What comes to mind when you think of volunteering? Often, we associate it to community, and making a positive impact. Indeed, the importance and value of volunteering has grown, and some schools even require their students to use their time to volunteer. In Singapore, this is especially evident in school-mandated “Values in Action (VIA)” programmes, where students are to volunteer in school or community-based projects. But are students aware of the impact they are actually bringing to the beneficiaries?
How do children benefit from volunteering?
Children can gain positive mindsets, such as the ability to interact with other people through volunteers. This includes interacting with volunteers themselves, or volunteers facilitating interaction between children. For any form of volunteering, having conversation is necessary and some kinds of volunteering requires group work as well. In my experience volunteering with children in secondary school, my group and I often organized group activities to maximize engagement. These included team arts and crafts as well as performing songs and dance together. Initially, some children were hesitant to participate, but by the third day of volunteering they had become much more comfortable speaking with us. In fact, some of the shyer children began interacting with us without us having to prompt them, which was a pleasant surprise for my group. Hence, by meeting many different volunteers, children will be able to step out of their comfort zones and develop interpersonal skills by interacting with them.
Besides honing children’s soft skills, volunteers can positively impact a child’s well-being if a strong bond is formed with them. For example, Make-A-Wish is a charity organization in Singapore which grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses. It is heavily dependent on volunteers who act as wish granters and help children fulfill their wishes. According to the Make-A-Wish website, 89% of health professionals surveyed said that a wish experience can improve a child’s physical health, and 97% families observed an improvement in their child’s emotional health following a wish experience. This shows that volunteering has significant benefits for its beneficiaries.
On the other hand, such programmes also run the risk of associating volunteering with obligation, rather than a true desire to help the community. Majority of these volunteers do volunteer because they are asked to do so, without knowing the specific effects of volunteering.
The unintended consequences of volunteering.
This includes VIA programmes reversing the beneficiaries of volunteering, from the children to volunteers themselves. In an article by the Straits Times, “the focus [of VIA activities] shifted from community service to developing desired values in students”. While volunteering is meant to benefit both parties, this raises questions as to whether volunteers are disproportionately gaining at the expense of the children they are helping. When volunteers prioritise their self-growth over the children’s development, this may affect the quality of service provided, and the children gain limited aid.
Volunteering may even harm the children they are trying to help. According to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), an “exposure to a revolving door of short term volunteers” can lead to “a never-ending round of abandonment” and “emotional loss” for children, thus harming their early childhood development. This is true in Singapore, where most opt for ad-hoc or short term volunteering opportunities, due to lack of time for long term commitments.
When volunteering, it is hence important to be aware of the detrimental effects of developing a close relationship with a child and forming a sense of attachment with them. Here are some other tips before you decide to take a volunteer duty:
Consider the impact of volunteering with your particular beneficiary. Most childcares/ charities have a minimum commitment period for volunteers and prefer regulars. For example, Singapore Children’s Society prefers that volunteers commit for a minimum period of six months to one year. So it is important to ensure you have the available time and energy for long term engagements.
Make sure you are well-equipped with the necessary soft and hard skills. This includes having good communication and patience. Many organisations such as Make A Wish train regular volunteers or have screening sessions to determine the suitability of a volunteer.
Be well-informed of the environment you will be in. Different groups of children have different needs. For example, volunteering with children from Children’s Cancer Foundation would differ from giving tuition to children at daycares.
Be honest with your intent. Volunteering requires high commitment and effort, which can only be sustained by a true desire to help one’s beneficiaries.
Stay humble and dive into the experience with a spirit for learning.
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