Singapore Soka Association Youth Participate in Educational Project in Mainland China

From October 11-26, 2009, twenty-one youth representatives from Singapore Soka Association (SSA) participated in the Youth Expedition Project organized by the Singapore National Youth Council. Participants in the initiative, named "Project Shine," traveled to the Changzhi Township, Shanxi Province, China, to help build facilities for a local school, Chang Zhi Junior High School, and conduct English classes for its students.

SSA participants held a six-day English language course for 200 students in five classes. Relying on creative learning processes, the course was designed to instill interest in the English language among students. The youth also converted an empty classroom into a library and donated 50 English books, as well as stationery supplies and various sports equipment to the school. At a cultural exchange event organized by Changzhi Township, SSA participants introduced various aspects of Singaporean culture and food to the local people in the township. They also had the opportunity of learning about the cultural customs peculiar to the region.

[Adapted from an article in the December 2, 2009, issue of the SSA Times, Singapore Soka Association (SSA); photos courtesy of SSA]