By Silvia Chew, part of WeeVo Social Campaigns Team

When Mr Murugesan Nepolian, 38, first arrived in Singapore in 2005, all he could think about was to work diligently hard and to make money for his family.

However, just last year, all of that changed. After being in Singapore for 17 years, he felt the need to give back and serve for a cause: “If I wanted to continue [working], I need to contribute to Singapore.” 

Mr Neoplian became a volunteer with the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), stepping into a role where he would help fellow migrant workers through tough times, taking part in beneficial courses, and forging meaningful friendships along the way. 

TRANSITION TO VOLUNTEERING

Prior to becoming a volunteer, Mr Nepolian kept his thoughts to himself while working in Singapore – both in his line of work as a senior site administrator and in his apartment. He would stay home on his off days, and after a while, he admits that it could be quite isolating. 

“Sometimes, when you are doing your job and when you cannot [find the time to] speak to others, you will feel very lonely,” he says. 

Mr Nepolian first heard about MWC through a company function, where MWC held an outreach session. From then onwards, he would spend his Sundays to step up any task whenever MWC needed him to. 

For instance, as part of an outreach collaboration between MWC and DBS, Mr Nepolian took part in a scam prevention workshop. He used what he learnt to raise awareness about scams with his fellow workers. 

He has also helped to pack care packages for fellow migrant workers, where he met fellow migrant workers across different nationalities. He still keeps in contact with them through a groupchat, and have taken part in workshops with his newfound friends. 

Mr Nepolian (Right row, second from bottom) has helped to assemble care packs alongside migrant workers of different nationalities at MWC. (Photo: Murugesan Nepolian)

EMPOWERING OTHERS 

One of the most memorable experiences he had while volunteering was helping a fellow migrant worker navigate the difficulties he was facing at work. Together with MWC, they lent a listening ear and looked after his fellow friend.  

He mentioned that the worker was especially stressed during the ordeal, in which he helped to assure and comfort the worker. 

“We cannot help to solve the issue but we can only support. They need the support,” he says. 

As a volunteer, one of his roles includes assisting MWC in reaching out to migrant workers in dormitories. This is especially helpful, considering that Mr Nepolian has years of experience with working in Singapore and can help to better relate to these workers through speaking their language.

“This can be a battlefield because in Singapore, [as a migrant worker], when you have problems, it is not easy to look for anyone,” he says. “But at least, this worker will have MWC, and MWC can call me.”

EMPOWERING MIGRANT WORKERS WITH MWC

Beyond being a volunteer, Mr Nepolian also mentioned that his membership in MWC has allowed him to attend important and meaningful courses that help to upgrade his skills, such as enhancing digital literacy, mitigating workplace accidents and undergoing first aid courses. 

Mr Nepolian attending a first aid class at MWC. (Photo: Murugesan Nepolian)

Mr Nepolian also mentioned that his supervisor is very supportive of what he does, as his supervisor notes that Mr Nepolian is able to manage his time well while volunteering. 

“When you do good things, you feel happy. Other people are also happy. We need to support others. I have time – if anyone needs [that] help, I would go.”

Now that MWC has given him the opportunity to serve alongside his fellow workers, he no longer feels lonely on the weekends: “I will go outside, I can see many of my friends, and I can speak and share everything with them. I like to connect with the community.”