From reluctant volunteer to CCA leader: Temasek Poly graduate finds purpose beyond classroom

Straits Times

17-06-2025

Mr Ryan Vernados is a recipient of Temasek Polytechnic's Community Service Excellence Award under the individual category. PHOTO: COURTESY OF RYAN VERNADOS
From reluctant volunteer to CCA leader: Temasek Poly graduate finds purpose beyond classroom The TL;DR: Once a shy student who saw volunteering as a chore, Mr Ryan Vernados found meaning through the Engineering Peer Mentors group at Temasek Polytechnic. It opened his eyes to the struggles of the less privileged and inspired him to lead efforts to support them.
When Mr Ryan Vernados first began volunteering at an orphanage in his home town in Indonesia as part of a class activity, the experience was more like an obligation than a calling.
It felt like a 'task', he said.
Today, the 23-year-old engineering graduate of Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a recipient of the school's Community Service Excellence Award – which recognises students who have made meaningful contributions to the community over the past academic year.
Mr Vernados, who is from Tanjung Balai on Indonesia's Karimun Island, began his studies in Singapore in 2022. During his first year at TP, his strong academic performance earned him a recommendation to join Engineering Peer Mentors (EPM), a co-curricular activity (CCA) where students tutor their peers and take part in outreach and community service projects.
He participated in community initiatives, such as grocery distribution in Tampines North and outreach events with voluntary welfare organisation Minds – mostly tagging along with friends.
Though initially hesitant, Mr Vernados gradually developed a genuine interest in volunteering. It became a meaningful way for him to unwind and connect with people from all walks of life in a country that was still unfamiliar to him then.
'I found it challenging at first as I was in a completely new environment. But through Engineer Peer Mentors, I was able to bond and communicate with my friends through our common interest in volunteering,' he said.
One of his most memorable experiences was a grocery distribution project with charity Hao Ren Hao Shi – Mandarin for 'good people, good deeds'. Every first Saturday of the month, volunteers hand out groceries and help carry them to residents' rental flats, often striking up casual conversations along the way.
He recalled one resident in particular, a former teacher, who shared stories about her students and how much she missed being in the classroom.
'She was happy to see young people like us caring for the community. It made me feel warm inside, knowing that small actions can leave a big impact,' he added.
Through volunteering, Mr Vernados became more aware of the struggles faced by low-income families in Singapore, including the lack of reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food, and cramped living conditions, with entire families sometimes living in a single room.
'Before this, I didn't even know rental flats existed in Singapore. I always thought of it as such a developed country,' he said, adding that before studying here, he had visited Singapore only as a tourist.
In his third year, Mr Vernados was appointed president of the EPM group, where he led planning efforts and oversaw volunteering teams.
While studying at Temasek Polytechnic, Mr Ryan Vernados led the Engineering Peer Mentors in distributing groceries to residents in rental flats in Tampines North every first Saturday of the month.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN VERNADOS
When asked why he was selected, Ms Jenessa Thng, the CCA staff adviser, said he was a regular volunteer at grocery distribution drives and played a key role in coordinating peer tutors.
Another memorable experience for Mr Vernados was organising an outreach activity with Minds, where TP students made crafts and danced with participants with intellectual disabilities.
'They are often left out or overshadowed by society,' Mr Vernados noted. 'Working with them helps our volunteers get to know them better and interact comfortably, which in turn helps those individuals feel included.'
Many of the volunteers were initially unsure of how to interact with the participants, as it was their first time working with those with intellectual disabilities.
'We were all very shy, and I was just standing at the edge watching,' Mr Vernados recalled.
'Then a boy pulled me into the dance. Some of them held our hands during the activities, and we slowly started to open up. That moment showed me they're really no different from us – in fact, (they are) very outgoing and welcoming.'
On how volunteering has changed him, Mr Vernados said: 'Though I'm still reserved and take time to open up, I've grown into a more confident and compassionate community leader.'
He added: 'Sometimes, I still worry about saying the wrong thing. But being in this role has helped me step out of my comfort zone and build confidence.'
Mr Vernados led the Engineering Peer Mentors CCA to receive Temasek Polytechnic's Community Excellence Award in the group category.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF RYAN VERNADOS
He will pursue a degree in computer engineering at the National University of S ingapore in 2025 .
He plans to remain active in volunteer work and hopes more people will give it a try.
'Volunteering helps you develop empathy and grow as a person,' he said. 'Even small acts, like a simple thank you or a smile, can make a big difference.'
He added: 'Life is unpredictable. Trying new things and meeting people from different backgrounds not only helps others, but also shapes who we are.'
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