At just 11 years old, Dipna Vickrem is proving that you do not need to be an adult to make a meaningful difference in the community.
The Primary 5 student from St Margaret’s Primary School has spent much of her year balancing schoolwork, regular weekend volunteering and gruelling physical training for a cause close to her heart.
Dipna’s journey into community service began at home, encouraged by her parents and teachers to look beyond academic achievements and think about what she could do for others.
Initially hoping to volunteer with younger children, she faced age restrictions at several centres. Her mother then suggested Ling Kwang Home, sharing her own fond memories of volunteering at an eldercare centre during her junior college days.
Despite initial nervousness about interacting with the elderly, Dipna decided to give it a try. Since the beginning of this year, she has dedicated two hours almost every Saturday to befriending residents, reading books, completing jigsaw puzzles, pushing wheelchairs around the garden or simply listening to their life stories.
“You don’t always have to organise something special to make someone happy,” Dipna reflects thoughtfully. “As children, we may not have much money or many resources, but we have something very valuable, our time.”
Her dedication extends beyond eldercare. Inspired by her mother, Dr Tanujaa Rajasekaran – an oncologist whose stories made the realities of cancer tangible – Dipna decided to take part in the Race Against Cancer at East Coast Park on Sept 20. Having never run 5km before, she embarked on an intensive training regimen alongside her parents, learning to pace herself and persevere through fatigue.
Dipna’s determination left a strong impression on her family during those demanding training sessions. Her mother said: “The thing about Dipna is that once she sets her mind to something, she’ll go through with it. When she was training for the run, she would tell us, ‘Let’s go one more round’, although she was tired. She is very motivated.”
Her commitment yielded extraordinary results. Dipna successfully completed the 5km race and raised over S$2,500 for the cause, far surpassing her initial expectations.
Managing school revision alongside weekly volunteering and race preparations required careful discipline and time management. Dipna learned to complete homework during school and give up a bit of television time to stay on track.
Looking ahead, the youngster hopes to inspire her peers by organising school initiatives to bring more students to eldercare homes, creating intergenerational connections that benefit both residents and youth alike. Most importantly, she wants helping others to remain a core part of her life as she grows up.
As Children’s Day approaches, Dipna offers reassuring advice to other young people who wish to contribute to society but feel hesitant about where to begin.
“Don’t be afraid to start, even if it isn’t exactly what you first had in mind,” Dipna shares warmly. “Nothing you do to help others is too small, and you are never too young to make a difference.”
