When your passion becomes your responsibility.

I am doing my YMCA project, raising funds for the children with autism in Singapore. Initially, we came up with this idea of helping the underprivileged in our society. We are inspired by the YMCA Youth Cause project. My friend and I came up with this idea – we can ask children with autism to paint something, maybe not very nice ones, then we can ask artistic students to beautify them, to show them that although they can't emotionally connect to us, there is a way that we can communicate.

We went on with the project to raise funds and do sales. The outcome was not exactly what we expected at first, but I think along the way, we also learnt how to play by ear. For example, just now it rained heavily, so we had to move the location back and forth, and then we made use of these tables available. Also our communication skills – we were turned down by many during the process, but we were also encouraged by many who are very generous. So, I think it made me, a foreigner, more emotionally attached to the city. I am from the Northern part of China, the main province. Initially, we were all very enthusiastic, very passionate with our sales, very passionate in introducing our products to the people, and we were very successful the first 3 rounds! But when the whole thing goes on, it just feels that it is an obligation that you just have to fulfill and the passion I think is not that strong anymore, but we still have to push on and continue. I learnt from there that when your passion becomes your responsibility, you have to be responsible for it and push on, no matter what happens.