Sara Kundu, 14

School: Bukit Batok Secondary School

Topic: An email to your teacher about your observations on your classmate.

Award: Merit, Junior Category, 2023

Dear Ms Seah,

I am writing to you about supporting our classmate, Dixon. As we know, Dixon is a kidney dialysis patient and has been suffering for quite a while. He often goes for dialysis for several hours weekly. This tiresome procedure and his inability to join his fellow friends for games have made him feel very lonely and, to a certain extent, even depressed. Before being diagnosed with kidney failure, we would often see Dixon playing soccer with his friends and being very social. However, after being diagnosed, he faces restrictions to do many things causing him to feel glum. I hate to see my classmate feeling negative and so I want to take action to help him. I have several ideas but I have shortlisted three activities.

Firstly, I have an idea of running a programme called ‘Care to Share, Share to Care’. This programme is a way to lift everyone’s spirits, not only Dixon’s. We can research and compile jokes, riddles, and puns and put together messages of encouragement in an album-like box. It will be like opening a box of wonders. We can put together small games and create a game package. This can also be paired with a card with zoom details where our classmates can connect with him and be there to support him with homework. Dixon can also talk to his friends about their hobbies and interests. This is a way to ‘Care’ for Dixon and ‘Share’ joy with him.

Secondly, another way to support Dixon is by setting up games during recess and lunch breaks. Not everyone goes down to eat at the canteen and most of them play handphone games in the classroom. By setting up games we can promote inclusivity. We can set up board games and even have the class committee host some live tournaments, like UNO, Chess, and Scrabble. In this way, Dixon can play with his friends and participate in different games. He can also feel like he is a part of the class.

Finally, we can have some seating changes every term so that we can work with different people. Dixon will be able to work with many others in the classroom helping him build confidence. Additionally, we can also get to know more about our dear friend and the challenges he faces. This simple change can help our class become more inclusive and caring to accept that everyone has different challenges.

I hope you can implement these ideas to build an inclusive environment in our classroom. I believe that it is imperative to have a strong support system to help build a stronger class spirit in 2A6.

Yours sincerely,
Sara Kundu

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2023 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health). To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)