This article was written by Bryden Chew, the In-Charge (IC) of The Junior Olympics Event and a member of the Community Involvement team representing the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Student Council.

The Junior Olympics, a sports day event, was specially curated for children from underprivileged backgrounds by the RMIT Student Council. A part of RMIT Student Council’s commitment is to give back to the community, hence the event was more than just a recreational activity. The initiative aimed to create joyful memories, foster confidence and ensure that every child felt valued and supported.

Purpose: Sports as a Catalyst for Joy and Confidence

The idea behind the Junior Olympics was to give the children the chance to play and make new friends. We worked closely with a third-party partner, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, to bring this vision to life and design a full day of sport activities, prizes and meaningful interaction. We believe that sports is a powerful tool to promote inclusion and teamwork. Many of the children may not have regular access to such opportunities, so giving them a day to shine meant more than we could have imagined.

Lasting Impact

For many children, this was their first experience participating in a sports event. Some expressed how it made them feel like they belonged, while parents and social workers shared how meaningful the event was in fostering inclusion and joy. It served as a powerful reminder that a few hours of thoughtfully planned fun can leave behind lasting, positive memories.

Overcoming Challenges: Driving Participation and Engagement

As with any initiative, the Junior Olympics encountered its share of challenges, particularly in garnering student involvement amidst a busy school calendar filled with competing events. The organising team adopted a multifaceted approach to raise awareness and sustain engagement. The organising team utilised social media campaigns, hosted smaller promotional activities and shared real stories to showcase the significance of the event. These strategies helped build awareness and encourage support across the school.

The festive season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving back to the community. With this in mind, SIM-UOB Student Council partnered with Marsiling SunLove Active Aging Centre (AAC) to bring an early Chinese New Year celebration to the elderly on 25th January 2025. Our Student Council members dedicated their time to creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the elderly, ensuring they felt appreciated and valued during this special time of the year.

This initiative was not just about celebrating a single event but about fostering a culture of community service and meaningful engagement with the elderly. By building relationships with Marsiling SunLove AAC, we hope to continue similar collaborations in the future, ensuring that we can bring joy and companionship to the elderly beyond festive occasions.

Bringing Smiles to the Elderly

Through this event, we connected with the elderly in meaningful ways, engaging in various activities that sparked joy and warmth. The celebration was more than just a festive gathering—it was an opportunity for the elderly to feel appreciated, included, and uplifted. The interactions not only brought smiles and laughter but also fostered a sense of belonging and happiness within the community.

Encouragement for the Student Council

One of the most touching moments of the event was seeing the genuine smiles and heartfelt gratitude from the elderly as they participated in our planned activities. The time spent planning for the activities such as lantern-making, and for preparing the festive goodie bags truly did not go to waste! We are honoured to play a part in making this Chinese New Year a special one for them.

A simple gesture of spending time with them made a huge impact, reminding us of the power of community and human connection.

Waking up early on a Friday morning to volunteer was not easy, but our Student Council members were eager and committed to making the event a success. The biggest challenge was ensuring that all elderly participants felt engaged and included, but through teamwork, enthusiasm, and genuine conversations, we managed to create a warm and lively atmosphere.

Making Future Events Even Better

While the event was a success, there is always room to improve. We found that early planning and teamwork helped make the celebration smooth and enjoyable. One area for improvement could be increasing the variety of activities to better cater to different interests among the elderly. We also hope to involve more student volunteers in future events to create an even bigger impact. (Yes, we are on a lookout for more student volunteers- Join us!)

Moving forward, we aim to continue working with Marsiling SunLove AAC and explore other opportunities to give back to the elderly community. Whether through festive celebrations, regular visits, or interactive workshops, we want to keep spreading kindness and making a difference as a student body.

The festive season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving back to the community. With this in mind, SIM-UOB Student Council partnered with Marsiling SunLove Active Aging Centre (AAC) to bring an early Chinese New Year celebration to the elderly on 25th January 2025. Our Student Council members dedicated their time to creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the elderly, ensuring they felt appreciated and valued during this special time of the year.

This initiative was not just about celebrating a single event but about fostering a culture of community service and meaningful engagement with the elderly. By building relationships with Marsiling SunLove AAC, we hope to continue similar collaborations in the future, ensuring that we can bring joy and companionship to the elderly beyond festive occasions.

Bringing Smiles to the Elderly

 Through this event, we connected with the elderly in meaningful ways, engaging in various activities that sparked joy and warmth. The celebration was more than just a festive gathering—it was an opportunity for the elderly to feel appreciated, included, and uplifted. The interactions not only brought smiles and laughter but also fostered a sense of belonging and happiness within the community.

Encouragement for the Student Council

One of the most touching moments of the event was seeing the genuine smiles and heartfelt gratitude from the elderly as they participated in our planned activities. The time spent planning for the activities such as lantern-making, and for preparing the festive goodie bags truly did not go to waste! We are honoured to play a part in making this Chinese New Year a special one for them.

A simple gesture of spending time with them made a huge impact, reminding us of the power of community and human connection.

Waking up early on a Friday morning to volunteer was not easy, but our Student Council members were eager and committed to making the event a success. The biggest challenge was ensuring that all elderly participants felt engaged and included, but through teamwork, enthusiasm, and genuine conversations, we managed to create a warm and lively atmosphere.

Making Future Events Even Better

While the event was a success, there is always room to improve. We found that early planning and teamwork helped make the celebration smooth and enjoyable. One area for improvement could be increasing the variety of activities to better cater to different interests among the elderly. We also hope to involve more student volunteers in future events to create an even bigger impact. (Yes, we are on a lookout for more student volunteers- Join us!)

Moving forward, we aim to continue working with Marsiling SunLove AAC and explore other opportunities to give back to the elderly community. Whether through festive celebrations, regular visits, or interactive workshops, we want to keep spreading kindness and making a difference as a student body.