IMPACT 0310: CULINARY STUDENT WITH A PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS

I’m Ong You Jun and I am 20 years old! I’m a final-year student from Temasek Polytechnic (TP) pursuing a Diploma in Culinary & Catering Management. My hobby is doing any form of community service to give back to society.

Working closely with my diploma interest group, we have collaborated with Paya Lebar- Kovan Community Centre to provide monthly volunteering opportunities to TP students. We would pack essential items for less fortunate families and distribute them at Kovan rental flats. This opportunity allows students to foster a culture of giving back to society from a young age.

Recently, under the GIC Sparks & Smiles programme and with the mentorship of Beyond Social Service, I have been engaging youths from underprivileged households by befriending them and instilling positive values while teaching them a skill or two. Furthermore, this interaction allows them to know that someone believes in them and that they can break the poverty cycle with sheer determination and hard work.

I am fortunate to be in a position where I am able to help underprivileged households, which I hope will inspire those around me to be more empathetic and give back to society.