When Volunteering Becomes A Way of Life - Dr. Ayesha in the COP Volunteer Scheme
SPF Volunteer Bulletin Issue 8 | 2 June 2021
Next, we meet our COP member Dr Ayesha Khanna from Marine Parade NPC. Dr. Ayesha has been patrolling with us since December 2020. Did you know that Dr Ayesha is the co-founder and CEO of a tech company. She also serves on a few Boards which include the Infocomm Media Development Authority, Sport Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. She is also the founder of 21C GIRLS, a charity that delivers free coding and artificial intelligence classes to girls in Singapore. Let us find out from her how she finds time to volunteer amidst her busy schedule as well as her motivation and takeaways from volunteering.
Q: How did you get to know about the COP volunteer scheme?
I found out about the COP volunteer scheme from the OurSG website. I wanted to choose a volunteering activity that was done in groups and involved in physical activities. Luckily, there was a link to the COP scheme when I was searching for volunteering opportunities on the website.
Q: Can you share with us what motivated you to join COP?
I love the East Coast and my neighbourhood, and wanted to make it a safer environment for all the residents. So being part of COP was a great way for me to contribute to this cause.
Q: As a CEO and female entrepreneur, how do you find time to volunteer amidst your busy schedule?
Actually the time commitment required is very reasonable at a minimum of two hours per month. Each patrol is usually one hour long and you can sign up for as many patrols as you want above the minimum. I do at least two patrols a month and really look forward to them as I have made friends within my group.
Q: How has your volunteering experience as a COP been thus far? Any takeaways?
I have been volunteering for different causes ever since I was a teenager. COP has been one of my best experiences so far because it's hyper-local in its focus and you feel like you are contributing to your immediate community, the group of volunteers is great and has a strong civic sense and you feel part of a movement to make a difference and help each other, and the trainings help you learn about the law and how to be observant and have situational awareness. Also, we are joined by experienced COP members like Mr Jimmy Tan who is so helpful and patient in educating us, and it is really reassuring to me to see such amazing people volunteering with us.
Q: Would you recommend someone to join COP and why?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend it. Creating a safer and stronger Singapore is the responsibility of all of us, and we feel connected to each other and happier when we participate in any act of civic duty. I also feel closer to my fellow residents in the East Coast and I have noticed so many new lovely parts of the area which I may have been too busy to appreciate before. I have also seen many wonderful people during each COP patrol — from the kids playing basketball in the evening, to the uncles and aunties chatting and eating at the hawker centres, to the shop owners creating a welcoming environment for visitors. We are all one nation and it makes me very happy to see a thriving Singapore. My walks with fellow COP members is one of my favourite activities and I hope one day my children will also do it when they are older.
