Wen Ee Lim, a tourism executive, shared with us her volunteer holiday experience in the beautiful city of Pune, India. 

TMTVT: Hi Wen, what made you go on a volunteer holiday?
Wen: I went to Pune, India in late 2004 for 10 days. It was to experience what volunteer vacation is like with the perspective of potential longer-term involvement. I also feel very grateful and blessed with all that God has given me and I thought it was an opportunity to give back to others.

TMTVT: Did it meet up with your expectation?
Wen: I had not much of an expectation of this trip, it being my first time. But I was excited about getting to know more people, especially about the Indians and their culture.

TMTVT: So what did you do in the trip?
Wen: We taught English to children in the slums, organized a party for an all-girls orphanage (street children saved from prostitution) and also played with children at an co-ed orphanage. It was great seeing the smiles on the childrens’ faces,  great to work together with the team of 11 of us. Close relationships were formed. In addition, the bond built with the Indian missionaries there was awesome. 

TMTVT: Did you have the chance to do some sight-seeing then?
Wen: Yes I did. Although I had spent the bulk of my time there at the orphanages, I did make a trip to the flea market as well as experience the wonderful Indian cuisine there.

TMTVT: What do you think one can learn from such volunteer holidays abroad?
Wen: Well, personally, I had learned about humility; seeing how so many volunteers working and dedicating their lives in serving the Pune community. It made me realize how each person can make a difference to another’s life, starting with just a desire. I believe that children and families can experience a closer bond through volunteer vacations and learn how to exercise their various talents together as a family.

TMTVT: What advice would you give to someone volunteering for the first time?
Wen: Be open to experience another culture, make friends with the locals there, accept a totally different environment, work as a team and don’t expect to be spoon-fed, in other words take some initiatives.

TMTVT: Tell us why you think some volunteers go back to volunteer again?
Wen: I think that’s because they realize that they’ve been blessed with so much that you want to give it away. I, for one, would consider volunteering again and would recommend it to my family and friends.

TMTVT: If you could bring only 3 items on such volunteering vacation, what would they be and why?
Wen: First, it would be toothpaste because it is hard to find there. Next, some gifts for the kids would be nice and also maybe a portable musical instrument, like a guitar.

TMTVT: What would you say in conclusion about this volunteering experience?
Wen: I’ll say that this volunteer holiday was humbling, fulfilling, challenging, and exciting. The relationship amongst each of the group member was very closely-knitted as a result. We leaned on each other for support. One thing that I will always remember is to see the faces of the children light-up when we were playing games with them. Wish I had made arrangement to stay another 6 months.

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