Hazel Ho, 16

School: CHIJ St. Joseph’s Convent

Topic: An email on a VIA project to honour deceased donors

Award: Distinction, Senior Category, 2024

Dear Mr Goh,

I am Hazel Ho, the Executive Committee of my school’s Student Council and I am writing to you to propose a Values-In-Action project so that the school population can honour deceased organ donors and remember the legacy they have left behind.

During a family gathering at my distant aunt’s place, I learnt that the jars placed at her living room were folded by students to honour deceased organ donors. My aunt had shared with me about the legacy her mother has left behind through the act of organ donation and I was deeply touched by it. My aunt greatly treasures the jar as it contains the heartfelt letters and sincere feelings of the students. The jar reminds my aunt of her mother’s love and graciousness for others and she really hopes to carry on her actions and give back to the community around her. I realised how important it was to acknowledge the efforts and graciousness of organ donors and I believe that “what goes around comes around”.

I propose that the school can start a Values-In-Action activity where students are able to write letters to express their feelings and gratitude for organ donors and acknowledge their contributions and legacy they have left behind. Additionally, students can make small hampers with their handmade cards stuck on them to pass to the family members of deceased organ donors. During VIA lessons, students can be given time to come together to contribute small food items and make about 5 small hampers per class. As they are handcrafting their hampers, they are given time to think about these organ donors and how they have contributed significantly to the people around them. The students can discuss with one another and understand more about organ donation and this can also increase their likelihood of wanting to become an organ donor after being encouraged by the stories shared. The family members of the deceased organ donors would be very pleased to be receiving a hamper in commemoration of their family’s contribution.

The student population would definitely benefit from this project as the students will be able to learn values such as appreciation for the deceased organ donors. Moreover, the students will be able to understand through the discussions why it is important to be a donor and contribute to the community around us. Furthermore, students will be able to gain the experience of handcrafting hampers as well as interact and bond with one another.

I believe that honouring deceased organ donors is important as their legacy is significant and able to influence others to do the same. This way, more people will be willing and encouraged to also be a donor. If their legacy is discontinued and forgotten, many people may forget their contributions to the community and less people will want to become a donor. The deceased organ donors are like role models and everyone will definitely look up to them.

Thank you for listening to my proposal. I truly hope that you will consider my proposal.

Yours sincerely,
Hazel Ho
Student Council Executive Committee

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2024 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