heritage race 2013 - philanthropic museum :)))

so the adventurous bunch also known as Celine, GinGin, HuiMin and Yi-Xinn ventured to the philanthropic museum (YAY).

 Our first task was to take a jump shot with the "snake and ladder" banners hanging right outside of the surprisingly small museum. It was really funny because our "photographer" kept snapping our photos when we were already on the ground.

the second task was to go into the shop in the philanthropic and buy a traditional toy and take a video of one of us playing with it. We were hopeless at playing at it. It was only after being taught by a Boys' Brigade boy did we know how to play with the toy and sure enough, it was loads of fun! Furthermore, it was a simple and cheap toy and yet can bring so much joy and laughter (because the sound produced from it was kind of funny).

the third task was for us to take a picture with a part of the museum showing how tea was made in the past. We walked around the place for a while and got to know more about what cups were used in the past when people drank tea. There was even a table that was similar to the ones people used in the past to drink tea together!

One thing I liked about the museum was how the floor was lined with traditional tiles. It gave the whole place an oriental and peranakan feel that is hard to find in modern Singapore. Also, there were many facts about Singapore's past all around the museum along with simple displays to go with them. There were facts on the societies in Singapore as well as disasters that have happened before.

From the museum, we have learned about how Singapore was like in the past - the activities people engaged in, their livelihoods, the toys they played with, the things that they used before technology was advanced and so much more! All in all, the experience at the museum was enriching despite how it was small. The exhibits were simple yet informative. I really enjoyed myself there :)

(sorry i can't seem to upload the pictures or the links :(( but either way, they can be found on instagram @xinnator for the jumpshot , @vernalizm for the video as well as the photo with the tea exhibit :D)

-YiXinn

HERITAGERACE2013-CHIJMES

CHIJMES is a historic building complex in Singapore. its is known as  Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ)
Originally located on a self-contained city block bound by Victoria Street, Bras Basah Road, North Bridge Road and Stamford Road, the site formerly included the English-language primary and secondary schools, a Chinese-medium school called St Nicholas Girls’ School, an orphanage, the nun’s quarters, and the chapel.The site was redeveloped and partially demolished to build the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation headquarters. The remaining complex includes Caldwell House, the chapel now known as CHIJMES Hall, and the orphanage building, and now houses a number of retail and food and beverage outlets. The complex was gazetted as a national monument on 26 October 1990.

One of the task in our worksheet was the filling in about the "Gate of Hope”.  chijmes became an orphanage for children who were unwanted or from poor or broken homes. Single mothers or women who could not afford to keep their babies often left them at the orphanage’s side gate, which came to be known as the “Baby Gate” and the “Gate of Hope”.  Such abandoned children were often female, Chinese, and suffering from poor health. Many died after being abandoned, with some already dead upon arrival. Those that survived learnt vocational and domestic skills and received a free education at the school.

Another activity was to recognise the "star of David" is a generally recognised symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism. Its shape is that of a hexagram, the compound of two equilateral triangles also, we are suppose to sing a Christmas carol outside the main gate of chijmes. You can view it oninstagram at #kcpheritage13

In this I learnt more about the good works of the convent and the people who did kind deeds by offering a shelter to the orphans. though it may be a sad story for these orphans but nonetheless, they are helping them which is rarely seen nowadays. and I have learnt the history of chijmes which I did not know the existence of this place until this race and with loads of help from the passer bys. now I will take more notice of this place and maybe dine there more often. by doing things like Christmas carols as a team also lifted up our spirits and I felt we were certainly a great team!
by huimin

Heritage Trail 2013 - Thian Hock Keng Temple

Tonight I'll be writing about one of the places my group has been to -- the first and the most memorable for me, Thian Hock Keng temple.

It's not like I've never been to a temple before, but it was for the first time, in a long time since I've been to one. I've never been to a temple for about 2 years after I became a Christian. 

This temple is one of the oldest temple in Singapore. It was visited by Chinese immigrants giving thanks to Ma Zu (Goddess of the Sea) for their safe voyage. 

In 1839, the Hokkien clan built the temple in Telok Ayer Street. It also housed the clan's office and served as a meeting venue. The details of the temple’s history are recorded in granite tablets on the wall inside the Entrance Hall.

Thian Hock Keng was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. Over the years, Thian Hock Keng has been restored several times.

No doubt was it interesting, I've learnt quite a bit about the temple, its history as well as the two generals who were revered by many. For me who grew up in a Buddhist family, knowing the rules and showing respect to the religion were not something unusual. 

However, in my group, not everyone grew up with a Buddhist background. 

As a Buddhist, you're supposed to be careful about what you step on, what you say and what you do, especially in a temple. 

As we "chiong-ed" for our first station, we forgot about how we were supposed to be sensitive as we visited the place of worship. For example, we stepped on the so-called "holy ground" which were meant for people to worship and pray to the Mazu. I think we got hissed at for that. 

We were also very loud because we shouted, quite excitedly, across the court as we wanted to take a picture with the two generals. That wasn't very nice of us. 

I would say that this heritage trail has made me learn how to be sensitive to all races and religion and realize that this world doesn't revolve around myself.

-GinGin