Archery for a Cause: Unite Through Community Funshoot

As part of an initiative to build a more caring and cohesive Singapore, the SUSS Archery Club organised a community funshoot in collaboration with the Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP). The event welcomed over 40 participants, including donors, volunteers, and staff from BMDP, who came together on a Saturday morning to try their hand at archery and to champion a life-saving cause. This initiative fostered meaningful engagement between SUSS students and BMDP's community, and helped spread awareness of bone marrow donation in a relaxed, inclusive environment.

The SUSS Archery team with BMDP donors, volunteers, and staff at the community funshoot

The collaboration initially faced the pleasant challenge of many interested participants from BMDP. The SUSS Archery team focused on creating a welcoming and unintimidating environment for beginners. With a dedicated team of student instructors, they were confident in delivering an enjoyable and safe experience for the crowd. The cooperative spirit was evident on the event day as the SUSS team efficiently set up the venue, ensuring a smooth flow for the funshoot. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and engagement as BMDP participants thoroughly enjoyed the archery activities. The SUSS instructors were praised for their engaging facilitation and meticulous planning, which were key to the event's success and the positive feedback received from attendees.

The funshoot became a platform for cross-community learning. Participants shared their motivations and experiences, breaking the ice and forming bonds through a shared interest in sports and giving back.

Participants bonding over shared stories during the funshoot

Goh Ming Min Carissa, a Year 2 Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student and chief instructor, found the experience meaningful. She noted that beyond learning archery, the BMDP participants were passionate about sharing their organisation's mission. "This experience was wholesome and engaging as I got to experience and witness both SUSS archers and BMDP participants share parts of their world while coming together and enjoying the funshoot experience". The event proved to be a powerful platform for mutual learning and connection.

Inez Ong Yi Na, a Year 3 Bachelor of Marketing student and a freshman archer, found the event was an opportunity to have fun while teaching. She guided participants through the shooting process and engaged in conversations, learning about their motivations for joining the programme. "I realised that the donors were also ordinary people with common interests and I felt inspired to know more about their mission".

Viknakugan S/O Selvarathnam, a Year 3 Bachelor of Engineering Aerospace Systems, also an instructor for the event, mentioned that the event was equally eye-opening. "I had never heard of BMDP before this. It was humbling to learn something new from them. He valued the opportunity to learn from the event's beneficiaries while sharing his passion and knowledge of archery with his group.

This collaboration embodies SUSS' values of social responsibility, aligning with the SG60 educational principle that every individual has a role to play in building Singapore's future. As students volunteered their time to plan, teach, and facilitate, they also contributed to a larger movement of raising awareness around health, donating, and volunteering. Our archers gained insights into the critical work of non-profit organisations, reflecting on how everyday people can take bold steps for others.

Smiles as a SUSS Archery team member commemorates the day with BMDP donors and volunteers.

Overall, the collaboration was a resounding success. The participants enjoyed shooting and learning about archery. The SUSS archers, in turn, gained valuable insights into the crucial work of BMDP and the importance of volunteerism. Furthermore, the event served as a bridge for younger BMDP volunteers to learn about student life and academic courses at SUSS, potentially influencing their future educational choices. This fun shoot exemplified the positive impact of bringing different communities together, creating a shared experience of learning, growth, and social awareness.