Grace Ng Lai See PBM and Ryan Lee Zheng Hui

Grace Ng Lai See PBM:

Startup - I joined Henderson Senior Citizens' Home Volunteers Working Group together with my cousin shortly after the demise of my grandmother. We missed her and seeing and talking to the elderly helped us to move on. I got to know youth from the People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM) Henderson Youth Group and this is how I started my grassroots involvement in 1981. It has been 40 years now and being involved on the ground has given me lots of satisfaction to see how the time and efforts I contributed can help those in need. The friendship and exposure I received both locally and internationally is really beyond words and priceless.

SSEAYP - I was honoured to represent Singapore in The ship for South East Asia Youth Program in 1987 as a PY (Participating Youth), in 1990 as an OBSC Representative for the Alumni (On-Board-Ship-­Conference) and finally as an NL (National Leader) in 2001.

It is very amusing how such a program has enabled us to build long-lasting friendships and bond us together regardless of whoever we are or wherever we are, to contribute internationally to good causes. We will continue the SSEAYP Spirit regardless of what is ahead of us.

Students Programs - It always makes me feel young whenever I am with students. So glad I was able to be part of the school liaison team in West Coast Division and work with student leaders from Hwa Chong on the Grassroots Attachment Program (GAP) and the Youth Leaders' Experiential Program (YLEP) and Kent Ridge Sec School on the Job Shallow Program for their students.

Project C2C - Together with like-minded youth leaders, I started Project Coast2Coast in 2005 and sent a total of 19 expedition teams to Cambodia, China, Indonesia, India, Laos, Nepal, The Philippines, and Vietnam to do rebuilding works in countries that were affected by disasters or environmental changes.

C2C teams also contribute to the for the children/elderly and murals painting for homes and special needs school.

We are now exploring new linkups to continue the meaningful work both locally and internationally and welcome all who are interested to come forward and join us.

My Hope - With the current COVID pandemic, there are many restrictions on what we can do or be involved in. However, there are still many who are worse off than us and I hope more would come forward when the situation allows and continue to pay-it-forward.

Ryan Lee Zheng Hui:

As a J2 student in Hwa Chong Institution, I am extremely thankful for the rich history and tradition passed down by our alumni and deeply inspired by many courageous leaders who have gone on to pave the way for many others in their fields. HCI kickstarted my volunteering journey in high school. My journey began with Silver Friends, where my classmates and I would engage with the elderly, singing their favourite songs, providing a listening ear and spending a rewarding afternoon with them every week. As a class, we participated in a yearly distribution of food to less fortunate households, which I found deeply meaningful and rewarding.

As I entered Junior College, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time joining student programmes such as the Youth Leader’s Experiential Program (YLEP), where I was blessed with the chance to help out as a writer in the weekly Meet-the-People sessions at West Coast CC, listening to the needs of others, connecting with them and empowering them in whatever circumstances they are in. On top of the MPS sessions, participating in the door-to-door sessions to raise awareness for various causes, such as dengue and arthritis, was deeply gratifying as it has allowed for meaningful conversations with a few residents.

I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate, as a member of the Singapore delegation, in the 13th HC-APYLS (Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit). The summit was abound with intellectual discourse on real-world issues, forging of strong bonds between delegates from all around the world, and invaluable learning for all of us. Most excitingly, our Singapore Delegation took up a follow-up project on promoting racial and religious harmony, Project Amity.

With support from the National Youth Council and guidance from our teacher mentor and Roses of Peace, we embarked on organising a workshop. Through fun and interactive social experiments and games, coupled with reflections and thought-provoking questions, our workshop helped to reframe the way we see Singaporean society, and with this knowledge, inspire further action. I hope that the next batch of students will take up the mantle in raising greater awareness of such issues for generations to come.

In the years to come, I am excited for what lies in the road ahead. Volunteering has been deeply fulfilling for me, in this new normal, I wish to continue giving back in whatever ways I can, as doing so brings a smile to others and myself too!