A sense of accomplishment

NOWADAYS, it is common to find teenagers and young adults doing voluntary work at various platforms and organisations. Among them are Toh Qian Ting, Daryl Yeo and Ooi Guo Shen. The causes they choose to dedicate their time to may be different but what’s clear is their unwavering passion for the good work that they do.

Toh is an active volunteer of the Penang Bayan Lepas District Rover Owl Scout Crew C. It is a scouting movement aimed at developing young adults aged 18 to 25 in Bayan Lepas. Her interest in it was sparked a year ago after she joined her older sisters on a visit to charity homes.

At the organisation, the members’ mission is simple: to bring joy, laughter and comfort to the residents of the homes they visit. Their “tasks” involve talking to the elderly at the old folks homes, and playing games with the children at the orphanages.

Toh and her team members are also responsible for donating sponsored goods to the homes and helping with the cleaning up, especially in the event of major celebrations.

“It’s tiring but I never once thought of giving up. There is a sense of accomplishment and happiness whenever I see the children and the old folks smile and laugh at all that we say and do,” said the 19-year-old.

The Penang Matriculation College graduate steps up her volunteering efforts during festive and holiday seasons.

As a volunteer, Toh has encountered challenges such as communicating with the elderly. At times like this, she would hazard a guess or turn to the person-in-charge for help, she said.

She also has to get used to the food prepared for the elderly, who are mostly hypertension patients. She shared that she once sat down for a meal at a charity home and found the food to be “tasteless”.

“Being a volunteer has changed the way I look at the world. It has toned down my temper and made me a more patient person, especially when I have to interact with the elderly. Besides, spending time with the children at the orphanages has taught me to be less stubborn and persistent on unattainable things, and look at life with a positive light,” she said.

As for Daryl, his interest lies in imparting knowledge to child refugees from Myanmar. The 17-year-old volunteers as a part-time math teacher at Zomi Education Centre (ZEC) every Tuesday.

He stepped into the role a year ago with encouragement from his mother. His task mainly comprises teaching students aged 11 to 13. During festive seasons, he oversees preparations for the celebrations at the centre.

“Over the course of teaching my students, I have developed a strong bond with them, which motivates me to see them succeed and graduate,” said Daryl, who is studying A-Levels at Sunway University in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Part of his joy also comes from knowing that his students appreciate his efforts. He received a handkerchief as a gift at a Teachers Day event organised at the centre last year.

Upon doing research, he learned that the fabric industry is a major industry in Myanmar, and that the act of giving fabric as a gift is common in that country.

Daryl feels that his voluntary work has helped him mature and grow into a more selfless individual.

“I will be continuing my studies overseas soon, hence I will not be able to teach my students anymore. But I look forward to taking part in charities overseas,” he said.

“Volunteering is an eye-opening experience for anyone. I would encourage teenagers to research more on charities they intend to volunteer in so that they know what is expected of them,” he added.

Ooi, on the other hand, is involved in a different kind of voluntary work. He has carried out various responsibilities at GohKaki Childhood Museum, an organisation aimed at promoting

traditional childhood games to the public.

In fact, the 19-year-old’s association with GohKaki began five years ago. As a Form Two student, he became a facilitator at a camp held by the organisation. He later helped out as a member, from emceeing events to joining the committee.

“What made my experience memorable was the friends I made through running the events. We were of similar age, hence we bonded over the events we took part in,” said the Negri Sembilan Matriculation College graduate.

One of the challenges Ooi and his team members have faced as active volunteers is the pressure they get from family members. He shared that they are often questioned about their absence at home, and if they can cope with their schoolwork.

Running events has its setbacks, too, especially when conflicts arise. But Ooi takes it in his stride as he sees it as an opportunity to improve his interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and to give him a wider worldview.

An avid fan of the traditional game of gasing (top spinning), Ooi has this to say: “If you put in too much force, the gasing will be flung away; but if you put in too little force, the top won’t spin. Likewise in life, if you put in too much force, you will foil your plans; but if you don’t put in effort, your plans won’t work. Hence, you have to learn how to gauge the amount of effort

needed so that things will work out just fine.”

This article was published in the Newspaper in Education (NIE) pullout by The Star Newspaper dated 24 April 2019