HOPE FORWARD
Strongly driven by values, the team was able to pull through two other outdoor activities prior to CORE.
“Before this, there was one rescue activity: when a person gets bitten by a snake, what do you actually do? We went through the basics very quickly. All my volunteers were not confident that the children would be able to execute the acitivity except one. Lo and behold, all of the kids were able to. It was such an eye opener for the volunteers.
“Kids—they’re like sponge, they could absorb information, especially if it’s interesting. I realized from that activity that we should not limit their potential,” Prem shared.
Another activity previously held involved Orang Asli kids. They asked them to come up with a fashion design that reflects their role model. They were given no props, but they blew the minds of the volunteers, when they weaved necklaces, bracelets—their entire costume using natural resources. “What would take me probably a few days to master, they did in less than ten minutes,” Prem said.
From these crowdfunded outdoor activities, they saw the successes and thought that they should continue this.
“This was how we built Project HOPE (Healing Opportunities for People Everywhere). I reached out to all my friends. We came together and we said, Okay, let’s give hope to this project.”
“Teacher, Teacher, I got this.” The boy, his face split into a wide smile, showed me the goody bag he received for his most active participation in all the activities. He was the same boy who silently paddled the kayak forward with me, mostly losing his left-right rhythm, and admittedly told me of how afraid he was. Upon finishing the kayaking activity, he tried again—this time more synchronously and confidently.
We are every child’s teacher. We have the power to teach them to be warriors and show them nature’s wonders. Project HOPE thrives in the heart of this mission. By exploring the great outdoors, in all its colors, textures, tastes and sounds, these children will be ready for the challenges of growing up.
