Chew Ghim Bok is doing it the Rotary way and is finding his purpose.

 

Chew Ghim Bok started volunteering when he was 17 years old. He accompanied his father to grassroots events and mostly followed his lead, helping to organise community centre events and residents’ meetups.

However, he took a break from volunteering when he went on to military service, university and starting a family. But, once his business involving real estate became stable, his desire to give back to society became stronger and he resumed his volunteering activities, this time taking on leadership roles, planning and coordinating events rather than hands-on activities.

 

The Rotary movement

The 67-year-old who has three children shared that in 1996, he came across a newspaper article that changed his perspective. It talked about a single organisation that vaccinated 195 million children against polio in three days. When he discovered that organisation was Rotary, he knew he had to be a part of it. That same year, he joined the Rotary Club of Bugis Junction as a charter member and rose to the position of club president.

As president-elect, every member is required to take on a major project. His first project was in 1998, involving students in Chiang Mai, Thailand during the Asian Economic Crisis. The school there had built a bamboo dormitory for the students who had to walk several hours each day to attend classes, but it wasn’t a suitable living environment, especially in winter when temperatures dropped close to freezing. Ghim Bok’s club decided to build a proper dormitory that could withstand the harsh winter conditions.

“What I enjoy most about volunteering with Rotary is its incredible internationality and the vast network of like-minded individuals it brings together. Rotary’s presence in over 200 countries means that, through my involvement, I’ve built lasting friendships and professional relationships across the globe. This international reach enables us to tackle global challenges in ways that would be impossible to achieve alone,” he said.

“While individual efforts are commendable, being part of a global organisation like Rotary amplifies what we can accomplish. Through Rotary, we leverage each other’s strengths, resources and networks, enabling us to undertake projects of a much larger scale and impact.”

He shared about a project showcasing Rotary’s impact where they provided low-cost prosthetic limbs in Malaysia. “This initiative was particularly meaningful because it was not just about delivering a product, it was about restoring dignity and independence to individuals who had lost their mobility.” They collaborated with a company and technicians from India who specialise in making artificial limbs. The project was carried out in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where they helped dozens of people who arrived in wheelchairs walk again within just three days.

“What made this project even more impactful was the fact that the Indian technicians trained local volunteers to continue this work, ensuring that the project’s benefits would last long after we had left. This kind of sustainable impact is only possible through the collective effort and expertise that Rotary can bring together,” Ghim Bok said. “Through Rotary, I’m not just contributing to my community – I’m part of a global movement that’s changing lives and making the world a better place.”

 

Locally

But Rotary isn’t the only place he volunteers at. At the Singapore People’s Association, he serves as the chairman of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee in a constituency that is home to nearly 50,000 residents. His role is to oversee sub-committees that focus on various community segments, such as youths, seniors and ethnic groups. They organise events and activities to foster social cohesion and community bonding, especially among those who might lead isolated lives. Said Ghim Bok, “By encouraging residents to engage with one another, we aim to create a more connected and supportive community, where everyone looks out for each other.”

Besides that, he is also a licensed marriage solemniser, a Justice of the peace and a honorary consul for Slovakia.

“The drive to volunteer comes from a deep desire to give back to society and a belief that everyone has something unique to offer. I feel blessed to be in a position where I can contribute, and I believe that giving back not only helps others but also enriches my own life. There’s a certain joy and fulfilment that comes from knowing you’ve made a difference, no matter how small, in someone else’s life. For me, it’s not just about the big projects or the headline-grabbing initiatives. It’s about the everyday acts of kindness and service that accumulate over time to create meaningful change.”

He also has found that volunteering keeps him active and engaged. “At 67, I’m more committed than ever to continuing my volunteer work because it helps keep my mind sharp and my spirit youthful. The connections I’ve made and the lives I’ve touched through my volunteer efforts have been profoundly rewarding, and that sense of purpose is what keeps me going.”

Ghim Bok shared two memorable events in his volunteer journey which will forever be etched in his memory. One was a project in Indonesia in 1999 that provided cleft lip surgeries for children. “For less than S$50 per surgery, we were able to transform the lives of these young individuals. Imagine being a child or teenager with a cleft lip – a condition that can severely impact your self-esteem and social interactions. Through Rotary, we were able to give them a fresh start, allowing them to face the world with newfound confidence.”

And another in 2001, also in Indonesia, involving cataract operations. “Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness, and for many people in underserved communities, the cost of surgery is prohibitively expensive. However, for less than S$50, we were able to restore sight to individuals who had been living in darkness. One of the most moving moments was seeing elderly, who had never seen their grandchildren’s faces, regain their vision. The sheer joy and emotion they expressed were unforgettable, and it reinforced my belief in the transformative power of even the simplest medical interventions.”

He concluded: “Getting involved in volunteering keeps you young at heart. It feels incredibly fulfilling to be able to help others with the skills you’ve gained throughout your life, and it’s not just about money. Every person, especially retirees, possesses a unique skill set that can be of immense help to others.”

So, need we say more? Go ahead and volunteer with Rotary or any other organisation.