3 years ago, where I got involved in the Local Guides program, it had made a significant impact on my life. To me, Local guide is not about the levels. It’s about being true to yourself and helping others to find real, authentic places that resonate with them.
Within my own country in Singapore, the reviews and photos that I had contributed helped many tourists and locals to explore places they never knew about. Externally, the Local Guides program helped me explore cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Ho Chi Minh and London. It introduces me to places, customs and delicious food that I would not have known about.
Specifically, in Singapore, I helped small business owners by adding their locations to the maps, timing of their opening hours and leave accurate reviews to help provide customers with informed decisions. I mostly review restaurants and cafes because I love to eat. Who doesn’t? I strongly believe that in any culture, food is the one thing that can connect people.
One of the places I helped, was a small business called Unique Burger. Located in a small corner of a building. I added an address and uploaded some photos for them. I also used this opportunity to hone my photography skills. For example, one of my earlier photo which had garner 15000views.
But after 3 years, I can take photos like this one I took in a ramen store - IPPUDO MANDARIN GALLERY
In conclusion, the Local Guides program can be summarised into 3 key points. Helping Others, Delicious Food and Honing Photography skills. I’m able to achieve this every month through the monthly email reports from the Local Guides. It gives me a chance to reflect and see the number of people I had helped with. I hope that my contributions made an impact on google map users. While the Local Guides program is not very active in Singapore, I do hope that Singaporeans will utilise this program to help more people.