Mr DS Vickram was 22 years old when he first began his volunteering journey with the Singapore Red Cross Academy (SRCA). After ten years of growth and service in various parts of the organisation, Mr DS Vickram will be receiving the High Commendation Award for his exceptional and sustained voluntary service to the Singapore Red Cross.

Picture this: a natural or manmade crisis occurs, and before you have time to wrap your head around the atrocities done — you’re being whisked away to ground zero. For two weeks or more, life as you know it is put on hold. Being away from home and the usual comforts of a familiar surrounding is one thing. However, it is quite another to face elements of the mission that will undoubtedly stretch you. Yet, this regular discomfort has become a source of strength and resilience for Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Volunteer DS Vickram.

The Assembly Grounds

SRCA was where DS Vickram began his SRC journey, and his time there proved to be vital in shaping him as a person. However, his passion soon grew beyond our shores and eventually led him to the Global Engagement team. 

“My passion to serve has always been strong, and joining Global Engagement allowed me to contribute beyond our borders. The experiences I’ve gained overseas have also enriched my training work with SRCA, allowing me to bring valuable real-world insights into training.

One of the most memorable deployments was the relief mission to Laos in 2024, following the floods caused by Typhoon Yagi. I was tasked as the Team Leader for a three-person team. We visited the affected areas and taught communities how to use water filters to convert non-drinking water into safe drinking water for emergency use. Witnessing the resilience of the community, seeing how everyone came together to support one another in the aftermath was truly memorable.”

To The Next Generation of Volunteers

“Volunteering is a beautiful act of service, it doesn’t matter whether it’s locally or across borders. What’s most important is to serve with the right heart and the rest will follow. Don’t be afraid to take that first step. There are many ways to get involved with SRC, from local community projects to skills-based volunteering, all working toward our common goal of keeping humanity at heart.

I’m grateful for the recognition, but more than the High Commendation Award itself, I see this as a tribute to all the teammates and fellow volunteers who have served alongside me in past missions. This achievement is something I share with them.”