Branda’s Story: A Volunteer Tutor’s Quiet Impact, Celebrated This Teachers’ Day
Branda
This Teachers’ Day, we celebrate not only those who teach within the walls of a classroom, but also those who quietly shape lives through patience, guidance, and kindness. Branda, a volunteer tutor from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Welfare Services Club (WSC) Operation Hope, is one such individual. For the past two years, she has been offering her time and heart to support children at Club Rainbow (Singapore).
Branda’s motivation to start volunteering was simple — a natural affinity for working with children — but what kept her going was the desire to be a source of encouragement and consistent presence. “I’ve always enjoyed interacting with children,” she shares. “But joining Club Rainbow wasn’t just for the enjoyment of teaching, but the encouraging and consistent presence for children who might be facing more than just academic challenges.” Having faced academic challenges herself during childhood, Branda understood the significance of having someone who supports and believes in you. She saw tutoring as an opportunity to do for others what she had once needed herself — to help children build confidence, believe in their abilities, and strive towards their goals.
As a volunteer tutor, Branda mainly supports her tutee with queries she has on certain subjects. Typically, Branda would communicate online with her tutee and together, they discuss which subjects or topics to focus on for the week. Branda then carefully prepares the relevant materials accordingly, with the main focus being identifying and learning from mistakes using creative and easy-to-understand ways. While academic support is at the heart of these sessions, the conversations often go beyond textbooks. Branda would share tips on school transitions and also engage in small talk about life in general — slowly building a bond of trust and friendship.
In the early days, her tutee was really quiet, nervous and unsure of her own abilities. It was also difficult to tell when her tutee was struggling and figure out a teaching style that would suit her tutee’s learning. “She was hesitant to ask questions or to share with me her queries. This made it tougher for me to gauge if I was being clear enough or if she understood the explanation,” Branda recalls. Instead of pressing for answers, Branda tried a different approach: encouraging her tutee to explain concepts back in her own words. “Over time, she was also more open and willing to ask questions, which made our sessions more effective and enjoyable,” Branda shares. They soon discovered her tutee was a visual learner, and began incorporating zoomed in drawings, whiteboards and diagrams, and interactive tools into the sessions.
With each lesson like a small stepping stone, it was a chance to get to know Branda’s tutee better and gradually having more meaningful conversations. “From someone who used to tell me “I can’t do it”, to becoming “I know how to do it!”. Seeing that transition ‒ her becoming more confident in herself and speaking up more, gave me the sense of joy and warmth.” Branda remembers fondly.
To Branda, education support is more than an academic exercise — it’s about creating a safe, nurturing space where children feel seen and supported to learn and grow. Branda affirms, “Club Rainbow creates this platform where these children can freely ask questions or clarify their doubts, being able to seek help without the fear of being judged or feeling like they are falling behind. I feel this encourages the children to find that confidence within and feel supported in their learning journey, being able to receive the support they require.”
Over time, Branda has found that the children she tutors inspire and encourage her just as much. “While they may be of young age, having to handle academics and other difficulties, yet they always show up with a bubbly, bright spirit in them. Their energy and motivation always inspire me to keep on trying... It reminded me how important it was to stay optimistic, to celebrate the small wins along the way, and to not be afraid of failure.”
While not every session is perfect, Branda approaches each one with care and purpose.
“Some sessions turn out to be exciting and engaging, but it is also inevitable for some to be less fulfilling or productive. Treating each session as a small stepping stone keeps me motivated, as I know that my tutee is always learning something new each week, no matter how big or small ‒ it is part and parcel of a journey.”
As we honour educators this Teachers’ Day, Branda’s story reminds us that teaching doesn’t only happen in schools. Sometimes, it happens quietly — through encouragement, patience, and showing up, week after week.
To those considering volunteering, Branda has a message: “Don’t be afraid of trying and never underestimate the children you are working with. The resilience, joy and determination really go beyond what we think. Volunteering at Club Rainbow is not just about teaching, it is also about building meaningful relationships, learning and growing together with the children, being part of their journey. There is no need to be perfect, just be present, patient and willing to give it a go. The experience leaves a lasting impact not just on the children, but on you as well.”
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About Club Rainbow (Singapore)
Established in 1992, Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation and registered charity with the mission to support and empower children with chronic illnesses, many of whom are with special needs and disabilities, and their families to lead a dignified life and become active contributors to society.
Website: https://www.clubrainbow.org/
Contact number: 6377 1789
Email: contact@clubrainbow.org
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