Early 2024 was a game-changer (pun intended).
After nearly a year of trying to bring the Play14 unconference to Singapore, on a morning walk with the amazing Carol Lim, she stepped up as our fearless first chairperson, and we officially pressed โstartโ on what would become an unforgettable adventure. ๐
But letโs get real. Singapore isnโt exactly budget-friendly. Without a sponsor, hosting an event like this felt like trying to build a skyscraper with LEGO bricks: fun, but pricey.
Enter our guardian angel, Dr. V Prasad, who helped us navigate the sponsorship maze. Thanks to his support and months of persistent work of Carol with the National Library Board (NLB), they generously agreed to sponsor our venue. ๐๐
As Jim Collins so aptly put it in his book Good to Great: Itโs all about getting the right people on the bus and seating them in the right spots before deciding where to drive.
And wow, did Carol assemble an all-star team! This group of volunteers was the best Iโve ever worked with. They are talented, mature, passionate, engaged, kind, efficient, and seriously fun to be around.
The journey was demanding and sometimes stressful, but it was brimming with laughter, playfulness, and a shared sense of purpose. ๐ช๐
Balancing Fun and Finances ๐ฏ๐ธ
As a nonprofit, we aimed to keep ticket prices as low as possible so young game designers and playful learning practitioners could join in. At the same time, we wanted to ensure top-notch conditions for a stellar event.
We set a safety margin and pledged any surplus to charity. We will break even if we reach 60 participants. We got 99! Yey!
Last Friday, we proudly handed over a check for SG$ 9,000 to Charlotte Goh Playeum. ๐
Playeum is an IPC charity that empowers children, especially those from low-income families or with differing abilities, through the magic of play and the arts. Their work focuses on developing their mighty 4Cs: Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. ๐๏ธ๐ญ
Their programs benefit kids, parents, and educators, creating a ripple effect of impact.
Currently, Playeum is raising funds for their Comlink program in Bedok/Kaki Bukit, which hosts weekly sessions for children and parents in rental flats. These sessions build skills, connections, and confidence which are essential ingredients for brighter futures. See the link in the comments.๐๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ
A Journey Worth Celebrating ๐โจ
Looking back, Play14 Singapore was an event with community building, creating joy, and contributing to something bigger than ourselves.
Huge thanks to Carol Lim, our Avengers volunteers, NLB, Dr. V Prasad, and everyone who made this possible. โค๏ธ
Hereโs to more games, more connections, and more opportunities to give back. Letโs keep playing it forward. ๐ฎ๐
