COVER STORY
Kind Alumna Giving in Kind
Rate this article after reading ! Writer : Daniel Koh
Ms Katherine Ho , an SUSS alumna from the School of Human Development and Social Services , obtained her Bachelor of Counselling in 2011 and is currently working as a Lead Executive in an IT company . Despite jher busy schedule , she still finds time to volunteer for different communities in Singapore and is , in fact , also scheduled to conduct a Mobile Apps training at SUSS for her fellow alumni . Read on to find out about her passion for volunteering work , be encouraged by her efforts which has been sustained over several decades to date , and follow her example by taking the step forward in contributing to our SUSS family .
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Can you introduce yourself , please ? My name is Katherine , and just like you , I ’ m an alumna and a volunteer at our alma mater .
It is really a privilege to be able to get back to school , feeling “ young ” all over again , even though I may have been the most “ mature ” by age in my Counselling class . My learning journey at SUSS had been most enjoyable ! I started with the one-year Diploma programme in Human Services , and worked progressively towards the three-year Bachelor degree in Counselling . It was an eye-opener experience for me .
Which area of volunteer work do you focus on currently ?
I train people in technology . Technology changes all the time , like the good old DOS , which is often called the black screen . And then we have Windows , the introduction of the ever sensitive mouse , followed by web-based applications and mobile computing , and moving soon to the Smart Nation . Just like our lives , it goes on progressively .
I also go through mobile apps like Facebook and WhatsApp with senior citizens , which I find meaningful . It helps them in keeping up with the changing times and building up confidence . This is something which is fulfilling for me !
I also train children age 10 and above in coding , creating electronic games and driving robots . These training sessions bring much joy and happiness to them , being part of the digital world !
I believe the Counselling programme has equipped me with the right skill sets to cater to the many needs out there , enabling me to reach out to every person who needs assistance in living well again .
I learnt to connect with people of all ages with better understanding , connecting what I have studied about the different stages of the human lifespan , from cradle to grave . The practicality of this programme has certainly given me the ability to put theory into practice .
Anything that stood out while you were volunteering ?
There was a couple that I helped in my volunteering work . They were contemplating a divorce , but changed their minds after realising the real obstacles which nearly caused the break-up . They renewed their marriage vows instead .
There was also a schizophrenic man who came to realise that regular medication is essential for his well-being . This realisation and acceptance assisted him to control his condition .
To me , volunteerism has no boundaries . When I saw the call for volunteers to provide training on mobile apps , the first thought that came into my mind was “ Oh , this is something that I can do . I have done it before . I can help . Let me go for it !” Simple as that .