1. What is your background (profession/ workplace/ training)?
I’m currently a dermatology research fellow.
2. What inspired you to become a volunteer with The Water Well Project?
Over the years, I have noticed that one of the biggest challenges that we face as health practitioners is poor health literacy. By educating our communities and improving overall health literacy, we can help facilitate better preventative health and empower individuals. Coming from a large immigrant family that are mostly non-medical, I have seen first hand some of the difficulties and misinformation that our common amongst our communities. In addition, I really enjoy learning and understanding different cultures and how this shapes our values and our way of thinking. I’ve worked in health settings across Western Sydney, Central Sydney and rural NSW and it is amazing how starkly different and diverse cultures can be. Our interactions with individuals can be vastly different and influenced by cultural values or practices. I believe these experiences help me to become a better person in general, and hopefully a better doctor.
3. Please share one of your favourite The Water Well Project sessions or moments.
I honestly just love watching the individuals in the groups interacting with one another and laughing together. I think it’s so fantastic and needed for our elderly community groups to continue to have a form of social connection outside of family. They remind me of my own grandparents.
4. What tips do you have for new volunteers?
Don’t be nervous and be flexible in letting the group guide the conversation. Putting out open questions into the group is a great way to start the conversation and have them speak up or ask further questions.
5. “I volunteer because…”
I enjoy it and believe we have a responsibility to help empower those around us through education.
