A SERVANT LEADER AT HEART
GERWYN TEO WENQIAN DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION YEAR 3
(Gerwyn is in the back row, second from the left)
Talk about helping someone and watch Gerwyn’s eyes light up instantly. Indeed, at the time of this interview, he was busy preparing for yet another community service activity.
The desire to help others was one of the main reasons why he pursued a Diploma Plus in Humanitarian Aairs, which he hoped would broaden his knowledge of serving the community. He wanted to learn, for instance, the necessary steps in crisis management, how to react during emergencies and understand third world problems better. Awarded the SP Scholarship since his first year of studies, this aable young man, who had never had a scholarship prior to SP, shares that he was shocked to learn that he had been successful in his interview. He attributes this to being authentic and honest in his answers; with little time to prepare as he had less than two weeks’ notice of being notified about the interview. Asked how his life has changed since becoming a scholar, Gerwyn answers that he feels a much greater sense of responsibility and need to understand his peers. Aside from that, the scholarship has created opportunities for him to forge new friendships with other like-minded students from across SP in GenEd classes and events. It has also opened the doors to the EDGE and SPOT programs. In fact, he shares that one of his most memorable events was a community service trip to Bintan, organised under the EDGE program, where he was part of a team which built a wastewater treatment system (the Safe Water Gardens project in collaboration with Loola Adventure Resorts) and educated the local community about recycling and the need to reduce plastic waste. Not only did he form new friendships but he learnt how to be a more eective leader on the trip. Outside of school, he is a key youth leader in his church, where he has helped to plan community service trips locally and overseas. For example, in 2018, he initiated an overseas 10-day mission trip to Timor Leste with a group of friends to teach children English and basic hygiene. Aside from church, he also contributes actively as a leader in the Woodgrove Youth Network, organizing community events.
So what drives him to do so much? Gerwyn simply puts it down to his wanting to lead a purposeful life which can help not only his own growth, but others.
His advice to his juniors? “Stay grounded, be happy, work hard, remember your path and try not to deviate from it.”
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