Volunteering locally more sustainable

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I read the Christmas Day editorial ("Season of compassion"; last Wednesday) with hope for the future of volunteerism in Singapore, having recently returned from an overseas mission trip.

I call on more of our young people to contribute locally in a sustainable way because this impacts both the volunteer and the recipient in the long term.

While young people should be encouraged to experience different avenues of volunteering, committing to one or two for the long term is wise.

Participating in overseas volunteering stints in more impoverished areas has significant benefits.

The host beneficiaries get to enjoy health-care services, education and better facilities being built, while the volunteers utilise their skills meaningfully, develop a better appreciation of Singaporean life and may further ignite their passion to volunteer.

However, overseas mission trips invariably require much coordination and planning for a relatively short and disjointed stint of service. Also, not everyone can afford the transport and other costs involved in such trips.

While overseas volunteering is not overrated, we tend to be quick to sign up because it is "attractive" or "cool" to do so.

However, one need not look beyond our neighbourhoods to find an avenue to volunteer.

If you are thinking about helping the poor in India, consider the elderly living in one-room flats here who also need help ("'More poor people in S'pore than figures show'"; Sept 25).

If you are thinking about helping the orphans in Cambodia, don't forget that those in the children's homes here also need reaching out to. The possibilities are many.

Having served at the Society for the Aged Sick for the past four years as a volunteer, I have formed rich relationships with both the elderly residents and the staff.

Extended service allows one to truly understand the needs and nuances of the organisation and its beneficiaries.

As with the novelty of an overseas trip, each visit to a home offers new perspectives and is exciting.

Sustainable volunteering does not require as much effort as we fear it will.

In my experience, what the elderly residents of a home require are not elaborate performances or games, but simply the company of others.

While the Christmas period always sees a spike in the number of charitable acts, I look forward to the time when this spirit of giving manifests itself year round, building our national character concurrently.

I am optimistic that the volunteer youth corps, to be set up next year, will spur sustainable volunteerism.

Paul Sim Ruiqi