Volunteering
Why do we still label them as ex-offenders? They are people who have made a mistakes and they have already paid a price for it, so why we still label them? After all, we all make mistakes. It is just that the consequences for some mistakes are more severe than others. It does not mean we should look down on them. For all we know, we might make the very same mistake one day.
My name is SARAVANAN and I am 51 years old. Currently I am working as military expert holding an appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major in the SAF. Personally I believe that the label ex offender should be removed. We should give them a second chance and affirm them. Being a SACA volunteer provides me with an avenue to give a positive affirmation and support to them. I was inspired to be a volunteer from my oversea experiences. One of the mission, where I was deployed in Thailand to ease the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami. The scene was chaotic with dead bodies everywhere. In my time there, I met two Singaporeans; Peter and Richard. I was there because I had a call of duty, but two gentlemen were there on their own accord. I learnt so much from them from their kindness and love that was prominent in their every action inspired me. It inspired me to do more in serving my country, more than just what I was already doing as a Singaporean solider. I wanted to help more people if possible.
I went back to Singapore, I starting volunteering for a few organization. It was only in 2010 that I came across SACA through the internet. I was actually the first batch to join the community befriender program. As befriender, I play different roles to support the inmates such as mentor, coach, counselor and close friend. My supportive roles allow them to reflect, share and listen to the real-life stories. As many of whom only hear and the listening which is very crucial to the individual thoughts and feels. Our heart is like shore and our friends are like waves. Waves are bound to come and come and go, but how many waves are able to reach deep into the shores? I believe that a volunteer should ultimately be a big wave, one big enough to reach deep into the shore of the client. The easiest way to achieve that is simply by listening. Listening is a no verbalized action that sends out the message such as “I care for you’’, and “I want to help you”. The ability to listen is an essential skill that of us should acquire.
In my thought, a volunteer should also possess these six C’s: Character, Conscious, Confidence, Commitment, Competency, and Consistency. Volunteer must have a good character, the conscientiousness to speak with care, the confidence to do what is right, and the commitment to participate in any volunteer related activities. They should also be competent by having the necessary rapport building and communication skills, and also have the consistency in providing support to the client. Over years I have several cases which are successful and memorable ones. I had this client, David which is not his real, who has been incarcerated 10 times due to drug-related offenses. I came to know about him when he was serving the tail end of his incarceration. Writing letters to each other was the medium of our communication at first.
I can still remember what I wrote in my very first letter to him. I started off by introducing myself, notifying him about the role that I play and the rest of it went something like this, “You are master of your life, you are captain and I am only a navigator. It is like we are on a ship. You give me direction and I steer the ship. You make the decision, not me”. On one occasion, when I was standing around the release gate at the prison just a few months before David was released. I had an interesting encounter, a friend was released when I was there. Out of blue, this person approached me and said, “You are Mr. SARA right? I know you” I got surprised, I wondered who is this gentleman was. How does he know my name? This questions raced through my mind. He mentioned that he was David’s cellmate and he was the one who wrote all those letters on behalf of David to me. David could not write well but took the trouble to ask his cellmate to reply all the letters which I have written to him.
Soon after David was released, he applied for a job but his application was rejected.T his utterly demoralized. I told him to believe in himself and to try again. Today, he is captain in a restaurant, earning a desired pay. Furthermore, he went to learn to drive and obtain a driving license and join the Multilevel company to do sales. He had the willpower to fight back to reintegrate in the community, knowing what it is important for him at this point in time as his age is very crucial. When someone is imprisoned, he or she spends countless hours in the cell, seduced by his or her loved ones. within a month, the inmates are only allowed two visits, so those visits are priceless to them. When an inmate gets a visit from loved ones, he or she will definitely talk about it with his or her cellmates’.There are always a few inmates who do not get ay visits or letter from their loved ones.
When someone like us, a volunteer make a conscious effort to pay them a visit or to simply write a letter to them, you can imagine the happiness that you can bring to them. Believe me when I say that the prisoners will always look forward to the next visit or a letter. A simple gesture on our side means a lot to the clients.
SARA
