The Ministry of Health in my country is organising an essay-writing competition. The organ donation rates could be higher, so it wants to educate young people about how altruistic individuals choose to make a difference in complete strangers’ lives.

The competition requires participants to write 500 words. Honestly, it is a stretch for my students, but if I set the bar according to their current ability, they will never transcend their limits. So, I am forcing cajoling some individuals who can write relatively well to take part in this endeavour.

The great thing about this competition is that I can invite speakers to come to my classroom to give an interactive presentation about the realities of organ donation. Of course, I seized the opportunity! It will be an amazing breath of fresh act - different from my usual lessons of grammar drills and vocabulary bombardment.

Prior to the presentation, I spent half an hour preparing my charges’ young minds for it. I specifically introduced the word altruistic to them and said, “You should flex this word in front of the presenters.”

And you know what? One bright spark actually used the word in front of the presenters! I’m quite heartened. This is the way you know how to use an unfamiliar word. I know that it has been sealed into his long-term memory because the way he acquired it is so unique and memorable.

I affirmed him on the class WhatsApp group.

I learnt many things from the workshop! Stuff like how the liver is the only organ in our body that can regenerate itself. Hence, a donor can donate part of his liver. How people undergoing dialysis cannot afford to venture overseas anymore because they have to undergo treatment 3 times a week for 4 hours each time. I’m happy to broaden my knowledge through this workshop!