Be it Overseas Community Involvement Programs (OCIPs) or Youth Expedition Programs (YEPs), NUS has a large variety of them. Any freshman that has walked through the matriculation fair would have heard enough praises sang about each and every one of these projects to last a lifetime. Yet allow this author here to earnestly introduce another project to you, one which involves the story of the longest running (and probably the first) YEP in NUS.
Started in the year 2000 by a group of students from Civil Engineering, Operation Orion has since been visiting various locations around the world every December without fail, aiming to broaden the horizon of its members through meaningful volunteerism. In recognition of the work Operation Orion has done continuously over a decade, the group has been awarded the Student Achievement Award in the second year running.
The name of the project comes from a story of mythology. Orion and Taurus are two star constellations appearing side by side in the night sky, with Orion symbolising the hunter who fights courageously against the charging bull Taurus. Naming our project after the hunter Orion, we hope that the team will be able to stand up courageously against all adversities. In addition, we hope that the members will be able to embody the true spirit of Operation Orion: never to run away from any difficulties that comes our way.
Started in the year 2000 by a group of students from Civil Engineering, Operation Orion has since been visiting various locations around the world every December without fail, aiming to broaden the horizon of its members through meaningful volunteerism.
As an organisation endorsed by the Civil Engineering Club, Operation Orion aims to provide sustainable assistance to the places it visits through the construction of permanent infrastructures. Just last year the team went to the village Mae Lod in Thailand, Chiangmai, to build a chicken farm for the village school. The chickens to be reared on the farm would become a sustainable food source for the students.
What makes Operation Orion unique is that its belief in developing the skills of its members creates opportunities for the students to utilise their knowledge learned in the university. Students from the engineering faculty are able to test their skills outside of the classroom environment by participating in the engineering of the infrastructures from the planning stage all the way till the end of construction. Members from other faculties are able to shine as well with various activities such as fundraising and publicity to be done for the project. There are also opportunities to participate in the planning of educational workshops with both the local and overseas beneficiaries.
Just last year the team went to the village Mae Lod in Thailand, Chiangmai, to build a chicken farm for the village school.
Educational workshops with the villagers met during our overseas trip gives the students an opportunity to share their knowledge learnt in the university while engaging in cultural exchange that broadens their horizons. While building a chicken farm for the village school, last year’s members also conducted English and Mathematics lessons with the school’s students. Our members imparted what they learnt in school while the villagers in turn taught us a different culture, a different lifestyle, and an appreciation for the simpler things in life. In fact it is much more appropriate to call them partners instead of beneficiaries, for it definitely seemed as though the members had benefited just as much, if not even more, from the trip.
Not to forget the friendships forged between members. While we appreciate the friendships formed with our new-found friends overseas, the bonds that developed with fellow members over the course of the whole project are equally precious as well. Walking through a journey of giving, sharing and self-discovery together links each and every member tightly in a unique way that lasts even in years to come by.
This year, carrying on Operation Orion’s mission for the 14th year running, the team has decided our next destination to be Ban Nam Tong Primary School in Laos. As the current school building is in shambles, the team will be participating in the construction of a new school compound. Updates such as the upcoming welcome tea and recruitment drive will be posted on the project’s website so keep checking back for more information. As the team embarks upon a new journey, it sincerely welcomes all kindred spirits with a passion for volunteerism to the big family of Operation Orion.
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Want to know more about Operation Orion? Visit them at http://www.operationorion.ceclub.sg/ or www.facebook.com/OperationOrionNUS