As we celebrate the festive spirit of December and International Volunteer Day on 5 December, we are reminded of the extraordinary volunteers who embody love in our community. One such volunteer is Janice, a dedicated volunteer with Filos since 2021. By day, Janice works in Emergency Medicine as a doctor, but in her spare time, she’s a volunteer teacher and friend to children in our Early Learning Programme (ELP).

Janice initially joined Filos while searching for meaningful ways to contribute close to home. Helping young children holds a special significance to her, and she quickly found that her time with Filos brought invaluable moments of connection and growth—not only for the children but for herself as well. Volunteering, she says, “is like a hobby” and something we can all do to “contribute in small ways to do good.”

Over the years, Janice has become deeply involved with one child in particular. She fondly recalls the progress he has made, moving from a hesitant start to becoming fully engaged in each session. “When he first joined, he was too shy to participate, and we spent more than half the session encouraging him just to sit with his dad. Now, he arrives eager to learn, and I see improvement in his literacy skills.” Watching him flourish has been a source of joy and fulfilment for Janice, who treasures these small, impactful moments of growth.

For Janice, volunteering is more than a weekly commitment; it is a way to bring hope and love to those who may be struggling. She believes in Filos’ mission to provide children with a space where they can “grow, play, and learn in healthy, engaging environments.” 

As we approach the holiday season, Janice reminds us of the power of showing love through service. "Whether in small or big ways, we bring love to others through our actions, words, and thoughts,” she shares. Quoting Aesop, she encourages others to take the first step today: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” 

Keen to volunteer with children and youth? Check out the volunteering opportunities at Filos’ Volunteer Portal at https://bit.ly/FilosVMS to start your journey today!