Reuben shares how his YCCI experience helped him grow as a leader and explore his passion for volunteering in the social service sector

After enrolling in his NITEC course in Community Care & Social Services at ITE College East, 21-year-old Reuben Rohit S/O Ramesh embarked on his 20-week journey with the Youth Corps Community Internship (YCCI). Reuben’s teacher signed him up for YCCI as he saw Reuben’s potential to thrive in the programme.

During his time in YCCI, Reuben participated in 11 enrichment programmes that helped him develop his leadership skills and forge new friendships with his fellow peers. He shared how the skills and the activities he took part in as part of his internship helped him grow, mature, and develop into a leader for his peers while also allowing him to explore his interests in the social service sector.

His internship opened many doors of opportunities for him. Aside from opportunities provided by his internship organisation, St. Luke’s Eldercare Centre, he also learned from other social service professionals and organisations such as TOUCH Community Services, Lion Befrienders, and Children at-risk Empowerment. This exposure allowed him to have a taste of what it means to be in this field of work. 

Reuben picked up many essential skills when caring for the elderly, such as assisting them with their basic needs like toilet training, measuring blood pressure, ensuring their meal intakes, and also having fun with the elderly in activities like word search puzzles and colouring activities. Reuben also had the opportunity to conduct exercise classes and programmes for the elderly to help them with their physical well-being.

He also had a chance to assist his colleagues in Wheelchair Mobility Training where he helps wheelchair bounded elderly clients with their transport matters, ensuring their safety and smooth journeys at all times. Apart from caring for the elderly, he also took part in the frequent disinfecting of the care centre, ensuring a clean, healthy and safe environment for the elderly.

Guided by his mentor Saomu, Reuben also learned to open up more and express his thoughts and views. To Reuben, his YCCI experience was not just a job. One of the major factors that keeps Reuben going in his journey at YCCI is the various interactions he had with the elderly, the stories they shared, and bonds he made with them served as a major motivation to serve in the social sector.

Reuben recalled how some of the elderly would shake his hand and hug him whenever they saw him and offer him food or snacks to show their appreciation for his efforts in serving them. 

Reuben is considering returning to his host volunteering organisation with an interest in doing more volunteering related to fundraising events and Community Mobility Training sessions for the elderly. He hopes to further explore his passion for volunteering in the social sector, continue his journey of self-discovery and to keep on building upon the skills he learned during YCCI. 

“I must always work diligently in every task and am delighted to be a part of this amazing Youth Corps journey and seek to continue to hone my skills within YCCI,” said Reuben when asked what was his biggest takeaway from YCCI.

Inspired by Reuben's story? Apply for YCCI here! https://go.gov.sg/ycci-24-c10-li