VIVA VOLUNTEER
Maggie
I am Maggie Chung Monnier originally from Hong Kong. At VIVA, I serve as a program designer and art teacher. I create art programs that inspire children to discover joy, hope, and love through creativity. In my sessions, I guide them to express their emotions and dreams through watercolor, acrylic painting, and fun handicrafts. Each activity is designed to spark imagination and remind them that even the smallest creative moments can bring comfort, courage, and happiness.
As an artist, I always believe that art can speak when words can’t — it can heal, connect, and bring light to difficult times. A few years ago, during a challenging time in my life, I returned to painting, and it helped me find peace and strength. That experience shaped my mission — to capture and magnify small moments that bring hope and joy, because even the smallest spark can make a big difference. Supporting VIVA through art allows me to live out that mission by sharing creativity and love with children who are bravely fighting cancer.
My first experience with VIVA was during the June 2025 holiday program, themed “Small Hands, Big Dreams.” I guided the children to imagine their dreams and paint self-portraits of themselves achieving them. They were so open and full of imagination — we connected instantly. Their paintings were bright, bold, and full of life. Seeing how each child’s small brushstroke could express such strength and hope reminded me how small moments of creativity can make big changes in how we feel and see the world.
I’ve found a community filled with love, trust, and genuine care. The staff and volunteers are always ready to support one another — we share the same heart for giving and joy in seeing the children shine. It’s a space where small acts of kindness truly ripple outward, touching everyone involved.
The most precious gift I’ve received is friendship — with the children and their families, the staff and the volunteers. One moment that stays with me is when a child was painting her dream as a crocheter, she described her feeling in the painting with her eyes sparking. She said : “I am happy. I am smiling.” That pure joy touched me deeply. It reminded me that while I came to give, I was also receiving something profound — joy, courage and inspiration.
Volunteering is a journey of shared growth. When we create, laugh, and dream together, we inspire each other in ways big and small. Each session with the children is a gentle reminder that small moments — a smile, a kind word, a shared dream — can magnify joy and bring real change to our hearts.
While there is a lot of acute care during cancer treatment, support drops off when treatment ends. This is why we believe support has to continue beyond treatment to make sure survivors are able to thrive, and live healthy, meaningful lives.
