Running, hiking mentors
Encourage, no not scold. Celebrate other’s successes. Pick up rubbish. These are the values inculcat inculcated by role models in the great outdoors outdoors.
IT was a lesson in emp empathy and teamwork. The tee teenage boys were surpris surprised by the reversal. TheT mentors theythe had looked u up to as coaches had assumed the role of weaker,weaker slower runners an and the boys found themse themselves playing mentor ins instead.
Several were bashful and tongue- tied,tie and some were re resentful at being slow slowed down as they believedbeliev their goal was to beb the fastest. Most, ho however, jumped into their new roles withw relish, suppo supporting, encourag encouraging and watching over their ne newly feeble cha charges. One even u used psycholog chology, talking to his pa partner about foot football to take his min mind off the uphill climb.
At the me meeting point at the top of the hill, the adult mentors pr provided open feedb feedback on how the m mentees performed as coaches withoutw nagging, lecturing,le or instructinginstructi them. The menteesmentee learned from observ observing their mentor mentors and each other, an and the empathetic mentees werew applauded.
On the run back down the hill, the mentees were n noticeably gentler and more thoug thoughtful. The objective of the exerciseexe was to prepare the menteesmen as running buddies for cancer survivors. Welcome to Care2Run by Project H. O. P. E. ( Healing Opportunities for People Everywhere), a volunteer- run sports outreach and ment mentoring programme with a differe difference, where corporate stalwarts stalwarts, ordinary professionals and ser service organisations collaborate to enable both children and adults to achieve greater things t through sports and outdoor activit activities.
Three adventure and fit fitness enthusiasts, Prem Kumar Ramadas ( a HR consultant by profes profession), Chia Mee Leng ( a senior a accountant) and Elgy Tan ( a tax consultant) established the programme in 2014.
Since then, Project H. O. P. E. has benefitted over 150 children. Its pilot programme in December 2014 saw its team of volunteer mentors taking 60 children from different age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds to the Kota Damansara Community Forest, Petaling Jaya, to trek and take part in experiential games.
Healing adventures
For many of the children, it was their first time in an actual forest. Through the activities, the children were given the opportunity to think, create and demonstrate teamwork.
The following excursion in September 2015, branded as the Coastal Obstacle Reconnaissance Experience ( C. O. R. E.), saw mentors, participants and caretakers from the Women’s Aid Organisation and Prudential Welfare Home exploring the beach and mangrove forests of Pantai Cermin ( near Port Dickson’s Blue Lagoon).
There, participants were given lessons in basic environmental awareness, natural history and astronomy. The first- hand experience of trekking, cleaning up the beach, kayaking and climbing up to the Cape Rachado lighthouse proved to be an empowering exercise for the participants.
The beneficiaries of Project H. O. P. E. come from diverse backgrounds, and some are from children’s shelters and welfare homes.
They are enthusiastic when asked for their feedback. Jaswindran Kaveendar, 14, says: “We love it. Every Wednesday and Saturday, we wait for our mentors to come and pick us up. They are really cool people and we have fun when they teach us new things.”
Hamzavilarosa bin Sainin, 13, enthuses, “The Care2Run programme has increased my confidence, taught me responsibility and unveiled my potential in sports.”
Lau Wee En, 7, had this to say following the Fruity Fun Game session, which incorporates sports and nutrition education: “I eat more fruits now because it makes me stronger.”
Chia, who has done numerous humanitarian and medical relief missions worldwide, says.
“The programme brings out compassion and love which nurture my inner self before it does the children! Reminding the children of the do’s and don’ts also remind me to reflect deeply on whether I practise what we are preaching.”
Rudhra Krishnasamy, Care2Run Game Master, relates his experience: “Sharing my love of running with these youngsters was a great