Michael Lim first started out as a Singapore Red Cross (SRC) volunteer, where he helped pack relief items for survivors in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami in 2004. His passion for helping people spurred him on to convert to a full-time employee. Today, Michael is the Executive of Red Cross Youth (RCY) - Chapters and Youth Members, where he grooms the youth to become leaders of tomorrow.

"Aspiring to inspire before I expire" is the motto that Michael Lim, 36, Singapore Red Cross (SRC) Executive of Red Cross Youth (RCY) - Chapters and Youth Members strive to live by.

Volunteering Experiences Bring Joy

Michael's first experience with  SRC was when he was deployed as a volunteer to support the organisation’s Asian tsunami relief efforts in November 2004. He volunteered for the cause as he was influenced by his father’s spirit of volunteerism, which rubbed off on him while he was growing up. He shared that he was inspired by his father, who led by example by picking up discarded litter in the letterbox area and properly disposing of them in the bin.

As Michael could not serve in an overseas relief mission as he was under 21 years of age then, he assisted with the packing of relief items at an airbase. 

Despite volunteering without knowing anyone else in the group, Lim quickly forged friendships and built camaraderie with his peers.

To this day, the volunteer activity remains deeply etched in his memory and brings him joy whenever he reminisces about his journey with the SRC.

"In the Singapore Red Cross, it does not matter if you perceive your volunteer contribution to be insignificant, what matters is your heart. Collectively, the volunteers' willingness to contribute can create an impact that is much needed for humanity," he says.

Over the years, SRC has provided volunteers like Michael with several training opportunities to build up their capacity to respond to local and regional humanitarian crises. The training empowered Michael to pursue his passion for helping people and spurred him on to join SRC as a temporary employee in early 2015. He converted to a full-time employee later that year.

Inculcating the Leaders of Tomorrow

As the Executive of RCY - Chapters and Members and as part of the RCY Secretariat, Michael is responsible for nurturing potential leaders who would lead humanitarian efforts in the future. He welcomes, recruits, engages and retains individuals and institutions that are keen to serve in RCY, spreads the word on charity governance, and imparts the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement to the youth. 

Of the Seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement — humanity, impartiality, neutrality, voluntary service — resonate strongly with him. He believes that giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress while helping others without any profit, motive, or personal gain, bolsters the Red Cross Movement as a strong support force in the community. 

To impart the Seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and to shape the character of youth, Michael puts what he preaches into action. He exercises impartiality while inspiring voluntary service, ensuring that the voices of the youth leaders and stakeholders are heard through frequent meetings. 

He firmly believes that “it is important to sow the seed of humanity in our children and youth early so that they will be advocates of our work and mission within their circle of influence”.

Preparing Youth for Emergencies

Besides imparting values to the youth, another key focus of Michael’s work is in Disaster Risk Reduction advocacy, which is taught both in schools and in the community.  In the disaster management cycle, RCY educates the youth in the “Preparedness” phase, by pre-empting them to expect the unexpected. 

The integral role that “Preparedness” plays cannot be understated. It helps cushion the adverse impact of humanitarian crises by equipping people in times of an emergency. This helps SRC emerge as a driving force that mitigates the adverse impact of such crises on the affected communities, eases them on the road to recovery, and aids in the rebuilding of their lives and livelihoods.

The youth also play a part by spreading the word about “Preparedness” in their sphere of influence, peers, family and the country. 

As with any vocation, it is inevitable that there are challenges to surmount. Michael faces challenges such as time management and scheduling. Overseeing over 10 RCY units in tertiary institutions and young working adults, he has to juggle three to four different academic and work calendars. Yet, he rises up to the challenge by picking up essential organisational skills along the way. 

Learning the Importance of Contingency Planning

Although the pandemic brought on its set of challenges, Michael and his team swiftly adapted to the new norm by leveraging virtual video conferencing platforms to make up for the restrictions on physical meetings. 

Yet, there were still lessons to be drawn from the experience. 

One of the lessons gleaned by the youth leaders of Project R.I.C.E+ 2019-2021 was the importance of contingency planning. The uncertainties in volunteer deployment, essential aid distribution, and changes in restrictions resulted in delays in project execution. These factors proved frustrating for the youth leaders liaising between personnel in the headquarters and the relevant stakeholders. 

Despite this, the youth leaders remained resilient, empathetic and considerate whenever instructions were sent from SRC’s headquarters and recalibrated work processes at short notice. The experience underscored the importance of clear communication, where youth leaders communicated the circumstances affecting the possible outcomes of the project clearly and ensured accountability to the stakeholders. 

As a result, the youth leaders managed to deliver a project they were working on successfully over 2020 and 2021. In 2019, they had been searching for a platform that facilitated route planning and contactless essential aid distribution. Michael applauded their resilience and tireless contributions in managing stakeholders and coordinating work amid the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19.

Serving with Passion, Compassion and Professionalism 

The SRC is staffed by “ordinary people who give a little more and lead an extraordinary life”, says Michael. 

He is glad to work with “like-minded employees and volunteers who put the Movement's mission of relieving human suffering, protecting human lives and dignity and responding to emergencies as a priority while contributing in their unique ways”.

Michael is grateful for the strong support from his RCY Secretariat team members, who provide constructive input for the planning and work coverage for on-site guest visits and keep on the lookout for opportunities to give back to society by connecting with relevant stakeholders.

His aspirations for his department include succession planning of staff and volunteer leadership and the sustainability of youth-led initiatives.

Michael believes that both empathy and humility are two key qualities that will enable a person to carve out a successful career in RCY.

To motivate others to join the SRC, he quotes a veteran volunteer who mentored him: “It is alright if you have the heart to serve but not the skills. If you are willing and humble, you can learn and develop those skills. Rome was not built in a day. No one in the organisation is irreplaceable. Work is never-ending in this sector. You do not have to shoulder everything on your own. Know why you started and keep yourselves centred. When you have deviated from this, and no longer stay aligned or passionate about the mission/vision of the organisation, take a break, do a rain check and come back when you are ready.”

By Lee Kher Shing, Volunteer
Copyedited by Charlene Chin, Volunteer