1 - How it all began

When we think about the word 'business', the first thought that usually comes to our mind is 'profit'. When I think of business, I see an opportunity to make a positive difference in our community through social enterprises, or what I call, 'business with a heart'. Having first learnt about social enterprises in 2015, I became intrigued by the potential for businesses to make a sustainable social impact, which motivated me to explore social enterprises as a career option and start volunteering to gain exposure to the various social causes in our community.

2 - Serving the Community

Peer Helping Programme (PHP) | 2023 - Present

There are times when we get too caught up with our work and neglect caring for ourselves. Having gone through stressful moments myself, I wanted to promote the importance of mental health to others and joined PHP, supporting others by:

-Providing emotional support and guidance to students in need through befriending services

-Encouraging open conversations about mental wellness and sharing self-care practices through outreach activities at PHP Flagship Carnival, NBS's Chillvibez 2024 and October Wellfest 2023

-Conduct in-depth analysis on response to PHP's publicity materials as a data analyst and proposed improvements to increase participation in wellness activities

Deaf Community | 2023 - Present

What started as an interest in learning Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) exposed me to Deaf Culture and turned me into an advocate for promoting the inclusion of the Deaf Community in society by:

-Tutoring deaf children under Clementi Community Centre's Tuition and Enrichment Programme, which seeks to support students from the Deaf community in their academic work through weekly tuition sessions

-Planned programmes for SPARKZ 2024, a learning journey to the Science Centre that aims to improve the self-confidence of deaf tutees by giving them avenues for self-expression through various activities and assisted in sign interpretation for the participants

Welfare Services Club Challenge ur Limits (CurL) | 2021 - Present

I joined CurL as I wanted to make a positive difference by empowering these children with intellectual disabilities through our events:

-Led the events committee in organising Christmas Celebration with Rainbow Centre, an event that aims to strengthen the bond between the children and caregivers as well as develop the socio-emotional competencies of the participants through the activities

-Collaborated with AWWA to organise Candid Moments a 'by service user, for service user' event that empowers students with intellectual disability to become volunteer photographers for the elderly in an outing to Gardens by the Bay

3 - Inspiring others to Serve

National Council of Social Service (NCSS) | 2022

I took the opportunity to use my internship to learn about the efforts in the Social-Service-Sector and took part in projects to inspire the community including:

Stories-from-the-Heart

https://www.ncss.gov.sg/our-stories/detail-page/stories-from-the-heart---summit-video

Social Service Summit 2022

-Supported the organising team and managed the Stories-from-the-Heart roving exhibition

4 - Initiatives

Alter-Eco | 2016 - Present

Alter-Eco is a ground up-initiative I founded that aims to tackle the issue of food wastage in Singapore through upcycling food waste into an eco-friendly detergent, Eco-Enzymes, promoting its use and by advocating households to adopt positive habits to reduce food wastage.

Kumar Sustainability Challenge (2023 - 2024)

-Participated in the challenge to develop the idea further as a social enterprise

IdeaSLAM (2018 - 2019)

-Placed first in the inter-polytechnic pitching competition, a competition which challenges students to come up with innovative ideas that tackles an environmental issue

Outreach

-Shared with the public ways in which we can reduce food waste at home through events such as the Terra Village Market

5 - Others

Collaborated with Singapore Association for Visually Handicapped (SAVH) and Mediafreaks to create a public education video to educate commuters on how they can support the visually impaired community on public transportations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDua6fPddxI

6 - Closing Thoughts

I believe that every action, no matter how small can contribute to a big impact and I will continue making a sustainable difference now and in the future to build a more inclusive society for all.

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Annabel Lim Shunhui

Why I Pursued These Causes

I have been fortunate to have numerous life mentors who have consistently emphasized the importance of "paying it forward". These mentors include school seniors, fellow volunteers, grassroots leaders, and teachers. They have shaped my understanding and commitment to social responsibility. Whether through NTUSU or grassroots volunteering, I have always aimed to positively impact the lives of others and foster a supportive and engaged community. I chose these specific causes as I believe I can best use the skills learnt from my degree and personal pursuits to have a stronger impact.

Involvement in NTUSU

My journey in the NTU Students' Union (NTUSU) started as a freshman when I joined the 30th Communications Committee. Under the patient guidance of the lead committee members and the executive committee, I quickly realised that NTUSU was more than just a CCA. It was a place that encouraged personal growth and had many students passionate about enhancing student life.

I decided to run for the position of Vice President of Communications in the 32nd Executive Committee to have a larger impact. Leveraging my background as a marketing major, I aimed to refine the Union's communication systems. With the support of my junior Executive Committee, our term achieved a comprehensive rebranding of NTUSU. We heightened the focus on publicising both Union and school initiatives, increasing student engagement, and actively monitoring student feedback and sentiment.

We streamlined publicity requests and worked with other Exco members to ensure each division received maximum exposure on our social media platforms. Our regular communication efforts resulted in a broader understanding among students about the Union's activities and the events we organised.

In 2024, I had the privilege of serving as the 33rd President of NTUSU. The past few years with the Union have been eye-opening, and it was always a privilege to work with equally passionate students dedicated to improving university life. I strived to support the Union and its members to the best of my abilities.

Grassroots Volunteering

Since 2020, I have been volunteering at Tanjong Pagar GRC. I started with petition writing during weekly Meet-the-People Sessions. Over time, my role expanded to include assisting with social media and photography for the Member of Parliament (MP) during community engagements. Seeing firsthand my MP's personal interest in the lives of her constituents and her genuine engagement has been immensely inspiring, and motivated me to take up roles within my community that will allow me to serve others.

Impact on Society

Enhanced Student Engagement in NTU: My work with NTUSU has improved student awareness and participation in Union activities. This allows for a more connected and engaged student population.

Community Support: Volunteering in Tanjong Pagar GRC has allowed me to support the local community through direct engagement and assistance. On the ground, I can better understand the local community's concerns and convey these issues to my MP and the PA team to ensure residents' needs are met.

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I've been instilled that it is a privilege to be able to contribute back to the community and society since young. Any tiny contribution would have an impact if done consistently. I see it as my responsibility to uphold this spirit, even when the methods for doing so evolve over time.

I received the APB-SPD Scholarship to pursue a double degree at NTU and the Natsteel-SPD Youth Aspiration Award in recognition of my community service endeavors. I used the prize money to support the Taman Jurong Active Ageing Committee by sponsoring mobile devices to conduct smartphone workshops for the elderly.

Notable Acitivites

Volunteer Manager of WSC Operation Hope: Aug 2020 - Jul 2023

Engaging with chronically ill children during Covid-19 was a tough task, given we couldn't physically interact with them during the 3 years with the club. In an isolative period during Covid, we had to adapt, and find innovative ways to actively engage the kids in a lonely time.

As the Volunteer Manager, I organised activity kits and online activities like Amazing Races regularly. With special events held around holidays like Children's Day and Christmas, when they are amused with lively dancing, games, and gifts to bring a smile to their faces! :D

SPD's "UNLABEL" Campaign: Nov 2020

As part of SPD's drive to promote inclusion and acceptance of persons with disabilities and realize its goal of an inclusive community where everyone is part of it, I was fortunate to contribute as a voice on a national platform.

UNLABEL aims to bring the message of defying disability stereotypes to the public. Through the effort, we hope to see more focus on the abilities of individuals, rather than their disabilities-paving the way for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in our society."

I carry the responsibility of embodying that messaging in my everyday life, challenging boundaries and exemplifying impact through action.

Assistant Portfolio Manager of the Next Gen ESG Investing Club: Jul 2021 - Jan 2024:

Aligning passions in sustainability and investing, I served as the Assistant Portfolio Manager in the Next Gen ESG Investing Club. In addition to overseeing a $10,000 portfolio in creating returns for the Club's scholarship program, I supported the Club via its numerous community education initiatives.

In the club's central purpose towards investor education, I moderated meet-the-investor session with experienced professionals on ESG investing, and outreached to members of the public during West Coast CC's Earth Hour 2023 event. Engaging and attracting participants to our Investoon Gameshow, to make the learning about investing into a fun and interactive experience.

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"Be the change that you wish to see in the world."

During my time at NTU, I dedicated my time as a student leader to fostering positive change within our community. Leading various projects, I have worked to actively promote environmental sustainability, educational outreach, and social equity. My initiatives include organising sustainability-themed activities for the community, spearheading educational programs for underprivileged youth, and encouraging others to adopt eco-friendly practices. Through these efforts, I strive to create a lasting impact and inspire others to join the mission of building a better, more compassionate world.

Brickland Wellness Day

Brickland Wellness Day, organised in collaboration with Brickland Community Center, was a vibrant Chinese New Year event designed to bring joy and festive cheer to the residents of Brickland. While ensuring fun and engaging atmosphere, my team and I also incorporated educational activities focused on sustainability. Residents participated in lantern-making sessions and created lava lamps using reusable materials, highlighting the importance of eco-friendly practices. This event not only celebrated cultural traditions, but also aimed to raise awareness about sustainable living, fostering a sense of community and environmental responsibility among participants.

CSR Project with Fei Yue Community Services

In collaboration with Fei Yue Community Center, I embarked on a CSR project aimed at building solar windmill models made of wood. On two separate occasions, this initiative brought together participants of all ages, from children to older adults, providing a unique platform to educate them about the importance of sustainable energy. Through hands-on construction and interactive learning, we highlighted how renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, can significantly benefit our future. This project not only fostered a deeper understanding of sustainability but also encouraged participants to adopt eco-friendly practices, reinforcing our commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable world.

Back-to-School Project

My Back-to-School project focused on supporting underprivileged primary and secondary school children by providing them with essential school materials, such as books and stationary. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap of inequality and foster a healthy learning environment that encourages academic excellence and curiousity. By equipping these young learners with the necessary tools they need, I sought to empower them to achieve their full potential and inspire a lifelong love for learning. This project not only addressed immediate educational needs but also aimed to instill confidence and motivation in these children, helping them to envision and work towards a brighter future.

Recycling project with Ngee Ann Polytechnic

In collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic students, I led a recycling project where we collected old wooden furniture from Brickland residents and upcycled them into decorative home diffusers. This initiative aimed to educate the community about recycling and sustainable practices, turning discarded items into beautiful, functional decor.

Tuition for secondary school students

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I provided virtual tuition sessions to underprivileged secondary school students to support their academic needs during this distressing time. Recognising the challenges posed by remote learning and limited resources, I dedicate my time to help these students navigate their studies, ensuring that they did not fall behind. Continuing this effort beyond the pandemic, I remained committed to fostering educational equity and empowering students to achieve their academic goals despite any obstacle they face.

Through these volunteer efforts, I have witnessed the profound impact that education, sustainability, and community engagement can have on individuals and society as a whole. From empowering students to promoting environmental awareness and fostering intergenerational connections, my actions have contributed to building a stronger, more resilient community.

My volunteer journey is driven by a deeply personal belief in the transformative power of education and community engagement. As a beneficiary from the guidance and support of my own mentors, I am committed to paying it forward and creating opportunities for others to thrive. I strongly believe that by investing in education and sustainability, we can build a more equitable and compassionate society for future generations.

In conclusion, my volunteer journey is not just about giving back, it's about creating meaningful connections, fostering empathy, and building a brighter future for all. By sharing my time, skills and resources with others, I hope to inspire positive change and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around me.

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