Camp OutReach '09 Committee - Vice-Chairperson

Name: Chew Mei Ying aka CMY [Facebook]

Course/Yr: Mechanical Engineering/Year 3

Contact: chew0130@ntu.edu.sg

Mei Ying joined Kallang Tuition Centre (NTU Welfare Service Club Regular Service Project Hearing Impaired) in 2006 during her first year in NTU. From there, she picked up sign language and has since been actively participating in related activities. Joining Camp OutReach '07 as a volunteer had allowed her to further understand the Hearing-Impaired community, and also to venture out of her normal hearing world. She rejoined Camp OutReach '08 as a Chief Group Leader, which helped to strengthen the bond between her and her newfound friends. She currently assists Ryan in Camp OutReach '09, and together with a new team of volunteers, they hope to lead this community in gaining new experiences.

Interview with Mei Ying

1) Why do you want to join the Camp OutReach for the third time?

Having been to both COR '07 and COR '08 as a volunteer and a CGL respectively, I experienced different feelings upon the end of both camps. I realised there's a lot more things we can do for the HIs, and the level to which I can help differs with the different roles I play as well. Being in the committee means my opinion in what COR '09 will be like matters. Nevertheless, I still believe that even the smallest thing we do can help make a difference, like being a friend.

2) What does your new role as the Vice-Chairperson require you to do? How different is it from your job as CGL last year?

As a CGL, my main concern was the welfare of the participants and volunteers. I had to make sure that everybody was okay at all times, and naturally, CGLs will turn into naggy nannies.

As a vice-chairperson, my job scope was expanded into all aspects of the camp, not just the participants and volunteers. Major decisions would have to be decided by Ryan and me, of course, with Ryan making the final decision. We also have to initiate more ideas for fund-raising, on top of ensuring that everything was going according to schedule. We have to keep an open mind about everything, as there's no one else above us to monitor the deadlines and make sure we finish the tasks.

But then again, COR is a team, and we always emphasise that everyone works as a team. Afterall, more heads are better than one.

3) Any goal you plan to achieve from COR 09?

I hope to understand myself better in terms of my strengths and weaknesses. For the committee, I hope everybody can learn something about themselves or the HIs that they didn't know about before. It's okay to make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from our mistakes.

4) What do you hope the participants can gain or achieve from COR 09?

I hope the participants can be exposed to different kinds of activities that they've never tried before in the past, but this will depend on the kind of programme we can offer. For now, I just hope COR 09 can try to bring something different to them.