Advocating Wildlife Conservation

Animal welfare has always been a major concern around the world. However, there’s no denying most of us tend to pay more attention to the creatures we deem adorable. Consequently, the animals we perceive as scary or off-putting are often marginalised when it comes to conservation discussions.

For 29-year-old Sankar, these overlooked creatures are at the heart of his conservation efforts. Currently a Teaching Assistant and PhD student at NUS, his passion lies in the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians in Singapore – animals that remain maligned by the general population. He aims to change public perception towards these animals, bridging gaps in understanding through his dual role as Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Herpetological Society of Singapore (HSS) and Co-Editor of the Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan (STCP), a document which gathers the input of almost 40 academics, subject matter experts and civil society stakeholders to characterise the current state of knowledge for Singapore’s terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity.

“The HSS is a volunteer-run society that is dedicated to the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians in Singapore,” he explained. “These misunderstood creatures are often the subject of lots of human-wildlife conflict. The HSS conducts accessible public outreach to raise the profile of these animals and cultivate a culture of respect, rather than fear, toward these animals.”

A lifelong animal lover, Sankar found direction in environmental volunteer groups like Team Seagrass and the Naked Hermit Crabs.

“I began volunteering in these incredible community-run organisations and met some incredible people. I found that the nature community in Singapore is welcoming and typically inclusive!”

Inspired by his experiences, Sankar now influences youth to discover nature conservation. He recounted a particularly memorable incident during one of HSS’s early public nature walks at Treetop Walk where participants were thrilled to see a yellow-striped tree skink (Lipinia vittigera).

“This small, uncommon lizard would normally go unnoticed. However, the participants noticed our excitement and got very excited too!” he enthused. Their apparent excitement took him by surprise. Participants lingered to appreciate the skink and took numerous pictures.

“It was heartening to see the people of Singapore appreciate a lizard in the same way that they appreciate rare birds!”

Sankar’s volunteer experiences have been invaluable, shaping not only his moral compass but his personal and professional development. His career as an educator has been greatly bolstered by the public speaking skills he acquired as a nature guide with HSS.

“Volunteering (not just in nature) can be incredibly rewarding,” he reflected. “Approach it with a sincere mind and you’ll be surprised at the doors it opens for yourself and the people around you.”

Bringing Hope for a Better Tomorrow

In Singapore, the cherished kampung spirit where neighbours lived harmoniously and supported one another, remains a crucial part of our cultural heritage. At just 20 years old Dazzle exemplifies this spirit, wholeheartedly dedicated to enhancing the welfare of her local community by volunteering at Hope Centre Singapore, a non-profit voluntary welfare organisation.

“As a member of the National Council of Social Service, Hope Centre is committed to improving the well-being of all people in the community of Singapore,” she shared. Their numerous activities include community outreach, intergenerational activities, children and youth programmes, and outreach to seniors.

Dazzle’s journey with the charitable organisation began when Temasek Polytechnic Community Service Club reached out to her about an external volunteering opportunity. Eager to try her hand at tutoring primary school students, she embraced the opportunity offered by Hope Centre enthusiastically. Little did she know, this decision would open the doors to a world of impactful community service.

Today, she is an integral and dedicated member of the organisation, assisting beneficiaries aged seven to thirteen with their homework and other schoolwork. Beyond academics, she spends her time with the children, playing sports or board games, offering unwavering support.

“Initially, I thought I had little impact on the beneficiaries’ lives. However, when the youths started coming to me for school guidance, I began to realise that I was making a difference,” she noted. “A beneficiary once told me that I was a source of encouragement for her to work harder during her Secondary Five journey. That one statement moved me because it made me feel like my volunteer efforts were making a difference.”

Her partnership with Hope Centre has undoubtedly deepened her empathy and compassion for others.

“Volunteering, which involves working with people undergoing hardships or communities in need, has helped me develop a deeper understanding of others,” she reflected.

Bridging Communities Through Music

Music has a remarkable ability to bridge divides and transcend boundaries even within Singapore’s migrant worker community, often overlooked but integral to our society.

In recent years, attention has turned towards migrant workers, with initiatives like ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR), which aims to build bridges of integration between migrant workers and residents of Singapore. Founded in 2015 by Dipa Swaminathan, IRR has grown exponentially with the support of over a thousand volunteers, including 17-year-old Kairav Iyer, Dipa’s son.

Inspired by the unifying power of music, Kairav launched Groove for Good in collaboration with IRR, an initiative aimed at teaching migrant workers how to play the guitar.

“The idea is to help migrant workers relax while we introduce them to music,” he explained.

His enduring passion for music has always eased his own stress, motivating him to share this universal joy.

“Music gives me a lot of joy, especially when I’m stressed,” he elaborated. “I noticed that migrant workers face a lot of stress and I wanted to do something to share this joy with them.”

Through Groove for Good, migrant workers can not only enjoy free guitar lessons, and develop a new hobby but also bring this gift back to their dorms to share with others. Kairav firmly believes that recreational activities like guitar playing shouldn’t be a luxury for a privileged few.

“They are human beings too and who doesn’t like music!” he exclaimed.

His passion for the cause is contagious, inspiring his peers to join in at IRR’s inspire space every Saturday to teach guitar. Despite their exhaustion after a long week at school, they never miss a session.

“It’s so nice to see the migrant workers eagerly waiting for their lessons with bright eyes!” Kairav shared. “I enjoy chatting with them and getting to know them. They are always so kind and polite.”

Through his volunteerism, Kairav has gained unique insights into the migrant worker experience, deepening his appreciation for their joy and kindness despite their challenging circumstances.

“They are no different from us and music is a great common language,” he said.