A Lawyer’s Leap into the World of Education and Volunteering | Anna Wong, Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2023
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGO partners in education, marine conservation, and arts. From now to 2025. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2023!
Meet Anna
Most skill-based volunteers seek for volunteer roles that are aligned with their professional backgrounds. But not Anna!
A full-time solicitor, Anna's work usually involves drafting contracts and legal documents. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she began working from home and found herself with extra free time (and nowhere to be!). Determined to make the most of it, she discovered the Time Auction platform and embarked on her first skill-based volunteering opportunity.
This is the uplifting and inspiring story of how Anna became the Program Leader for the "Conversations That Matter" initiative at the Books and Beyond Reading Club. Through this role, she made a positive impact and developed a newfound love for teaching.
Finding purpose during lockdown
During the pandemic, many of us used our time to pick up new skills or keep in touch with loved ones over Zoom.
Anna, however, wanted to utilize her time in a way that made a difference, which meant volunteering her professional skills. As she explored various volunteer opportunities on Time Auction's platform, one particular role caught her eye.
"I loved learning English as a child - it brings back great memories! When I discovered the volunteer role at Books and Beyond Reading Club, I recognized it as a chance to provide the same rewarding learning experience for others. It's about giving back and offering quality English education to children who otherwise wouldn't have access to it."
The mission of Books and Beyond Reading Club is to provide free, innovative English learning programs for students with limited resources. Besides Barbara, the founder, the organization relies entirely on volunteers! Anna played a crucial role as the Conversations That Matter Program Leader, overseeing the operations of the program and hosting weekly Zoom classes.
"We took extra care to strike a fine balance between challenging the children to learn, while ensuring they weren't overwhelmed or discouraged. At the end of the day, we want every student to come away with greater English skills, self-confidence, and the tools they need to succeed in the classroom - and that means learning at their own pace."
Going Above and Beyond
Anna's dedication to her students extended beyond her regular weekly class preparation and Zoom sessions. When she noticed one of her older students was struggling with foundational English skills, she took the initiative to offer extra tutoring. Together, they devoted additional hours to strengthen the student's understanding of basic phonics, grammar, and conversational skills.
Their perseverance paid off as the student's English skills progressively improved. More importantly, the student gained renewed confidence in her ability to learn. "This student made significant improvements, which bring me so much joy. He later messaged me about the good score he received on a school test and personally thanked me for helping him achieve it. That was such an incredibly encouraging and heartening moment for me."
Volunteering as Self-Improvement
The flexibility provided by the pandemic made it very easy for Anna to find time for this volunteer role. She often spent evenings and weekends familiarizing herself with the course material and crafting engaging lesson plans.
Even as social activities resumed, she found the workload to be manageable. "A few hours a week is a worthwhile investment. It's more than making a difference in the lives of others, it’s also about self-improvement. People often spend a few hours a week on workout classes, upskilling courses, or picking up new hobbies. Why not think of volunteering the same way?"
For those who are thinking about skill-based volunteering, she offers this advice: "Consistency is key!"
Building a habit of consistent volunteering can broaden your experiences and help you achieve your personal goals in unique ways. Anna demonstrated that even busy professionals can find time to contribute to their community, gaining new perspectives and passions in the process. She found it incredibly rewarding to work as an educator. While she won't be changing her career, she plans to nurture her passion for education as a long-term volunteer with the Books and Beyond Reading Club.
Anna occasionally volunteered with different NGOs too,
believing in the importance of building a habit of consistent volunteering even as a busy professional.
Thank you Anna for contributing 73 volunteer hours, with the Books and Beyond Reading Club!
To see details of the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program and support their NGO partners, head over to Time Auction website.
