect with elderly patients through curating avenues for self-expression and personalised experiences. This is achieved through regular initiatives such as painting and mindfulness sessions aligned with themes designed to bring our beneficiaries on a trip down memory lane, and bring out the qualities which make each patient’s journey uniquely theirs. Building Project Soulace was an endeavour filled with the passion to contribute to each patient’s holistic healing process, beyond physical care. To the aunties and uncles at JHCampus, we promise to continue being the rays of sunshine to reignite the spark that makes you, you - after all, here at Project Soulace, we believe that in every soul lies the solace it seeks.

Team: Han Yong Jie Kimberly (Leader), Chan Joy Lum, Parousia, Wu Yan Rong, Zheng Yan Angela

Project Centsible

Project Centsible believes that financial literacy is a foundational life skill that is often overlooked, especially among vulnerable or underserved communities. This project empowers children with practical, age-appropriate knowledge that can foster better financial habits and long-term resilience. Through tailoring and delivering interactive workshops, games, and activities, we make financial literacy fun and relevant. Furthermore, we offer customised content for different age groups and learning needs. By aligning what we want to do with beneficiaries' needs, we ensure our project is not just meaningful, but also impactful.

Team: Faith Wong Yu Jia (Leader), Brayden Tee Qi Yuan (Chi Qiyuan), Kam Yu Tong Chloe (Gan Yutong), Randal Siow Yi Xuan, Yang Kaixuan

"We are honoured to translate our learning into meaningful real-world impact, while growing into socially responsible individuals."

"The most rewarding part of service is seeing the impact your efforts bring to the community."

Project Starborne

While many children in Singapore grow up with dreams within reach, those battling critical illnesses often face obstacles that make even simple wishes feel out of reach. Make-A-Wish Singapore works to bring joy and hope to these children through wish realisations, yet much of this depends on sustainable fundraising and community support. As we are unable to be directly involved in the wish journey itself, our team has channelled our efforts into consistent, student-driven initiatives—such as monthly bake sales and a potential upcoming concert. By rallying our community around a shared cause, Project Starborne aims to raise awareness, ensuring that together, we can help create life-changing wishes for children who need them most.

Team: Djie Atria (Leader), Chan Yee Yong, Leong An Teng Kaitlin, Ng Zhou Yu Nicole, Sarah Lim Wen Hui

Project Estela

Project Estela is a collaborative initiative between students of Hwa Chong Institution and FaithActs, dedicated to supporting children from disadvantaged families. Building on FaithActs’ existing after-school programme (The Learning Hub), our core team provides homework guidance and English tuition to primary school students from diverse backgrounds. We believe strongly in the untapped potential of these children and are committed to nurturing both their academic growth and emotional well-being. Through engaging in one-on-one sessions weekly, we have not only aided their learning but have also built meaningful relationships, offering encouragement and companionship along the way.

This symbiotic partnership allows the beneficiaries to connect caring and dedicated individuals to their students, while volunteers experience the joy and fulfilment of making a positive difference in others’ lives.

Team: Renee Lim Xin Yu (Leader), Alyson Sim Ming En, Ang Khai Yoong (Hong Kaiyang), Ashley Ng (Huang Yuqi), Kwa Ming Feng

"Beyond academics, our aim is to create a safe, supportive space where children can form happy memories, develop confidence, and foster genuine bonds with youth mentors."

"Tried and tested ideas all started as new ideas once. "

Project Bolin

Project Bolin is a novel project that utilises different mediums to convey an important message to the elderly of Singapore; Go for regular health screenings to avoid asymptomatic diseases. Straying from convention, we devised a script and conducted an interactive forum theatre at active aging centers all around Singapore. We invite the elderly to participate as actors to show what they have learnt from our teachings. Project Bolin even features the "Bolin Game", which is our unique rendition of the game Pictionary with a Singaporean twist. Whichever active aging center we travel to, the elderly are in for a morning of fun.

Team: Nicholas Maximillian Yaw (Leader), Ang Khai Yoong (Hong Kaiyang), Chan Yee Yong, Lim Junzhe Xavier, Tan Zheng Long Dominic

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