On 12 April 2025, 16 dedicated students from Methodist College Kuala Lumpur’s (MCKL) CAL2501DS1 class organised a joyful and meaningful Sports Day for refugee students from the Siamsin Learning Centre. The event, held at the MCKL campus, welcomed 30 children and teens aged 7 to 17 for a full day of play, connection, and cross-cultural exchange.
The Siamsin Learning Centre is a community-based educational institution located in Taman Sri Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It primarily serves refugee children from Myanmar, particularly those from the Zomi and Chin ethnic communities. Due to Malaysian policies that restrict access to public education for non-citizens, centres like Siamsin play a crucial role in providing basic education to displaced children.
The day began with an icebreaking activity where students created colourful team flags, sparking a sense of identity and teamwork right from the start. This was followed by a fun-filled senamrobik session, energising everyone and setting the tone for the rest of the day’s activities.
Students then rotated through five exciting station games, each designed to challenge their creativity, reflexes, and teamwork:
- Treasure Hunt: Participants searched the MCKL grounds for hidden slips of paper labelled with “power-ups” that could boost their final game scores. This activity encouraged teamwork, strategy, and quick thinking.
- Tag Game: Students split into teams of “catchers” and “runners,” engaging in a high-energy challenge of chase and escape, testing both agility and coordination.
- Ping Pong & Cups: Students aimed to bounce ping pong balls into cups filled with water, each marked with a different point value. This station combined skill, patience, and a little bit of luck.
- Memory Game: In this brain teaser, students flipped over cards placed face-down and tried to recall and match sequences. It was a true test of focus and short-term memory.
- Spoon & Ball: Students had to carry a ping pong ball on a plastic spoon around a course without dropping it, challenging their balance, concentration, and perseverance.
After a morning of laughter and teamwork, participants and volunteers gathered for a shared lunch, followed by a relaxed “free and easy” time featuring a movie screening, board games, futsal, football, and casual chats. The day concluded on a touching note as each student from Siamsin received a special gift pack prepared by the MCKL students.
More than just a sports day, the event served as a platform for meaningful interaction between Malaysian students and the refugee community, offering the younger guests a much-needed day outside the classroom and a chance to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Through creativity, service, and joyful connection, the students of MCKL demonstrated how empathy and initiative can truly build bridges across diverse communities.
