Second session at The Beacon! ~ Taman Jurong CC 🎨

It has been a pleasure serving in The Beacon.

With our second session at The Beacon makerspace in Taman Jurong CC concluded, I want to take a moment to reflect on the experience.

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to all my peers and the organizers who made this experience possible. My peers along with myself were given the opportunity to serve at The Beacon, located at Taman Jurong Community Club. That's where we help to run the community space and I focus primarily on running the library. The office itself is made from repurposed shipping containers.

As part of my role I help to manage the library resources. At the same time, I welcome visitors and give them tours of the space. The Beacon contains other facilities apart from the library. Every second Friday of the month, youth volunteers like us organize workshops that are open to the public. I am proud share that I am apart of a community where young people take the initiative to share their skills with others. Some of my own friends conduct 3D printing workshops and sewing classes that give members of the public a chance to learn something new.

During my second time serving at the Beacon, I initially expected my responsibilities to revolve around managing the space and assisting visitors. I began to realize however, that there was much more happening within the space. I felt myself genuinely building connections with the people who walked through the doors.

We made friends with many visitors over time, including children, parents, youths, and seniors. Every person carried a different story and the conversations we've had with them offer a different perspectives on life.

Prior to this experience, I have met with inspiring individuals through community service. Personally, I remember accounts of a foreign worker who spent 4 years working in Singapore before returning home to start businesses in their own country. I spoke to elderly residents about their families and life experiences as well, although I have rarely been given the chance to have a longer and more meaningful conversation where I could understand someone beyond a brief interaction. I now strongly believe that serving at The Beacon changed that.

To those we have met, thank you for sharing your stories with us!

One of the most memorable people I met 61 year old man. He had recently completed a solo train journey across China. I listened to him describe his travel journey through eastern China to us which I found to be incredibly inspiring. Despite us being exactly forty years apart, I think that our conversation felt more like two friends exchanging ideas than two strangers from different generations.

What I found impressive was that I learnt he had just graduated from Republic Polytechnic after serving in the army for forty years. His perseverance and willingness to continue learning reminded me that personal growth never has an age limit. During our conversation I shared with him what it was like being a youth today. I also asked him what he would have done different if he could rewind time. He told us that he would have given himself more time to do the things he truly loved. His response stayed with me long after our conversation ended.

He was honest with us about challenges of ageing and how he works actively to stay healthy. After graduation, he told us that he trained as a fitness instructor because it was something he genuinely enjoyed. I am so glad to see someone who dedicated much of his life to serving the country finally pursue his own passion. It was deeply encouraging to me because it reminded me that dreams do not expire and it is never too late to follow what brings meaning to your life.

We create impact within the community, even through indirect engagement.

In some instances, I did not directly engage with some of the visitors to the library, but I was able to listen in.

That was when I listened to a mother who moved from another country to work in Singapore while raising two children with the support of her mother and husband. She worked hard to pursue a PhD here, and then specialized in the field of water treatment. I find that I was fortunate to have the chance to listen to her story. It let me appreciate the effort she put in to persevere. On top of the family commitments and responsibilities, her husband and herself have to manage in a country away from home. That's not easy to do.

Another interaction I remember fondly was during one of the 3D printing workshops. A mother joined because she were interested in learning about 3D printing. Another man came earlier to have a look at the items that were being 3D printed.

My friend guided the mom through the process of creating models on the computer before printing them. The mother told us that she hoped to make a 3D printed lamp shade which we believe was for her children. While the gentleman who visited earlier, shared his hobby of collecting figurines. These conversations were more simple, but to me, they revealed how creativity and technology can bring people together through their personal interests.

I would say that everyday is a gift.

One thing I have come to realize is that I would never know who I am going to meet when I volunteer. Every session introduces me to people with different backgrounds and the experience I gain is always fresh. I'm actively looking for opportunities to hear stories, and I had always liked the idea of listening to others, but serving at The Beacon made me realise that really, collecting and sharing stories has slowly become part of who I am.

I dream that one day, I will have the opportunity to interview people from every walk of life. I like the idea of complete strangers coming together in a shared space to learn from one another. Every conversation reminds me that everyone has something valuable to teach regardless of their age or background. It often leaves me wondering who I might meet next and what new perspective they will bring into my life.

Serving at The Beacon has shown me that community service is not only about giving back through physical actions. In reality, based on my own personal experience, I feel that the greatest contribution is to just simply take the time to listen.

Being a youth who is part of a larger effort to welcome people from all backgrounds has been incredibly fulfilling. I cherish every opportunity to learn from others, and I hope more people will have the chance to experience this kind of service. It has inspired me to continue volunteering and to keep meeting new people. I hope to never stop learning from the stories they choose to share.

Cheers 💫,

Mikaail