Once a 17-year-old in need, now a Board member giving back – this is the full-circle journey of Terence Wee. Supported by MWS during a challenging time, he now channels his talents and experience to pay it forward and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
The year was 1981. Terence Wee, a 17-year-old student, was awarded the Methodist Scholarship (later renamed the MWS Bursary) – a financial assistance scheme by Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) to support children from low-income families with school-related expenses. Rooted in the belief that education is one of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty, the bursary gave students like Terence a vital leg up.
The eldest of three children, Terence grew up in modest conditions – his childhood home was a rented room above a shophouse in Chinatown, then known for gang fights and gambling dens. “Our per capita household income after CPF deductions was slightly over $200,” he recalled. “We recycled wastewater, used just one light at night, and didn’t turn on the fan even during the hot June and July months.”
Against the odds, and thanks to his parents’ unwavering belief in the value of education, Terence graduated with a degree in engineering and steadily rose through the ranks in the corporate world.
Coming full circle
Decades later, Terence’s journey came full circle. The former bursary recipient returned to head up the very committee that had once supported him: the MWS Bursary Programme Committee.
It all began with an act of generosity. In 2006, after 18 years in the corporate world, Terence stepped off the fast-paced corporate treadmill by accepting a retrenchment offer.
“With some money on hand, I began looking for meaningful causes to support – and as a Methodist, I naturally looked within the community,” recalled Terence, who worships at Wesley Methodist Church. “I was especially drawn to student and education-related causes, so the MWS Bursary Programme immediately caught my eye.”
A directed donation to the MWS Bursary Programme led Terence to connect with the MWS management team with whom he shared his passion for education and giving back. That connection opened the door for him to volunteer with the MWS Bursary Programme Committee – a journey that eventually led him to serve as its Chairperson.
It was while serving on the Committee that Terence began to reflect: beyond financial aid, how else could MWS make a lasting impact? “If I had had a mentor back then, I wouldn’t have stumbled so much – or made as many mistakes and U-turns,” he shared in a 2013 speech to MWS Bursary recipients.
That insight sparked the birth of Torch (JC) – a mentorship programme for junior college bursary recipients, pairing them with mentors in their fields of interest to provide both guidance and encouragement.
The MWS Bursary Programme has since been integrated into the MWS Family Development Programme (FDP) – a holistic initiative offering counselling, casework, and financial literacy training to help families clear debt and build sustainable saving habits.
From beneficiary to board member: a journey of giving back
In 2015, Terence began serving on the MWS Board of Governance (BOG). He currently chairs the Information Technology Sub-Committee after having held other roles on the BOG.
He is also helping to set up the IT infrastructure and services for ACS (Academy) – a special education (SPED) school by Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) in partnership with MWS – which is slated to begin operations in 2026.
Balancing volunteer commitments with a demanding career was not always easy. Until his retirement last year, Terence held a senior leadership role that demanded long hours and frequent travel.
Not just giving – also gaining
Volunteering, Terence believes, has shaped him into a more empathetic leader. “Sure, my corporate background helps with understanding P&L statements and formulating strategy,” he shared. “But it’s through volunteering that I’ve learnt to pause, listen and see people as individuals with stories – not numbers on a spreadsheet.”
He recalled a colleague in the Philippines who showed up for work tired every morning. “I learnt that she had to wake up at 4.30am and commute for two and a half hours,” he said. “She needed the job to support her family. I didn’t let her go; instead I restructured her working hours.”
Reaping the blessing, sowing it forward
For Terence, volunteering is deeply tied to his Christian faith. “I became a Christian and started volunteering at 17, so the two have always gone hand in hand. Being a Christian means being a volunteer,” he shared.
“I draw strength from my faith and am reminded to serve with purpose and discipline, to do good, stay faithful in service, and ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’ – so my actions reflect what I believe and preach,” he said.
Terence likens volunteer support to “building bricks” that pave the way for transformation. “We’re simply passing along a brick to help someone build a better future,” he shared. “One brick alone doesn’t change a life, but many – combined with the person’s own grit and hard work – can. And when someone is uplifted, the impact can span three generations.”
“Each of us can offer a brick – to touch a life, transform a future, and uplift a family.” Reflecting on his own journey, Terence added, “People who’ve been uplifted often look for ways to give back. I’m a simple testimony of that. Before 1981, someone set up a scholarship that changed my life. Today, decades later, I’m paying it forward and hope it helps the next generation.”
A version of this story was originally published in Methodist Message on 1 May 2025.
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When volunteers step forward, entire communities are lifted. Whether it’s co-teaching English classes or befriending a homebound senior, every small act of service brings us closer to a more caring and resilient Singapore.
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