Photo Exhibition: Picture a Better World

A simple hello could lead to a million things. While making their way back to the van in Kampung Speu, the Singapore International Volunteers came across an old lady working hard under the sun in the paddy field. They went over and struck a simple conversation with her. Despite the language barrier and interacting only through minimal hand movements, they were still able to connect deeply! This photo was taken while they offered to help her with her paddy field. She was grateful, and they were delighted they made a friend.

By Alvina Wang

This magical moment of our Singapore International Volunteer Team Lead feeding a seagull perfectly captures my thoughts on the project… a connection that holds so much promise. Through a three-year SIF project, healthcare professionals in Singapore and China will connect and collaborate to address a shared social challenge - healthcare services for the aging population in Yunnan.

By  Chua Pei Shan

Masters over the written word, but how do they fare in the kitchen? Here two journalists from India and China face a new challenge in a Multi-Cultural Cookout at Food Playground.

By Daniel Tan

By taking off her “mask”, a young adolescent girl comes out to the community about her HIV status, unafraid and full of hope. She was part of a workshop that incorporated the arts within care-giving practices for communities affected by HIV. Through the arts she has learnt to voice out her hopes, fears and needs. She knows she is not alone and becomes a person who is embraced and loved by the community.

By  Dr Esther Joosa

Even though we can't communicate with words, we can communicate through actions. I was very heartened when my fellow volunteers beckoned to the local children to join them in washing the fine sand which will be used in the bio-sand filter to draw out clean water. We might have taken twice as long to complete the task, but the connection and smiles exchanged were more than worth it.

By Chen

Water and sanitation, health and hygiene lessons come alive in a Cambodian classroom. Water for Life volunteers showing the teachers and students the steps to get healthy gums and a bright white set of teeth. This small gesture instils a new sense of confidence in them when they proudly show off their million-dollar smiles.

By  Wong Wui Jin and KC Cheng

No one is too small to dream. This was taken after we ended our activity with this lovely bunch of boisterous students! Their energy just resonates with the saying - Dream BIG little ones!

By  Jamie Yin

A good snapshot captures a moment forever. It was a rainy day, and everyone was exhausted from the work done the past few days to bring clean water to the villages. However, they were all smiles for the camera! 

By Alvina Wang

The hard work pays off. A photo-taking session after installing all the clean water bio-sand filters to conclude a fulfilling day with my group mates. Seeing the smiles of the local residents made it all worthwhile.

By Tay Choon Yen

You learn something every day if you pay attention. The enthusiastic kids were so attentive, and it made teaching them such a joy.

By  Kwei Chai Chang

An uplifting and fun moment, shared between volunteers and beneficiaries. During a Words on Wheels reading project, Singapore International Volunteers in Hanoi engaged school children in a fun activity. Even though they did not speak the same language, the friendships they forged transcended language barriers.

By Dr Kwok Yan Hoe