Empowering Students Through Reading | John Ko’s Volunteer Journey with Books & Beyond
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 2024!
Meet John — Embracing the Joy of Giving Back
John has always embraced the opportunities that come with free time by making good use of it to give back to the community. His volunteer journey began with FedEx, where he spent six months helping children with mental challenges prepare for a public performance. That experience ignited his passion for volunteering, and since then, John has supported both disadvantaged and typical students through a variety of volunteer efforts. Volunteering has become a source of joy for him because it leaves a lasting positive impact for everyone long after the work is done.
Books & Beyond Reading Club: Fostering a Love for Learning
Books & Beyond Reading Club (B&B) is an educational initiative aimed at improving students’ English skills through interactive reading programs. Its mission is to foster a love of reading and to build students’ confidence in learning English by offering a range of engaging and creative activities.
John discovered B&B through Time Auction and was immediately drawn to its semester-long commitment because it allows sufficient time to spur and witness improvement. “I love how B&B makes learning fun, using activities that engage students and build their confidence,” John explained. It was never just about memorizing words; instead, it was about making language learning enjoyable. After his first lesson in 2019, John was hooked and has been actively volunteering with B&B since then.
Moments of Courage and Connection
While John’s time at B&B has always been filled with heartwarming experiences, there are a few moments that stand out. He shared the story of one particularly brave student who, despite struggling with her English skills, chose to take on a challenging part during a presentation rather than switch places with a classmate. “Her courage was incredible—it’s something even many adults might not have had,” John shared.
Another memorable experience involved an initially shy student who avoided group activities. Thanks to the team’s patient encouragement, by the final lesson, the student was not only participating but was actively engaged by excitedly sharing props he had brought for his presentation.
John also shared the hilarious “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” moment. During a phonics lesson, he introduced the famously difficult word from Mary Poppins as a fun challenge. The next week, one of the students confidently recited the word, revealing that he had spent the entire week practicing. “His classmates were as amazed as I was,” John recalled with a smile.
Dedication Inspiring Change
John's dedication and hard work at B&B have been widely recognized and appreciated. The NGO expressed glowing praise for his work, nominating him for the 2024 Swire Trust Go-Givers Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication.“ John has selflessly devoted 252 hours of his time during this academic year, making a significant impact on the lives of numerous students,” they noted.
In particular, John’s leadership in the Interactive Storytelling program at Jordan Valley St. Joseph Primary School and his commitment to the Listening Enhancement Zoom Classes have been exemplary. B&B shared, “John consistently goes above and beyond to create a positive and enjoyable learning environment for his students. He brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a passion for teaching to every session.”
John’s involvement extends beyond his role in the classroom into curriculum development, including content writing, proofreading, and producing audio files, all of which have played a crucial role in helping students acquire the skills needed to succeed in their exams. “John’s dedication to personalizing support for students by reviewing recorded classes and understanding their learning needs is truly commendable,” B&B applauded.
A Learning Experience for All
For John, volunteering is not only teaching children, but it is also learning himself. “We’re always learning from each other, whether it’s new ideas for lessons or helpful feedback on how to improve,” John reflected. These meaningful interactions with students and colleagues alike make volunteering a truly enriching experience.
He also cherished the deep sense of fulfillment and joy gained from volunteering. “I find volunteering to be far more rewarding than other weekend activities like sleeping in or watching TV,” he explained. The pleasure and sense of accomplishment from helping students succeed are priceless.
Make Time for Impact
As John suggested, “Volunteering is the most rewarding way to spend your time.” So, if you've got some free time, try volunteering!
Thank you John for contributing 252 volunteer hours, with 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.
Written by Time Auction team, Edited by Margaret Ng, Volunteer Editor
