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Learn more about why these youths are contributing their time
"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." Elizabeth Andrew
Empowering people to volunteer is one of the key methods in igniting a positive change in the community - a sort of ripple effect that starts from within. At the core of this is our youths - the age group with the most passion, drive and energy to help the more vulnerable individuals in the community.
As society progresses, the needs and aspirations of our youths are also evolving. An increasing number of them are choosing to volunteer as the sector grows vibrantly. Our youths are presented with opportunities to volunteer in a plethora of sectors; seniors, children, education, health, special needs, the arts, sports, heritage and the environment to fulfil their aspirations and make a difference in the community.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), more Singaporeans were moved to help others in 2019, through various online platforms and physical volunteer centres.
In the same year, online charity portal Giving.sg saw a 35% growth in the number of registered users - an increase of 60,000 to more than 220,000. Volunteer sign-ups through the portal also rose from 22,000 in 2018 to more than 28,000 in 2019.
So... do volunteer sign-ups really translate to an increase in the number of youths joining different volunteer efforts?
We think yes.
Here at Global Ehsan Relief (GER), we have met volunteers from all walks of life and from different age groups - from the biker groups of Chapalang Brotherhood, to families, to friends who volunteer together during their free time.
During our Back to School distribution in 2020, we met Zulhilmi and Zack - two young volunteers who wanted to do their part in giving back to the community.
“It’s good, it felt great to see the beneficiaries, they were happy to receive the vouchers and receive the gifts from us. And to see the smiles on the children’s faces, it makes me feel happy too,” Zul, a regular volunteer with GER, shared.
“I feel it’s a really good experience. It feels good when you are doing something good, especially like this is the final hours of 2020. So, we should end the year on a good note,” Zack, a first time volunteer with GER, expressed.
Zack added that it’s all about time management when it comes to wanting to volunteer. Despite having different responsibilities, the two of them knew it was important to set aside time when they could.
When asked for some advice on encouraging other people to volunteer, Zul shared: “If you have free time, do volunteer. It will make your heart feel good…”
“Like what he said, when you have the free time, sign up, it’s time for you to give back to society. Trust me, the feeling is good. You won’t regret it, I promise,” Zack added.
We hope that this article has inspired you to join our volunteer community here at Global Ehsan Relief, whether it’s for a seasonal event or on a monthly basis during our mass distributions for our core projects. Together, we can ignite a positive change in society!