The Gift of Giving
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I was introduced to CampVision by my ex-colleague in 2006. He knew that I was keen on volunteering and thought it would be a good platform for me to be involved. I did not know what to expect when I first attended the camp.

But by the end of the weekend, I was deeply moved by the experience. It was not something I had ever encountered before. I was struck with amazement at the sheer number of adult volunteers, working adults all with full-time jobs on hand, who came together for the at-risk youths. I was awed by their positive affirmations, unwavering belief, and commitment to the youths. The immense love and acceptance – in a non-religious context, but purely from individual to individual, mentor to younger person, human to human, was extraordinary.

The humanity, spirit of trust and acceptance that I experienced inspired me to continue the journey with CampVision. It resonated with me. We all need second chances in life, and to develop the potential of youths to empower them to live their best lives, is meaningful work.

Through service, I have also received. I gained indelible memories, and personal growth in the course of the journey over the last few years, and these I would always cherish. But at the same time, I was driven by the desire to do more for the youths, to serve them in leading their lives purposefully.

That started me on the dream to bring the youths on an overseas expedition in May 2008. I was motivated to do this because I recognise that character-moulding, and the empowerment of youths cannot be done in short stints. It is a long process, and day-to-day, week-to-week effort, love and heart need to be invested.

The expedition journey, spanning 6 months, is one way that I know I will be able to see tangible positive change in their lives. It would also provide them the opportunity to grow through service – just as I have grown through service. It was my hope that they would be able to see the best in themselves, and develop as leaders, by giving to others.

It was a journey that took a lot of fortitude, determination and in many instances, luck and miracles to complete. For the expedition, 11 volunteers – all with full-time jobs and multiple commitments on hand were somehow able to rally together to lead a group of 13 at-risk youths overseas. We not only wanted to do our best for the orphans and villagers that we were working with in Cambodia, but we had the added challenge and objective of wanting to see our youths empowered as leaders in action, to grow into their potential.

I might have initiated the dream, but the expedition only became possible because of fellow like-minded individuals who believed in the same vision and who committed themselves tirelessly through 6 months of preparation, planning and hard work. In addition to getting the expedition going from nothing to something, it was also 6 months of mentorship, going through team-building, fund-raising and skills-building activities with our youths.

And when we finally saw through our 14 days expedition in Cambodia, the rewards were unimaginable, the enrichment to the soul beyond what words can describe.

Cambodia is a beautiful place. Though scarred and ravaged by war, her people – the children especially, have a yearning for education, and a hunger to learn that touched me. The cross-cultural exchange left me with an appreciation for their way of life, and their strength to see through life’s difficulties to the beauty underneath.

Perhaps the memory that left the deepest imprint on me – was the love that I experienced from the children in the HIV hospital that we visited. They offered their love to strangers openly and readily, with a thirst for life, and laughter that shone even in their eyes. It momentarily took me aback, and made me wonder why here in Singapore, we tend to remain guarded first, before opening our hearts up to love.

The friendship and deep bonds in the expedition team that were born through the rigour and struggle are what I would always cherish, and also the end-result of seeing every person become more than who they can be before we embarked on the journey. I am grateful that we succeeded when we found the commitment to make our vision a reality.

~~~ About the contributor ~~~

Serene Koh has been an avid volunteer since 2001 who co-led CampVision’s first overseas expedition to Cambodia in 2008. One of her proudest achievements is representing Singapore in the Commonwealth Youth Forum 7 in Trinidad and Tobago in Nov/Dec 2009. She is currently volunteering as Editor for Make-A-Wish Foundation’s and CampVision’s newsletters, and as a Young Change Makers’ Panelist. Her dream is to own a café of her own. To read more visit expeditionagape.blogspot.com

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