"Almost thirty years has passed since my SSEAYP experience began.
And as I watched this year’s Singapore Contingent prepares itself for their departure, the memories of my own preparation are brought to mind. Though it was simpler then, no formal photoshots, not so many attires, no 8 weeks orientation programme plus countless weekdays sessions, it was not so much difference.
The focus of bringing together 35 individuals during my time, staying-in at NACLI, endless of songs and cultural practices making them into a team, a contingent representing Singapore, making sure that we will be able to carry our flag high and keeping up with what the previous batches have done are the same. The big difference for me is that I am now doing this as a National Leader(NL) and not as a Participating Youth.
Though it seems like a long time, thought the ship that I have sailed on has become bigger and will be changing again, SSEAYP spirit has not changed, and the unbelievable experience where I had the chance to meet and develop friendships with many young people has not changed though there are now more countries and more diversities.
It is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I remember how we felt that the program would be such a stretch at 52 days. And yet, when it was all over, we wished it could go on forever. It was definitely sad and painful when we had to part after having stayed together for such a long time, that it seemed almost cruel.
No more were the sounds of the morning call chime with the waves rolling pass my cabin window and over were the movie nights, meeting on the upper decks after…(in the past, it was trying to avoid the NL!!!) and country performances in Dolphin Hall.
You will probably not have a clue when ex-PYs keep mentioning about the SSEAYP spirit. You will probably appreciated it more immediately when the SSEAYP 08’s closing ceremony curtains is drawn. This spirit will then exist in the long distance calls, emails, pictures and stories that your SSEAYP participants keep sending to each other.
Only when you go on to express our concern for the well being and safety of our fellow PYs irregardless of whether they were affected by events, disasters or unrest, only when we start visiting their countries and dropped in on them, only if we start to appreciate the countries above the tourist spots, only if we try all means to get to the Re-unions and the get-togethers, then can we said that we truly understand and experience the SSEAYP spirits. And here I am not just referring to fellow PYs from other countries but also your very own.
SSEAYP actually goes beyond the solidarity groups, discussion programs, homestays, country programs and illicit kitchen tours. It not only contributes to our perspective of ASEAN or brings us closer to a world free of political, language, immigration or religious barriers but ultimately, how we see ourselves for who we are and what we want in life.
Keep up the preparations and be really for the flow of SSEAYP Spirits."
COLONEL TAY TIONG BENG
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