Beyond the Hours: Finding Purpose Through Community Impact
When SMU student Bryan Lee first learned about the University’s 80-hour community service requirement, he saw it as just another graduation box to tick. But his volunteering journey through CampusImpact became far more—a transformative experience that deepened his understanding of inequality, empathy, and purpose.
From requirement to realisation
When Bryan Lee, a Year 3 Bachelor of Business Management student at the Singapore Management University (SMU), first heard about the University’s community service requirement, he assumed it was another box to check before graduation.
What he did not anticipate was how those 80 hours would spark a lasting commitment to social good—reshaping how he viewed privilege, empathy, and responsibility.
Finding a cause that resonates
Bryan began exploring opportunities through the University’s vibrant volunteering ecosystem: student clubs, community service fairs, and the University’s community service online portal.
His turning point came during Assistant Professor Ng Teng Kuan’s Big Questions course, where readings such as This Is What Inequality Looks Like by Teo You Yenn and Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus by Donald Low and Sudhir Vadaketh, opened his eyes to deeper social issues.
“I became more aware of the privileges I took for granted,” Bryan reflects. “Armed with new knowledge, I wanted to contribute to a cause that mattered. That’s how I found my way to supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Building community through CampusImpact
Bryan joined CampusImpact, a non-profit organisation that empowers children and youth from low-income families through mentoring and education.
Through its Study Buddy programme, Bryan wears many hats—tutor, mentor, and friend. On school days, he guides children aged seven to 14 through homework and learning activities. During the semester breaks, he supports full-day programmes filled with learning and play.
Beyond mentoring, Bryan also represents CampusImpact at outreach events such as SMU’s Community Service Fair, and now serves as a volunteer leader, briefing corporate volunteers and supporting new members.
Lessons in empathy and balance
Volunteering, Bryan learned, is as much about self-awareness as it is about service. In his early days, he overcommitted—volunteering up to four days a week—and soon felt drained.
“I wasn’t bringing the positive energy the kids deserved,” he admits. “That’s when I realised I needed to care for myself to better care for others.”
He also discovered how empathy deepens when one listens before judging, sharing his experience with a frustrated parent who abruptly cancelled their child’s tuition when a tutor fell ill.
“At first, I thought a parent was being unreasonable,” he recalls. “Later, I realised they were juggling financial stress and caregiving. I’ve since learned not to jump to conclusions so quickly.”
A purpose beyond 80 hours
Bryan has now far exceeded SMU’s community service requirement. What keeps him going are the small transformations he witnesses—both in himself and in the children he mentors.
He recalls one mentee who was painfully shy at first but, with encouragement, grew into a confident leader guiding his peers.
“Seeing the seeds we’ve planted grow into something greater—that’s what keeps me volunteering,” Bryan shares. “Beyond academics, the most meaningful part is being someone they can trust, play with, and learn from.”
Creating meaningful impact
For those beginning their community service journey, Bryan offers simple advice: start small, stay consistent, and listen deeply.
“Communities know their needs best,” he says. “Real meaning comes not from doing everything at once but from showing up over time—from being a helper to becoming a true partner.”
Start your own journey of service
Bryan’s story reflects what community engagement at SMU is truly about—turning requirement into reflection, and action into purpose. What began as 80 hours has become a lifelong commitment to nurturing others and building a more inclusive society.
Discover how SMU students create positive change through community service and social impact initiatives. Explore SMU’s community engagement programmes here.
