Joash Law

Joining Project Luminaire 13 initially felt like a practical decision; a chance to explore somewhere new whilst clearing my 80-hour mandatory CSP requirement. I had no idea that what started as a fulfilment of graduation requirements would turn into one of the most transformative, memory-filled 2 weeks of my life, broadening my perspective far beyond Singapore's borders.

The journey wasn't without its hurdles. During the trip, simple day-to-day uncertainties like whether we’d have electricity or running water were real reality checks. And I’ll admit: walking into the Grade 1 classroom on the first day, seeing how rowdy the kids were, my immediate reaction was, "Oh my gosh, how am I going to survive 1 hour and 40 minutes here?"

Yet, as the days went on and I got to teach them more, the initial chaos faded into genuine connection. I learned their names, discovered their distinct personalities, and built bonds that made every one of them special to me.

Letting the kids take photos with my camera, a tool I only wished I had at their age, brought back a flood of nostalgia. It was amazing to watch how instinctively and naturally they handled the gear; they were absolute naturals and insanely talented. Giving them access to capture the world through their eyes, made the 5KG haul of camera gear worthwhile.

Whether it was feeding the kids or sweating under the harsh sun to assemble and install solar lighting, every physical effort took on real purpose. Knowing that we were shaping homes and helping provide a basic necessity like light in the dark made me feel more fulfilled than ever. Seeing the sheer joy on the faces of the community also made every ounce of sweat worth it.

None of this would have been the same without the incredible 23 members I had the privilege of sharing this journey with. To my fellow marketing teammates: capturing everyone’s moments while living through this project together as a team was so rewarding. Scrolling through our album now, the memories just come flooding back. I truly wouldn't have chosen anyone else to go through this with and I left with special moments that I'll cherish forever.

Project Luminaire 13 started as a requirement, but it ended as a reminder of what connection, community, and purpose truly means.