Maximus Ee

I joined Project Luminaire as a Marketing Executive because I felt it would be a meaningful way to use my love of photography to give back to a community I had not visited before. Throughout this trip, I was blessed with fresh opportunities to learn more about photography, as well as put what I already knew into practice.

Beyond photography, I also helped teach the children various subjects like English, Maths, and Science. The language barrier challenged me to communicate ideas more simply, but I always looked forward to the lessons because I could see how eager the children were to learn.

As much as I trust that the children understood the content of our lessons, they also gave me a few things to take away from the trip. They didn’t have much materially, but they always wore a smile and were full of energy. What they did have was talent: I was surprised by their passion for dancing and their creativity in so easily making ornaments from nature, like necklaces out of flowers. Their enthusiasm for life is something I feel we can all learn from, especially when we get caught up in our seemingly dreary routines back in Singapore. Another experience I will never forget is how a few of the children helped us wash the cutlery after lunch when they were supposed to go home for a break. We didn’t ask them to—our Tagalog wasn’t even that good—and yet they stayed. Although I was tired from cooking lunch that day, I could not help but admire their initiative and thoughtfulness. I hope this memory will serve as a faithful reminder for me to carry the same spirit of quiet perceptiveness wherever I go.

I am beyond grateful to have been able to serve in Project Luminaire 13 alongside the friends I made during the trip. The children might see this write-up one day, or maybe they won’t. Still, I truly hope that our interactions, although brief, have inspired them to continue learning, growing, and being the best versions of themselves every day.