Volunteering gives respite to volunteers? My first time hearing this from a volunteer. Giving respite to caregivers is common, however never knew that volunteering can give respite to volunteers! This is what our Happy Friends Club’s volunteers, Min Jie and Teck Chye have shared with us.

Min Jie and Teck Chye have been volunteering with AWWA TEACH ME for 11 years and 7 years respectively. They have been very active in organising outdoor activities for our physically challenged clients. They started volunteering during their teenage days and even after their marriage; they never fail to miss any of the camps with our clients. To them, our clients are their “little teachers” on their lessons of life.

What makes you want to volunteer with AWWA TEACH ME?

Teck: To bring a smile and make a difference to the less fortunate.

Min: I’ve always wanted to volunteer to make a difference and lead a meaningful life. I used to not being able to take part in certain sports or activities in school due to some health reasons, therefore I understand how it feels like to be excluded and be viewed differently by others. This motivates me to make what seems impossible possible for this group of physically challenged people.

How do you feel when you volunteer with AWWA?

Teck: Enriching. Every volunteering opportunity is a learning experience.

Min: I TOTALLY enjoy every minute of it! J Each time I volunteer, I learned something new from the clients and something new about myself. Each volunteer moment reminds us that we should always appreciate how lucky we are to be “temporary abled-bodied” (as all of us will grow old and will have limited mobility).

After marriage, do you think you have lesser time for volunteering?

Teck: No. It is just a matter of prioritising in what we want to do.

Min: No way! Volunteering has been such an integral part of our lives that we have gotten use to planning our holidays to accommodate our volunteer activities! In fact, I think it is really wonderful that we have something in common that we both enjoy. I felt like we are spending quality time doing meaningful things together.

What is your most memorable time spent in volunteering?

Teck: Watching them gain confidence in completing our activities which usually revolve in outdoors and everyday chores.

Min: We have this term called “Mastercard Moments”—those instances where the reactions of the kids make us feel that our efforts are worth it. Examples of such moments are seeing their eyes lit up with joy when they made it through difficult tasks and their joy on their faces when they get to do what others can do.

Anything to share with our AWWA volunteers?

Teck: We never fail to learn from the clients about their positive attitudes in life. Every simple step in our lives might mean a difficult task for them. The best motivation in our lives is to see them succeed in theirs.

Min: It is never too late or never too old to volunteer. Volunteering to me is a fantastic way to keep sane and gives me a great respite from the daily work life. Rather than saying we are helping them, I think it is more appropriate to say that they are helping me.