The learning journey back at home (:

Hello everyone (:

Still remember the first time I went for THE visit 1.5 yrs ago with friends, inspiring seniors and welcoming elderly.

Always looking forward to Saturdays.

Hope the new volunteers feel the same way and keep coming back (:

Was very heartening to see so many volunteers today.

Looking forward to similar 熱鬧 days in future (:

And thus, today we only visited one elderly per group.

My group went to Mr Ong.

8^th storey BLK 63 uncle who preferred to be known as ‘ah pek’ was visiting Mr ong too!

Mr ong is a very clean and tidy man. However, he has difficulties with bending to reach the ground.

Thus, we helped out with cleaning the floor under the beds, which was very dusty, and mopping the whole place as well.

Had a chat with Mr Ong and understood some background of his taxi driver past as well as his operation in February to correct the cheekbone/jaw positioning which is hindering his right eye from opening properly.

We also asked about the shows he liked to watch as we tuned in to a documentary of dinosaurs.

The way he asked whether it was real or fake was quite cute, especially when another scene showed a comparison of a real ostrich to the CGI T-Rex.

Such interaction has been missed, and was refreshing for me.

Been missing visits due to being away for Love Export and thereby also missing Major Outing. (sad die me)

Been interacting with children too much haha.

I guess what was learnt in Cambodia can be applied to what we do here locally.

The importance of appreciating what we have and to always be thankful for what life has given us. I believe the elderly often show us how important that is as well. Their relatively simpler lives with that bit of extra color we try to add has always left them thankful for us. However, we are more indebted for the invaluable life lessons we take away from every visit, from their experiences, their wisdom, or just the simple appreciation of happiness in simplicity.  Appreciation of simplicity and being content can define happiness.

As what our fellow volunteers always reflect upon, we always have something to learn as we continue on our volunteering journey.

Apart from giving back to the community, it is also about developing ourselves as individuals, and seemingly having more to gain then any beneficiary we might come in contact with.

And of course, with this blog or any sharing session we may have, volunteering requires reflection and introspection.

As boss 940 always says, we should always remember the purpose of what we do, hold on to the reasons of why we are volunteering.

Reflection is the first step to self development.

Check out our very own VM Ms Teo, with a maid at home but working hard at cleaning the floor (:

 Stepping out of our comfort zones has often been the way to grow.

As the semester kicks off, hope that all fellow volunteers continue to enjoy doing what we do, learning together as a family.

Hope that new members can join us in this fruitful journey in THES, where not only we get to make a difference to others, but also to ourselves deep within.

Wheeee all the best to everyone for the new semester!

THES huat ar!! (:

- Crissonified