let lemons be angry

RFKC HK'11.

The camp that had us all in wigs at some point of time. No photographs of the children to show, except for kids of the staff. Lucky me got to be one of the photographers of the trip. Photos of me are by Nicole or Shian Wen.

So this was my 8th camp, and my most relaxed. Apart from taking photographs, I planned birthday party games and the chapel decor.

Every role in camp feels different. Counsellors are the most emotionally invested, because they give the most of themselves to that two children for a week. They start to snap by Day 2, and by Day 5 are giving out of emptiness. But that's how gold is purified by fire.

As mainly an observer this camp, I could see all the other nuances that they in their tiredness wouldn't have been able to see: fatherless boys hugging their newly found father figures in camp, kids going into hyperactive overdrive because they are just really really happy, the sense of loss after camp for kids who go home to kick stones at a traffic junction after school.

And so the little tasks I had to do were never so important as they were this week. Such as cutting up pork fillets for a tableful of boys, stirring up Pocari sweat into mini cups, or just drawing animals to fill the chapel. There are many big tasks I often do in my daily life that end up being in vain. None are as rewarding as the little things I did last week at camp.

Camp was at Noah's Ark in HK. Built to exact size and perched on the beach, but alas, this is the only part of the premises that had animals in it. And they were too faraway to climb on. But in a symbollic way it was our ark, a safe place to hide for a week, away from the rest of HongKong.

Disneyland sponsored us a day's trip, and I was one of the blessed volunteers who got to go.

You know, summer in HK is an awful time to be in hour-long queues, amidst locals who push their way past you and glare when told off. But the children were amazingly patient, never complaining once about the wait or the rude patrons. So I learnt to hold my tongue and tried not to pollute their patient hearts.

And after the heat and the wait and rudeness, Disneyland is really worth it after all. This Spinning Teacup ride looked kiddy enough to give a miss, but made us so dizzy at the first spin that one minute of it was more than enough. And the Philharmagic 4D show, with visits to Ariel's cave, Aladdin's flying carpet and the Lion King? I teared because Disney Magic had finally done me in.

Of course the children were very happy at Disneyland. They didn't even clamour for us to buy them souvenirs, or fight over which ride to take. But it wasn't just about Disney magic. Throughout the camp, whether it was a simple ball game or prizes of stickers, they were endlessly happy. They were the easiest group of children to placate or persuade. From an outsider's view it would seem they have perfectly contented lives. But we know that is not the case. Their gratitude makes me want to do anything for them.

One more camp to do in Singapore this December. My 9th. Will it be your first?

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Royal Family Kids' Camp is a camp for abused and neglected children.