Before I start typing about what happen, let this video do the talking first before I start my words.

(If you're wondering how to stop my blog music, just put your cursor over the little animation on your left)

So basically on Wednesday I went to the iSociety Semi-Finals presentation, the moment I got there I went "uh-oh" in my head. Nope, I didn't get the wrong date or location or anything, but I was really really under-dressed. Most of the people there are doing their presentation or they came from school/work and so they are in reasonably acceptable outfit. But as for me, I came from home, and so I happily wore a black t-shirt and my shorts! Hahaha! Anyway, the presentation was held at Room 309. 

I guess they were preparing for another event and so the outside didn't make it look like the presentation is gonna happen there. The outside of it were lined with buffet table sets and everything. Some of you might ask, what exactly is iSociety? It is basically a project to raise awareness of one of the social problems that the world is facing, and as for all the ideas that were proposed yesterday, they are all long-term projects. This means that it will be continuous and not only one time. I'm sure many of you would have participated in at least one of the iSociety in your various youth camps and the one-off project would have been a good experience for you as you serve the society. Be it the Project SMILE, or the 'I Hug My Dad', or 'I Hug My Mom' or even the Red Paperclip Game, I'm sure some of these small actions that we do bring great blessings to the people out there :) 

Anyway, during the whole presentation yesterday, there were a few judges, about 6 of them. And some of them includes people lime Elim Chew, the founder of 77th Street, Kenny Low, the founder of O School, Justin Lee, Kink Pang and 2 others. There were 5 groups that got into the Semi-Finals and I will vaguely share what each group's idea was about. 

1. Change Up

This group's idea is to basically help the needy elderly in areas like Toa Payoh to make their living conditions better by removing items that potentially will attract bed bugs and other insects. And they fund their this project through their sales of T-shirt. The designs of the T-shirt also raises awareness about the bed bugs and a few other similar insects. Meanwhile, those people who goes to the house and help to clean up the place also wears the same T-shirt that they bought and the profits will come from the sales of T-shirt. So, what do you think of this idea? (:

2. Project F.E.E.T

This project is very simple, it is to raise awareness of the elderly in our society. How? By spending time with them. This group came up with the idea of doing Qigong with the elderly every Sunday and to actually earn profits by collecting a little sum of money from the youths whenever they join the elderly in their morning Qigong session. The people of this project have tried it for themselves and they have been tremendously blessed by the whole experience especially when the elderly tell them to go "qi tou" (which mean 'play' in Hokkien) with them. I still remember Elim Chew suggesed for them to make it a nation-wide event so that their project can be known for something, and that they can gain sponsors at the same time to fund their projects.

3. Lights Out

Yes, you've guessed it, lights out is an anti-smoking campaign. The idea is to not stop the smokers, but to stop people from even taking the first puff. And of course, to help those who are addicted to smoking to quit smoking through their series of activities and events. I remember this group talking about fundings from the Health Promotion Board but the judges asked that what would make HPB want to fund them and sponsor them in this project. One of their idea was to do a flashmob, which I think it will be a great idea especially for those people who love to dance! and that's me! HAHA!

4. Rabbit Ray and Friends

This project is by someone from my own zone, JOL! I'm so proud of her! Her idea originated from a child's fear of going to the doctor or the fear of injections. Hence, she came up with a 'soft toy' that actually can explain about the viruses and everything. It is to also let a child think that this is a 'battle' so that the child will not be afraid. This is especially for children with cancer and have to go through all the treatments which might  be a bad experience for them. Her idea is to also allow healthcare information to be easily accessible to children. 

5. From green to give

This group is pretty special because their focus is on electronic waste. Do you know that all the electronic waste (all your used TV, mobile phone, computer, laptop) all goes to China and the poor villagers there have to remove the parts one by one just to earn money to survive and earn income. Their idea was to raise awareness because with long term contact with the electronic devices, lead and other metals will affect their health. Hence, this group wants to stop the e-waste from going to China, to improve the villagers' health. Then one of the judges asked the group "but if you stop the e-waste from going there, means that they have no job and they will starve, are you really solving the problem?" Suddenly, I also went OHHHHYEAHHH.. i didn't think of that. 

While walking around the room to take photographs, Rachel and I found the judging criteria...