volunteer work for children

[mummybeebee]

I’m also interested to expose my kids to volunteer work so that they know how fortunate that they have been. Can pm me if there are information?

[Bellatklim]

my friends and i volunteer at an old folks home one at Boon Lay every 1st Tuesday of the month. We goes there to Sing Karaoke with the old folks or sometimes we sing to them and chat with them.


another one that my team just newly adopted is 3rd sunday of the month where we go there and chit chat with the elderly there.

so far the youngest we have is teenager.
But I am if your kids are younger may be you can check out the children ward at KKH see if they like to have kids volunteer to play or read to the sick children there.

[concernedDAD]

Just to share my experience.

I’m active in several (own expense paid) overseas volunteer projects, mostly in Thai-Burma border Mae Sot. My then 4yo son went with me on one of the trips too (2wks, incl other tourist places).
It was the exposure I wanted him to have, playing with those big horned beetles, giving out/ sharing used toys/ clothing/ food with other orphans/ underprivileged. We had fun joining teachers in sending other sch kids home in a overcrowded truck & pointing out characteristics of padi/ corn/ sugarcane fields to him.
He was well liked by everyone & practically played the whole day till sleeping time. I chose to sleep in the orphanage office with temporary beds when their guest room is full, helping to medicate for the sick children (insect bites, fever, cuts) at the same time.
It was never to compare how good life he has, or take the orphans as specimens/ zoo displays. I just want him to experience another side of life which Sgp kids are not exposed to, and hopefully better his social graciousnes (nt quite happening yet though)
If anyone has local contacts, I’m more than happy to bring my son along.

[concernedDAD]

I’ve just got a contact for a local volunteer org. Preteens & older can join in if they are willing, and the younger ones can do background work together with parents’ supervision.

If you are interested pls PM or email me. Anyone with a willing heart is welcome.

[em83]

Sometimes, me and my niece volunteer to be the donation collector, as in those who ask for donations with the tin cans. It was definitely an easy and satisfying experience!

[bebebub]

http://www.willinghearts.org.sg

Check out their webby.

[sundaymorning]

Anyone knows of any SG children orphanage that i could bring my child there to do volunteer work together?

[ammonite]

Don’t be offended, but I think it’s very sad for those kids in orphanages to see parent-child pairs, ESP if the age of the kids are close to our own. We may intend our children to learn a life lesson of "see how lucky you are" but it is at the cost of those left in the orphanages. If the child’s age is quite different from the age of the kids at homes, then it is not so bad.


In my late teens, I was a volunteer tutor at a children’s home. They really crave for so much attention from an older person. (actually even latchkey kids at the playground will somehow gravitate towards the adults there) In school, they do see kids from intact families, but at least in the home, all are the same - all from broken homes. I just feel it will be painful for them to see an intact parent-child pair in the home.

Or maybe I am being over sensitive!

[sharonkhoo]

ammonite:

Don't be offended, but I think it's very sad for those kids in orphanages to see parent-child pairs, ESP if the age of the kids are close to our own. We may intend our children to learn a life lesson of \"see how lucky you are\" but it is at the cost of those left in the orphanages. If the child's age is quite different from the age of the kids at homes, then it is not so bad.


In my late teens, I was a volunteer tutor at a children's home. They really crave for so much attention from an older person. (actually even latchkey kids at the playground will somehow gravitate towards the adults there) In school, they do see kids from intact families, but at least in the home, all are the same - all from broken homes. I just feel it will be painful for them to see an intact parent-child pair in the home.

Or maybe I am being over sensitive!

I agree with you. Since there is a minimum age for most volunteer work, I think it's best for parents to find some volunteer work and just bring the children along. It doesn't have to involve children, and actually, it's best not to for the reasons ammonite stated. Maybe volunteer with organisations for the elderly or disabled?

[ChiefKiasu]

ammonite:

Don't be offended, but I think it's very sad for those kids in orphanages to see parent-child pairs, ESP if the age of the kids are close to our own. We may intend our children to learn a life lesson of \"see how lucky you are\" but it is at the cost of those left in the orphanages. If the child's age is quite different from the age of the kids at homes, then it is not so bad. ...

I absolutely agree with you. The worst would be for for them to overhear parents telling their child \"See how lucky you are compared to these kids?\"

While the purpose of parents for bringing their children to these missions is to expose them to the harsh realities of life, the mindset must be to, first and foremost, bring joy to the residents. It is through this mindset that we can set examples ourselves to teach compassion to our children. There is no need for us to remind our children how lucky they are. They can infer it themselves.