It is finished!!

Just had a CRAZY week of running a programme for kids. I salute all pre-school and primary school teachers for their patience and perseverence! It really requires so much energy, mental strength (to bear with childishness, silliness, cheesy-ness and to teach the kids). I don't know how they survive on a regular basis. Kudos to all pre-school and primary school teachers.

The programme is finally over! and it ended on a pretty good note, and our team also was more united than ever before. :)

Being me, it's really not in my personality to be part of children's programmes. But I was assigned to do it so I decided that I wouldn't die (physically/mentally/emotionally) while doing this programme, and so I decided to try anyways. And to be honest, it was assigned to me as part of my work so it was somewhat also obligatory.

It's really not easy, as I'm inexperienced with children's programmes (I only planned a part of a children's program 2 years ago). And having to supervise the programme was also tough. Here are some of the challenges:

1. Programme had to be learning-friendly, age appropriate - and I was so unfamiliar with the level of learning children of that age have. We had to kind of re-do our programme outlines because the initial drafts were too abstract.

2. Had to play a leadership role - I am totally not a natural leader and it's hard for me to make decisions fast.

3. Had to look into general logistics - I can be a scatter brain sometimes and I have forgotten the most fundamental things at other programmes so it was really nerve wrecking. I had to note down every single thing just in case.

The programme was really a brain-cramp for me in all aspects. This is because I process things abstractly. so the fact that I had to process things concretely to plan and run the programme made my brain go nuts! - to go down to children's level to relate and teach them, to oversee logistics and to make decisions as a leader. Even the most fundamental things like children grouping, eating, queuing up, putting things into their bags, keeping quiet, going to the toilet were extremely stressful moments because they could turn out extremely messy if not managed well.

Thank God for an awesome team who were so enthusiastic, and who persevered in working together. :) Thank God for colleagues who helped out, especially with the louder kids. Thank God for His grace and mercy (there were no mishaps or accidents or missing kids... just kids who quarreled and went wild at points).

Would I do it again? If I had a choice, I wouldn't. Not because it was a bad experience, but because I think I would rather focus on what my heart is inclined to do more of - which is counseling and working with my clients.

But it was a humbling experience, as there were so many things I was quite unsure of and had to learn. And I really learnt how working as a team really matters. And I've also learned to have a positive attitude even in things I'm not that passionate for. What really helped to have a positive attitude was to remember that the kids are created in God's image and that the programme would be a meaningful time for them to learn good values and meet older folks who have the heart for them.

Thank God for process and experience.