Celebrated annually on 5 December, International Volunteer Day honours the selfless dedication of individuals who give their time to improve the lives of others. Meet one of them, Mdm Josephine Lee, a long-time volunteer at SPD.
Over the years, the 62-year-old, who works in accounts, has formed deep, meaningful connections with many beneficiaries. Her unwavering commitment and compassionate heart have made her an invaluable part of the SPD community. In this article, UPDATES speaks with Mdm Lee to find out how she forayed into volunteering and what propels her to continue her journey of service for more than a decade.
“My mother started using a wheelchair after becoming immobile due to various health ailments. When she passed on in 2004, I felt that there was so much more that I wanted to do for and with her. I decided to give back to society and specifically chose to volunteer at an organisation that supports persons with disabilities,” shared Mdm Lee.
Building trust with new beneficiaries is important. “Our first visit might be awkward because the beneficiaries might need time to open up. I reassure them by telling them that I am here to stay. I remind my beneficiaries that I want to meet them where they are in their lives, and to support them in whatever way they need me,” she explained.
Her journey and her impact
Since she started volunteering with SPD more than 10 years ago, Mdm Lee has supported a total of six beneficiaries, three of whom she had walked with until their final days. “These beneficiaries are more than my clients. I’ve learned their quirks, likes and dislikes – they are like my second family to me,” said Mdm Lee. She added that befriending clients who are of age will mean that their remaining time is short, that is why she wanted to do even more for them, even if it meant visiting them on a monthly basis to have a meal to catch up.
One moment that deeply impacted Mdm Lee was when she walked past a funeral while on her way to visit one of the beneficiaries. To her shock, she discovered that it was the beneficiary’s funeral. She broke down in tears and spent the following days helping at the funeral, supporting the family through their loss. It was moments like these that made her cherish these elderly beneficiaries even more.
A lifetime of giving
“I’ve grown so much as an individual through befriending. I do hope to continue to volunteer for the next 10 years and beyond,” said Mdm Lee.
She believes that the biggest gift that she has received from volunteering is the bond she shares with the beneficiaries – a family that truly cares for her.
Mdm Lee shared that the beneficiaries would check in with her when she changed jobs or had any challenges in her personal life. These irreplaceable memories, built on years of trust and connection, are what makes her journey so meaningful.
A heartfelt thank you
On this special day, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers – individuals such as Mdm Lee for their dedicated service to vulnerable individuals. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the profound impact such connections have on both individuals and the communities. It is truly with the support of volunteers, that we can see people with disabilities flourish and loved as they are. We look forward to seeing the continued positive change our volunteers will bring to the lives of many more in the future.
