By Hallie Wong Shiru (Secretary-Treasurer ’25-’26), Xu Hao Xuan (Secretary-Treasurer ‘25-’26), Lee Zhiqin Isaac (President ‘25-’26)
Photos by Teo Teng Yin and Mai Shia Glenys Khor (Secretary-Treasurer ‘24-’25)
At Raffles, life can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of lessons, deadlines, and commitments. Yet, amidst the hustle, there are students who choose to dedicate their time and energy to something bigger than themselves—serving others. That’s why Raffles Interact, the oldest Interact Club in Singapore (established in 1963), was inaugurated.
We are a community of like-minded individuals united by one belief: service is not about awards, accolades, or collecting VIA hours. It’s about showing up for others, giving our best, and living out our motto—“Service before Self.”
Our members’ main method of service is via Weekly Service with our partner organisations. Through regular service, our members develop the knowledge, skills and emotional connections required to be effective volunteers for our beneficiaries.
Our partner organisations include St Luke’s Eldercare, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Thye Hua Kwan (THK), Movement for the Intellectually disabled of Singapore MYG (MINDS MYG, a subsidiary voluntary wing of MINDS) and EQUAL+.
At St. Luke’s, Interactors will visit elderly residents in their living spaces to provide gentle assisted movement exercises. They help move the residents’ arms and legs to improve their mobility and circulation. Occasionally, Interactors will also bring the elderly out to open spaces surrounding the residence, improving the elderly’s agility and mental states.
At NKF, our volunteers engage beneficiaries in genuine, heartfelt conversations, offering companionship that helps ease the long and often tiring dialysis sessions. Beyond simply passing the time, we listen to their stories, share laughter, and create a comforting environment that allows them to momentarily set aside the challenges of treatment.
We are not just volunteers—we are befrienders who build trust, forge meaningful connections, and bring warmth into what can otherwise be a difficult part of their week.
At THK, our members connect with elderly residents through arts and crafts, providing them with a creative outlet and a chance to express themselves. We also play games such as Mahjong, which not only bring fun and laughter but also help keep their minds active. Beyond activities, we spend time chatting with them and listening to their life stories, offering companionship and showing them that their voices and experiences are valued.
Our club’s partnership with MINDS MYG started in 2025, involving Interactors building warm and supportive relationships with persons with intellectual disabilities, enriching their lives through companionship and care. We assist them with day-to-day activities, providing encouragement and guidance, and accompany them on outings that bring joy, new experiences, and a sense of belonging.
Lastly, our members assist EQUAL+ in preparing for their Horse-Assisted Services by conducting food preparations and stable maintenance, gaining better understanding of how animals can play a fundamental role as therapy providers in the process.
Beyond weekly services, there are biweekly mentorship sessions where Interactors are paired with Primary 4 or 5 students from four of the ten partner schools. These mentoring sessions cover values and life skills such as communication, empathy, and self-management, empowering the next generation to grow in confidence and character.
Twice a year, all mentees gather at RI for themed day camps filled with activities designed to nurture values and forge stronger bonds between mentors and mentees. For the 2025 Mid-Year RIMP Camp, Interactors were part of the organising team, in charge of both the planning and execution of the programme, which featured a magical island-themed plotline designed to introduce our mentees to the concept of teamwork.
Our CCA also helms major events including the Mini Relay for Life (RFL) carnival held in conjunction with the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS). The event seeks to raise awareness about cancer, celebrate survivors who have overcome the disease, as well as journey with those currently battling with it, as part of the larger RFL movement in Singapore.
Another major event in 2025 was a social hackathon collaboration with the Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) to innovate solutions that could address challenges faced by BMDP: lack of public awareness and low number of youth donor sign-ups. Participants from Raffles Interact, Raffles Girls’ School, and our other partner schools developed their ideas and presented them to BMDP.
Every Wednesday from 11:00am to 12:00pm, Interactors come together for General Meetings. It is a dedicated hour not just for bonding and administrative matters, but also for growth and learning.
These sessions feature training by external organisations like Campus Impact, and hands-on exposure to skills and tools that make our service more impactful, such as Raffles Dialect lessons to help us connect more meaningfully with our beneficiaries.
In conclusion, Raffles Interact is more than a CCA. It is a space to serve, grow, and connect. It’s where you’ll witness first-hand how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. It’s where you’ll develop empathy, leadership, and resilience while creating memories that will stay with you long after you leave RI.
If you believe in giving your time and heart to others, if you want to make someone’s day a little brighter, if you’re ready to grow alongside an incredible community, Interact is waiting for you.
