.:: Esprit De Volontaires ::.

Been ages since i last bother to login and post anything and i guess most of the new volunteers do not know me considering i only went for session once after they started session. Before the new sessions start again after exams, I would like to share parts of a message from an Ex SBHL boy which hopefully will help motivate you all to carry on your work. (Its not the full message so ignore any parts that do not flow well)

Despite how some of you might feel how little our impact might be or how unappreciative some of our boys can be, I believe that even if we try to help 10 ppl and 9 do not respond, just that 1 who changes is worth all the effort put in.

Volunteers come and go all the time, hopefully mostof you will stay on and continue our work. Do help to motivate the new batches of volunteers to join our work and let us be able to do more for those we can. We do not get paid in cash but what we gain is something money cannot buy.

During the 3 months in the home,1 year in hostel and 1 year home probation changed my life totally.

I hope that you can pass on this message to all the other boys in the hostel.''Their future is still not ruined,it is only how they lead the remaining parts of their lives.Everyone makes mistakes.I am sure that even though some of them may be stubborn and not willing to change,there are others amongst them who are willing to learn and make their parents proud in the future.''

Most importantly the current volunteers should not be dejected when they are handling a troubled boy and that he should also not give up on himself.The reason why he is troubled and probably has disciplinary problems in hostel is because he has not sorted out his thinking.Once the barrier is removed,he will lead a much meaningful life.

I send my regards to all NTU volunteers. You and your grp of volunteers are really sincere and want to help us.Thank you very much,you created a positive impact in me.I have not forgotten any of you.

He has made me very proud of him and I do hope each of you will have boys who will make you proud to have once been a part of their life in your volunteer journey. He scored 9 for L1R5,6 for L1R4, very good results and better than what he had promised me but its his level of maturity now thats making me feel very proud of him and glad that i managed to play a part in changing his life.

Regards,
Desmond

Hey

It is my turn to share my thoughts about volunteering at the boys' hostel.

Unlike the other students I taught previously, the boys are actually friendlier and are willing to learn from us. However, being often "marked" by their own school teacher, they may not be so open to us.

After a few sessions, my tutee and I got to know each other better and he start sharing more things with me. He is quite intelligent and is willing to learn. He should be able to achieve more if not for his moments of folly.

This weekly session provides with a break in my usual studying schedule. Although I am seemingly sharing my knowledge, in fact I have gained a lot from them. They gives us very different perspectives of life. Besides, I got to know quite a number of fellow volunteers through this program.

In all, it is an enriching and interesting experience.

Cheers
Cheong Hengq

volunteering at a boys' hostel is fascinating!

Hi everyone,

It is now my turn to share with everyone my thoughts and experiences that I have been through while serving the boys at the hostel these few months. This is the first time that I have volunteered myself to serve in this particular area, giving academic assistance to the boys staying in the hostel. Never in my life would I imagine that I would be able to get to know these boys even though I am often curious about them and their lives in general. Joining WSC has made this thought of mine come true and I have learnt many things, especially from the boys and my mentees.

It has been great (and I know it will continue to be) to have been able to interact with them, to teach them, to hear their stories and to reflect about my life as well. Often we may hear stories about “challenging” kids in the newspaper or through books and may wonder what was going through their minds when they think of doing something like that. Having attended the various secessions has helped me to understand a little of what they are going through. I have been allocated two mentees and I would be lying to say that it has been an easy task teaching them both together but I can surely say that I have gained a lot from them as well (although I am not sure if they managed to gain much from me).

Understanding that there is often lack of willingness to open up to “us”, it was difficult for me to get them to talk to me at the beginning for me to understand better and to effectively teach them. This made me rather frustrated but overtime I learnt to let things flow accordingly and soon enough through weekly interactions, they responded, converse and even laugh together with me. All these little things made my day and knowing that I have helped them understand even a simple equation made the trip down all worthwhile.

Through teaching and interacting with them, I learnt about their lives outside school and in the hostel, about their fears and regrets and their determination to start over once they have completed the time needed to leave the hostel. They have matured a lot over the year and I can say that they are generally regretful of their actions and often reproach themselves about how silly and naïve of them to think of committing those acts that got themselves into where they are now. At the same time, I also learnt more about myself, being thankful with what I have before me. Being able to go to school and having the autonomy to do the things that I want never came across to me as something that I should be thankful for and I learnt that from my mentees.

All in all, I hope everyone has learnt much as they continue to serve at the hostel. Take care and have a good recess week(:

cheers,

Yoz volunteerz!
My turn to share my thoughts and reflections here. =p I joined WSC(youth) with the initial thought of getting the experience of interacting with the “problematic” teenagers. I wanted to get to know more about them. But the very first time that I get to know my allocated mentee, I don’t really know how to approach him though and do not know what to do besides guiding him with his homework. But luckily he was quite willing to share his “experiences” with me. Only until the last session (10/02/10), he got to know that I am a teacher-to-be. Haha but his very first reaction was “why do you want to be a teacher?” .Then I went on to ask him why did he has this reaction, and he said he think it is very tough to be a teacher. Then I jokingly replied, “ya lor because got students like you right??” He then looks kind of embarrassed. I think my mentee is still very respectful towards me. Though on some sessions, he will ask if he can don’t finish his homework, but when I ask him to continue and finish his work, he will still do so (BUT he has yet to buy his math assessment book since the first session!). I think is partially because he can be quite tired with the journey of travelling. He got to leave for school at 5.45am and most of the time he will only be back in hostel at 6 to 7pm.
I think I really enjoy coming to the sessions because of the company of you guys too! I think the idea of meeting for dinner before making our way to the boys’ hostel is great, because we can at least catch up a little with one another and not forgetting some hilarious jokes on the bus too( Huimin and taekwando) LOL!!
And by the way, me and serena will be posted to school for practicum starting 22nd Feb. But we will still try our very best to join you guys for the sessions though. Last but not least, wishing you all a very fruitful and enjoyable new year ahead!!

Best wishes,
Yiwen =)