Volunteer work often revolves around the idea of giving. It's about offering help, support, and resources to those in need. But is giving always a straightforward path to making a positive impact? As I reflect on my experiences with the "Keeping Hope Alive," I've come to realize that the answer isn't as simple as it might seem.

I first joined Keeping Hope Alive as a reporter covering the story of Fion Phua, the founder of KHA for The Royal Singapore, a social media platform. My initial encounter with the volunteer platform was during their Sunday door-knocking sessions, where volunteers checked on needy families, typically residing in rental flats. I tagged along to cover the event, and what I witnessed left a lasting impression.

The volunteers at Keeping Hope Alive didn't give blindly; instead, they approached their mission with curiosity, friendliness, and inclusiveness. They asked questions and assessed each family's situation individually to determine their specific needs. This approach set them apart from other volunteer groups I had encountered in the past.

In previous experiences, such as corporate CSR initiatives involving food distribution, giving was often done blindly. Supplies were handed out without considering whether the families truly needed them. This approach, as I later observed, could lead to unintended consequences.

For instance, during our hoarder clearing sessions with Keeping Hope Alive, we encountered families who were resistant to parting with the items they had hoarded. This resistance led to food wastage as piles of expired food accumulated, attracting pests and creating unhygienic conditions. The photo above was from one such hoarder household in 2020. There were piles of rice, bottles of cooking oil, bags of grain, some of which are spoilt and rotting.

In another door-to-door visit, we discovered an elderly man's home filled with an excessive supply of prescribed medication, much of it expired. What was likely happening was that an organization was probably supplying the elderly with prescribed medicine, but with nobody to follow up to check if he was taking the right amount, or whether there was an oversupply. The gentleman, dealing with mobility issues and signs of dementia, was at risk of taking the wrong medication or overdosing due to the excess supply. 

These experiences made me ponder the question: Is giving always good? The answer, it seems, lies in approaching giving with mindfulness and sensitivity. Blindly providing resources, even with the best intentions, can sometimes do more harm than good.

To truly make a positive impact through volunteer work, we must engage all our senses, listen with our hearts, and pay mindful attention to assess the situation and determine what is genuinely needed. It's not just about giving; it's about giving thoughtfully.

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