A Coolies

Footprint

As a facilitator, you
are to maintain
organisation of the
participants to ensure
the safety of the
participants and at
the same time allow
the participants to
make the most out
of the trail. You will
either be put in
charge of an activity
or will be in charge
of a group of
participants.
Split into 2 teams:
Section ICs and
Activity ICs
**Make use of the
extra space to take
notes and
information about
the activities (results,
pointers etc)

IN
ASSOCIATION
WITH

Your Main Objectives

-To enable participants to learn more about the life of Singapores
pioneers in the 1890s to 1900s, by promoting understanding of the
struggles coolies faced by emulating their hardships in a safe learning
environment
-To give participants a deeper understanding on the importance of
maritime development in Singapores growth as a nation
-Ensure the trail and activities are carried out smoothly
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Section ICs: Role

Section ICs are in charge of the participants, you are to ensure their safety,
maintain discipline within the participants, ensure they are accounted for at all
times and are cooperating with the Activity ICs.

Do headcount before and after every station

Ensure they move together at all times
Ensure safety when crossing roads, do not jaywalk
Although you are not allowed to direct participants to the next station directly, if the
group is straying too far off, you are to guide them back
You may use your phones for communication purposes but do not use it for any
other purposes
When your group is carrying out an activity, ensure that none of them wander off,
and that they are cooperating with Activity ICs
**After leaving each station, give the participants riddles depending on your sections
route. They are meant to solve the riddles themselves, do not give them hints
In case of any emergency, you are to contact NCOs immediately

Activity ICs: Role

Activity ICs will be in charge of an activity station, when a group arrives at
the station, you will be responsible for that group. Ensure their safety, that
they understand the activity and that they are playing responsibly

Prepare beforehand, make sure everything is ready before the group arrives
Clean up after each group, and immediately start preparing for the next
When all the groups are finished, pack up and make sure all logistics are returned
Ensure that the group understands the activity before beginning(rules, how-to etc.)
You will be in charge of their safety, ensure that they are carrying out the activity
properly
- If anybody is left out, or not participating actively, try to encourage them to join in
- You may take breaks in between groups, but ensure one person is at the station at all
times and that everybody is present when a group arrives

General Guidelines:

- Safety first
- Nobody should be left behind, ensure the group sticks together whether they are
moving or carrying out an activity
- Do not use vulgarities or profanities during the trail
- Set a good example in front of participants, do not slack off, or misbehave

**All participants and Section ICs to assemble at the drop-off point after all
activities are finished, Activity ICs will head there after packing up
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Routes

Route a: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Route B: 1 - 3 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 6
Route c: 1 - 2 - 4 - 3 - 5 - 6
Route d: 1 - 3 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 6

Split the participants

into 4 groups so it is
easier to facilitate, so
there wont be any
big groups going to
one station at the
same time, 4
different routes is
more efficient and
easier to handle.

Logistics: 10 plastic
cups

Station 1

@ Customs house:
Build & Move
Objective: To move the pyramid across the line
from the first person to the last person
How to play:
-Team members are to sit in a line
-The first person in the line will use 10 cups to form
a pyramid
-The pyramid will then be passed from player to player
along the line
-If the pyramid collapses in transition, the person who
was passing along the cups must re-stack the cups
and try again
-Fastest team to move the pyramid across the line
will be awarded the most points

Activity ICs to
record the time taken
to complete the
activity
Riddle:
Standing tall since
the 1960s.
Housing the
various officers
who were always
busy.
Now just a
memory drifting in
time.
A place where
you can wine and
dine

Station 1: Purpose of this activity is to show how fragile the maritime industry
initially was back in the 1940s.Yet, it was due to the creation and cooperation of
many organisations such as the Singapore Customs Police, that the Maritime
industry could develop and contributed to the establishment of the first Free
Trade Zones in 1966 to boost entrepot trade which was part of Singapores
export-orientated strategies. Thus each group member represents the key
members of the maritime industry back in the 1940s who contributed and
played a part in developing the maritime4 industry which is represented by the
cups.

Customs House
The Customs House was the Customs
headquarters from 1932 to 1989. Integral
to the safety of Singapores harbour,
Customs House was the home of the
harbour division of the Singapore
Customs Police in 1969. It was here that
the customs personnel kept a round-theclock vigil from the 23 metre-high control
tower, looking out for small boats
attempting to smuggle in dutiable
goods. Raids on the high seas, seizures of
narcotics consignments, and encounters
with pirates were all part of the colourful
story that once took place upon the waters
by the Customs House.

Logistics: 1 camera
phone, 1 copy of the
crossword puzzle,
pens

Station 2

@ Fullerton Heritage Gallery:

Crossword Puzzle

Activity ICs to
record the time taken
to complete only the
crossword

How to play:
-One team member will take the travelator along the
gallery and take photos of the various information
boards there
-Only one photo can be taken per board
-Teams have 3 tries on the travelator to attempt to
take clear photos
-They will then have to complete a crossword puzzle
based on the information from the photos they have
taken
-Fastest team to complete the crossword puzzle
correctly will be awarded the most points

Riddle:
Under the road,
a hidden chamber
lies.
To find it you
need a watchful
eye.
A treasure trove
of memories,
as one glides
through history

Objective: Complete a crossword puzzle based on

information from taken photos

Station 2: Purpose of this activity is for the participants to learn more about the
rich history of the fullerton area through completing a crossword puzzle with
the information provided in the pictures which the participants would take on
the travelator. Thus, the participants would have to really focus and try to read
the content as the picture may be blur or unfocused, hence this indirectly allows
them to gain more knowledge about the area at the same time when they are
reading the history content.
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Fullerton Hotel
The Fullerton Hotel, previously known as
the Fullerton Building, was commissioned
in 1919 as part of Singapores centennial
celebrations. Named after Robert
Fullerton, first Governor of the Straits
Settlements, it was once home to the
General Post Office (GPO). During World
War II, it was used as the headquarters of
the Japanese Imperial Army during the
Japanese occupation. It is now a luxurious
5-star hotel as well as one of Singapores
national monuments

Logistics: 1 camera
phone

Station 3

Activity ICs to use a

camera phone to
record the news
report and interviews

@ Merlion Park:
Newscaster
Objective: Carry out a news report regarding
the history & symbolism of the Merlion
How to play:
-Teams will read the information panels about the
Merlion situated around the park
-Using the information, one member will have to
be a reporter, presenting a short news report on the
history and symbolism of the Merlion
-Points will be awarded based on quality of both
presentation and content

Riddle:
I am two of one
On land I cannot
run
I sit and stare
On my river
perch, my lair

Station 3: Purpose of this activity is for the participants to learn more about the
history and symbolism of the Merlion through an interactive interview.

The Merlion
The Merlion has been a symbol of
Singapore since it was officiated in 1972 by
the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. It was sculpted
by Mr Lim Nang Seng in an S$165,000
project. With a body of cement, it stands
8.6m tall and weighs 7 tons, its skin is
made of porcelain plates and eyes of
small red teacups. The fish body
represents Singapores origins as a small
fishing village while the lions head
represents Singapores original name
Singapura, the lion city.

Station 4
@ Fullerton Waterboat House:
Building Bridges
Objective: Link the cups together using the
materials provided
How to play:
-Teams will be given 8 cups each. Other materials
include: Straws, paper clips, rubber bands, pipe cleaners,
strings and scissors.
-Each team will have to use at least half of each given
material (for 10 straws given, 5 have to be used) to
connect the 8 cups together.
-Each cup should have 2 or more links between cups
-Fastest team to link the cups together will be
awarded the most points

Logistics: 16 cups, 6
drinking straws, 4
paper clips, 10
rubber bands, 20
pipe cleaners, 2 pairs
of scissors and 6 3
strings
Activity ICs to
record the time taken
to complete the
activity
Riddle:
Listen to my Siren
song
Ive been to a 100
places and still
going strong
To those who thirst,
I will satisfy.
For it is foretold by
the man,
a water boat ont
he land,
is our heritage in

our hands.

Station 4: Purpose of this activity is to replicate the trade activities which

occurred in the past. Participants would have to find the best way to connect
the cups provided to them with the limited materials that are given to them.
This replicates how traders had to find the most suitable and efficient trade
routes in the past which the limited resources and wealth that they had with
them. Hence, participants would be able to feel how it was like as a trader trying
to find the best route with the least amount of resources possible.
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Fullerton Waterboat House

Built in 1941, the three-storey building
incorporates a basement which was
visible from the sea. It has a prominent
curved facade with a semicircular towerlike structure facing Fullerton Road. This
site used to house the Master Attendants
Office in the 19th century, from which the
Master Attendant supervised all water
activities until the roles were transferred
to the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA).
On 21 March 2002, this building was
gazetted for conservation.

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Logistics: 12 pieces
of cardboard, 2
ropes, stopwatch

Station 5

**2 benches have to

be used for this
activity

@ Mica Building:
River Crossing
Objective: cross the River as a team
How to play:
-Teams will be given 12 pieces of cardboard which will
act as platforms for them to cross the river
-The river will be marked by two ropes, the teams
will have to get from one rope to the other
-The entire team has to cross the river together
-If any piece of cardboard is not being stepped on
or in contact with any team member, the piece will
be removed
-Fastest team to cross the river will be awarded
the most points

Activity ICs to
record the time taken
to complete the
activity, remove
pieces of cardboard
accordingly
Riddle:
Lets talk,
lets communicate
about the arts and
our beloved state.
Colours all
around,
waiting to be
found.

Station 5: Purpose of this activity is to show the danger of maritime activities

such as theft, piracy etc. The participants have to make sure that every
cardboard is touching at least one member while ensuring the entire groups is
able to cross the river, hence in a way, the participants have to protect the
cardboard and make sure that they do not leave it untouched if not it will get
confiscated. Just like how maritime activities such as trade had to be conducted
with care back in the 1930s before the establishment of the police forces, to
fend off thieves and especially pirates which was a common sight in the seas.
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MICA Building
The Ministry of Information,
Communication & the Arts (MICA) Building,
formerly known as the Old Hill Street Police
Station, is easily recognisable with its 927
windows painted in the colours of the
rainbow. During the Japanese Occupation,
the building was used by the Japanese
Secret Police and rumoured to house torture
chambers. The building now houses the
Ministry of Communications &
Informations (MCI), Ministry of Culture,
Community & Youth (MCCY), National
Heritage Board (NHB), National Arts
Council (NAC), and the Media Development
Authority (MDA). The MICA Building is also
one of Singapores national monuments.

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Logistics: 1 basket,
16 balls

Station 6
@ Raffles Landing Site:
Pass the Basket
Objective: Transfer the basket using only the
legs without spilling the contents
How to play:
-Teams will line up in a line and lie down with their
feet raised up
-Starting from the first person, each person has to use
only their legs to transfer a plastic basket, filled with
plastic balls, from one person to the other until the end.
-If even one plastic ball drops, the team has to restart
-Fastest team to successful transfer the basket will be
awarded the most points

Activity ICs will

record the time taken
to complete the
activity. Restart the
activity when the ball
or basket touches the
ground
Riddle:
Standing tall,
white and pristine,
I watch over this
land of mine.

Station 6: Purpose of this activity is to show the difficulty and labour of the coolies
back in the 1900s.By letting the participants pass the basket of balls from one side
to the other with their legs, they are emulating coolies who mostly had to manually
transport goods from one place to another, although the participants would not be
able to experience the physical hardships of the coolies, however they are able to
experience the mechanical difficulty as they have to balance the basket of balls with
their legs and ensure that no balls fall off as it is transported from one side to the
other, just like how the coolies had to transport fragile goods and ensure that they
do not spoil or break any of them.
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Raffles Landing Site &

Asian Civilisations Museum
The place of the Raffles Statue is the location
where Sir Stamford Raffles supposedly
landed on during his first visit of the island.
Right next to it is the Empress Place
Building, once home to the Registry of
Births and Deaths, the Citizenship Registry,
and the Immigration Department. It has
been renovated many times, and has been
gazetted as a national monument in 1992. It
is now home to the second wing of the
Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM),
specialising in pan-Asian cultures and
civilisations. This wing exhibits South,
South-Eastern and West Asian collections.
The ACM has been ranked the top museum
in Singapore and ninth in Asia.*
*2014 TripAdvisors Travellers Choice Awards

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East coast parkway (ECP)

Collyer Quay

Bayfront Ave

Promenade Mrt

cavenagh bridge
Fullerton Road

Esplanade Mrt

Anderson bridge

Esplanade Bridge

*MRT is not there, it is further down in that direction

Supreme court

Funan Digitalife Mall

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