Amanda Tan, Straits Times 7 Mar 09;
FOR young people grappling with self-esteem issues and personal problems, life can seem like an uphill slog.
What better way to teach them how to overcome challenges than by giving them some real hurdles to get past?
Throw in abseiling, tunnelling and a high-ropes course and you have Project Aramsay, an 'adventure-assimilation programme' designed to help youth boost their self-worth, rediscover themselves and develop strength and resilience.
As many as 2,000 people aged 13 to 21 are expected to participate in the course over the next two years. The first session starts today.
Activities include a two-night camp on Pulau Ubin. Each camp will take in about 20 participants, typically those recommended by school counsellors and voluntary welfare organisations such as Touch Youth and Youth Guidance Outreach Services.
Over five days, they will be supervised by trainers from Republic Polytechnic's (RP) Adventure Learning Centre.
The programme to help these young people reintegrate into society, which costs $1.26 million, is funded by the Singapore Totalisator Board and the polytechnic.
According to its press statement, the programme takes its name from the Hindi word 'Aram-se', which means 'to give ease and to restore to health and being at ease with oneself and others'.
Mr Wilson Ang, deputy director of RP's office of student and graduate affairs, said the programme would give young people a chance to reflect on their lives.
'The key thing is for them to develop life skills, such as making responsible choices and finding self-identity. We also want them to develop social integration skills such as communication and the ability to socialise and trust.'
He added: 'After that, they can apply it to themselves and their community.'
