Love, Haowei

Social Impact Studio my love, 

This is my first time writing a love letter and as you know I’m really not the wordy type—so bear with me. How have you been? A lot has changed since 2019. I am currently writing from Wellington, it's been a while since we last saw each other. 

I remember when I first met you in the Link at the start of 2017 through Volunteering Tinder—definitely the most successful Tinder match I’ve had if I must say so myself. Back then I knew you as UniCrew. I was in my first year of psychology; a bright-eyed bushy tailed fresher ready to experience the version of university sold to me through all those University of Otago marketing videos. But my oh my, what I got was something so much better than that. 

The role I had during my time at the Social Impact Studio wasn’t what I imagined volunteering was. Unlike the social impact leads who were more event and engagement focused, I was mainly helping with design and social media for the three years while I was there. I had always been creative but didn’t know what to do with it and the studio gave me an opportunity to discover that potential. 

The conversations I had during my time there made me realise the passion people had to make their community a better place, and the potential that small actions have in accumulating into visible change. I saw how much we can achieve when we come together. Those evening meetings with the studio family with everyone contributing their unique skills and perspective. And looking back at volunteers who showed up at events and seeing a bunch of students showing up on a Sunday morning to pick up rubbish on Signal Hill; to help the elderly with chores; to have discussions about mental health and learning how to be there for one another. Over the years, I noticed the way the studio changed people and I also noticed that change in myself. It helped me realise what I loved doing and what I don’t love, and what I wanted to contribute to the world. It helped me long after I graduated, to resign from my corporate job because I wanted something more meaningful out of life. 

And afterwards in 2021, while waiting for the bus in Wellington I saw someone with the 2017 tote we made for the Otago Sleep-Out—it reminded me of you; While volunteering at Everybody Eats someone who went to Otago said they remembered how amazing Silverline was—it reminded me of you. Now I study a Master of Design Innovation, hoping to do something good with my creative side.

So, what I’m trying to say is that I’m really glad you were there during those three years. You welcomed 18-year-old Haowei studying in Otago for the first time, and you cheered 21-year-old Haowei on as she left to figure out her future. I am incredibly lucky to have experienced a piece of you. :’) 

Haowei