 Republic
Polytechnic holds a jigsaw puzzle competition for
SIA-MINDS EDC to engage its trainees in a 'meeting
of minds'.
"Half this game is ninety percent mental," a
funny observation from Yogi Berra, one of the most
famous American baseball players-turned-coach-and-manager.
While that may be a flub on his part about baseball,
it is certainly true of the art of piecing together
jigsaw puzzles. In fact, 100 percent of the game
requires focused mental concentration with a dash
of guesswork and luck thrown in.
On 19th August, 20 trainees from the SIA-MINDS
EDC took on the challenge of pitting their wits
and skills against each other in a puzzle competition
that was hosted by The Republic.
At ten in the morning, staff of The Republic
greeted the five participating teams, each comprising
of four members each. In true style, delighted
to be in new surroundings, they greeted anyone
in their path merrily with a big smile and wave.
 Upon reaching the rooms at level five, the MINDS
trainees met the staff members who volunteered
time from their work schedules to interact with
them. Despite it being the first contact for
both parties, warm smiles all around soon dissolved
any barriers between.
To kick off the event, there was an ice-breaking
game of 'Musical Chairs' to melt the ice. As
the strains of catchy pop music filled the air,
the trainees danced merrily as they filed around
the chairs. Slowly, as more and more were eliminated
from the game, the room pulsed with greater excitement
to see who would end up the winner. Eugene (in
the first picture) emerged triumphant!
 Tea was served next, kindly sponsored by the
canteen provider. As they chowed down on their
cakes and drinks, staff and student volunteers
tried to strike up conversations with the trainees
to find out more about them and their lives.
Staff began to slowly locate their teams and
lead them to the assembly area to start on the
puzzles. Each team had a piece of styrofoam board
on which to assemble the jigsaw on. It was away
we go!
With the picture, they slowly pieced together
the scattered pieces with some hints from the volunteers.
Initially, it was hard to know where to begin but
with some prompting, teams gradually got into the
full swing of things.
 Slightly over half an hour later, the winning
team had completed its puzzled. Looking flushed
and happy with their labour completed, they posed
for pictures to mark their success.
As teams finished their puzzles one by one, it
was clearly a rewarding exercise for them and many
peals of laughter could be heard.
In the open area, they started to play other games
such as 'Passing the Parcel' as well as Poison
Ball. The atmosphere was truly exciting!
With all the merriment and activities over, it
was time for lunch. As they tucked in their free
lunch, it was rewarding to see both staff and trainees
interacting freely with one another. As the barriers
of first contact were broken and bonds began to
form, one could sense the unwillingness to part
so soon.
However, it was time to go and as they filed out
of the room, there was a tangible sense of "sweet
sorrow". Happily, this would not be the last
time for such activities. The Republic will continue
to explore opportunities to touch lives, warm hearts,
and of course, to meet MINDS.
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