The deep passion that Yi Ru has for volunteering nearly became the reason she gave up on being a volunteer at one point.
A valued member of Youth Corps Singapore YOLDEN programme focusing on befriending the elderly, Yi Ru dedicated herself to improving the lives of seniors. Sometimes, time constraints meant that some volunteer experiences ended up being a one-off engagement. This led to Yi Ru starting to feel inadequate about her contributions.
Doubts about her ability to create a positive impact clouded her mind – until an exchange with a volunteer leader made her see a different perspective.
“My team lead shared with me that we might not have provided a lot to the beneficiaries we volunteer for but even small contributions can give hope and inspire change, ultimately adding up to create a more significant impact than we might realise. The simple but powerful message reignited my belief in the importance of volunteering,” confessed Yi Ru.
Volunteering for the senior community presented another challenge to Yi Ru – coping with the emotional toll of losing beneficiaries with whom she had formed close bonds. She recalled a senior resident who was aloof at the start, but eventually warmed up to her and her fellow volunteers after regular visits to the community home. Yi Ru was looking forward to meeting him after a two-week break but received the devastating news of his passing instead.
“Dealing with departures is a great challenge for me, but it warms my heart to know that I’ve added a little smile on the seniors’ faces during their final years.” Indeed, Yi Ru’s account is a reminder that we are never too small to forge meaningful connections with, and provide comfort to those who need it.
