"Photography is the story I fail to put into words" — Destin Sparks.
For Cai Ni who volunteers as a photographer with Youth Corps Singapore’s Media Team, capturing the actions that took place behind the scenes of various events helps to tell stories that might otherwise have been missed.
From the highs and lows that volunteers went through while planning a programme, to the spontaneous interactions between people, the photos help others chronicle and remember the moments. They also offer Cai Ni the opportunity to gain insights into the impact that each experience delivers as she witnesses them first-hand.
“Being there on the ground has definitely got me to think and really appreciate the effort that goes into each event. Being able to capture some precious interactions between the volunteers and the families or beneficiaries was also a wonderful thing for me. It was very heartwarming to see exchanges and actions of affirmation – something that we don’t see being demonstrated outwardly all the time,” Cai Ni reflected.
The personal growth for Cai Ni extends beyond having an enriching exposure through her presence at different programmes. By contributing to the community using a skill she has picked up from school, she is honing her craft at the same time. Cai Ni finds herself being sharper in her visual sensibility as she picked up photography pointers from others, and she is now more responsive to the on-goings at the events to capture more compelling stories.
She elaborated, “I realise that volunteering is a two-way street. While I am giving my time to help, others are also helping me to learn and grow – physically in terms of skillset, mentally, and emotionally. In a way or another, I gain as much as I give.”
Capture the beauty of volunteering with Cai Ni through photography and find out more about the Media Team at Community Fair 2023.
