It all started when I was 5 years old – I saw a few migrant workers sitting under the hot sun. I wanted to do something for them so I thought about setting up a lemonade stall. 

My mom took me to visit a dormitory where they lived. The staff told us that there were more than a thousand workers living there. I needed more help and fruits! I wrote a letter to Sheng Siong to request for a sponsorship of fruits. To my surprise, they offered 800 apples and 800 oranges.

My family helped prepare the lemonade and set up the stall together. We were overwhelmed by the crowd and long queues, but no one complained about waiting in lines. 

After the event ended, Aunty Ruiwen, the executive director from Sheng Siong wrote me a card that she was touched by my initiative at a young age. I was so encouraged and happy by her kind words. So the first lesson I learned: You are not too young to start.

And the second lesson I learned from this event is about teamwork! It’s important to recognise that you might not have all the necessary skills to succeed, and that’s perfectly fine. You can always seek support or sponsorship. Doing community service with friends is not only more enjoyable but also creates lasting memories. Over the following years, I gathered my close friends to organise events together.

Before organising an event, my parents often ask these questions: What do we need? How can I help? I decided to explore various activities to support different causes and communities. I realised that what I enjoy most is raising money for charity by using my passion which is crafts!

I started creating my own sensory play toys, which I named “Pets in a Bauble.” Each kit features a specific theme and a character. For instance, a garden-themed kit could include a rabbit as the main character. The goal is to encourage children to use their imagination while playing. A few months ago, KK Hospital reached out to us, requesting 100 kits for their pediatric patients. They wanted to promote play and craft activities as an alternative way to help manage pain.

My third lesson learned is to explore your interests and engage in activities that you enjoy for the community. You’ll feel more empowered because it’s your idea. When you pursue what you love, others can also sense the passion in your work. It brings me immense joy to see others happy.