Students from Tampines Meridian Junior College (TMJC) in Singapore recently embarked on a unique learning experience, virtually walking the streets of Jalan Kukoh, a densely populated area near Chinatown known for its poverty and homelessness. For two hours, they navigated simulated challenges faced by the homeless, seeking food, shelter, and storage for their belongings, and attempting to purchase a week's worth of groceries on a severely limited budget. This immersive experience was part of a program designed to cultivate empathy and understanding of homelessness through a specially designed video game.

Virtual Reality, Real Empathy

The students used digital avatars to explore a virtual recreation of Jalan Kukoh, gaining firsthand insight into the struggles faced by those living on the streets. This innovative program, developed by youth social enterprise Jalan Journey, utilizes digital games to educate students on various social issues, including environmental sustainability and autism awareness. So far, approximately 4,000 students from over 25 schools in Singapore have participated in the game.

The TMJC students tackled tasks such as finding the optimal combination of groceries with a $40 budget and identifying homeless individuals based on limited information. Indah Khalisah Putri Khairulnizam, a 17-year-old student, found the game "very eye-opening," stating, "I didn't realize how difficult it was to balance the cost of necessities, calorie intake, and nutritional benefits within a limited budget."

TMJC teacher Lim Sze Chin (33) praised the program's unique approach, noting that "the game makes learning about social issues engaging for students through mini-games." The program also sparked an interest in volunteering among the students. "Experiencing the difficulties of homelessness firsthand made me want to help," said 17-year-old Farha Faesal Binte Talib.

From Volunteers to Innovators

Jalan Journey was founded in 2022 by university students Harrison Chong and Sricharan Balasubramanian, alumni of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) who volunteered in Jalan Kukoh during their junior college days. The game was inspired by their experiences assisting homeless residents in 2020.

Chong, 22, a mechanical engineering and finance student at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasized the game's authenticity, stating, "While the stories may be fictional, we recreated as many details as possible, including the iconic basketball court." During the COVID-19 pandemic, they volunteered with Comm.UnitySG, packing food rations, cleaning shelters, and conducting temperature screenings.

As their academic and military commitments increased, they sought a sustainable way to engage more youths in volunteerism. Balasubramanian, 23, an engineering student at Nanyang Technological University, said, "We wanted to find a way to encourage more young people to volunteer, even if we couldn't always be on the ground."

Inspired by games like Minecraft, they launched a pilot program with Singapore Polytechnic in 2021, allowing students to virtually walk through Jalan Kukoh. The initiative received positive feedback from students and teachers.

The social enterprise officially launched after winning the top prize at the Youth Action Challenge Season 4, organized by the National Youth Council. The program, which provides mentorship, guidance, and funding for youth initiatives, awarded them $51,000 in seed funding.

Beyond Homelessness

Jalan Journey offers a series of games addressing various social issues. These include a first-person role-playing game simulating the challenges of living with autism and a text-based adventure game teaching how to identify signs of mental health issues.

Each game is developed with the expertise of relevant professionals. For example, New Hope Community Services (NHCS) contributed to the homelessness program, and Minds provided consultation for the intellectual disabilities game.

Jalan Journey is funded by seed grants and fees from institutions, ranging from $4 to $25 per student per hour. The team, currently consisting of nine members, also engages paid external facilitators and game developers.

The program has demonstrated tangible results, with 13% of NHCS volunteers in 2023 being introduced through Jalan Journey programs.

The enterprise has received national and international recognition, including a nomination for the 2024 President's Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards and the 2024 World Summit Awards Young Innovators Award for its contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This recognition has motivated Chong to take a leave of absence from university to focus on Jalan Journey. He hopes that the games will foster greater empathy among Singaporean youths, stating, "It might be a game for them, but it's a reality for others."

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