I Was A Medic But Now Save Lives In A Different Way | Extraordinary People

Key Concepts

Impart: An organization focused on supporting young people, particularly those facing challenges.
Empathy Map: A tool used to understand and connect with individuals by exploring their thoughts, feelings, actions, and what they see, hear, say, and do.
"I'm Not Alone" Work: A program where volunteers engage with young people in distress and crisis.
Edu Learning Labs: Small group classroom settings with tutors and volunteers providing academic support to youth who have struggled in the traditional school system.
Volunteer Appreciation Event (In Party): An annual event to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of volunteers.
Takraw: A sport played with a rattan ball, often used as a tool for engagement and community building with youth.
"Happy Hour" / "Leak Leak Time": Refers to the time when parents are often not home, and youth engage in activities like Takraw.
"Growing Pains": A metaphor for the challenges and excitement of youth development.
"More Than Meets the Eye": The idea that young people often have complex experiences and struggles that are not immediately apparent.

Nares's Journey and Impart's Mission

Nares, Executive Director and co-founder of Impart, shares his personal journey and the organization's mission. He recounts his early academic struggles, failing from Section 1 to Section 4, which led him to believe studying wasn't for him. His initial aspiration was to be a doctor, leading him to medical work in the Navy as an independent duty corpsman on a submarine. However, a covert mission derailed his plans to apply to medical school.

Transition to Youth Work

Nares's path shifted towards working with young people, exploring opportunities like the Singapore Boys' Hostel. He describes entering this environment as a "brand new world," encountering young people from different backgrounds, with tattoos and distinct behaviors, which he found intriguing. Initially wary and scared, he began to understand their stories, noticing a common thread of "brokenness" and "pain." He observed that many were labeled "troublemakers" and seen as a "menace to society," highlighting a disconnect between their experiences and societal perceptions.

The "I'm Not Alone" Initiative

The "I'm Not Alone" work involves volunteers going out to young people in distress and crisis. A key methodology is the Empathy Map, a tool designed to help volunteers understand and connect with youth. The process involves drawing a circle in the middle and then exploring what the individual "sees," "hears," "says," and "does," as well as their "thoughts" and "feelings." The motivation behind this is to ensure the young person feels "understood," "seen as someone that can help others," and "of service," rather than a "burden." Nares emphasizes that there is "more than meets the eye" when looking at young people, acknowledging the unique challenges of their generation.

Case Study: A Young Person in Crisis

A specific example is shared of a crisis call involving a young person in a vulnerable situation, caught in a cycle of addictions and struggling with various issues. The volunteer's role was to provide a "listening ear" and assure the individual that "someone is there" and they are "not alone."

Edu Learning Labs and Academic Support

Impart also runs Edu Learning Labs, which are small group classroom settings. These labs feature tutors and peer tutors assisting students with subjects like English, Math, and Science. The program targets youth who have "fallen out of the school system" or find it difficult to follow. The goal is to prepare them for final year examinations. The labs are designed as a "safe space" where students can "feel that they can belong" and "feel safe," especially if they have faced bullying or academic struggles. The curriculum includes grammar rules, and tutors adapt to different learning abilities, accommodating each student's needs. The program has seen individual progress in commitment to studying and improvement in academic areas.

Volunteer Engagement and Appreciation

The organization holds an annual volunteer appreciation event called "In Party," a play on the organization's name. This event celebrates volunteers, who are often students from universities and polytechnics. Notably, youth who have gone through Impart's programs also return to volunteer, creating a "cycle of volunteers." Nares highlights the multiplier effect of volunteers: "one of me maybe we can reach 10% 40 people but a 100 of you we can reach the thousands."

The Role of Takraw in Youth Engagement

A significant case study involves the sport of Takraw. A young person, after being discharged from a home, expressed a desire to play Takraw. Impart, through Nares, provided the resources to start a Takraw program. This program became a way for youth to channel their energy, find a sense of belonging, and connect within the community. The "happy hour" or "leak leak time" (when parents are often absent) became a time for shared problems and challenges. The program also aims to infuse "right values" and "right attitude towards life" by learning the youth's culture and language to build trust and relatability. The work involves "fanning the flames of that strength" observed in these communities, emphasizing discipline, consistency, hard work, and resilience.

Personal Transformation and Future Vision

The video showcases the transformative impact of Impart's work. One young person, who initially struggled academically and faced personal challenges, achieved a diploma, becoming the "first person who achieved a diploma in my family." This individual plans to return to Impart after National Service to continue journeying with the youth. Nares sees this as a representation of Impart's vision to impact "generations to come." The organization's philosophy is to "journey with them until they find their success," recognizing that each young person has their "own definition of success." They advocate for celebrating children and their journeys more, as "we don't validate young people a lot."

Methodology: Empathy Map and "I'm Not Alone" Training

The Empathy Map is a structured tool used in training and supervision for volunteers involved in the "I'm Not Alone" work. The process involves:

Drawing a circle in the middle: Representing the individual being understood.
Exploring "What do they see?": Their external environment and observations.
Exploring "What do they hear?": What others say to them and about them.
Exploring "What do they say and do?": Their outward actions and communication.
Exploring "What do they think and feel?": Their internal thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.

This mapping helps volunteers reframe their understanding of the youth before engaging, fostering deeper empathy. The training also encourages volunteers to have empathy for themselves as they undertake this challenging work.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

Youth are complex and often misunderstood: The video strongly argues that young people, especially those facing difficulties, have complex inner lives and experiences that are not always visible or understood by society. The phrase "more than meets the eye" is central to this perspective.
Empathy is crucial for effective support: The Empathy Map and the emphasis on "sitting with them in their pain" highlight the importance of genuine empathy over immediate problem-solving.
Creating safe spaces is vital: The Edu Learning Labs are presented as a safe haven for youth who have struggled in traditional educational settings, allowing them to feel a sense of belonging and safety.
Empowerment through skill-building and opportunity: Programs like the Takraw initiative and academic support aim to empower youth by providing them with skills, opportunities, and a sense of purpose.
The ripple effect of support: The video demonstrates how supporting one young person can lead to them becoming a volunteer and supporting others, creating a positive generational impact.
Redefining success: Impart believes in allowing young people to define their own success, rather than imposing external definitions.

Conclusion

Impart, through the leadership of Nares and its dedicated volunteers, is actively engaged in supporting vulnerable youth by fostering empathy, providing academic and emotional support, and creating opportunities for growth and self-discovery. The organization's approach is deeply rooted in understanding the individual, building trust, and empowering young people to overcome challenges and define their own paths to success, with a vision to create a lasting positive impact across generations.