Hearts for Humanity

When I helped start Hearts for Humanity at school, it was really just a group of us who wanted to do something meaningful. Originally a creative arts club, we shifted our focus to helping those who build and sustain our cities: migrant workers. Our early goals revolved around raising money for migrant workers. We hosted fundraisers and donation drives around our school to raise hundreds of dollars for daily essentials like snacks, bottles and power banks. It felt good to contribute in some way, but over time, we started wondering if we could do more than just collect funds and pass them on. We wanted to actually connect with the people we were trying to help.

That’s how I ended up working with Big At Heart, an organization that works to support our Singaporean community through curated activities. Ms. Nalini Thite was especially welcoming, and soon I found myself helping out at one of their workshops. My first session was Zentangle. It’s a kind of calming, pattern-based doodling providing an outlet to break-free from the city bustle. It was surprisingly powerful! Just sitting in a quiet room, watching everyone focus on their art, letting their minds slow down. There wasn’t much talking, but there was a shared sense of peace that stuck with me.

A few weeks later, our club helped organize a beading booth during the Hari Raya celebration at one of the workers’ recreational centers. The whole event was full of energy! There was food, music and singing in the background. At our booth, we laid out colorful beads and string, and it turned into this wonderful creative space. Hundreds of workers came over the 3 hours. One man spent nearly an hour carefully threading a keychain. When he finished, he handed it to a friend, smiling. It was a simple design, but the joy and gratitude in his smile showed how much it meant.

Since then, we’ve continued volunteering whenever we can. Most recently, just this past Sunday, I helped out at a large distribution drive where we handed out essential goods to over 700 workers. Everything from detergent to food staples had to be packed, organized, and distributed smoothly. It was crowded and a little overwhelming at times. However, there were many moments of kindness between workers and us volunteers: people helping one another carry bags and offering each other hot chai. It reminded me how many people keep our city going without ever really being seen.

None of this was in the original plan for Hearts for Humanity. But I’m glad it evolved the way it did. Working with Big At Heart has helped me see the value of slowing down and listening, not just with donations, but with your presence as well.

If any of this resonates with you, and you’ve ever thought about getting involved in something like this, I really encourage you to try! You don’t need to have a big plan or tons of free time. Just showing up makes a difference. Feel free to reach out if you’re curious, or even better, come along the next time we volunteer. There’s always something to do, and always someone who’ll be glad you came.

Arnav Jain

G11 Student at XCL World Academy