Each time Sonali walks through the doors of St. Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC), she does so with quiet purpose. There’s no title pinned to her name, no work desk awaiting her arrival. Yet what she receives in return is far more valuable: the joy of connection, the grace of compassion, and the deep fulfillment that only service to others can bring.
When her husband’s career brought their family to Singapore, Sonali chose not to return to her profession as a teacher, despite her 12-year stint as a Montessori educator in India. Instead, she found herself walking past SAAC during her morning strolls, drawn to the call to serve.
“I was looking for something meaningful to do with my time,” she recalls. “When I saw the centre, I thought that this was a good opportunity for me to learn something new.”
That small spark ignited a lasting flame.
Lessons in the Unexpected
Sonali began volunteering at SAAC in 2023, immersing herself in the world of autism education – a space that challenged and inspired her in equal measure.
“Volunteering isn’t just about giving,” she reflects. “It’s about receiving. Every time I walk into the centre, I feel energised. There’s something to learn in every small moment.”
In her first year, she was assigned to a class with a teenage girl who struggled with sensory regulation and required constant support. “They needed a female volunteer because the class had only one female teacher,” Sonali says. “It was challenging at times, but it grounded me. The experience showed me to respond with calm, not control.”
She speaks with admiration for the class’s lead teacher, Ms Izzati. “Her composure is something I carry with me every day. You can see her passion in teaching and caring for them. I have huge regard for her.”
A New Role, A Humble Heart
Though she once stood at the front of classrooms as a teacher, Sonali now finds fulfillment in a supporting role as a Volunteer Leader, one she embraces with humility.
“I’m here to learn, not to lead,” she says. “I observe, I help when needed. I try not to ask too many questions, because I see how much the teachers are already juggling.”
Still, the educator in her is always paying attention. She recalls one student in particular: a bright, articulate boy with a passion for household appliances and e-bikes. “He asked me about vacuum cleaners, the brand, dust box, cordless or not,” she laughs. “His understanding is impressive. He is really a brilliant boy.”
These moments remind her:
These children are not less. They’re different. And many, in their own way, are extraordinary.
A Vision Takes Root
Sonali didn’t arrive in Singapore expecting to reshape her life. But the time she’s spent at SAAC has planted a dream.
“When I return to Bangalore, I want to do more,” she says. “At first, I thought of leading a Special Needs unit in a mainstream school. But now my thought is to open a Day Activity Centre for persons with autism.”
Her reason is clear: “Children with autism grow up. But what happens after 18? Where do they go then? With a Day Activity Centre, they have a space for gardening, cooking, and learning daily living skills that can bring dignity to their lives.”
In a big city like Bangalore, she sees a real opportunity. “We have the people, the space, the need. We just need to shift our mindset. Caring for persons with autism doesn’t need paper qualifications, it needs presence. It needs people with warm hearts.”
Love Without Condition
As our conversation winds down, Sonali shares a message that has guided her through this journey.
“I once asked my spiritual guide, why are autistic children born? The answer was beautiful. They come to teach us love without condition. We humans chase achievement, comparison and control. But when you have a child on the spectrum, you only learn to love. Above all, love first.”
She pauses, letting the words settle.
They’re angels. They’re here to help us become better humans.
A Blessing. A Birthday. A Beginning.
Every time she enters a classroom, Sonali offers a silent prayer. “I bless each child I meet, that they may live with peace, with dignity, with joy. That they may grow into the life they’re meant to live.”
Her eyes brim, but she doesn’t blink the tears away.
“We must do more than accept them. We must recognise that they have an equal place here. This world is as much theirs as it is ours. They own every bit of it.”
Having been two years serving in SAAC, her heart is full of purpose. “This experience has changed me. It’s no longer about what I can do. It’s about what we must do as a society. We all need to care. We all need to help.”
And with that, Sonali reminds us: the true value of volunteering lies not just in what we give but in how deeply it transforms us as people.
On the day we spoke, Sonali turned 52. When asked how she planned to celebrate, she smiled.
“By being here. That’s enough.”
If you’d like to support persons with autism and their families, you can do so by:
Volunteering with SAAC
Like Sonali, you can give the gift of your talents and time by volunteering. We welcome those with a heart to serve.
Donating to our programmes
Help us provide persons with autism with highly structured programmes and give respite to their caregivers.
Advocating for Autism
Those on the autism spectrum are often misunderstood and excluded from the public eye. Mention us to friends & family.
