Changi Chapel & Museum

I took half-day today to have some solitude/personal sabbath time, to get away from the distractions of work. What's more quiet than being at the museum? My visit - Changi Museum. Unfortunately, this is a relocated site, not the original chapel & museum due to the expansion of Changi Prison (Complex). Regretted that I procrastinated so long before visiting it. Well, better than nothing.

Admission is free, but you had to pay $8 (adult) for the audio guide. I couldn't take photos inside the museum but I did, however get to photograph the re-created chapel. I didn't realise that the original was actually an outdoor chapel until I did some pre-tour research. Anyway, here are some shots.

The museum was a simple set-up in a U-shape.

I really didn't expect myself to spend the whole afternoon there. But it was an enriching experience. I know I couldn't feel exactly how people felt in those times (World War II) as I did not go through it but walking through made me feel for the people during those times, and I couldn't help but tear. I think we all know how horrible those times were, so I shan't elaborate more.

Well, Changi Prison, being where the POWs were interned, would of course be the museum's focus. At the museum, besides the torture, defeat and hard times, one could also see how something can be created out of "nothing". It was really an eye-opener when I saw how the POWs created works of art and creativity. How resourceful and innovative they were in improvising whatever was available around them, creating products out of scrap and whatever they could lay hands on, like brushes, beautifully handcrafted pocket knives, metal cases with etchings (like jewel boxes), musical instruments and even prosthetics! The things didn't look like they were made from scrap at all and were very well-made. They also found their own remedies for deficiencies and diseases, e.g. lalang juice. They also had ingenious hiding places for radio receivers, e.g. in a broom (inside the bristles), in matchboxes, shoe soles and even antennas woven into mosquito nets. Of course, there are the famous murals by Stanley Warren and also various art pieces.

Another touching point would be how the locals displayed courage and their kindness. They helped the POWs a lot by smuggling supplies to them, or even stationing themselves where the POWs would pass by on their way to their labour field, and offer food & drinks even though the Japs would slap them when they did so. They were really risking their lives and giving up their own supplies. 1 POW said that he felt humbled and ashamed that previously, the British had not treated the locals so well, like they were slaves, but the locals still helped them.

Though small, the museum holds some strong information and connection to our past. I hope our younger generation would not forget our past. Right now, there seems to be a sense that the younger generation do not really value the past/heritage or important morals & values of being a person. Societal influences? TV? (Lack of) discipline?