Joshua Quek

Being a sporty child, I picked up basketball when I was in primary school and really liked the game. When I was 15, I met the people at W.A.D! Club, which stands for ‘We Are Different!’ – a club that provides the environment for our youth to be developed holistically. It didn’t take long before I started playing with them regularly, and eventually became a volunteer. I started off as a player, then progressed to planning activities and eventually taking on the role of ‘Coach’.

At my young age then, and having had no prior professional training, I felt inadequate and unprepared. The role required me to step out of my comfort zone, which was tough. However, it was really encouraging to see the rest of my team improve, and even to witness the change in their lives, and that really kept me going. Everything I learned from basketball team trainings in school, I translated to my coaching. It was the best I could do at that time, and I relished it. I also had to juggle schoolwork with coaching, and eventually National Service too, as I never wanted to give up this part of my life.

And I’m glad I never did. Volunteering changes lives, other people’s and your own. I can’t speak for everyone else who has benefited from either volunteering or playing some kind of sports at W.A.D! Club, but for myself, it has definitely changed how I view life as a whole. We are taught from a young age that achievements are all about education, career, family and such, but what do we really want to be remembered for? The amount of money I earn, the title I carry, or the number of lives I’ve made a difference to? 

Seeing a change in the attitudes of the youth around me as a result of playing together, inspiring each other, believing in each other and guiding each other is certainly the most gratifying part of my volunteer work. And along the way, I’ve built confidence, gain some street smarts, and learned to perform under stress. All that has been really beneficial to my school and work life, especially in handling and planning projects.

Life is more than just getting a good education, good job and starting a family. In between the transitions, we have to make the journey worthwhile, and live life to the fullest. And that can only happen when you’re following your dreams, not your friends or what society says. Being different isn’t always a bad thing, especially if you know yourself well and keep your purpose in view.