Download - Our Book - 1nspi-Vatte
Halt!
You’ve heard about “Our Song” and here you have “Our Book”!
We are absolutely honoured to present our very 1st compilations of
extraordinary stories to our fresh YV souls – “Our Book: 1nspi-Vatte”
[Ǻn.spaǺ'väəteǺ]!
Volunteering has brought many of us, YV Old Birds, through a
long way and provided much encouragement and enrichment to our
lives. Many a times we find ourselves so engrossed in volunteering that
our lives start to revolve around it; the next activity is volunteer camp,
the next outing is with volunteer friends… It has turned into a serious
addiction, which can be worse that how our parents are addicted to
caffeine in their daily dose of coffee. These led us to picture how Our
Book should be like: in this no. “1” volume, of 1nspi-vatte, we hope to
share with you how inspirational and heartwarming this volunteering
journey has been for us and invite you join us in this caffeine-like
addiction.
While you read on, some stories may be new and interesting;
some may be what you have read before. Nonetheless, they are bits
and pieces that form up the message we want to share with you. Even
the tiniest detail you find in this book means a thing. If you fond of
playing detective, you will fancy the thrill of cracking the secret message
in this book. It may be just 3 simple words but it means a lot and even
the reason of Our Book’s existence. (:
Enjoy!
Our Book Editing Team e
Generic cover
The 3 hours of inconvenience
Last Saturday, my husband and I went on a train ride
to San Francisco. When we got on the train, I
was appalled to see a lady already comfortably
sitting on my seat. In response to that, my
husband gestured me to take his place beside this
lady, but did not ask the lady to shift elsewhere. Upon taking a
closer look, I understood why he did so – the lady had some
disability in her right leg.
Throughout this long three-hour journey, my
husband had to bear standing on the train, but he
did not give any hints to the lady to vacate his
seat at all. My heart ached for him, but I remained
silent.
Upon alighting, I asked my husband, “Giving up
your seat is an act of kindness, but that was a
three-hour journey! You could have told her to return you your seat
at some point of the journey, couldn’t you? After all, we paid for it!”
“This lady had her inconvenience for her entire lifetime, in contrast,
we only had to bear with this little inconvenience for barely three
hours,” my husband replied in a soothing tone.
I was touched.
6 “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean
are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” -Mohandas Ghandi
Translated from http://www.slideshare.net/kh7883/three-short-touching-stories-505392
Life Struggles
A man found a cocoon of an
emperor moth. He took it home so
that he could watch the moth
emerge from the cocoon. On the
day a small opening appeared, he
sat and watched the moth in the
cocoon for several hours as the
moth struggled to force its body
through that little hole.
The moth seemed to be stuck and appeared
to have stopped making progress. It seemed as if it had gotten
as far as it could and could go no farther. The man, in an act
of kindness, decided to help the moth; so he took a pair of
scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.
The moth then emerged easily. But its body was swollen
and small, its wings wrinkled and shrivelled. The man
continued to watch the moth because he
expected that, at any moment, the wings
would enlarge and expand to be able to
support the body, which would contract in
time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest
of its life crawling around with a small, swollen body and
shrivelled wings. It never was able to fly.
The man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand
that the struggle for the moth to get through the tiny
opening was necessary to force fluid from the body of the
moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight upon
achieving its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight
would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of
a struggle, he deprived the moth of flight.
Sometimes struggles are exactly
what we need in our lives. If we were to
go through our lives without any
obstacles, we would be crippled. We
would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give
every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets, and
don't forget the power in the struggle.
8 "People are amazing, when you allow them to be." -Peter A. Hunter
http://www.bestinspirationalquotes4u.com/blog/48/why-life-struggles-are-so-important/
Beyond Love
My mom only had one eye. I hated her – she was such an
embarrassment.
She cooked for teachers and students in my school to support the
family. There was this one day during elementary school when
she came to say hello to me. How could she do this to me? I was
embarrassed. I ignored her, threw her a hateful look, and ran out.
The next day at school, one of my classmates said, “EEE, your
mom has only ONE eye!” I badly wanted to bury myself, and
wanted even more for my mom to just disappear. So one day, I
confronted her: “If you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock,
why don’t you just die?!”
My mom did not respond.
I did not even stop to think for a second because I was full of
anger. I was oblivious to her feelings. I wanted to
leave that place, so that I did not have to face her
in my life ever again. So I studied real hard, and
got a chance to go to Singapore to study.
Then I got married, bought a house of my own, and
had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my
kids and the comforts. Until one day, my mother came to visit me.
She hadn’t seen me for years and that was her first time seeing
her grandchildren. When she stood by the door, my children
laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited.
I screamed at her, “How dare you come to my house and scare my
children? GET OUT OF HERE NOW!”
And to this, my mother quietly answered, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I
may have gotten the wrong address…” And she disappeared out
of sight.
One day, I received a letter regarding a school reunion at my
house in Singapore. After the reunion, I went back to the old
shack where I used to live, just out of curiosity.
My neighbours said my mother had died. I did not shed a single
tear. They handed me a letter from her.
“My dearest son, I think of you all the time. I’m so sorry I “My dearest son, I think of you all the time. I’m so sorry I “My dearest son, I think of you all the time. I’m so sorry I “My dearest son, I think of you all the time. I’m so sorry I
camecamecamecame to Singapore and scared your children. I was so glad to Singapore and scared your children. I was so glad to Singapore and scared your children. I was so glad to Singapore and scared your children. I was so glad
when I heard you were coming back for your school reunion. when I heard you were coming back for your school reunion. when I heard you were coming back for your school reunion. when I heard you were coming back for your school reunion.
But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m
sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you
were growing up. were growing up. were growing up. were growing up.
You seYou seYou seYou see… when you were young you got into a car accident e… when you were young you got into a car accident e… when you were young you got into a car accident e… when you were young you got into a car accident
and lost an eye… As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you and lost an eye… As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you and lost an eye… As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you and lost an eye… As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you
grow up with only one eye. grow up with only one eye. grow up with only one eye. grow up with only one eye.
So I gave you mine.So I gave you mine.So I gave you mine.So I gave you mine.
All thisAll thisAll thisAll this while I have been proud of my son who saw a whole new while I have been proud of my son who saw a whole new while I have been proud of my son who saw a whole new while I have been proud of my son who saw a whole new
world for me, in my place, with thworld for me, in my place, with thworld for me, in my place, with thworld for me, in my place, with that eye. at eye. at eye. at eye.
With my love to you,With my love to you,With my love to you,With my love to you,
Your Mother.”Your Mother.”Your Mother.”Your Mother.”
10 “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” -Mother Teresa
http://www.slideshare.net/uniqme/a-touching-story-1004672
Giving BloodGiving BloodGiving BloodGiving Blood By Kevin Rayner
A little boy was told by his doctor that he could save his
sister's life by giving her some blood. The six-year-old
girl was near death, suffering from a disease which
the boy had made a marvellous recovery two years
earlier. Her only chance for recovering was a blood
transfusion from someone who had previously
conquered the illness. Since the two children had the same rare blood
type, the boy was the ideal donor.
"Johnny, would you like to give your blood for Mary?" the doctor asked.
The boy hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled, and
said, "Sure, Doc. I'll give my blood to my sister." Soon the two children
were wheeled into the operating room – Mary, pale and thin; Johnny,
robust and in the pink of health. Neither spoke, but when their eyes met,
Johnny grinned.
As his blood siphoned into Mary's veins, one could almost see new life
come into her tired body. The ordeal was almost over when Johnny's
brave little voice broke the silence, "Say Doc, when do I die?"
It was only then that the doctor realized what the moment of hesitation,
the trembling of the lip, had meant earlier. Little Johnny actually thought
that in giving his blood to his sister he was giving up his life!
http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/dev/quote.html
It Will Take A MiracleIt Will Take A MiracleIt Will Take A MiracleIt Will Take A Miracle Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its
hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor
and counted it carefully... three times, even. The total had to be just
right. No chance for a mistake here. Carefully putting the coins back
in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and
made her way to the Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief
sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give
her some attention but he was busy.
"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an
annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother
who is visiting from Chicago and whom I haven't
seen in ages," he said.
"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back
in her soft voice. "He's really, really sick... and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist.
"His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside
his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So
how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,"
the pharmacist replied, softening his tone of voice a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get
the rest. Just tell me how much."
12 "The best leader knows how to make his followers actually feel power themselves, not
merely acknowledge his power." -Mary Parker Follet
The pharmacist's brother had been listening to this conversation.
He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle
does your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tess replied with tears welling up in her eyes. "I just
know he's really, really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation.
But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago.
"One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered, barely audible. "It's
all the money I have."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven
cents is the exact price of a miracle for little brothers."
He took her glass jelly jar in one hand, and in the other, he
grasped her little hand inside the mitten and said, "Take me to
where you live. I want to see your little brother and meet your parents.
Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need."
The man from Chicago was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,
specializing in neurosurgery. The operation was completed without
charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and
recovering well. "That surgery," her mother whispered, "was a real
miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?"
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one
dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little girl
http://www.bestinspiration.com/stories/What's_the_miracle_cost^.htm
Writers’ cover
Beyond Boundaries Beyond Boundaries Beyond Boundaries Beyond Boundaries
----RonghuiRonghuiRonghuiRonghui
It all started with a simple monthly volunteering experience of
delivering groceries to this aged wheelchair-bound Uncle Tan (not his
real surname). He opened his door suspiciously each time we arrived at
his doorstep. When I entered his one-room rental unit to put down the
groceries, I saw the badly-stained concrete floor and walls. There were
only a few pieces of furniture that were chipped and dirty. My heart
went out to this Uncle Tan and I wished I could do more.
I asked if we could help clean up his house. Uncle Tan
declined. Month after month, as he saw the same familiar face, he
opened up and finally allowed us to help him with the simplest
chores. At one of the visits, we saw his open wound with blood and
pus oozing out. He certainly needed medical attention. He refused to
see a doctor. Admittedly, it would be challenging to bring him to the
clinic too. As such, two friends who were nurses were roped in to help.
They attended to him whilst I had the extended time to scrub his floor
which was stained with human waste and to change his bed-sheets
which were littered with cockroaches’ eggs. The visits became more
regular and intensive due to the medical attention his wound needed.
Similarly, his house needed this ‘intensive attention’. The house was
often dirtied in a span of two to three days.
16 “It is not where you start – it’s where you finish that counts.” -Zig Ziglar
It dawned upon me then that to improve the quality of life of
Uncle Tan was almost, ‘at the mercy’ of me. I could simply
continue in my monthly delivery of groceries and minimum clearing,
or perhaps wait for the Staff from the Agency to initiate something for
him. Yet I know it was a choice within me: to do as required or to do
beyond required. Only the latter, I realized, together with a genuine together with a genuine together with a genuine together with a genuine
heart to love and to give will truly heart to love and to give will truly heart to love and to give will truly heart to love and to give will truly bring a smile on to Uncle Tan’s face, bring a smile on to Uncle Tan’s face, bring a smile on to Uncle Tan’s face, bring a smile on to Uncle Tan’s face,
and to turn his house into a home.and to turn his house into a home.and to turn his house into a home.and to turn his house into a home.
It was no longer about a volunteer versus a beneficiary. It was
about a relationship: a relationship forged by God between two total
strangers in two different socio-cultural
backgrounds. Uncle Tan shared about
with me his life story and his family. As I
wheeled him around for a walk or to
enjoy his favourite ‘kopi’ and roasted
meat rice at the nearby coffeeshop, he was always proud to introduce
me as his ‘granddaughter’. You never fail to see him grin from ear
to ear whenever he said that. What a privilege I had!
Nonetheless, it reaffirmed a fact. It was more than acts of
kindness that he experienced, but a relationship: a relationship hebut a relationship: a relationship hebut a relationship: a relationship hebut a relationship: a relationship he hadhadhadhad
never had whereby he felt love, joy and never had whereby he felt love, joy and never had whereby he felt love, joy and never had whereby he felt love, joy and sense of belonging.sense of belonging.sense of belonging.sense of belonging.
We are created to be relational beings. No man is an island.
Volunteering is more than a choice and more than just practical acts of Volunteering is more than a choice and more than just practical acts of Volunteering is more than a choice and more than just practical acts of Volunteering is more than a choice and more than just practical acts of
kindness.kindness.kindness.kindness. Volunteering is only the entry point to which such
relationships can be formed. It is through this relationship in an
atmosphere of trust, respect and love that lives can be enhanced and
transformed-- not only in that of the ‘beneficiary’ but ours as well.
It is precisely this relationship that has kept me going to share
love and joy! Join in this whirlpool of relationships to see lives
change!
18
“It is good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it is equally good to
check once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t
buy.” -George Claude Lorimer
It only takes a spark,
to get a fire going... - Xue Ping
Coming to 10 years in my volunteering journey, there were
times where I felt lost, where I lost hope and felt like giving up. But every
time when I went back to YV, I felt reenergized to continue my journey.
It was right after my last ‘A’ levels paper when I received
a call from a good friend, Wenxu whom I first knew in YV’2000.
She called to ask me to help out as a facilitator for YV’03.
Disheartened by some incidents encountered in my past
few years of volunteering, I declined. She persisted. Her
passion and encouragement touched me. Though I agreed to be
part of the team, I went back to YV only with the intention to share my
experience and have it as a closure to my volunteering journey.
I had a team of 5 vocal and fun-loving participants. Amazed by sign
language when we came into contact with people with hearing disability,
we decided to perform song signing during ‘Afterglow’ in late
January 2004. This decision made us come together more often and we
continued to meet up for practice after attachment ended in December
2003. There was this Malay participant in my team who was quite a
heavy smoker. Personally I don’t like it when people around me smoke. I
started encouraging him to smoke less. The rest of the team joined in to
encourage him. By ‘Afterglow’, he decreased his smokes from about 2
packs per day to 3-4 cigarettes per day. It was a life changing effect that I
felt we had created together. I am certain that this would remain as one
of my greatest achievements in life.
I was really thankful that I had been a part of YV’03. The entire
experience with my team, particularly the above incident, made me
want to continue volunteering. Till date, I still
go back to YV to relive my days in YV, and to
recharge for my journey ahead!
20
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” -Helen Keller
“Passion of the Heart, Power of the Mind”
- Chang Loo
I remember that it was in year 2000 when I was ‘volunteered’ by my
teacher to join this Youth Volunteer Involvement Program, as the venue
of the camp was my school. I had to leave my CCA camp midway to
attend this camp, so I entered with mixed feelings, and not knowing
anything about volunteering. I was Secondary three at that time, and
back then there was no such thing as CIP or any active publicity of
volunteering avenues.
The turnout for the camp was huge, around 200 participants as I
recall. Asking around, I managed to find my group, and was also
introduced to Zulfikri and Regina, my Team Facilitators, which I found
out later to be called “TF”. My group consisted of around 16 students
from all over Singapore’s secondary schools, ITEs, JCs, and
Polytechnics. After some discussion, we decided to name our group
“Captain Planet”.
From then on, everything happened really quickly. We were taught
sign language, wheelchair handling, and communication with the
elderly. We also played team-building games, which built up strong
bonds within our group, and got allowed us to remember everyone’s
name by heart. We attended a very memorable campfire, with former
participants joining in to share their experiences. Afterwhich, we went
for a two-week attachment program at a VWO, made friends with the
beneficiaries and the VWO persons-in-charge, and got to know our
friends from camp even better. We become youth
volunteers, with hands to serve and hearts to love.
I was impressed with the ideology of giving back to
society, and doing it in the company of friends whom we
can relate to, and thus decided to stay on in the YV family. YV has
given me so much more other than an introduction to volunteering. It
has become a lifestyle, a family of friends, and a place where I find
common understanding in the way people should be treated in this
world. I knew this was where I wanted to be.
Tears have been shed, perspiration had soaked too many shirts, and
through the years that we toiled and fought to reach out to more
students to achieve our YV Vision- “Passion of the Heart, Power of
the Mind”, continues to challenge students to come out with
ingenious ways to help the less fortunate, even though we may not
be there physically all the time.
This introduction to CIP has helped to make more people aware of
volunteering, yet in some way it has also diverted attention from
selfless-giving to non-academic achievements in the report book.
Ultimately, it does not matter which program or what type of
volunteering you do. As long as you are sincere in your actions, and
mindful of whom you are helping, every little act of kindness is
worth every second spent.
Since then, 9 years have passed, and the YV spirit still lives on.
Whether you are a direct volunteer, a committee member, or a team
facilitator who helps to train up new student volunteers, everyone grows
as a person and learns something new as a result of volunteering and
giving back to society, so it is always a win-win situation. I wish the
YVIP team all the best in the programme this year, and many years to
come.
Students and beneficiaries alike, everyone needs a helping hand at
different points in their life.
Who have you helped today?
22 “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of
it; the tree is the real thing.” -Abraham Lincoln
TTTThoughts on houghts on houghts on houghts on Volunteering Volunteering Volunteering Volunteering –––– Yi HuiYi HuiYi HuiYi Hui Many do not believe in the Community Involvement Programme (CIP)
implemented by MOE many years back. Why force someone to volunteer?
Seems to contradict directly with the spirit of volunteering itself.
Others question the effectiveness of CIP (just like the many policies of
MOE). Why enforce such a system when students just go through the
motion to “get over and done with”? Often, they don’t really learn
anything in that process. It is really quite a pity that things turn out this
way for some but I appreciated the programme. When I think back, if it
was not compulsory I wondered if I would have been distracted by
something else at that point in my life and pursued the diverse activities
that a youth would. It was from CIP that many youths started
volunteering and became aware of community involvement. It was from
there that many stayed on volunteering. At the end of the day, Singapore
has had a much greater flow and stock of volunteers than before the days
of CIP.
I think CIP pretty much evolved the youth volunteering landscape in
Singapore. That was already 10 over years back for me. To me, the
“Volunteer” in us just needs to be awaken with the “right”
experiences. Even as I try to comb my memory to highlight the one
significant event, one touching moment or one memorable person
that have shaped me into the volunteer I became, there was not
such a momentous memory for me. It was a combination of
people, experiences, thoughts and feelings.
As a thinker more than a feeler, I will let others better at
bringing out emotions take you through the story of a
volunteer through feelings. What I can share is how volunteering shaped
my thoughts over the years. For me, my volunteering experiences and the
people I met helped shape my values, provided insights into societal
issues and challenged my perspectives on what volunteering itself means.
What does doing good mean? When you say that you are helping
someone, are you really helping? How effective was that moment of
service? Is that a sustainable solution to help that person?
Why do people volunteer? Must there be a reason? Does the
motivations behind a volunteer matter? At the end of the day, something
good comes out of it, right? How then can we manage when the intended
outcomes are not entirely aligned? Events often appear harmless at a
start but will it be a slippery slope when scale gets out of proportion to
become a “NKF”?
When you see someone who needs help and don’t seem to get it? Can I
do something more than sympathize? When you are upset about an issue
or problem in society? How can the situation improve, can something be
done better and can I do something about that? It is easy to lament about
the problems, systems and policies, but can that help? Can you step up
and take on the responsibility to change and improve the system?
I must admit there are no easy answers to the many questions on
volunteering and the answers keep changing as I meet more people,
experience new things in life. But, it is that thought process that has
made my life experiences richer and keeps me going to find out more.
24 “You can have everything in life, you want if you will just help enough other people
get what they want.” -Zig Ziglar
Making a difference... - Siew Mui
I took part in the Youth Volunteer Involvement Programme in 1995
which was organized by Student Volunteer Corps (SVC). It triggered a
chain of events which shaped my teenage years and who I am. Then, I
was at a young age of 18 years old, having just finished my A level
exams and was looking to make meaning of my life.
The camp was a very simple one but a few of us were sold to
volunteerism after that. While many of our friends spent their time
enjoying other hobbies like shopping and watching movies, we
spent our time organizing activities for beneficiaries of various
voluntary welfare organizations and attempted to promote
volunteerism to other youths.
It was pure passion and friendships that drove us to pour our
heart and soul to make a difference in the lives of those less
fortunate. Those were the days just before the compulsory
Community Involvement Programme and CCA points for community
work was introduced. Those were also the days when there was little
organization in the volunteering scene to tap on the energies of youth
to serve the less fortunate at the various voluntary welfare
organisations.
Today, most of my volunteering friends and I are either working in the
non-profit sector or public service instead of chasing dollars and cents
in the profit sector. For me, after dabbling in volunteerism, I dropped
my ambition to earn lots of money but to pursue a career which I
would enjoy and not work a single day.
I still visit my elderly friends at Ren Ci Hospital whom I made during
my volunteering days from about more than a decade ago. Some of
them have passed on but some have also aged just like how I have
matured over the years. One of them was Uncle Fred (my favourite
beneficiary) who would frequently recall the outings and activities my
group had organised. The memories of those activities are still etched
vividly in his mind. His sharing had often spurred me on to continue to
make a difference, no matter how small it is.
When Student Volunteer Corps was made independent in 2004, a few
of us who had grown up together formed the management team of
SVC. We crafted this as the mission of SVC – “To develop students
through volunteerism. Empowering them to
make a difference.” That was exactly how we had
grown up through our youth days.
I remember a camp song which we sung for our campfire
night at YVIP 1995 and 1996 – “This volunteering light
of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Let it Shine, Let it Shine!”
26 "To find yourself, you first have to lose yourself. Only after which will you be able to
truly find yourself." - Anon
Little actions, Great impact - Kok Wei
Hi new YV participants. Welcome to YVIP. I’m Kokwei from
YV’04. My volunteering journey started when I was in ITE where I
went overseas to build a playground for an orphanage home. That was a
great experience for me, so after I came back, I felt that actually helping
others and when you see the smiles on the children’s faces, the
feeling is very good! Thus, after that, I was thinking of how I can start
volunteering in Singapore. One day, my teacher asked if we are
interested in a volunteering camp. Without hesitation, I signed up for the
camp. However the camp organizers took very long to reply us whether
we had a space in the camp. Only until one week before the camp that
they replied us, “hey guys the camp is next week please be there, where
and what time...” My friend and I were like, “huh so late then you reply
us, we looking for job already leh” so we decided not to go anymore. At
that point in time when my friend and I said we wanted to back out,
there was this very naggy guy, who kept calling us to persuade us to go
for the camp. My friend and I saw that this guy simply won’t give up,
so we gave him face and went for the camp.
But I had no regrets after the camp! I learnt a lot and saw a lot. It
changed my life. Why do I say that? It’s because from this camp you
can make a lot of true friends. You can see how everyone helps each
another and the best part is your attachment period. Though it is tiring,
when you see how your TF and your group members come together,
working so hard to put up a performance or doing something for the
clients, you might start thinking: hey we only knew each other for not
more than a month but everyone is working so hard together, the feeling
is really good. And at the end of the day you see all the smiles and all
the happy faces of the clients, you will feel that you had done something
and touched someone’s heart. You will feel very happy too because
you know that you had put in so much effort and you had done
something good.
I remember at my attachment, I was attached to this old man. He
is a Malay guy and he can’t really talk. I hardly know
Malay also so could only ask him simple things. During
my attachment, it happens that his birthday fell on that
week, so my group members and I decided to make a
simple birthday party for him. Thus, we did some
simple decoration and prepared some games for them.
They were so happy and the most
touching part was that after we sang the
birthday song, that guy actually cried. After what I saw,
something struck me. To us, it is not a big thing. It was
only a normal birthday celebration which we will do for
our friends also but to them, how often will they have
people visiting them and who will ever care to celebrate their birthday
with them. Some of their family members don’t even care to visit them
28 "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." - Albert Einstein
anymore. Thus, from the little little things we do, it can have a great
impact on others.
Guys, I don’t know whether you signed up this camp on your own
accord or your teacher forced you to come, there is one thing I’d like to
say. It is that you will not regret coming for this camp. This is a camp
very different from any other camps. You will also get to learn a
lot of things which your school don’t teach. Ok hope you guys enjoy
this YV and hope to see you guys again. ALL THE BEST. One last
thing, the guy I mentioned who was very naggy (haha) is Vick. He is
really really a very good person, if not for him I won’t have come for
this camp. BYEEEE enjoy the camp!!!
Everlasting ImpactEverlasting ImpactEverlasting ImpactEverlasting Impact ---- Boon BingBoon BingBoon BingBoon Bing
It has been 9 years since I first joined YV camp in 2000. I
had signed up for it just to pass my time during the December
holidays, with little knowledge of what YV is all about. YV
had definitely widened my horizon and exposed me to many
different people and situations. A more memorable experience
would be when I was a TF for the first time and I spent a
period of time in the Singapore Cheshire Home.
It was my first time helping out at a home for the aged and
physically-disabled as my previous attachments were all
working with children only. The residents there were
relatively friendly towards us and seemed to enjoy our
company. I could feel that our presence did inject some
life into the sombre routines of the residents.
There was an Uncle Teo who was like a handyman around the
home. He would make short trips out of the home to help the
residents buy stuffs and 4D. Most of the residents are not
able to leave the home and Uncle Teo, being the most ‘mobile’
resident, would gladly run errands for them. The only catch
was that Uncle Teo himself, was confined to a wheelchair.
I still remember the few trips when I would push him
to the nearest NTUC to buy 4D and a huge,
juicy watermelon back for all the
30 “Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.”
-Oscar Wilde
residents. I remember something Uncle Teo said, “Ah Boy ah!
Lucky got you come with me. If not I would not be able to
carry this watermelon back with me, cannot give all the
residents this little treat. Thank you ah!”
For some unknown reason, I felt touched and sad at the same
time. Touched that Uncle Teo really cared a lot for his fellow
residents, and sad that something so simple, something so something so something so something so
insignificant to normal people like us, could be so precious insignificant to normal people like us, could be so precious insignificant to normal people like us, could be so precious insignificant to normal people like us, could be so precious
to Uncle Teo.to Uncle Teo.to Uncle Teo.to Uncle Teo. From the beam in his eyes, I could really feel
that Uncle Teo knows how happy the residents would be upon
seeing the rare juicy treat he was about to bring back. On
that day, I learnt how to pick a nice watermelon from Uncle
Teo. =)
There was also an old auntie at the home who was confined to
her bed. I really cannot recall her name already. Due to
certain medical conditions unclear to me, her head was twice
the normal size and all the pressure in her head was affecting
her speech too. She could only lie in bed the whole day,
barely turning her head at times to sounds around her.
Every time I visited the home, I would always sit by her bed
and talk to her, occasionally inciting a faint response from
her. The nurse told me that she can hear perfectly but her
responses were limited to faint nods and eye contact. Even so,
I enjoy sitting beside her and chatting with her, telling her
about things happening around the home and the outside world.
Sometimes she would be asleep when I visit her room, I would
then just sit down quietly beside her, putting my hand over
hers and watching her sleep peacefully.
Usually the nurses would just feed and clean her, they are too
busy around the home to spend more time with
her. I seem to be her only connection with
the outside world and I used to think
what’s going to happen to her when I leave?
Her world would be back to facing a dusty cupboard in a small
room, with no one to talk to, with no one to hold her hands.
But there was only so much I could do for her, I felt
helpless.
The difference we makeThe difference we makeThe difference we makeThe difference we make as volunteers should not only be felt as volunteers should not only be felt as volunteers should not only be felt as volunteers should not only be felt
when we are present, if possible, I have always hoped that when we are present, if possible, I have always hoped that when we are present, if possible, I have always hoped that when we are present, if possible, I have always hoped that
the difference we make will continue to be felt, even after the difference we make will continue to be felt, even after the difference we make will continue to be felt, even after the difference we make will continue to be felt, even after
we have left.we have left.we have left.we have left. All of us have our own lives to lead, and some
of us may have been a volunteer at certain points of our
lives. The only difference we really make are those that are
lasting, even after we have moved on. If not, the auntie I had
left in Cheshire Home would just have to wait for the next
young volunteer to come along. And who knows when will that
happen?
32 “The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live” -Joan Borysenko
You are the Master of your own Fate
- Gary
I was a bum back in secondary school, someone who has no plans
for the future but I never worried one bit for it. I always thought
everything will fall into pieces once I grow up. Enjoying life is my
top and foremost priority. That's Gary. My secondary school never
focused on CIP, thus I never thought of doing volunteering work or
anything like that. To me, it was a boring, mundane and dirty
job. Definitely unglam, I thought. Then one fateful assembly,
my vice principal announced that there was this camp called YVIP
and it’s for youths to get first contact with the social service
sector, something struck me to approach her and asked for more
info. And without even checking if any of my friends joined, I
plunged in, not knowing what I will be experiencing.
I am glad to have my Team Facilitator, Alvin Bai, to guide me
through my first year in YVIP. He was certainly one of the most
experienced people in the camp, holding many positions in the past.
I would say he taught me a lot of things not just in volunteering but
also in life. It seems a bit too much for me to say all this but I
really respected him and even till now, I will dedicate all my
contributions in SVC to him. Without him, I would have never have
continued. Thank you, Alvin. That YVIP '99 was certainly the most
fun camp I ever experienced, and even till now, I still keep in
contact with my group members to reminisce all the fond
memories that we had back then.
The first thing that inspired me was definitely 'Our Song' and
the sign language that came along with the chorus. It was very
interesting to learn sign language and I am sure all of you will agree
with me when you first experienced it. The lyrics and the melody
are just so beautiful that even the birds will sing along! Next are
all the interesting workshops and speakers that were invited to the
camp. They were all very inspiring and have a wealth of knowledge to
share and pass on.
To be honest, after YVIP '99, my group mates and I only wanted
to continue our journey because it’s simply fun. It was fun to hang
out with friends and fun to make new ones. This was definitely not
the best or right reason, but I didn't think too far back then.
However, year after year, when all of my friends whom all joined
initially for the fun and company all dropped out, I reflected and
asked myself, "why am I still here?" The answer is really
simple. The friends and company still play a major part, as it is a
plus to be with them. My best friends are all from YV! :D YVIP
produced some of the finest quality people you will ever know and I
am proud to know and acknowledged them as my friends. But the
driving force has got to be the satisfaction you derive and the
inspiration to help and change people lives. I am sure this echoed
out among all my fellow SVC friends as I have seen them year after
34 “Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his
fellow-men.” -Mohandas Ghandi
year, event after event, never tired and their beliefs never
wavered. Even now I still have friends asking me, "What is
volunteering? Will just one more person will make a
difference?" To that, quoting from Ivan Schier, the broadest,
and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteering: doing
more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you
consider good. And as shared with other fellow volunteers/friends,
at least we get to help one person's life, and to us, I think that's all
that really all that matter. :)
Anyway, during my 10 years in SVC, after multiple projects, I
have seen alot of sad, some tragic and also a fair share of happy and
joyous events. One incident that I remembered fondly was this old
man that I got to know in Ren Ci. This old man was actually a patient
staying there. Whenever I went there, he would
challenge me to a game of Chinese chess. Ok,
maybe two or three more games if he loses the first
round, and he usually lose. The spirit of him being so
fun loving and nice to me touched me. I was still a young boy who is
starting out on this journey and unsure of what not to say and do
but this man's warmth made me feel at ease strangely. I always
thought that I would be very devastated if I am in his position but
this man proved to me that you are master of your own fate. No
doubt he has illness and was chronically sick, he never failed to do
something to make his life more interesting. I always look forward
to the days when we, SVC volunteers, would pay them a visit,
because I would get to see his evil grin and his wonderful smile
when he finally beat me in chess. That experience there changed my
life. Back then, I was in a lot of trouble and my life was really a
mess. But amidst all that, I saw some light at the end of the tunnel,
thanks to the experience sharing and guiding by all the friends we
made at the Hospice. I would boldly say my life would be in a
downward spiral if not because of them.
Ending off with a quote that was told by
this patient from Ren Ci Hospice - Volunteers
don't get paid, not because they are
worthless, but because they are
priceless.
36 “What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me.” -Helen Keller
Confession of a Confession of a Confession of a Confession of a YoungYoungYoungYoung VolunteerVolunteerVolunteerVolunteer
1 Dec 19951 Dec 19951 Dec 19951 Dec 1995 Hello, my name is John and this is my story…..
2 Dec 19952 Dec 19952 Dec 19952 Dec 1995 I am 15, and I am sad.
I had planned a fantastic weekend getaway from 3-5 December with my girlfriend, Kathy (no she is not a
cat) at Pulau Ubin.
I had planned to surprise her with a boat ticket to the little island where we can cycle, swim, and make a
………………. picnic.
On 30 November, after I had bought the ticket, and prepared the swimming trunks and goggles, my teacher hauled me up to her tiny cubicle and bellowed, “JOHN! you have to represent our school at this youth volunteer camp from 3-5 December because no one wants to go and you look cute enough for the old folks to pinch your
face with (I was chubby then but NOT fat)
My response was ……………………..
3 3 3 3 – 5 Dec 19955 Dec 19955 Dec 19955 Dec 1995 I hate this place! It’s dirty, dank, and it stinks of cat
poo! and Kathy is not here!
There is no sea, no cycling trails and definitely no……… picnic.
I have to spend 3 days listening to some old fart talk about helping people for the next 3 days? Help me!
Wait, there are some cute girls here.. they all have caring looking faces!
wait, this old man makes sense, “there are people dying, if we care enough for the living, make a better place for
you and for me….” was what he reportedly said.
Wait, these wheelchairs are really difficult to use. I wonder how those who use it everyday feel….
Wait this other old guy makes sense too!
Wait, i think this world is really a place where i can make a difference helping people in need.
Wait! What have I become? I have become a volunteer!
14 Jul 200914 Jul 200914 Jul 200914 Jul 2009
Someone told me to write my story, this is my story. What is your story? My name is John
inspired by real events
- Jason
38 “Where there is love there is life” -Mohandas Ghandi
My Life Turning Point” My Life Turning Point” My Life Turning Point” My Life Turning Point” ----VickVickVickVick
I joined as a YVIP participant in 1998 and I never thought that I will
stay in YVIP for more than 10 years. I joined this camp not because I
wanted to, but I was “forced” by my senior. Initially I was thinking that
the Camp was too long, 4 days 3 night and plus 2 weeks agency
attachment! How am I going to survive? But after all, all my pre-
assumptions and thoughts before the camp were wrong. In fact, after I
went through the whole camp, I realized that it was too short; I
can’t even finish learning what I have learned in the YVIP camp
and also, the volunteers there are very good. There are just too much
wonderful things to learn from there!
I treasure the time I spend in YVIP 1998 as a participant. Even till
now, I still can remember very clearly from the day I went to the camp
till the end of Afterglow. The picture inside me now, is still warm and
touching. I really enjoyed the camp very much, especially with my 2
wonderful TF (Team Facilitator), Vivian and Meiling. I saw how much
struggle and effort that they had went through and put in for us that
time to let the group to learn, have fun, to be inspired and not
forgetting to learn about what volunteering is about within a short
frame of 4 days. My team was another group of fantastic people. They
all came from different schools (which this is one of the beauties of
YVIP). They were also very friendly and helpful people. Although the
first few days of the camp we were all very shy, don’t dare to talk, but
after awhile, we became very good friends. Throughout the whole
camp, I have learned to understand the beneficiaries better as well as
the various ways of handling them during our attachment. I enjoyed
the things we shared in our team. The whole camp programme was
very good and the campfire was one of the very memorable times I
had. Many of us can’t help, but tear while singing “Our Song” during
the campfire. It’s a wonderful song, even after 10 years, I’m still
singing it. To me, it’s a song full of meaning and brings many memories
to every individual participant.
In the journey of YVIP, especially 1998, I met many
wonderful people. In camp, I met my best
friends, Rui Biao and Keith, in attachment, I met
Uncle Lian Gui and Uncle Fret who are Ren Ci
patients and also very valuable friend of mine.
They are the few people who had changed my life so much in my
journey of volunteering. Although many years have passed, some
people may come and leave my life, like Uncle Lian Gui, who passed
away 3 years ago. I learned many wonderful things from him, his smile,
his jokes and his great art works. I really miss this very good friend of
mine, although physically he may no longer there anymore, but his
40 “You are as happy as you make up your mind to be.” -Abraham Lincoln
presence will always live inside my memories that I will and never
forget in my entire life. Throughout all the experience I had in my
volunteering journey, I have learned to treasure the people
around me so much that, each time I saw them, I would ask how are
they doing? Are they being doing well lately? Are they in any trouble? I
will always do my best to encourage and inspire this people and make
sure they see the positive side of life and especially to my love and
close ones.
YVIP camp, to most people, it may just sound like any other camp
that is full of fun, but to me, it is really more than that. It is a life
changing camp; it’s a place that allows you to see things you don’t see
in our daily lives.
Taking tTaking tTaking tTaking the FIRST Step he FIRST Step he FIRST Step he FIRST Step ---- Meng ShyanMeng ShyanMeng ShyanMeng Shyan
It started back in year 2004, when I was a participant in YVIP
camp. It was my first local volunteering experience in the social
sector. Not knowing what volunteerism is about, I attended the
camp like a blur mud headed boy. However now, in year
2009, volunteerism means a lot to me. There’s a lot feelings
inside me; I am unsure of how to express.
What makes me, a participant in YV’04, come back as a
committee member for continually 3 years? There are a lot of
reasons. Vick is one of the reasons why I choose to volunteer in
SVC. He left me with a deep impression and impacted my life
since then. His passion in volunteering and belief in spreading
volunteerism have deeply touched me. This allows me to carry
out my passion for volunteerism and to inspire others, which is a
turning point for me to do something which I
never tried before.
At first, it was never easy to make the
first step doing something which I never
tried before. For example, discussing or
giving comments during committee
meetings. Vick always gave me opportunities to express out my
thoughts about various topics and trained me hard in my
communication skills.
Organising skills is one of the key areas which I have
always been working on. In order to get better in this, I chose to
42 “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt,
only more love.” -Mother Teresa
be in the committee a year after another, which is something I
always wanted to explore.
I am thankful for the chance I have been given to develop my
communication skills and organisational potential in my voluntary
group. Most importantly, I am sincerely grateful to have Vick and
many other friends mentoring me throughout this learning
journey. I have learnt a lot of things in SVC by committing to
various projects. It’s something that can’t be learnt in school
- socialising and working with people, from different
backgrounds, and yet who share the same thoughts
towards volunteerism.
The most interesting moment was when my buddy, Kok Wei,
and I joined YVIP’04 for the pre-camp. We reached the meeting
location on time. However, we followed a group of people from
the wrong organisation. Then, we spent our whole day drinking
coffee and laughing at each other at a kopitiam. Hence, we are
pissed off and wanted to drop out from the YVIP project. Vick was
able to persuade us to stay on this project and we finally turn
up for the camp. The growth from a participant who nearly
dropped out to a volunteer writing this story at my desk now, it’s
amazing!
My advice for all of you reading this: dare to try something
different and take the first step to initiate it. Give yourself a
chance to volunteer in anyway which you could contribute - in a
nursing home or a voluntary camp. You may find other interesting
side of you doing something you like.
Opening windows to Opening windows to Opening windows to Opening windows to a wider worlda wider worlda wider worlda wider world ---- Wei Wei Wei Wei XXXXinginginging
My volunteering experience first started when I was still a
secondary student and while I am writing this, I am amazed that it
has since been 5 years! There is this saying that time flies when you
are doing things you enjoy and I must say it is definitely true.
I have been volunteering at Metropolitan YMCA (Sims
Avenue), the place I was originally attached to during my YV period.
Though the attachment period only lasted a week, I was fortunate to
work with different sectors of beneficiaries. It was this period that
various useful skills that I have learnt during the YV camp first came
into practice. The communication skills and scenarios based learning
are exceptionally useful as it prepares me to relate to my
beneficiaries better and also to reach out to them. After that short
attachment period which I couldn’t get enough of, I braced myself
to continue volunteering there to further enrich myself in spite of
the daunting travelling time from the west to the east that I have to
go through.
It is an exceptionally great volunteering experience when you get
to help out while doing the things you like. I am happy that the staff
at MYMCA offered me that opportunity to do so. I have been handling
publicity matters and I was given the chance to co-organized Fiesta
Arts, an arts programme for special children which believes in
developing the children’s motor skills through arts and music. I get to
arrange arts and crafts sessions for these children and during special
44 I cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good that I
can do. - Jana Stanfield
occasions like the mid-autumn festival, we manage to bring them to
Chinese Garden to enjoy the many giant lanterns on display.
One of the touching moments in my volunteering
experience happens when I was in Fiesta Arts. I was paired up
with this quiet boy who always seems to be in his own
world and that initially made me feel as if I was
“transparent”. Nevertheless, I accompanied
him during the arts and crafts lessons and toy sessions and many a
times tried relating to him but to failed attempts. However, what
surprises me was that after Fiesta Arts ended and before the boy
leaves for home, he came up to me and said “thank you, Kor Kor”. I
was instantly delighted and this actually made my day. This further
reinstates the point of not giving up easily, especially in volunteering
where a great deal of patience is needed.
I also get the opportunity to help out with house cleaning for the
elderly and at the same time get to interact with them. Through
the meaningful conversations with them, I have learnt a great deal of
life lessons. Many a times, I felt that I benefit more from them than
what I have offered them.
Volunteering has indeed opened many windows to the outside
world that I have never seen before. It has always been keeping me
thinking and has been revising with me the many valuables life
chapters. In return for my time and service offered, I also got to know
friends who shares common interest and whom I know I’ll keep for
life. All these bits and pieces which have no borders will only keep
building up and further enrich my volunteering experience.
life cover
www.jeremylim.com
Jeremy Lim
Hi! My name is Jeremy Lim. Here’s a story about me, written by
me.
Long, long ago…oops…! I mean, not so long ago, on 29 June 1990,
the silence of Gleneagles Hospital was shattered by my piercing
cries. I believe it must have been louder than that of the other
newborns because I came into this world with a fractured leg.
Not many babies have this opportunity to be born with a broken
bone. So from day 1, I was unique. I cannot remember the pain
but I know it must have been excruciating.
I was diagnosed with 'Osteogensis Imperfecta'. It is a condition
in which my bones break easily because my body lacks the
collagen required for a sturdy bone structure. A tiny sneeze or a
cough can cause my bones to snap.
Over time, I have come to realize that breaking a bone isn't all
that bad. I can always take advantage of the adversity. When I
broke my right arm, I learnt to write with my left. When I
fractured my left arm, I learnt to write with my right. Now, I
am ambidextrous.
48 "The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive." - Albert Einstein
Whenever, I hurt my
forearm and had it
bandaged for a couple
of weeks, I felt good.
Why? Well, I thought
I looked kind of
cool…like Rambo! You
may think I am crazy. However, I realise that I cannot change
the situation but I can control the way I react to it. I can
choose to moan and groan or to look at it in a more positive light.
After all, when you look at the bright side, there will be no
dark shadow in sight.
You can say that I am just like David in the story of David and
Goliath which saw the giant harassing the village children
frequently. Everybody was terrified. No one had the courage to
do anything. The villagers would cower in fear each time the
giant approached.
Visiting the village one day, David asked his brother, “Why don't
you fight the giant?”
His brother responded, “Don't you see? He is too big to hit.”
David said, “No, he is not too big to hit. He is too big to miss.”
The rest is history. David went on to kill the giant. As you can
see, the giant is the same but the perception is different.
My life is full of unpredictable accidents. It is impossible to tell
which bone will break next. However, one philosophy keeps me
going. That is, I may not be able to control the waves in my
journey through life but nothing is going to stop me from
learning to surf.
Life has been one big challenge for me. I have broken my bones
so many times that I have lost count. Each time it happens, I will
be disadvantaged because I cannot attend school for weeks. On
top of that, I will keep the whole neighbourhood awake at night
with my anguished cries like a distressed wolf howling at the
moon. Okay, okay, I was just exaggerating.
Now, my day is crammed full with activities. Besides attending
school at Catholic High, I have tuition, enrichment and
supplementary classes from Mondays to Fridays. My Saturdays
50 “If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.” -Gail Sheeshy
and Sundays are taken up by extra classes in Oral
Communications and Musical Theatre. Phew! It looks like my
parents are liable to be charged with child abuse.
Of course, I do not mind at all. To me, learning is a joy and is full
of excitement. Attending the various classes gives me the
chance to develop myself intellectually, socially and emotionally.
I love every minute of it. What I cannot achieve physically, I
make up for it through conquests that require brain power.
When I was 4, I used to ask if both my parents would die some
day. If they did, who would take care of me? Now, I want them
to see that I can be independent and reciprocate their care
and love for me.
I am a fighter not a quitter. I will climb the highest mountain to
get what I want. You may say that it is impossible. It is my
mountain. I will climb up or crawl up. Believe me, I will!
Ben's Life by Aquanetta (Ben's Mom) http://www.benunderwood.com
Ben was born in Riverside California on January 26th 1992, and a very
healthy baby indeed, but sometime in February 1992 I noticed that his
right eye had a peculiar glow. Within 3 days, he woke up with his right
eye pupil white and at that moment I noticed he couldn't see out of it.
Two years old, he didn't cry or complain that anything was hurting him.
That day I took him to the pediatrician, and she immediately sent me to
see the ophthalmologist. The first thing he said when he saw Ben's eyes
was "There could be thirty things to turn your pupils white, but we will
be looking for tumors." I believe that was the most frightening news I
had ever heard. That moment began the
year long trial.
The result of the testing was Bilateral
Retinoblastoma (cancer in both eyes).
Ben's right eye was totally consumed by
the cancer so it was removed after the
second month of chemo. After that
experience, we spent another eight
months of chemo and then six weeks of
radiation to try and save his left eye.
Results were a failure.
Ben awake from the surgery and said
"Mom I can't see anymore, I can't see
anymore. Oh mom I can't see." I remember the words of wisdom
spoken to me by my pastor’s wife, sister Devon, "Don't let him feel your
52 “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.” -Zig Ziglar
fears." So I said, "Ben YES YOU CAN SEE" and I took his little
hands and put them on my face and said, "See me, you can see me with
your hands," next, I put my hand to his nose and said, "Smell me, you
can see me with your nose," then I said, "Hear me, you can see
me with your ears, you can't use your eyes anymore, but
you have your hands, your nose, and your ears." I tell
you this one thing, Ben has been seeing
ever since.
I believe Ben started clicking probably right away.
He was playing video games, riding bikes, skating,
climbing trees, and doing everything he always
did as if he never lost his sight. I treated him as
though he could see and spoke visually. I don't
know if I was in denial, but I made sure he saw
everything. I say whatever works for him, do it.
I'm not in a blind person’s shoe, so I'm not going
to judge.
When Dr. Ruben saw Ben playing his game boy,
he was totally amazed. He looked over at me and said, "His eyes are
nucleated." I said, "Oh yes, he's blind." The doctor said, "How the heck
does he play video games?" and I replied, "He does everything; ride
bikes, rollerblades, electric scooters, you name it, he will try it." Totally
blown away, he thought this must be told to others. People think it
is the end of the world when they lose their sight, he tells
them that they can still lead a productive and healthy life.
Since then, Ben has been on the front page of the May 7th Sunday
paper of the Sacramento Bee and the Observer and various other
publications.
Ben started writing a Novel in his 4th grade, he writes at College level,
and types about 60 wpm on a regular keyboard. His novel is Science
Fiction, and I think he has written at least 20 chapters. He also wants to
invent video games. I believe he has written it. This kid is so full of
ideas and I encourage him to pursue them all. The sky is the limit
and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to if
you try. Don't stress on failure, because from it only
comes perfection.
One thing that I truly get back from Ben being blind is
that he truly sees people from within. When he hears
someone say that someone else is ugly, or anything negative towards
someone else, he says, "That's what’s wrong with sighted
people, you all look at one another and
judge what you look like," I see that statement
as being so true. The most powerful part of it is that
he can't judge from looks, only from spirit. This
world would be a much better place if we all couldn't
see.
54 “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others” -Mohandas Ghand
His 30-minute rule
MR ROBERT YEO, 84, cannot
remember when was the last time he took a bus, let alone
a car ride.
The sprightly man, who has
been caring for his 82-year-old wife Yeo Mui Neo since
she lost her eyesight to glaucoma 10 years ago, lives
by a '30-minute rule'.
He will only go to places - usually coffeeshops where all
their meals come from -
which are within a 30-minute walking distance from their
one-room Toa Payoh flat.
'I can't leave her alone,' he says.
Talking to the childless couple, it is impossible not to
be moved by their love and the quietly dignified way they
live.
He is her eyes, hands and
legs. 'He does everything for me. He's a very good
husband,' says Mrs Yeo, who is bedridden because of weak
legs.
When she has to use the toilet, he has to lift and carry
her from the bed to the
wheelchair and back again.
Their relative, Mrs Molly Seow, 71, calls him a
'superman'. 'He's a one-man
show. He never complains. The minute she calls 'Bert',
he'll be there next to her.'
Mr Yeo has declined suggestions to place his wife
in a nursing home, opting instead for regular visits by
health professionals from
Touch Home Care.
Asked if he ever feels burnt out or worried about the
future, he says: 'My
greatest joy is in taking
care of her. I don't
worry about tomorrow.
We'll just take
everything in our
stride.'
Her blind duty
ABOUT five years ago, she lost her eyesight because of
failing corneas. Then, she was diagnosed with colon
cancer.
Instead of being cared for,
Madam Choy Chew Gip, 76, looks after her 80-year-old
husband How Fook Cheong, who was diagnosed with
dementia three years ago. 'When we go out, people
think he is leading me. Actually, he loses his way all
the time and I've to give him
the correct directions,' Madam Choy says in
Cantonese.
She has lived in Toa Payoh for more than 30 years and is
no stranger to adversity.
Mr How abandoned her for 24 years and kept a mistress
after he returned in 1980. Their grandson committed
suicide in 2000 and their gambler son also walked out
on them.
Relating her past in her two-
room flat in a stoic way, it is apparent that she is looking
after Mr How not because it is her duty as a wife, but
because she cares about him.
After all, they have only each other now.
Although she is blind,
she makes sure he
takes his pills by giving them to him personally three times a day. While their
meals are delivered by Touch
Home Care, she insists on brewing soup for him
occasionally.
Smiling wistfully, she says: 'My life is very simple. I'm
unhappy when he refuses to take his medicine.
'I'm happiest when he
doesn't rant at me.'
http://www.caregivers.org.sg/article
s/Carers%20need%20care%20too%
20(The%20Straits%20Times,%20Ap
ril%2027,%202005).pdf
56 “Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.” -Mother Teresa
Chinese Girl Has Basketball for a Body http://www.weirdasianews.com/2008/12/22/qian-hongyan-basketball-girl/
Qian Hongyan, who was forced to use half a basketball as her prosthetic
body, has inspired millions recently with her ambition to compete as a
swimmer in the 2012 Paralympics in London.
Qian swims about 2000 meters a day and trains really hard.
“Qian Hongyan studies hard. She never grouches in training although
she was confronted with many difficulties at the beginning, ” her coach
said.
The 10 year-old was injured tragically in an auto accident when she was
only 3 years old. To ensure her survival, the doctors were forced to
amputate her legs.
Qian’s family, living in Zhuangxia, China, was unable to afford modern
prosthetics and instead, used a half a basketball to get around on. Once
on the ball, she uses two wooden props to help her move around.
Qian now has a pair of proper prosthetic legs, but says she still likes to
use the basketball from time to time as it is easier for her to get in and
out of the pool with.
58 “The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.” -Lee Iacocca
Will you continue writing Our Book?
~ Credits ~
The team would like to extend
our greatest appreciation to all
who have contributed to
Our Book: 1nspi-Vatte in one-way or another.
This book would not have been possible
without your heart-felt sharing
and inspiring inputs. (:
“It’s fascinating to witness awesome friendships being forged year after year, at this meaningful camp. Just like how I met most of the writers and Editors of Our Book. It is such sharings that keeps the YV spirit going on and on... It is such friendships that keeps us coming back to support one another , just like how the Editing Team agreed to help me out with revamping the YV file. Thank you, Nina, Hui Bin, Zhi Ying and Kenny for all your time and efforts in those 2 months. Thank you, Vick and Tracy for encouraging me to take up this challenge. And thank you, for reading Our Book.” (: - Sylvia
“First of all, I would like to thank Sylvia for inviting me into the Our Book team. This has been something I have wanted to do all along and I’m glad that our efforts have paid off! It has not been an easy journey since we started to compile Our Book. From the designing of the concept and cover page, calling old birds to contribute their YV life stories and searching for generic stories, all the editing and compilation, yea its really not easy but I’m glad I have took part in this amazing and satisfactory journey. Last but not least, I really hope that everyone can take a good look at the stories we have found or collected. I’m sure they will touch you in the heart because I have been touched.” =) -Kenny
“Time flies. It has been 5 years since I started my YV journey. Many people step in and out of my life but I have never regretted picking up the YV application form from the school’s general office. This book is a miracle to be completed within one month with the help and contribution of so many people. Most importantly, thank you, Sylvia, for being brave enough to take up this challenge and believe in the impossible. Of course, not forgetting the other editors, Zhiying, Huibin and Kenny for their effort put in to make this book a success. It doesn’t matter how you start, as long as it don’t end” (: -Nina
“Although I’ve only joined YV for a short period of time, YV gave me so many learning experiences and lessons in life. I’m really glad to be part of this team, and thank you Sylvia for this opportunity. Also, to Huibin,
Nina and Kenny, good job guys! It wasn’t easy to compile this book and I th ink we d id an awesome job. Oh and, thank you to others who contributed to this book too! So I hope that, after reading Our Book, you will be inspired and one day will write
your own story too” (: - Zhiying
Our Editors
“It has been loads of fun doodling on our book and compiling the stories, especially with the team of YV peeps! Here, I thank each and every single soul who contributed sweat and blood to our book. To the YV’o9 participants, you’ve read their story, so now, it’s time to unlock YOUR story!” (: - Huibin