Testimonials of Vounteers
As I was selling the notebooks to my family and friends, I took the opportunity to flip through the book and have a look at what is inside. Rather than it being the normal kind of notebook I had expected, the HCA notebook had anecdotes on the life of a person- Mr Tan Jong Kee. The short paragraphs found in the notebook, together with the intro paragraph on the second page of the book made me reflect on the meaning of life for me and what I can and should do to make it more meaningful. Through selling the notebooks, I also appreciated how these patients at HCA such as Mr Tan would continue living positively despite the ailments that beleaguered them. This made me more appreciative of what I have now.
-Fang Yi Shen
-Lim Teng Jie
It was a fun and enriching experience to sell notebooks instead of the usual flag day as we were more aware of our cause and as we needed to promote our cause
-Winston Koh
Team Members' Reflections
Looking Within:
I have learnt that as a leader responsibility is very important especially as a JC student, this project would take up a lot of time and being a social entrepreneur is not easy for 1st timers like us and when the going gets tough, it’s easy to get demoralized and as leader it is my job to take care and motivate the members in any way possible. Also, its is important to treasure all my teammates as no matter what I will be stuck with this group of people and if they do have flaws, accept them, work with them and take advantage of their capabilities. This experienced have taught me that things will never be as smooth sailing as can be and only with hard work comes results thus we need to be constantly involved to ensure the success of this project.
Looking Out:
I have learnt that the patients in HCA Hospice care really need awareness as they are a group of beneficiaries that are often neglected. They really do need the support from the community to help them. However, while our group was supporting them and there were times we could interact with the patients, we learnt that the most importing things we can give them are not the money but their dignity. Despite needing money, they would not want to be portrayed in a pitiful manner to gain more sympathetic donations but rather a good and happy finish to their remaining days of these life limiting illness patients. This is why our notebooks are titled happy memories to allow these patients to leave a happy legacy of their lives in our notebook. In future I hope to participate more in helping these patients and other beneficiaries to leave their legacy and dignifying them.
Looking ahead:
For now I do not have any plans for the future, but I am hoping to take part in several CIP attachments in other organizations to learn more about the different areas of the community that needs our support and move on from there.
-Jeremy
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Looking Within:
The Citi – YMCA Youth For Causes project is a precious opportunity for my teammates and me to be more socially conscious and responsible individuals Through executing business plans to raise funds, spread awareness and educate the public about various social causes in Singapore through a tri-partnership with VWO representatives, corporate mentors, I have learnt a lot of valuable entrepreneurial skills which better prepare me for the future. Also, I have learnt to be a better leader as throughout the project, it is important to plan ahead in detail, have back-up plans, expecte the uncertain and unexpected, and to coordinate with teammates to bring out the best in every member of the group and reap most benefits for the whole group.
Looking Out:
I have learnt that the patients in HCA Hospice care need more public awareness and support. At the final staged in their lives, they do not only need to have more and better facilities, medical services but also more people visiting them at the hospice so that they can interact and share their life stories, thoughts and emotions.
Looking ahead:
I plan to organize more service learning days for my class to HCA Hospice Care where they can interact with patients with life-limiting illnesses to be able to empathize and sympathize for them, as well learn how to treasure and appreciate what they are given in life.
-Dieu Anh
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Looking within:
I’ve learnt a great deal about myself through the course of this project, like how I react to different scenarios and changes. Furthermore, I am able to better identify my strengths and weaknesses in contrast to my team members during this project. For example: the case of sales, where sales is not my strong point whereas accounting is my forte, I’ve learnt to better utilize my abilities to suit the scenario and maximize efficiency as a team. I’ve learnt to give life a more holistic outlook, where I consider different viewpoints from different people and how to better utilize my talents and ability to achieve greater heights.
Looking Out:
The sick and elderly often receive little care and concern from strangers, even if it’s to give a dollar or two as donations people are still hesitant. The acts of the staff at Hospice Care Association have deeply touched me as their efforts to shower the ill with care and concern are extremely commendable, their love and care for the elderly and ill have influenced and made an impression in my heart.
I can further contribute to the community by participating in more community based projected to help VWOs to further raise awareness or funds for their causes.
Looking Ahead:
As an individual, I plan to follow up on my YFC experience by sharing my experience with juniors and influence them to join this program. This is a valuable experience that I would most surely want to share with others. Another follow up project I intend to do is work with the autism sector of Singapore, where there are also the underprivileged whom seek help of various forms.
-Eugene
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During this project, we have faced many problems and obstacles. However, my teammates never give up and keep coming up with ideas and solutions to improve our plight. I learnt the determination and passion in my teammates, and I think I should use what I have learnt from them to apply to future situations.
Through this project, I think the most important thing that I learnt is to always think of a backup plan when you are planning and be prepared to face changes. I believe there are definitely many challenges wait for me in my future path, and I think that if I can be determined and do not give up easily, I will not be defeated by all those difficulties. Other than having the resilience, I also learnt that we need to have an optimistic mindset. We should not always linger on the mistakes that we have already made and not looking forward, it will forbid our growth. Thus, we need to tell ourselves to think positively and get on the new journey instead of being bounded by the past.
In addition, other than self-discovery, this project also showed me how much we individuals can make a difference in other people’s life. The community I served was a group of ill patients who have less than a year to live. It was amazing to see them still being passionate about their life and trying to make each day a better one. It made me reflect on how I wasted some of my days and took many things for granted.
I really do believe that other than trying to supporting the community financially, we can help them by raising awareness so that more people can show their love and care for them. I think we should get more celebrities to be involved in advocating. We have limited resources, but if we can make every single resource effectively, I think we can have greater achievements in helping them. Even though this project has ended, I would like to sign up as a volunteer to continue contribute to those who is in need.
-Xu Guo
-Xu Guo
