ADDING VALUE AND INSPIRING CHANGE THROUGH MENTORING: CELINE'S STORY

Celine began volunteering with Beautiful People in 2020, amid a career break. She has been involved in other community services for years, providing tuition, food distribution, doing bread runs, in the hope to contribute back to society and make a difference.

"I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to society in any small ways I can. My Chinese name, literally translated as Rainbow. I hope to embody the spirit of the rainbow, also a constant reminder to myself to live boldly, brightly, and with purpose."

Celine started with assisting the Beautiful People office, before joining as a mentor for My Beautiful Life @ Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls. Alongside with other mentors, she connected with her mentees virtually during the pandemic times before sessions were able to return face-to-face. Subsequently, she also participated in the programmes in Dream Fund and the Girl’s Home. 

One of the work with Beautiful People is also being the co-lead in Programme & Curriculum in the Executive Committee (EXCO). When asked, Celine shared, "I joined the EXCO to contribute and add value to Beautiful People in the best way I can, supporting a cause I truly believe in.” 

Reflecting on one of the organisation's ethos "We are a relationship, not a programme," Celine values the importance of building meaningful connections with mentees in the sessions. Throughout her journey, she has learned that trust and simply being there help build lasting relationships. This support is essential in helping mentees navigate life's many challenges and transitions.

One of Celine's most memorable moments with Beautiful People was the outings with the mentees. "During an outdoor picnic with MBL@PCWG sometime last year, we (mentors) did craft activities where the mentees designed and decorated plain hats in their unique style. They brought these hats home as a keepsake of the wonderful memories we created together," she shared.

Reflecting on her journey, Celine has come to appreciate patience, receptiveness and the value of diversity. For her, volunteering is never about feeling good about herself. It is about having the right intentions and focusing on the needs and growth of the mentees.

Celine encourages others on this path to remain open-minded and trust the process. Over time, they will witness not only the growth of their mentees but also the meaningful relationships built along the way. "It is incredibly rewarding to see mentees become more confident in sharing and expressing themselves, also discovering who they are. The consistent presence and genuine care of mentors and volunteers create a supportive and safe environment where the mentees truly feel empowered."