Beyond Social Services

In this episode, Rick Hannah and Nisha Farah (East Campus) are joined by John Tan from Anglican Care Centre Hougang. This centre in Singapore supports people with mental illness in their recovery journey and UWCSEA students have volunteered here for many years through the College's Local Service programme. Also in the studio is Molly, a student volunteer, and Martin Suarez, the teacher supervisor.

Hosts, Rick and Nisha, chat with Nikki Goh, Psychologist at Apex Harmony Lodge, a residential home for persons with dementia. UWCSEA students have volunteered at the home since 2011 through the College’s Local Service Programme. They are joined by Eivind Lodemel, a music teacher and Tarini, a student Service leader, who speaks passionately about the joy and connection music creates.

Frankie Meehan (Dover Campus) sits down with Gerard Ee, Executive Director of Beyond Social Services. Beyond Social Services is a non-profit organisation that helps young people from less privileged backgrounds break out of poverty and where UWCSEA students have volunteered for many years. Also joining him in the studio are teacher Vicky Berman, a teacher, and Saw Wera Kyaw Kyaw '21, a student who volunteered with the organisation. They speak candidly about the challenges and rewards of working with young children in need.

In this episode, we hear from three High School students, Calista, Karen and Yueyang, who started an advocacy group, HER Journey, for migrant domestic workers after identifying a need in the community. The students talk about the challenges they have faced, how their project has evolved and the nail-biting experience of answering a tricky question, live on camera, from a member of the House of Lords.

Hear from teacher Michèle Pirson who has supervised UWCSEA student volunteers at St. Joseph’s Home for over 30 years. Joining her is Yuval Chen '19, an alum calling in from Israel. In conversation with Frankie, they reminisce about their friends at St. Joseph’s, the deep connections they made and how Service has played a meaningful role in their lives.