Monday, December 17, 2018

Showing kindness through micro-volunteering

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/showing-kindness-through-micro-volunteering
By Theresa Tan, The New Paper, 17 December 2018 at 06:00 am


Ms Sherry Soon with a resident at the THK Home for the Disabled@Sembawang.
PHOTO: Ms Sherry Soon with a resident at the THK Home for the Disabled@Sembawang.
TNP Photo: Kua Chee Siong
Picture posted by Theresa Tan, The New Paper on 17 December 2018 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_53VRFqXFAdLUYp0A1a5r6ZceIg-kdIGz1FhGdQIoWMKlrSxA_zTgEZ14lrhVc-LEDDapDGdjhkVdPVjYl3-n9-OHaTbaTGy4-xG7ik02t0RwrjCBvGLROVKu_JgyKccEdjJomVerEU/s1600/NP_20181217_THBEKIND17KVRR_4488539.jpg
https://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/articles/2018/12/17/NP_20181217_THBEKIND17KVRR_4488539.jpg?itok=9kIQKcb5
https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/showing-kindness-through-micro-volunteering


Many volunteers stop giving their time once they join the workforce, get caught up in the rat race and start raising their families.

To counter this, Ms Sherry Soon set up Be Kind SG last year, offering micro-volunteering opportunities.

Volunteers can join the informal group in one or more activities.

Ms Soon, 37, who started volunteering in her teens, said: "Micro-volunteering is fuss-free, flexible and requires less commitment."


Ms Sherry Soon (centre), founder of Be Kind SG, and another volunteer (at right) engaging residents of a home the group visits in fun and games.
PHOTO: Ms Sherry Soon (centre), founder of Be Kind SG, and another volunteer (at right) engaging residents of a home the group visits in fun and games. Be Kind SG offers micro volunteering opportunities where people can pick and choose the activities they want to volunteer in.
ST Photo: Kua Chee Siong
Picture posted by Rahimah Rashith on 17 December 2018 at 5:00 am SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06nywwASlqQ_98hfWdbUQSc7HiV1dSzWgi1grTpwCuSDBYtjBIK-zB0B0nDlESz9dJgfXl1QDV0fWHgAaqnaP0n-2lyhrznztMw5ssZPVn5e1ufOkJ6Mmay7raxQ-KSQjvaTUCpUu_m8/s1600/ST_20181217_VNCAUSES_4488202.jpg
https://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2018/12/17/ST_20181217_VNCAUSES_4488202.jpg?itok=pOg2KBMA&timestamp=1544982008
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/causes-week-good-deeds-and-those-behind-them


She chose the name Be Kind SG to emphasise the importance of the quality. And kindness can be shown in different ways, she said, from the giving of time or money to showing tolerance when you see a child throw a tantrum in public.

The group has about 500 volunteers now from all walks of life and over half have volunteered more than once. Be Kind SG posts its activities on meetup.com for sign-ups and there are activities almost every weekend.

Some are regular, such as making birthday cards for residents of welfare homes. The group also organises birthday celebrations and activities during visits to homes.


Kindness comes in a rainbow of colours, shapes and sizes!
PHOTO: "Kindness comes in a rainbow of colours, shapes and sizes! Never too young to learn to be kind. Your love and support mean so much!" -  Tjin x Bubu on Instagram
Picture posted by Buro 24/7
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEF632QhRfnCvsHjHzY5MW7FwUBxX0Do0Y0w-7r9XGbP63Dm4jzLB7j0SYsamUo73T8yiY8o3EtoRc_heXSUyYRRakKKgYbAoaSWaKPJlsaccgmcrdBvpIby-OyWZog8uw_EU_kG2y7U/s1600/36160243_1321060674691884_1925397000862302208_n.jpg
https://www.buro247.sg/local/instagram/photos/36160243_1321060674691884_1925397000862302208_n.jpg
https://www.buro247.sg/instagram/tjinlee/29762542


There are also activities to honour "invisible heroes" such as domestic workers, nurses and transport workers, who are often taken for granted but whose work is crucial to keep the country going, she said.

These could include making flower arrangements and baking cookies for them.


There are also activities to honour 'invisible heroes' such as domestic workers, nurses and transport workers, who are often taken for granted but whose work is crucial to keep the country going.<br>Picture posted by Ojitos Blue on Monday, 20 January 2014
PHOTO: There are also activities to honour "invisible heroes" such as domestic workers, nurses and transport workers, who are often taken for granted but whose work is crucial to keep the country going.
Picture posted by Ojitos Blue on Monday, 20 January 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M3y0l5WrQ2MLkj1XrGTNVptwv4_UogHAk6qXvkrN84rMCFmBfTKzUvcW0nkR6yDhLKG65BWQUzlsebUkYtz8NKd9Dw8Sxtsp0oEpSP2BZSMJPXotr80i_qr7fBrLSQjoGb5fpntw644/s1600/Cueepos+Desiertos%2528III%2529.jpg
http://ojitosdeblue.blogspot.com/2014/01/cuerpos-sosegados-iii.html


Ms Soon, who is married with no children, used to teach children with learning difficulties. But she stopped work two years ago owing to the debilitating effects of an auto-immune disease.

Because of her illness and life experiences, she identifies with what she calls "invisible communities", such as the long-staying patients at the Institute of Mental Health, people with disabilities and the destitute.


Ms Sherry Soon, because of her illness and life experiences, she identifies with what she calls 'invisible communities', such as the long-staying patients at the Institute of Mental Health, people with disabilities and the destitute.
PHOTO: Ms Sherry Soon, because of her illness and life experiences, she identifies with what she calls "invisible communities", such as the long-staying patients at the Institute of Mental Health, people with disabilities and the destitute.
PHOTO: "We have only one life and we should focus more on relationships and how our lives can make a positive impact on the world." - Ms Sherry Soon
"No act of kindness is too small to make a positive impact on someone'a life"
Picture posted by Be Kind SG on 21 May 2018
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ19yTB_4tayL5BMH-tKWwg-jQqjNp7_1t7Tpw04L8tsvKjmo12IFCx_Lom2PRuGpVUzMuchxG3HbbHp5jEjYBkU5rntR23tp2MpQ26T9aUyaN2x7cuudrhVLpp5CNwLcgjfAe4Muavo/s1600/33157695_2089114231368748_3802134745270190080_n.jpg
https://scontent-sin2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/33157695_2089114231368748_3802134745270190080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-sin2-1.xx&oh=f14ec1188d58f70b83ab6c614a531610&oe=5C9A1148
https://www.facebook.com/BeKindSG/photos/a.1904486556498184/2089114228035415/?type=3&theater

By Theresa Tan, The New Paper, 17 December 2018 at 06:00 am
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Reference
[1] Theresa Tan, The New Paper, Showing kindness through micro-volunteering, posted on 17 December 2018 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/showing-kindness-through-micro-volunteering


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