On November 14th, 2024, the Heal Your Soul Club, a UTM sub-club, partnered with the Macau Special Olympics to host an event titled The Language of “Seng” Accessible Adventures – a light clay workshop at iRetail Lab. This engaging event aimed to empower individuals with special needs, offering them a platform to express themselves and connect with university students. Under the guidance of artist Mr. Che Kin Seng and dedicated staff from the Special Olympics, participants transformed colorful light clay into imaginative creations, including Mr. Che's signature piece, "Hippo Dragon (河馬龍)." Students from different programmes have participated in this event. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and creativity, allowing students to enjoy hands-on crafting while gaining a deeper understanding of the potential and unique needs of special groups.
The workshop helped students enhance their empathy for individuals with special needs. Under Mr. Che Kin Seng’s guidance, they expressed creativity, built connections, and learned skills. This experience raised their awareness of the importance of support and advocacy, fostering personal growth and inspiring future involvement.
Building on the success of The Language of “Seng” – a light clay workshop, students of the Heal Your Soul Club and teams of Special Olympics came together again to hold a sharing session on November 30th, 2024 for the project titled "Outdoor Interactive Theatre: Seeing You and Me." Director Ku Ieng Un from Special Olympics was invited to share his vision and insights about the project. Director Ku shared that “this innovative community arts project encouraged public participation in creative expression, enriching Macao's cultural landscape while promoting a greater understanding of inclusive arts”. During the sharing session, participants openly discussed their experiences and feelings, providing students with valuable insights into the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities. This meaningful exchange encouraged students to reflect on their potential role in advocating for inclusion and acceptance within society.
At the end of the session, the Heal Your Soul Club president thanked everyone and concluded that these initiatives help bridge gaps between diverse backgrounds and cultivate a more tolerant social environment. Their goal is to create a community that embraces differences and nurtures connections among individuals of all abilities, building a compassionate and inclusive future for everyone. The Heal Your Soul Club will organize more meaningful activities for UTM students.
Content: Kitty Fong, UTM Lecturer
