Finding calmness in the rush of everyday life

Mr Sium Yeap Tong worked in the IT (Systems Development) division within the banking industry until he finally retired in 2017. After retirement, Mr Sium was looking to give back to society and wanted to bring cheer, positive values and hope to the clients.

 

In mid-2016, Mr Sium googled “senior volunteer” and attended a volunteerism talk in RSVP Singapore. He was posted to Yumin Primary School under the Mentoring Programme. Due to a short-term contract job, Mr Sium left sometime later and rejoined RSVP Singapore in 2018. He has been volunteering ever since.

 

Currently, 60-year-old Mr Sium volunteers in both the Mentally Disadvantaged Outreach Programme (MDOP) at Anglican Community Services (Simei) and Toa Payoh ADA New Horizon Centre, as well as the Mentoring Programme at Holy Innocents’ Primary School & Salvation Army SPS programme.

 

When asked why he participates in a wide range of programmes, Mr Sium shares that volunteerism has not only keeps him challenged on different levels, but he also gets to learn and open his mind to new experiences and knowledge all while contributing to society. 

 

He added, “I also enjoy the interactions with fellow volunteers and clients and the heart-warming conversations. The beneficiaries (from Alzheimer’s Disease Association (Toa Payoh) and Anglican Community Services) at Simei have interesting life stories – whether true or imaginary – that are really good life lessons.”

 

Mr Sium enjoys seeing lots of laughter and fun among the beneficiaries and volunteers during the session’s activities and games (e.g. during scissors/paper/stone, memory recall games, etc). He recalled one of the best memories he had was while discussing the most desired places to visit. One beneficiary mentioned a zoo in the US to see the gorillas as he had a close encounter over there many years earlier.

 

Not only does volunteering helps to keep himself active mentally and physically, but Mr Sium also got to share some of his life’s learnings, knowledge and experience on matters relating to healthy living or financial planning for general discussion. “I also learned from the people I have met along the way. These include the beneficiaries, staff of RSVP and its partner centres, and my fellow volunteers.”, he elaborated.

 

Besides volunteering, Mr Sium is also actively pursuing his interest in the visual arts including Chinese ink painting, portrait drawing and oil/acrylic painting.

 

Mr Sium noted, “My loved ones have noted that volunteering has given me a more relaxed and positive outlook in life. I feel that volunteering gives one the opportunity to bring joy, hope, cheers to those in need and in return, we get a sense of achievement, satisfaction, calmness – more so when they show their appreciation for the time and effort we put in during the weekly sessions.”

 

**If you would like to be a volunteer like Mr Sium Yeap Tong to help others, check out the various volunteering opportunities available here.

 

Source: RSVP Singapore. Reproduced with permission.