SMU Challenge is the university's annual community outreach event organised by SMU Special Interest & Community Service Sodality. It provides all SMU students with the chance to interact with beneficiaries on a personal level, understand underlying societal issues and needs, and gain deeper insights in order to support these beneficiaries through their community service projects.
Since its inception in 2008, SMU Challenge has supported beneficiaries such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore (MDAS), Geylang East Home for the Aged, Society of Moral Charities and Lions Befrienders Service Association. It has also collaborated with the Central Singapore Community Development Council to support the Purple Parade, a movement that promotes inclusiveness, celebrates the abilities of persons with special needs and raises awareness on special needs community in Singapore.
In 2015, the SMU Challenge committee organised a series of Purple Outings, which included visits to the Sports Hub and muffin-baking workshops for members of the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), MDAS and the Down Syndrome Association. More than 200 SMU students, alumni, staff and faculty members took part in the finale event - a 7-km 'Walk for Good' walkathon around Marina Bay.
The SMU Challenge committee organised another walkathon on 31 July 2016 in conjunction with Car-Free Sunday. Some 250 SMU students, staff and faculty members took part in the 5-km city walk together with beneficiaries from SADeaf and MDAS, who each received a gift of basic necessities such as rice, biscuits and soy sauce at the end of the event.
Download our e-book to learn more about SMU Challenge and its beneficiaries.