Sara Kundu, 15

School: Bukit Batok Secondary School

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

Award: Merit, Senior Category, 2024

Dear Ms Wong,

I am Sara Kundu, President of the Student Council. Organ donation is truly something life changing both for the donor and the receiver. We sometimes take for granted our health and in today’s world, it is becoming extremely common for us teenagers to live in our own bubble of selfish intent, thinking that the world revolves around us. This thinking does not suit our school values of abundance mentality and building empathetic students with a heart for the community. After all, the purpose of CCE is to inculcate values and build competencies in our students to develop them into confident individuals and useful BBSSians who will contribute constructively and actively to their families, school, community and nation.

I would like to share an idea for a Values-in-Action (VIA) project that I believe would be both impactful and meaningful for our students and the Bukit Batok Community. During a recent family gathering at my distant aunt's home, I noticed a jar of colourful paper stars. Curious about the meaning of the jar, I asked my aunt. She explained that each star was folded by students as a tribute to deceased organ donors, a gesture that held immense significance for her as it honoured the legacy of her mother's selfless act of donating her heart. This experience was the spark that inspired me to propose a VIA project focused on creating a mural to honor deceased organ donors, to be prominently displayed at the National Library Singapore at Bukit Batok. The mural would serve as a visual representation of gratitude and remembrance, celebrating the generosity of organ donors and the lives they have touched. It is also a spectacular opportunity for fellow students to understand the struggles faced and build empathy for the people who are truly selfless.

Organ donation gives people a second chance at life by playing a pivotal role in saving lives. It embodies the essence of selflessness and compassion, as the donors give literal strangers the chance to see the next day. Organ transplantation not only provides hope to patients facing organ failure but also fosters medical advancements and raises awareness about health and well-being. Especially when it comes to heart donations the chances depend on various factors, including donor availability, compatibility, and recipient urgency. While demand often exceeds supply, advancements in medical technology and organ procurement practices have improved the prospects of successful heart transplantation. Even though with the invention of the mechanical heart, it does not eliminate the need.

Hence, I feel that honouring deceased organ donors is vital as it acknowledges their selfless act of giving, celebrates their legacy of generosity, and also provides comfort to grief-filled families. By taking the efforts to recognise the immense contribution of organ donors, we honour their memory and express gratitude for the lives they have saved and improved through their gift of organs. Moreover, public recognition of organ donors not only helps raise awareness about the critical importance of organ donation but also inspires others to consider registering as donors themselves. It is extremely important that we appreciate and honour the legacy.

To carry out this project, we would need to collaborate with students, teachers, the library team and perhaps even local artists. Together, the members of the Student Council Executive Committee, along with interested art students, could lead the mural creation process. We could organise workshops and brainstorming sessions to gather ideas and design concepts from students across different year groups. We could also get students to volunteer and interact with families of both the donors and the recipients hence being able to understand the process of transplantation and the emotions that come with such a huge decision. Once the design is finalised, the students could work together to paint the mural, guided by the local artists. The library could provide a fitting backdrop for the mural, offering a space for quiet reflection. Additionally, the mural could be accompanied by a display about organ donation, highlighting the interviews and experience, promoting awareness and building empathy.

This project would offer a plethora of benefits to our student population. Firstly, it would provide an opportunity for students to express their creativity and collaborate on a meaningful project that promotes empathy and compassion. By working together towards a shared goal, students would develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Secondly, the mural would serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on the lives of others. By raising awareness and fostering dialogue, we can inspire students to consider becoming future organ donors themselves, thereby potentially saving lives in the future. Finally, the mural would honour the memory of deceased organ donors, acknowledging their selfless contributions and celebrating the legacy they have left behind. It highlights the power of generosity and the enduring impact of kindness.

In conclusion, I believe it is imperative to recognise the profound impact that individuals like my aunt's mother, who chose to be organ donors, have had on both the recipients they saved and the wider community. Their decision to give the gift of life embodies the highest form of selflessness and compassion. By commemorating their legacy through the mural, we not only honour their memory but also celebrate the ripple effect of their generosity, which continues to touch and transform lives. Moreover, in remembering and honouring these donors, we inspire others to consider registering as donors. The values that the students will learn will truly highlight the abundance mentality we want fellow BBSSians to share and to always be open to continuous learning. I look forward to a favourable reply from you. Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

Sara Kundu
President of the Student Council.

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