OVE '11: Anecdotes: Albany's story

The Overseas Volunteering Expedition 2011

Overseas Volunteering Expedition (OVE) is a committee under the special projects wing of NTU’s Welfare Services Club. OVE began its journey in 2003 when a group of NTU undergraduates came together to set up a committee to provide students with opportunities to see the world. However, in 2004, the Overseas Volunteering Expedition changed its focus to one of philanthropy. Since then, the OVE has brought NTU undergraduates to destinations like Taiwan, Philippines, Cambodia and Laos.

OVE'11 was initiated with the following three aims:
1. To keep the spirit of volunteerism alive in the hearts of WSC volunteers by working hand-in-hand with beneficiaries aboard.
2. To nurture the passion and advocate the cause and meaning of overseas volunteering.
3. To add value to the lives of the less privileged living abroad.

Bearing OVE’s missions in mind, OVE’11 will be commencing on an expedition trip to Laos with hopes that our project will improve the lives of the underprivileged beyond Singapore, reaching out to the community and enriching lives.

Anecdotes: Albany's story

As those who interviewed me may find this familiar, I’ve always wanted to volunteer overseas. I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take care of the SCAS children on several occasions locally, learning more than what I might have given them each time. I’ve also experienced for myself how much a simple 1-year mentorship can favour both the mentor and the 15-year-old who’s locked up at the Boy’s Home for applying life lessons he thought he’s been taught the right way.

Even on my weekly Cats Management Network duties, I sometimes wonder if it’s the cats that I’m feeding, or my soul that the cats have been feeding (cheesy isn’t it? Haha, but try it for yourself and you’ll know). I must say volunteerism works in mysterious ways.

I’ve once followed my uncle to a Thai school he’s built for the children there. I was merely 9 at that time, and I recall the slight scorn when I first saw the pencils meant for distribution to the students (who were about my age). What I’m still unable to forget is the smile on each of their faces as they looked at the wooden pencil they were about to receive from me. I remember smiling too, and then taking one for myself.

I was just a child then and had most probably taken the wooden pencil because I thought it’d be cool for my mechanical one to have a companion, but till now, it’s always been a wish for me to travel somewhere to see that smile again.

Every volunteering experience is different.

Sometimes I feel I’m worthless; when my mentee had nothing to say but ask me for some dough. Sometimes I feel I’m priceless; when my SCAS boy just wouldn’t let go off my hand. Maybe that’s why volunteers come without a price tag. I hope everyone who’s come forward to ‘lend’ a helping hand be ‘returned’ with a certain sort of something that’s only special in your own eyes.

-Albany

“It is only in the mysterious equation of love that any logical reasons can be found.” - John Nash

Labels: anecdotes