This International Volunteer Day, we celebrate Deepika, a Camp Rainbow volunteer whose journey reminds us that while volunteering is about making a difference in the lives of others, it is also an opportunity to learn, grow and discover what we are capable of.
At 21, Deepika is a Year 2 Diagnostic Radiography student at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Her volunteering journey with Club Rainbow (Singapore) began in 2024, when she decided to step outside her comfort zone and spend more time working with children. Discovering Camp Rainbow through the VolunteerSG platform, she signed up as part of the Camp Rainbow Executive Committee (Exco), hoping to build her confidence and develop her leadership skills.
What began as an opportunity for personal growth soon became a deeply enriching experience. Through Camp Rainbow, Deepika has built meaningful connections with the children and fellow volunteers, while learning the importance of patience, kindness and thoughtfulness. Serving on the Exco team also taught her how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds, work through challenges and bring creative ideas to life for the campers.
Among her most memorable experiences are the moments when she witnessed the children grow in confidence. In 2025, as a group leader, Deepika supported a particularly shy camper who was initially disengaged from the activities. By the end of camp, the child had found the confidence to take part in the final group performance in front of everyone.
For Deepika, seeing this transformation was a powerful reminder of the difference Camp Rainbow can make. It provides a supportive environment where children can discover their strengths, build friendships and find the courage to try something new.
Another moment that has stayed with her dates back to her first year of volunteering in 2024. When a child in her group became homesick and missed his parents, Deepika was there to offer comfort and reassurance. By the end of camp, he had grown more confident being away from his parents and returned to enjoy Camp Rainbow again the following year.
These experiences have shown Deepika that even small acts of care and encouragement can make a meaningful difference. They have also strengthened her understanding that every child is different, and that building trust takes time, patience and empathy.
Volunteering, however, comes with its own challenges. As a Programme Exco member, Deepika sometimes found it challenging to come up with engaging activities for the campers. With the support of fellow volunteers and Club Rainbow staff, she learned to exchange ideas, think creatively and work collaboratively to create enjoyable experiences for the children. Through this process, she discovered that meaningful programmes are built not only on good ideas, but also on teamwork and a shared commitment to the children.
Beyond Camp Rainbow, Deepika has gained valuable interpersonal skills and a better understanding of how to engage with children. As she works towards a future career in Diagnostic Radiography, she believes these experiences will be especially useful when interacting with paediatric patients. Learning to communicate with children, understand their needs and help them feel at ease is a skill she hopes to carry with her into her professional life.
Reflecting on the role of volunteers at Club Rainbow, Deepika believes they offer more than an extra pair of hands. Volunteers provide vital support for the organisation’s programmes while serving as positive role models whom the children can look up to. Through their time, care and encouragement, they help create opportunities for children to step beyond their comfort zones and discover their potential.
To those considering volunteering, Deepika has a simple but heartfelt message: “You should do it!” She encourages others to take that first step, sharing that volunteering broadens perspectives and develops valuable skills that may not be gained through other experiences. More importantly, the support volunteers give can make a lasting difference to the beneficiaries and to the volunteers themselves.
“Volunteering with Club Rainbow has had a significant impact in my life and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do so!” she shares.
This International Volunteer Day, Deepika’s story reminds us that the impact of volunteering goes both ways. As volunteers walk alongside children and families, they too learn, grow and discover new ways to make a difference. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments are not grand gestures, but the quiet encouragement that helps a child find their confidence, the reassurance that turns homesickness into happy memories, and the connections that continue to inspire us long after camp ends.
Make a difference today - support Club Rainbow’s children and families by volunteering with us!
About Club Rainbow (Singapore)
Established in 1992, Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children with chronic illnesses, many of whom have disabilities and special needs, and their families. Anchored in our commitment to empowering individuals to lead dignified lives and become active contributors to society, Club Rainbow delivers more than 30 critical programmes, services, and assistance schemes to support our children and their family members.
Website: https://www.clubrainbow.org/
Contact number: 6377 1789
Email: contact@clubrainbow.org
Facebook/ Instagram/ TikTok/ LinkedIn/ YouTube: @clubrainbowsingapore