It’s a new year. Let’s have new dreams.

Well time passed really fast. It would be cliché to say that time flew with the blink of the eye, for during the past half a year in RSP-Youth, I have gone through countless of blinks which I’ve held dear.

My half a year in RSP-Youth has been ironically my first commitment to an RSP despite being in WSC for the past 3 years. I have served most of my time in Special Projects, hassling much events planning and adventure camps for the deaf, doing administrative work to ensure the bridge between the special projects and the university’s administration. My work, rather, my involvement for the past 3 years has definitely been eventful and memorable. I had my fair share of laughter and tears, hair pulling moments and gratifying instances. I’ve learnt immensely, regardless hard skills, soft skills and at least personally, I think I’ve emerged as a better person. At this point of time, I am proud to say, “I’ve never regretted a single moment spent in WSC”.

It was at the beginning of my year 4 semester 1 that I asked myself “why not a RSP?” Perhaps it would be adept to answer firstly “why Special Projects at the start?”

When I was in year 1, a blur and lost freshie amongst the crowd of the colorful varsity campus, I admitted to have randomly chanced upon the WSC fair and spotted by friend. I never had the intention to join WSC, let alone to know what it stands for. This friend of mine (who was already a senior in NTU) pulled me into a special project portfolio. I rationalized that it would be good to start from a special project (SP) since the commitments would not be on a regular basis. Boy! Was I wrong! The physical commitment wasn’t regular, the mental commitment and the need for individual work responsibility was colossal. Yet I preserved and continued on for another year. For in the eyes of the beneficiaries and their gestures of appreciation, I saw something which I haven’t felt for the past years. In the words of a fellow volunteer, I heard something which I shared countless times with my other peers:

“You know I wanted to quit during this point of time? It was really tiring. But at the end of the camp, when the beneficiaries came over and thank me, it was the genuine “thank you” I felt that makes it all worthwhile…”

Indeed, it was all worthwhile.

At the end of my stints in the management committee of WSC, I told myself I wanted to be reconnected with the core of volunteerism, to be a normal volunteer again. I wanted something that I can feel for. I wanted something which I know I can impact the lives of others. Perhaps, I wanted something extraordinary. Perhaps I yearned to be part of a new place, to see new faces ignited with the same passion for the society, to be touched with the same experiences that kept regular volunteers coming back for more.

I chose RSP-Youth and I’ve never regretted thus far.

This is where I got my second exposure to the hidden side of the society (the first was that in army). This is the first chance for me to impact this hidden side of the society. I remembered my first session with the boys. I was definitely edgy. I wasn’t afraid of the society’s stigma of tattoos etc. I realized had no idea how to communicate with the boys.

Well, I wouldn’t say that I am proficient with the boys now. At least I’m already comfortable amongst them. Hey! I joined in their chants for Kelvin to perform forfeits etc. I got to know some of their stories. I got to know some of their aspirations which I know they will go on to strive for after this chapter of their lives. I knew many of them would have seen the light of tunnel when they leave the complex and continue with their normal routines.

Many a times, during the course of volunteering, I asked myself how many lives have I changed? How many people will go on and remember this chap that might be preaching about the rights and wrongs? How many people whom I’ve got in contact prior would even remember what I’ve said? And then, I chanced upon the quote.

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” - Mother Teresa

No single effort is insignificant. Every step, every gesture counts. I do indeed feel good about doing good. Using the words in the name of a youtube channel “Doing good is contagious”. Doing good releases endorphins… bah! You get what I meant, or you’ll eventually get what I meant J

I am also honored to be walking amongst the ranks of fellow regular volunteers. I sincerely applaud you guys for making this bold move towards such commitment. I earnestly congratulate you guys for making a momentous and gratifying choice.

And a year has passed. The spring dawns after the winters retreats. Sun sets and cyclically rises, from dawn till dusk. Yet almost every week, most of us would still sit at the visitor lobbies, eagerly waiting for the time to walk through the fences of security, into the oh-so-familiar classrooms of the complex, eagerly waiting for the session to start. Definitely not forgetting the kopi-pengs, teh-pengs, holick-pengs, milo-pengs almost ritually at around 9.30pm.

This is RSP- Youth Blk D J

~yeh lin~