The year was 1981. Terence Wee, a 17-year-old student at Anglo-Chinese Junior College, 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, born to a factory production foreman and a homemaker, 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. At the peak of his career, he led a 1,200-strong team across the Asia Pacific and managed an annual operating budget of around US$100 million.
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 then-Group Executive Director Jenny Bong. In their conversations, he shared his passion for education and giving back. Over the next two years, 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.
“My role was largely administrative—going through pages of A3 printouts in size 10 font, checking and validating applicants’ eligibility, cross-referencing with past recipient lists, and aligning awards for siblings from the same household,” he recalled. “Imagine sifting through hundreds, nearly thousands, of applications to identify those who qualified.”
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, drawing on over 30 years of experience in IT consulting to guide policy, governance and long-term planning.
The 61-year-old father of two also sits on the Finance Sub-Committee and previously served as Assistant Honorary Treasurer. 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.
Additionally, he is a member of the Steering Committee for The Healing Nation—an MWS social outreach initiative marking the 140th Anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore (see sidebar)—where he contributes to strategic planning to maximise impact.
Balancing volunteer commitments with a demanding career was not always easy. Until his retirement last year, Terence held a senior leadership role overseeing operations across 12 time zones—from Algeria to New Zealand—which meant long hours and frequent travel. “Thankfully, the shift to remote engagement during Covid-19 made it possible to stay involved—whether from home or 6,000 kilometres away,” he shared. “While we can’t offer a comforting hand over Zoom, it still allows us to stay connected and serve, even from afar.”
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 just 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 at 4.30 a.m. 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.
He draws strength from Matthew 25:35-40 and 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, which remind him to serve with purpose and discipline. “These verses call me to do good, stay faithful in service, and ‘love our neighbours as ourselves’—so that 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.”
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
~ (1 Peter 4:10) (NIV)
Bring hope and healing to those in need by offering your gift—whether it’s your time, talents, or resources. As The Methodist Church in Singapore marks its 140th Anniversary, its social concerns arm, Methodist Welfare Services, is rallying members to contribute 1.4 million volunteer hours—that’s about 35 hours per person—to uplift lives and reflect Christ’s love in action.
Scan the QR code to take the first step towards serving others.
By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team. / Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services
