FOC and me

I've often been asked this question of how Friends Of Children (FOC) came to be...
Today, let's take a trip down memory lane

Let's see...
Back in spring 2003, I was a spunky young lad, just walking around looking at girls and minding my own business.
Up comes one of my pretty classmates, and she asks if I would be interested in some volunteer work - giving free tuition to kids, being the slacky guy I am, I politely turned her down...

She looked at me with puppy eyes and uttered the one single statement that has kept me tied to FOC for 4 long years... "Junxian, the children need you... "

That my dears, is why I'm still in FOC.

In summer 2003, FOC was initiated by Leslie (pardon.. forgot his last name).
There were 15 of us in the pioneer batch and we were part of RSP Elders. At that time, we were considered an ad-hoc project, meaning that we were not expected carry it on indefinitely.

By the end of the first month, we had something like 8 of the original 15 left.
By winter 2003, Leslie decided to hand things over to me, and went on his IA, members left from the original 15 are Weijie, Shuling and me.

Between spring 2004 and summer, we had a few other ppl coming in and going out...
Fall 2004, new recruitment.
Summer 2005, left with 16.
Summer 2006 finally handed co-ordinator role to Darren. Started the new year with 30 volunteers.

FOC was promoted from special project to full RSP, mile stone.
Summber 2007, co-ordinator-ship was passed to current co-ordinator Aditiya, and it has become what we are seeing today.

The road has been rocky and many times it was almost given up. We are still very young as a RSP, having only 1 year of experience with our RSP status as of 2007. It will take some time before we become fully functional and experienced as a family and start expanding and taking up roles that are expected of us.

I know that throughout FOC's journey, numerous kindred spirits have given me invaluable assistance,
be it offering to help me man the recruitment booth,
helping to cheer for me during the welcome tea,
lending a hand in helping me to propose and second during AGMs,
being there for me when things get ugly and backing me up in numerous occasions.

Taking this chance, I'd like to introduce everyone to Yeok Hui (left) and Grace (right), the two previous co-ordinators of RSP HI.

Thanks for all the help, encouragement and support you've given to FOC. To the rest of RSP HI, who've been so ready to lend a voice, thanks.

To Pearly, who from Hon Gen to VP, gave me encouragement during those needed times, thank you.

Throughout FOC's years, there have been many amazing volunteers, a few o them still with FOC now though some have gone off due to time constraints.

Sebastian, thanks for standing by FOC all this time and for accompanying me to all those AGMS and welcome teas.
Qiwei, for quietly supporting our thursday programme by yourself all this time, sorry that I've always neglected you.
Some of your names I've managed to forget.. but I want you guys to know, I appreciate all that you've put in for FOC, sorry if I've not been very supportive to everyone.

Let's hope with the passing of every year, the number of children that we help multiplies.
Remember - *with puppy eyes*
"The children need you"

-Junxian