Last Chinese New Year’s Eve, I volunteered at a local community centre that provides support and resources to underprivileged families. One of my duties was to assist in delivering festive food and necessities to needy families.

As I delivered the items, I had the opportunity to connect with individuals and listen to their stories. One particular encounter deeply touched my heart. This encounter was with an elderly man who lived all by himself without any family members. According to Chinese New Year tradition, people share a big feast with their family to symbolise familial bonds and bless each other with abundance for the forthcoming year. Yet, it seemed as if the festival had highlighted his loneliness. Moreover, he was too weak to take care of his daily chores, but he showed remarkable perseverance and a sense of peace in his heart. He expressed how grateful he was for the support he had received from the community centre in the past and how it had significantly impacted his well-being.

As I interacted with other volunteers, I was struck by their kindness and willingness to help others, even while facing their own challenges. They did not forget to care for the community, embodying the belief that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Overall, this experience of helping others reaffirmed my belief in the inherent goodness within people and strengthened my commitment to continue making a positive difference in the lives of others whenever possible.