She mingles with high-society women as part of her job, but it’s the inmates of Changi Women’s Prison who feed her soul. By Lani Chan (Contributor and Author). It was during a six-month sabbatical in 2004 that I had my first taste of volunteerism. It was then I spent some time living in remote villages in Chiang Mai and Yunnan, with no running water or electricity. Apart from Christian fellowship which led me there, I also had a chance to teach English as a foreign language to Thai children. On my return to Singapore, my perspective on life had changed. I came back with a strong desire to give back to society, especially to underprivileged women and children. I was drawn to volunteering in prisons, as my grandparents were early pioneers in prison ministry going back almost 40 years. Prison is a really difficult place to be in, and no one really wants to befriend a prisoner. Most people shun prisoners and incarceration is especially difficult for mothers with children on the outside. Offenders often find it difficult to reintegrate into mainstream society, lacking skills or a social network that can help them. Many of their friends from their past are also similarly involved in crime or drugs, so it’s pointless for them to return to their old network for support. I have found we can make a direct impact on someone’s life, just by going to prison to visit. It means a lot to inmates that someone cares enough to spend time with them, talking to them and sharing with them. A listening ear gives them a lot of comfort. I realise that even if we think we’re not doing much than just regularly going to prison, our very presence there makes a difference to a hurting soul. This is what keeps me going. That, and knowing that my grandmother visited regularly until ill health stopped her (she was well into her 80s), makes me continue to serve. For me, volunteering to go into Changi Women’s Prison is quite light work as I only need to go once a month for three hours at a time. But I will go in whenever I’m called for extra duty. The women in prison and those that I meet through my work come from totally different backgrounds. Most of the women I deal with in my work situation are well-off, educated, many are pampered, and have a privileged lifestyle that some can only dream of. Indeed since my main job is of a personal shopper, a certain type of customer will come to consult with me. But at the core of every woman is the need for affirmation, love and identity. All women who are mothers love their children and are concerned about their well-being, education and future. This is the commonality that I find in all the women that I meet, whether in prison or through my work. Among the volunteer projects I’ve been involved with was one at an orphanage in Lijiang, China. This is a very beautiful Chinese city preserved in its original state from 400 years ago. I like my holidays now to be combined with some element of volunteerism so that my overseas trips are not just about enjoying myself but also fulfilling. I have to say, getting a chance to work with different projects itself is a big bonus for my trips. I hope more Singaporeans will step up to the plate and do their bit, either in Singapore or overseas. If time is an issue then certainly there are many worthy projects that need finances from those who are financially-able to contribute. I want to share that all of us have something to give back to society. Often we hamper ourselves from volunteering because we worry that we have nothing to offer in terms of skills or talents. But I encourage all those who are looking for some project to volunteer, as long as your heart is willing, you can find something to do. Some small thing no matter how obscure can surely help someone in need. Lani Chan is a personal stylist for Club 21, a luxury retail group. She has many years of marketing and PR experience with some of the world’s best fashion and beauty brands. While she is not consulting with a client, she is out giving back. She has been volunteering at Changi Women’s Prison for five years. In the past, she financially supported an orphanage in Chennai, India; volunteered in an orphanage in Lijiang, China and taught English in Inner Mongolia. This story was first published on SALT (www.salt.org.sg), an e-magazine by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. Additional info provided by cataloguer: The article is accompanied by two photographs showing Lani Chan at an orphanage in Chennai, India and her posing together with a group of children at an orphanage in Lijiang, China.
