Ms Lily Chan

Volunteering with RSVP since 2018

Meet youthful senior volunteer Lily Chan. As a student, Lily was already into volunteerism. Even before she joined RSVP Singapore as a volunteer, Lily was leading her students at the ITE College West to actively help senior citizens to improve their home amenities.

“I don’t want to work for wealth all my life. It is my passion to retire as soon as I have sufficient funds and resources, and then set my heart and energy to do what I love most, which is to help the needy using my skill and talent. I want to listen to my heart and live gracefully, keeping active, healthy in both body and mind.”

“I was very gratified to see my students growing while they were engaging in meaningful projects, watching them change and developing the eagerness to meet the elderly and helping them in their homes. These same students also became better academically and have gained the social skills in engaging their lecturers,” she said of the youths she used to lecture in her previous job. Unsurprisingly, these youths continue to seek Lily’s support even though she has retired.

When Lily decided to retire early, she sought out various volunteer organisations without hesitation. She joined RSVP Singapore and was fascinated with the opportunities that were available in the activities that she loves. These include engaging with, training and supporting seniors, using her core skills to develop new and innovative programmes and learning.

“I want to keep myself active and I enjoy training, learning new things and making new friends,” she explained. “Sometimes, my family members are surprised that I am engaging with the needy. They are concerned that I may become depressed. I assured them that these activities are enriching my life, and I am very satisfied and happy,” Lily added.

This article was written by RSVP volunteer Mr Woo Siew Wah