21S15

Our class’ SL Day project was to clean Level 3 of the school compound. We allocated ourselves into groups of 4, with each group having their individual roles to clean different areas of Level 3 which included the library area, male and female toilets, outside C/D classroom blocks, G/H classroom blocks, and tables/benches. During our Slead lessons leading up to the day, our class toured around Level 3 to see from our SAJC cleaning staff’s perspectives and documented potential existing problems that are solvable. We also brainstormed interview questions to ask the cleaning staff, and prepared cards and small gifts for them to show our appreciation towards them. On SL Day itself, we had the opportunity to listen to them by asking the interview questions that we had prepared. Finally, we were able to help them through cleaning the school, where we brought our own cleaning equipment to school and the friendly cleaning staff guided us through cleaning various areas of the toilet.

In the beginning, I did not think much of this activity because it was only one hour of cleaning of a single level which might not really amount to much. After coming to Junior College (JC), I no longer greet the cleaner aunties and uncles around me anymore so I did not feel close to them. However, during the zoom sessions interview, I was very surprised to hear that simple greetings make their day. More often than not, I don’t greet these aunties and uncles because I feel awkward and I am worried that they might be too tired to bother returning the greeting. During the zoom session, they also shared about how early they come to school just to clean the tables and the classrooms in preparation for our lessons. I was surprised by how early they have to come to clean the classrooms for us and the sheer number of classes that they have to go through. I really respect them for the dedication they have, to do so much work and not grumble at all.

I cleaned the tables on level 3 and I had fun because I had my friend’s company but as I was going around, I started to feel tired because there were so many benches that I found it really tiring. Once again, I was reminded of how this was only one level’s worth of work. The hard work they put in must be twice or three times my own work. If I were to sum up what I learnt today, it would be: The little things matter. The little actions like making sure that I clean up after myself, arrange my tables back to the original orientation after class or greeting them in the mornings to make them feel more noticed and loved. I want to make sure that I continue to do these little things, being more conscious about the way I dispose of my own trash or the way that I treat the people around me.

(Lim Huimin, 21S15)

Overall my experience was tiring and there were so many tasks to do in the toilet all with different procedures especially drying the toilet after washing the floor and walls. Even though the work was split between 4 people it was still tiring. I can’t believe that the cleaners have to clean both the level’s toilets and more in the morning everyday by themselves. I found the experience enjoyable because I was with some of my friends and we talked while we were cleaning however the cleaners do not have the luxury to clean the places with their friends, the 11 of them have to clean the whole school by themselves and some of them are not in school all the time so the manpower is scarce. I just learnt that the cleaners usually have days until 4 pm and they would end later than us which was unexpected. I thought that if they were done cleaning they could just leave and the cleaners that were in school were just idling. I learnt that the cleaners have a very heavy workload and I can’t even begin to imagine how it would feel just to clean the school everyday a few times. We should try and do our best to help lighten their workload, for example arranging the tables before we leave the classroom or putting out utensils in the styrofoam boxes to convenience the cleaners a bit more. Some of the cleaners were very friendly and lively and it was pleasant to talk to them and I think that if we give them a simple hello or good morning everyday would really lighten up their day. We made cards for them but I think they really wanted a meal haha so what we think that they like might not be actually what they like so we couldn’t not be ignorant and start learning more about the cleaners.

(Charlton Tanuwidjaja, 21S15)

This activity allowed me to put myself into their shoes, and realise what they were going through on a daily basis. We cleaned dirty cubby holes and railings that have become an important cleaning area since the pandemic started, where contact touch surfaces became very important in slowing the spread of covid-19. They were extremely dirty and dusty, even though they were used daily for students that wanted to study in the library. through this exercise i realised how hard they have to work on a daily basis, and it is especially tolling on the elderly because of their older age, they have to do do strenuous work everyday, and sometimes climb up multiple flights of stairs to clean multiple classrooms, and they are doing it alone every morning.

Through the interview with the cleaners, we realised that every action can worsen or improve their situation, such as keeping the utensils into their lunch boxes to prevent leakages and spillages that could potentially make their job harder as we could make it worse for them to clean.

This has allowed me to appreciate them more for their efforts, and to be more respectful to them and their duties. We can provide more convenience to them through doing very simple stuff actually, by going out of our way to make their jobs easier. Initially I thought it was their job to do so, and there was no reason to help out. but i soon realised that if i was in their shoes one day, i would also similarly wish for someone to come and help me too. i also see a lot of my classmates realising how they were also inconveniencing them, and then vowing to turn over a new leaf. This will definitely make our school more accepting and caring, where the cleaners will soon have an easier job, and we would all enjoy a cleaner school.

(Lee Ci, 21S15)

This VIA activity has provided a ton of insight into the work that cleaners have to go through on a daily basis. Despite only cleaning a designated block at one level, it has already taken quite a lot of effort and energy out of me. Knowing that the cleaners are doing the same thing, if not a better job, at managing the entirety of the school complex, shines a bright light on the sacrifice they have made to ensure the school is kept clean.

Through this VIA experience, I have learnt the importance of being selfless. Without it, the mindset required to take part in the cleaning would just not be there. Being able to put oneself forward to cater to the needs of others is an ability that is very much difficult to acquire. It makes me appreciate the cleaners of the school all the better.

As for what I did for the activity, I was tasked to go around the 3rd floor of the C-block, cleaning the handrails and windows of the homerooms. When cleaning the area, I realise how most of the facilities were already kept pretty clean, which I am sure is reflective of the cleaners' capability to maintain the cleanliness of the school.

This VIA activity has been an overall fun, tiring and insightful experience. I believe the fun came from being able to work with friends alongside me, which I doubt is a luxury accessible to the cleaners of the school. Therefore while I may have had fun today, I recognise the cleaners, who have to do it daily, likely do not share the feeling. That being said, some of the cleaners who have shared how they feel fine, and sometimes even happy about what they are doing, which is a testament to the spirit that is shared amongst them. If not for their dedication and hard work, the school environment would not be conducive and comfortable for the students and staff to use.

(Joshua Sim Jun Hui, 21S15)

The main thing I felt today while cleaning was gratitude. To be very honest, I'm not that experienced with scouring and scrubbing toilets, and it was quite an unfamiliar experience for me. However, I did have some help from my group mates and they guided me in choosing which materials to use to wipe certain areas, such as the toilet bowls and the mirrors. It was quite sad when people stepped on the newly mopped areas or wet the areas around the cleaned sinks. I now understand how the uncles and aunties that mop the floor feel when we leave black footprints on the wet ground.

I'm more appreciative and grateful to the cleaners now that I have experienced a fraction of what they do daily. Although it was fun for me because I had friends to do it with and there was no punishment hanging over my head if I didn't do the job well, the cleaners do it all the time and still maintain a joyful attitude, so I respect them much more.

What the uncles said during the interview also impacted me, because I never really considered the consequences of things we do frequently - such as forcing our used meal boxes into dustbins which are already filled to the top for convenience sake, and choosing not to rearrange the desks back into their respective positions after PW meetings. I realized that by these selfish actions, we actually cause the cleaners more stress than they should be feeling.

From now on, I will be more conscious of the burden I put on the cleaners when I feel lazy and don't dispose of items well or just leave trash there for them to clean. I'll try to remember to walk the extra distance to the dustbin that hasn't been filled to throw my meal box, so that the cleaners won't have to bend and pick up the styrofoam containers that fall out of the rubbish bag.

(Joan Tan Ting Li, 21S15)