Nurse by day, volunteer by heart: Emily Yap's mission to inspire a kinder Singapore
How often do you give back to the community?
For 26-year-old Emily Yap, it's not just a weekly task - it's a privilege.
The full-time nurse at Alexandra Hospital finds meaning in volunteer work, which led her to create Dunearn Youth, a ground-up volunteer initiative, in 2020.
Dunearn Youth delivers care packs five times a year. And once a week, Emily dedicates her free time to volunteer-related planning.
She told Stomp: "I found my passion for helping others at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when the risk assessment was raised to DORSCON Orange.
"All my friends were saying, 'Oh no, I have to get home to go buy food.' But I thought - what about my grandmother?
"She's the one that usually buys groceries for my family, and she's old and frail, so for her to queue up in long queues and to fight the crowds was a daunting and scary thought."
Her worries about her grandmother made her think of other elderly and low-income families that may not have the means to buy essential groceries.
"I wanted to help those who may not have the means or the accessibility to buy their essential goods," Emily said. "Through interviews like these, I'm able to spread the word, and people have connected with me on LinkedIn to ask me how they can give back."
Stomp previously reported on Emily delivering groceries to old folks' home residents in July, and care packs to the needy last year.
It was a pleasure to finally sit down and chat with the dedicated volunteer who has been featured on Stomp over the years, and to present her with a Stomp Goody Bag.
Emily's interest in volunteering stemmed from something deeper than the pandemic: her giving nature was rooted at the young age of 12, when her mother Audrey, a regular Stomp contributor, encouraged her to volunteer at a community centre event.
"My mother would tell us that she wanted to build good memories with us and our neighbours, and in order for us to be happy, the community needs to be happy too," Emily recounted.
"I've realised that giving back was second nature to me already while growing up. My mother and grandmother always taught me the importance of giving without expecting someone to give something back."
On National Day this year, Dunearn Youth will host an upcycled art workshop at St Theresa's Home and also deliver handmade cards and carrot cake.
When asked how Singaporeans can cultivate kindness in both themselves and the younger generation, Emily told Stomp: "Society is very competitive now, and we all think about hustling in our jobs and doing well.
"But sometimes, we just need to take a step back and realise that we can truly shine when helping others. It can help us find meaning, and allow us to feel more compassionate as a society.
"To anyone who wants to volunteer but feels unsure or afraid to start, I would say this: just start! You do not need a perfect plan; just a heart that cares.
"Impact does not always begin with grand gestures - sometimes, it starts with something as simple as showing up. So don't wait to be ready. Start small, and just start!
"The most meaningful journeys often begin with a single step."
