梁文福- 细水长流

Living in Singapore, such a hectic society, we have a rather routine life - wakes up, work/school, back home and sleep. We have very little time set aside for family, and most of the time we don't even get to eat on the same dining table. This has became a norm.

Volunteering is not all about giving, it is the true reflection of ones society. When we always say that we are helping, why not look in the other manner where it helps us to understand ourselves and our society better?

This is a building where the elderly live on their own in a one room flat. (Blk 61)

The smile that is priceless!

A short excerpt from Kai Him:

"i looked at mr tay. sipping on his kopi, and i sat down with him, trying to read his mind. observing his small little gestures and movements. then i thought of my grandpa again. how i wish i could have a kopi, or a beer with grandpa right now. just like me sitting next to mr tay, each of us enjoying our own beverage. we dont talk much at all, but we are both happy, and blessed to be in the company of one another, and the beverage.

suddenly, i stood up and gave mr tay a shoulder massage in the middle of the coffee shop. he said it's "song" but im pretty sure it's of not much use cos i didnt dare to apply too much force. i dunno what else to do, but to channel some of my love that i could no longer deliver to my grandpa to mr tay. today i was very generous with my gentle pat/rub on his back, i held his hand in my palm, more tightly then previously while i led mr tay back to his place."

Every elderly has their own story to tell, each varies, some from a well to do background, some from humble families. But all of them have a common experience of WWII, which makes them. It may be a little morbid to say this: "A war makes everyone unites." The community spirit that was born after the war, where people care about one another in the same kampong, cannot be found in the hearts of the youth in singapore. We have never been through any natural or man-made disaster, and we don't understand the pain of loss, not only your family but your friends etc. As you interact with the elderly there, you will get my point. They are so bonded that they even know people who is living in the next few blocks!

Now, looking at the individual elderly we have, I have learned many things from them.

Starting with the most popular elderly (female): Mdm Ho

Though she is a going to be soon 90, when we speak to her, you will not feel that there is any age gap or have any awkward moments. I have classified her to be the "modern" ah mah/ ah po. She was the first elderly that I visited when i came, her cheerfulness always fills the whole room up with happiness. Sometimes it feels like she is entertaining us rather than us help her. It is kind of sad to hear that her health has deteriorated since few years ago, the once healthy and active senior became an elderly who can't even stand up long.

Looking back at the photos, it is kind of sad to see those familiar yet unfamiliar faces. Those who did not follow through. It is a tough job to balance life and school work, everyone understands even the elderly. However, when the elderly realized that particular volunteer is not around they will feel sad. A quote from Mdm Ho: "Everyone ask me to help them to find girlfriend/ boyfriend. At the end, they found it themselves and then forget me this old woman." She said it in a joking manner, but i can sense the sorrows inside. If you are still reading this blog post, do remember to visit them once in a while when you are free. You do not need to do the cleaning, just chat with them and they will be very happy to see you!

CNY 2013 "Handsome boy", Jeraldine and Mdm Ho

My first ever visit.

SMILE!

It is also nice to have lunch with the elderly, we can chat as we eat. This is the way Singaporean communicate. We talk over food! "Foodiomunication"

Sorry guys, I kind of now at a loss for words to describe the experience and T.H.E. Seniors. I feel like copying the handsome boy say: "Yay, so fun!" I will leave the pictures to say the reminding of the story!

Mr Lee, our newest and youngest senior. An active senior volunteer who is good at cooking. Richard recommended me to learn from him how to cook chicken rice. However, i think he prefer 美女 to be his disciples.

Mr Tan, a knowledgeable man who likes to watch TV as leisure. Though always saying that they did not study much, the stuffs they know is enough to overwhelm us! He is just a wise man that you should look for if you have any issues, and you are interested to know Singapore history, he can be your SS lecturer!