Date: 25th Febuary 2008
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 1 hour (1545 – 1645)
People involved: Joseph, Boon Kiat
Today was our first befriending session with Mdm Chia, an elderly living alone in Blk 15, Marine Terrace. Since it was our first visit, we reported to Seow Hong to find out Mdm Chia's address, also we were told that Mdm Chia's hand was scalded by oil, having blisters all over. We were then referred to aunty Qui Lan who was at the Good Life centre.
We went up together with aunty Qiu Lan, eager to meet Mdm Chia. Mdm Chia was very hospitable, inviting us almost immediately into her house. Her right hand was indeed badly scalded with bandage right up to above her wrist. We basically did some self-introduction to know one other better. She is able to converse with us using mandarin occasionally using dialects like Hokkien and Teo Chew which we had a bit of problems understanding exactly what she meant. Even so, we managed to find out that she was scalded by oil while cooking recently and she had two injections.
We also asked about her source of income, learning that she is working as a dentist assistant in a dental clinic. She also receives special financial assistance from the government every month to ease her burden. She is careful with the way she spend her money, even spending scrimply on food; to quote what she said 'Even though its just egg and rice, its still a meal, we still have to eat.' . Before leaving, we briefly asked for probable dates and time slots on when we could visit her.
All in all, Mdm Chia is a fairly independent elderly leading a relatively healthy lifestyle. She do not require any immediate attention, but we will be constantly looking out for her, making sure that the right hand recovers from the burn. Besides that, it was a meaningful and valuable experience for us both and we sure look forward to our next visit with Mdm Chia.
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service - Befriending
Date: 22/02/08
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 1 hour (1500 – 1600)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
Today we visited Azmi and his family again.
It was a short session as we still had something on after that. We shared with Azmi how we celebrated Chinese New Year and he also told us what his family did during Hari Raya.
Mdm Alimah was at home and was happy to see that her son is receiving company. She served us with tea and cookies before she attended to her own matters, while we took care of Azmi.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service
Date: 4th Feb 2008
Venue: MPFSC (Blk 6, Marine Terrace)
Duration: 2 hour (1500 – 1700)
People involved: Edmund, Thomas and zhan liang
Today is the eve of eve of chinese new year and we decided to pay Mdm Ng a visit. Bought her oranges before we went up to her apartment. It is my first visit to her house after the first time i saw her afew months ago. She looked as good as i saw her the last time and was really happy when she see us visiting her for the new year.
Chatted with her on some common topics and being a really nice person, she treated us to some chinese new year goodies while insisting on giving us hongbaos which we duly rejected.
After further conversation about each of our daily live, we bidded goodbye and wished her happy chinese new year.
Venue: MPFSC (Blk 6, Marine Terrace)
Duration: 2 hour (1500 – 1700)
People involved: Edmund, Thomas and zhan liang
Today is the eve of eve of chinese new year and we decided to pay Mdm Ng a visit. Bought her oranges before we went up to her apartment. It is my first visit to her house after the first time i saw her afew months ago. She looked as good as i saw her the last time and was really happy when she see us visiting her for the new year.
Chatted with her on some common topics and being a really nice person, she treated us to some chinese new year goodies while insisting on giving us hongbaos which we duly rejected.
After further conversation about each of our daily live, we bidded goodbye and wished her happy chinese new year.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service - Distribution of daily essentials
Date: 03/02/08
Hours Completed: 0800 - 1600 (8 Hours)
Ppl: zhan liang calvin jia wei edmund(LATE AGAIN) thomas boon kiat seth and joseph
Details
Today’s session was part of a much larger island wide distribution of daily essentials which included detergents and basic food items such as rice and salt. We started off early in the morning to pack the various items into bags. Things were a bit chaotic at first but it got better as everyone becomes clearer of what they are doing.
About 1000 or so goodie bags were prepared for distribution and by noon, they were properly packed into the cardboard boxes and placed up into trucks to various parts of Singapore by other volunteers. We waited behind to help arrange the rest of the bags and cleared up the remaining mess. We also helped to distribute to nearby blocks around Circuit Road.
Soon after, we were told to deliver a stack of 300 bags to the elderly centre at Kallang. Theses bags will be distributed on a later date by the centre itself to needy people around that area. Cartons of potatoes as well as rice were also included in the delivery.
Hours Completed: 0800 - 1600 (8 Hours)
Ppl: zhan liang calvin jia wei edmund(LATE AGAIN) thomas boon kiat seth and joseph
Details
Today’s session was part of a much larger island wide distribution of daily essentials which included detergents and basic food items such as rice and salt. We started off early in the morning to pack the various items into bags. Things were a bit chaotic at first but it got better as everyone becomes clearer of what they are doing.
About 1000 or so goodie bags were prepared for distribution and by noon, they were properly packed into the cardboard boxes and placed up into trucks to various parts of Singapore by other volunteers. We waited behind to help arrange the rest of the bags and cleared up the remaining mess. We also helped to distribute to nearby blocks around Circuit Road.
Soon after, we were told to deliver a stack of 300 bags to the elderly centre at Kallang. Theses bags will be distributed on a later date by the centre itself to needy people around that area. Cartons of potatoes as well as rice were also included in the delivery.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service
Date: 31st Jan, 2008
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 1.5 hours 1700-1830
People involved: Seth, Jiawei and a friend from SAJC-Junhe
Today was the second time we were conducting our weekly visits to Brother Paul. He seemed to have looked considerably better compared to our last visit; He had no more troubling ailments of headaches and back pains. We had first held our conversation by his door at the entrance of his flat but after awhile had to shift within his flat. This was due to the burning of incense paper by his neighbour which he told us had been giving him some inconveniences.
During our visit, he had recounted certain anecdotes that had occurred in his life, sharing with us some of his experiences and was quite frank about it, like how he had been a sailor in the past, as well as his reflections on it. We were grateful that he had appreciated our visit and was quite willing to be open in sharing his thoughts. In our conversation, he shared with us a few of the current happenings in his life, like how he had recently encountered the problem of pollution caused by his neighbour burning incense paper along the corridor. Another thing he had been doing recently was cleaning up his flat. We offered our assistance but he declined, insisting that he wanted to do it on his own and be "independent", to quote him. Another reason cited was that he wanted to have something to do at home. At this, though we were worried, my friends and I shared a admiration at his tenacity to rely on himself and keep himself occupied. After offering our help anytime he needed it, we felt assured that he understood he could come to call on us if he needed anything. Before we left, we made sure his dinner had been provided for.
We had also taken this opportunity to ascertain dates for the Chinese New Year (CNY) and Valentine's Day events. The CNY event is to be held on the 16th of Feb while the Valentine's Day event is to be held on the 14th of Feb. More details will be given once MPFSC has sent the email for it.
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 1.5 hours 1700-1830
People involved: Seth, Jiawei and a friend from SAJC-Junhe
Today was the second time we were conducting our weekly visits to Brother Paul. He seemed to have looked considerably better compared to our last visit; He had no more troubling ailments of headaches and back pains. We had first held our conversation by his door at the entrance of his flat but after awhile had to shift within his flat. This was due to the burning of incense paper by his neighbour which he told us had been giving him some inconveniences.
During our visit, he had recounted certain anecdotes that had occurred in his life, sharing with us some of his experiences and was quite frank about it, like how he had been a sailor in the past, as well as his reflections on it. We were grateful that he had appreciated our visit and was quite willing to be open in sharing his thoughts. In our conversation, he shared with us a few of the current happenings in his life, like how he had recently encountered the problem of pollution caused by his neighbour burning incense paper along the corridor. Another thing he had been doing recently was cleaning up his flat. We offered our assistance but he declined, insisting that he wanted to do it on his own and be "independent", to quote him. Another reason cited was that he wanted to have something to do at home. At this, though we were worried, my friends and I shared a admiration at his tenacity to rely on himself and keep himself occupied. After offering our help anytime he needed it, we felt assured that he understood he could come to call on us if he needed anything. Before we left, we made sure his dinner had been provided for.
We had also taken this opportunity to ascertain dates for the Chinese New Year (CNY) and Valentine's Day events. The CNY event is to be held on the 16th of Feb while the Valentine's Day event is to be held on the 14th of Feb. More details will be given once MPFSC has sent the email for it.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service - Befriending
Date: 29th January 2008
Venue: MPFSC (Blk 6, Marine Terrace)
Duration: 2 hour (1445 – 1645)
People involved: Edmund, Thomas and zhan liang
Today was the second befriending session with Mdm Ng. We walked from school at about 1430 hours and reached Mdm Ng’s apartment at about 1445 hours. We had no need to report to Seow Hong anymore as subsequent visits after the first will be arranged directly with Mdm Ng.
The door of her apartment was closed when we arrived and we feared that she was not at home. However, after we rang the doorbell, the familiar barking sounds of her dog indicated to us that she was at home. Upon seeing her friends (as what she considers us to be) at the door, she opened the door and welcomed us in. Once again, she displays her hospitality as she tries her best to make us feel at home, offering us Chinese New Year cookies and drinks as soon as we entered. We kept telling her that we were full and that she does not need to walk around offering snacks and drinks to us, asking her to take a seat, but she continued to, pushing those snacks and drinks to us, leaving us no choice but to accept her offers, before she would sit down. Her hospitality is so good that it is now achieving some sort of a reverse effect in that we were starting to feel uneasy, always being offered snacks and drinks whenever we visited her.
However, as soon as we started conversing with her, her friendliness and ease to talk to made us feel really comfortable again. She asked us about school, our schoolmates and how we are coping; about family, how close we are, how often and what we do when we spend time together; about overseas holiday trips with family, where we have went and our experiences; and about overseas CIP trips, where we have went and what we did there. We also discussed certain issues such as the influence of Western culture in Singapore, its good and bad points; and boy-girl relationships at teenage age, our thoughts about it. She is quite a frank and open person, thus she spontaneously shares her views, thoughts and opinions, which are informative and valuable, and we always gain lots of new knowledge from our conversations with her.
We recalled her telling us during our previous visit last week that her dog was injured and was scheduled to go to the vet earlier this morning, thus we asked her what its situation was. She told us that the vet said the dog’s injury was not serious to the extent of requiring an operation, but would require some medication to reduce the pain and some time for the injury to recover. We were quite relieved and happy for Mdm Ng to hear that as she revealed to us on our previous visit that she has quite an attachment to the dog ever since it arrived with her rental tenant last year, thus with her dog being alright, she would feel better too. Now, our worry is her check-up tomorrow, on the 30th of January, which will reveal the seriousness of her stomach health problems. However, we have faith and believe that everything will be alright for her.
Besides her health problems, she does not have any immediate needs that require our attention, but we will be constantly looking out for her and to provide her with any assistance we can anytime she needs. We are also gradually getting used to the way she speaks, thus being able to understand and communicate with her better. This second session has been another rewarding and enjoyable one for us and we will be looking forward to our next session with Mdm Ng.
Venue: MPFSC (Blk 6, Marine Terrace)
Duration: 2 hour (1445 – 1645)
People involved: Edmund, Thomas and zhan liang
Today was the second befriending session with Mdm Ng. We walked from school at about 1430 hours and reached Mdm Ng’s apartment at about 1445 hours. We had no need to report to Seow Hong anymore as subsequent visits after the first will be arranged directly with Mdm Ng.
The door of her apartment was closed when we arrived and we feared that she was not at home. However, after we rang the doorbell, the familiar barking sounds of her dog indicated to us that she was at home. Upon seeing her friends (as what she considers us to be) at the door, she opened the door and welcomed us in. Once again, she displays her hospitality as she tries her best to make us feel at home, offering us Chinese New Year cookies and drinks as soon as we entered. We kept telling her that we were full and that she does not need to walk around offering snacks and drinks to us, asking her to take a seat, but she continued to, pushing those snacks and drinks to us, leaving us no choice but to accept her offers, before she would sit down. Her hospitality is so good that it is now achieving some sort of a reverse effect in that we were starting to feel uneasy, always being offered snacks and drinks whenever we visited her.
However, as soon as we started conversing with her, her friendliness and ease to talk to made us feel really comfortable again. She asked us about school, our schoolmates and how we are coping; about family, how close we are, how often and what we do when we spend time together; about overseas holiday trips with family, where we have went and our experiences; and about overseas CIP trips, where we have went and what we did there. We also discussed certain issues such as the influence of Western culture in Singapore, its good and bad points; and boy-girl relationships at teenage age, our thoughts about it. She is quite a frank and open person, thus she spontaneously shares her views, thoughts and opinions, which are informative and valuable, and we always gain lots of new knowledge from our conversations with her.
We recalled her telling us during our previous visit last week that her dog was injured and was scheduled to go to the vet earlier this morning, thus we asked her what its situation was. She told us that the vet said the dog’s injury was not serious to the extent of requiring an operation, but would require some medication to reduce the pain and some time for the injury to recover. We were quite relieved and happy for Mdm Ng to hear that as she revealed to us on our previous visit that she has quite an attachment to the dog ever since it arrived with her rental tenant last year, thus with her dog being alright, she would feel better too. Now, our worry is her check-up tomorrow, on the 30th of January, which will reveal the seriousness of her stomach health problems. However, we have faith and believe that everything will be alright for her.
Besides her health problems, she does not have any immediate needs that require our attention, but we will be constantly looking out for her and to provide her with any assistance we can anytime she needs. We are also gradually getting used to the way she speaks, thus being able to understand and communicate with her better. This second session has been another rewarding and enjoyable one for us and we will be looking forward to our next session with Mdm Ng.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service
Date: 24th Jan, 2008
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 1 hour 1700-1800
People involved: Seth, Jiawei and a friend from SAJC
This was going to be the first of the weekly visitations we were to make as a pair to visit brother Paul, a single elderly person living alone in Block 15, Marine Terrace. This time we met immediately after our lessons ended for the day before going to the MPFSC to confirm our visit with the person in-charge, Mdm Yah Yee.
After receiving our go-ahead, we went up to have a look at Brother Paul and see how he was doing. Although we made an uninvited visit, he was very happy to receive us at his door. He seemed happy to talk to us about almost everything under the sun; making jokes and discussing issues such as Suharto's recent hospitalization. All these was proof that he still maintained a healthy and active mind despite living alone for so long at his age. However, his flat was still rather messy and disorganized, making difficult for him to move around easily. Further more, he complained that he was having some problems with his backbone and asked us to see if anything was wrong. Other than a red patch just below his neck and pain felt upon compression, he was alright. After asking about his dinner (it was delivered to him at his doorstep before we came), we decided to take our leave and allow him to rest for the day. We informed him of our next visitation next week before ensuring he closed his door properly to retire and then leave.
Our friend from SAJC was a secondary school classmate who wanted to source for service learning opportunities working with children, thus he decided to approach the MPFSC through us. As such, after a brief discussion with Mdm Yah Yee, he has decided to consider doing a project with the MPFSC in the near future. This has allowed the center to have more volunteers to work with, of which we are more than happy to help liaise from now on.
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 1 hour 1700-1800
People involved: Seth, Jiawei and a friend from SAJC
This was going to be the first of the weekly visitations we were to make as a pair to visit brother Paul, a single elderly person living alone in Block 15, Marine Terrace. This time we met immediately after our lessons ended for the day before going to the MPFSC to confirm our visit with the person in-charge, Mdm Yah Yee.
After receiving our go-ahead, we went up to have a look at Brother Paul and see how he was doing. Although we made an uninvited visit, he was very happy to receive us at his door. He seemed happy to talk to us about almost everything under the sun; making jokes and discussing issues such as Suharto's recent hospitalization. All these was proof that he still maintained a healthy and active mind despite living alone for so long at his age. However, his flat was still rather messy and disorganized, making difficult for him to move around easily. Further more, he complained that he was having some problems with his backbone and asked us to see if anything was wrong. Other than a red patch just below his neck and pain felt upon compression, he was alright. After asking about his dinner (it was delivered to him at his doorstep before we came), we decided to take our leave and allow him to rest for the day. We informed him of our next visitation next week before ensuring he closed his door properly to retire and then leave.
Our friend from SAJC was a secondary school classmate who wanted to source for service learning opportunities working with children, thus he decided to approach the MPFSC through us. As such, after a brief discussion with Mdm Yah Yee, he has decided to consider doing a project with the MPFSC in the near future. This has allowed the center to have more volunteers to work with, of which we are more than happy to help liaise from now on.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
NYAA Entry - Service - Befriending
Date: 25th January 2008
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 1.5 hours (1500-1630)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
The main purpose of this visit was to inform Mdm Alimah and Azmi about the probable dates of future visits and just to check that they were fine.
We set around and interacted with Azmi, sharing with him what are some of the things we are busy with at school. We also asked him about his art exhibition whereby he had presented his own oil paintings at Suntec City convention hall.
Both Changyang and I were busy with school the past weeks and were unfortunately unable to make a trip down. We hence saw the need to make a personal trip down to greet them. We informed that we would visit them on free Tuesday and Friday afternoons in the future.
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 1.5 hours (1500-1630)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
The main purpose of this visit was to inform Mdm Alimah and Azmi about the probable dates of future visits and just to check that they were fine.
We set around and interacted with Azmi, sharing with him what are some of the things we are busy with at school. We also asked him about his art exhibition whereby he had presented his own oil paintings at Suntec City convention hall.
Both Changyang and I were busy with school the past weeks and were unfortunately unable to make a trip down. We hence saw the need to make a personal trip down to greet them. We informed that we would visit them on free Tuesday and Friday afternoons in the future.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
NYAA Entry- Service
Date: 24 January 2008
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 2 hours (1330-1530)
People involved: Edmund, Thomas and zhan liang
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 2 hours (1330-1530)
People involved: Edmund, Thomas and zhan liang
Today, we started our first befriending session with Mdm Ng. We started off by first reporting to Seow Hong as she had to confirm our appointment with Mdm Ng before allowing us to make a personal trip down to her house at Blk 6. After everything has been confirmed, we made our way down to Mdm Ng’s humble abode. I really meant what I said that it was a “humble abode”. As we entered her house, a state of comfortable cleanliness had greeted us. The furniture was kept simple and everything was just neat and tidy. She had also kept a dog as a companion.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
NYAA Entry- Service - New Year's Eve
Date: 31 December 2007
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 5 hours (0800-1300)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Edmund, Joseph, Seth, Zhan Liang, Calvin, Thomas and Jia wei
On New Year's eve, the MPFSC decided to share its' collected donations with recipients in the Marine Terrace area to spread the festive cheer going all around. The donations were part of the Boys Brigade's H.E.A.R.T project, supported by the Singapore Prison Services as well. These included daily commodities such as rice, cooking oil and canned food that were painstakingly collected from the generosity of various individuals.
We all met up at 8am sharp before heading to the MPFSC. Many volunteers also had arrived and our first task was to arrange all the donations properly as their sheer amount proved to be a logistical nightmare for the MPFSC staff who were mostly female. The food had to be sorted out into groups such as rice, cereal, biscuits and salt/sugar before we could place them in the already filled storeroom. It was crucial that we organized everything perfectly as the food was to be disbursed to needy residents to tide their meals over. Although the task was laborious, we all knew it would be much easier to access the donations and also provide a more conducive environment for the service center to operate as the donations had even 'flooded' into its' main communal area!
By the time the center sorted out the piles of donations with our help, we then had to deliver the food to the many residents around the Marine Terrace area, such as blocks 51 and 55. To cover more ground, we split ourselves up into groups to facilitate the movement of our donations with the help of trolleys and push-carts. Each household received 2 bags of rice, some cooking oil, a box of instant noodles and some canned food. In addition, we were also tasked with ensuring each recipient received their Special Assistance Grant Card by handing it to them personally, to qualify them for the various help schemes to tide them over.
It was worth it to spend 5 hours helping many needy households to see their smiles as they received the donations from the MPFSC. Their appreciation went a long way as it made our time volunteering worthwhile and yet meaningful. We were all glad that the joy of the coming new year was made available to all.
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Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 5 hours (0800-1300)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Edmund, Joseph, Seth, Zhan Liang, Calvin, Thomas and Jia wei
On New Year's eve, the MPFSC decided to share its' collected donations with recipients in the Marine Terrace area to spread the festive cheer going all around. The donations were part of the Boys Brigade's H.E.A.R.T project, supported by the Singapore Prison Services as well. These included daily commodities such as rice, cooking oil and canned food that were painstakingly collected from the generosity of various individuals.
We all met up at 8am sharp before heading to the MPFSC. Many volunteers also had arrived and our first task was to arrange all the donations properly as their sheer amount proved to be a logistical nightmare for the MPFSC staff who were mostly female. The food had to be sorted out into groups such as rice, cereal, biscuits and salt/sugar before we could place them in the already filled storeroom. It was crucial that we organized everything perfectly as the food was to be disbursed to needy residents to tide their meals over. Although the task was laborious, we all knew it would be much easier to access the donations and also provide a more conducive environment for the service center to operate as the donations had even 'flooded' into its' main communal area!
By the time the center sorted out the piles of donations with our help, we then had to deliver the food to the many residents around the Marine Terrace area, such as blocks 51 and 55. To cover more ground, we split ourselves up into groups to facilitate the movement of our donations with the help of trolleys and push-carts. Each household received 2 bags of rice, some cooking oil, a box of instant noodles and some canned food. In addition, we were also tasked with ensuring each recipient received their Special Assistance Grant Card by handing it to them personally, to qualify them for the various help schemes to tide them over.
It was worth it to spend 5 hours helping many needy households to see their smiles as they received the donations from the MPFSC. Their appreciation went a long way as it made our time volunteering worthwhile and yet meaningful. We were all glad that the joy of the coming new year was made available to all.
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
NYAA Entry - Service - Befriending
Date: 18th December 2007
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 2.5 hours (1130-1400)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
Azmi showed us some of the oil paintings he has done over the years. We learnt from him that each oil paintings can take up to a few months from the start till its completion. Azmi had also participated in competitions and had even had his own exhibition.
He then referred to us some of the problems he was facing with his computer. We hence decided to lend a helping hand. He had problems trying to upload photographs from his camera due to problems of connection with the USB port. After many falied attempts, we decided we would bring along a personal card reader to help him upload his photographs. His computer was also facing problems with spyware. We helped to do a scan and later discovered that his computer was in risk of numerous viruses. We hence helped him to clear these viruses by downloading a software.
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 2.5 hours (1130-1400)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
Azmi showed us some of the oil paintings he has done over the years. We learnt from him that each oil paintings can take up to a few months from the start till its completion. Azmi had also participated in competitions and had even had his own exhibition.
He then referred to us some of the problems he was facing with his computer. We hence decided to lend a helping hand. He had problems trying to upload photographs from his camera due to problems of connection with the USB port. After many falied attempts, we decided we would bring along a personal card reader to help him upload his photographs. His computer was also facing problems with spyware. We helped to do a scan and later discovered that his computer was in risk of numerous viruses. We hence helped him to clear these viruses by downloading a software.
Monday, December 17, 2007
NYAA Entry - Service - Christmas
Date: 17th December 2007
Venue: Marine Parade Goodlife Centre (Block 16)
Duration: 5 hours (1000-1500)
People involved: Calvin, Thomas
The event was scheduled to start at 11am, so we were told to meet at 10.00am to help out with preparations. As we were not the organisers of this event, we were told to only facilitate and help out when needed. It was held in block 16, and at a good turnout of more than 50 elderly residents in that area, all members of the Good Life @ Southeast CDC.
It started with a game of Bingo where we were told to facilitate the announcing of picked numbers. The game lasted until many had that sheet of numbers all struck out. Following this was a game similar to Simon says, only Simon was now replaced by Santa Claus. We were told to help translate for our Muslim friends who were present.
Then they played past the parcel, where the person holding on to a present when the music stop had to do a forfeit before he or she can keep that present. Everyone was feeling the Christmas spirit of giving! Thereafter, we stopped the games for catered lunch. We served lunch, drinks and thereafter cake to the elderly.
After eating, we helped to facilitate the exchange of gifts prepared by them. That was the end of the event. We helped to clear the area and keep the chairs back in the centre. We then helped to deliver the extra packets of food to elderly residents that often live alone or are in need of basic necessities. With that, the day of service ended for Thomas and I.
Venue: Marine Parade Goodlife Centre (Block 16)
Duration: 5 hours (1000-1500)
People involved: Calvin, Thomas
The event was scheduled to start at 11am, so we were told to meet at 10.00am to help out with preparations. As we were not the organisers of this event, we were told to only facilitate and help out when needed. It was held in block 16, and at a good turnout of more than 50 elderly residents in that area, all members of the Good Life @ Southeast CDC.
It started with a game of Bingo where we were told to facilitate the announcing of picked numbers. The game lasted until many had that sheet of numbers all struck out. Following this was a game similar to Simon says, only Simon was now replaced by Santa Claus. We were told to help translate for our Muslim friends who were present.
Then they played past the parcel, where the person holding on to a present when the music stop had to do a forfeit before he or she can keep that present. Everyone was feeling the Christmas spirit of giving! Thereafter, we stopped the games for catered lunch. We served lunch, drinks and thereafter cake to the elderly.
After eating, we helped to facilitate the exchange of gifts prepared by them. That was the end of the event. We helped to clear the area and keep the chairs back in the centre. We then helped to deliver the extra packets of food to elderly residents that often live alone or are in need of basic necessities. With that, the day of service ended for Thomas and I.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
NYAA Entry - Service Section - 5th Anniversary for Good Life @ Southeast CDC
Date: 1st December 2007
Venue: EXPO hall 1
Duration: 4 hours (0900-1300)
People involved: Calvin, Thomas, zhan liang, seth and edmund
Venue: EXPO hall 1
Duration: 4 hours (0900-1300)
People involved: Calvin, Thomas, zhan liang, seth and edmund
At 9 am, we began the preparations for the games that will be played during dinner itself. Shifting of necessary logistics from van to venue was done by those who came earlier. The rest were briefed on how to facilitate the games such as tikam tikam and given the necessary logistics for the game.
By 10am, the first busload of elderly arrived. Initially, the escalator was not operating and some of the elderlys had to climb up the stairs. This greatly inconvenienced the elderly as they were relatively frail and could not afford the strength the climb the flight of steps up. Few of us were there to help them up while the rest quickly got the escalator working.
Acting as ushers to the elderly in the beginning, we helped by guiding them across to expo hall 1. And during the dinner, we were facilitators to afew tables and guide them through the games such as tikam tikam and the scavenger hunt.
Lucky draw was next, with some winning items like vaccuum cleaner and even a LCD TV. Many of the elderly went home happy and delighted, especially because of the food and games thay they enjoyed the most.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
NYAA Entry - Service - Befriending
Date: 6th November 2007
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 1.5 hours (1030-1200)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
This family was introduced to us by Seow Hong, who works at MPFSC. An elderly woman, Mdm Alimah, lives alone at home with his son, Azmi, who has difficulty moving around and in speech. His condition was due to a drug overdose some years back. Our objective was to make friends with her son, and to keep him company so that she can have more personal time to her own leisure. The old lady had been taking care of his son ever since the incident.
The first visit was only meant for introduction sake. We also spoke with her on the probable dates we would visit again, which was set on every free Tuesday. However, the following weeks will be impossible as Changyang and I are going overseas one after the other.
We found out that her son likes oil painting and smsing. So we took his number down to inform him prior to future visits.
Venue: Block 53, a particular unit on 3rd floor
Duration: 1.5 hours (1030-1200)
People involved: Calvin and a friend, Changyang
This family was introduced to us by Seow Hong, who works at MPFSC. An elderly woman, Mdm Alimah, lives alone at home with his son, Azmi, who has difficulty moving around and in speech. His condition was due to a drug overdose some years back. Our objective was to make friends with her son, and to keep him company so that she can have more personal time to her own leisure. The old lady had been taking care of his son ever since the incident.
The first visit was only meant for introduction sake. We also spoke with her on the probable dates we would visit again, which was set on every free Tuesday. However, the following weeks will be impossible as Changyang and I are going overseas one after the other.
We found out that her son likes oil painting and smsing. So we took his number down to inform him prior to future visits.
NYAA Entry – Service
Date: 4th November 2007
Venue: MPFSC (Block 53)
Duration: 7 hours (0800-1500)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Calvin, Edmund, Jiawei, Joseph, Seth, Thomas, Zhan Liang
Special Thanks to: Zi Hao and Changyang
Venue: MPFSC (Block 53)
Duration: 7 hours (0800-1500)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Calvin, Edmund, Jiawei, Joseph, Seth, Thomas, Zhan Liang
Special Thanks to: Zi Hao and Changyang
On 4th November, the usual eight of us with the help of Changyang and Zi Hao went down to MPFSC to help them in a local community event. Senior Minister Gok Chok Tong had graced the event. In this event, MPFSC is trying to raise their awareness among the Marine Parade community with their target being the elderly living in the vicinity. They would hope to reach out to all the elderly so as to be able to attend to their immediate needs and bring joy to their lives.
All of us met up at
Initially, for all senior citizens using the computers, it was tough for all of us as they were extremely unfamiliar with regards to the utilization of the computer. Thus, they had difficulty in following our instructions. However, within the time limit of around 10-15 mins provided for each user, they were able to get used to the maneuverability of the game itself. Hence, all of us felt contented and elated by the fact that the senior citizens were enjoying themselves and we were able to add colour to their lives in that short period of time.
The event had ended at around
After the event itself, we proceeded to Block 6. We would be helping MPFSC plan for their next activity. We would be holding a Hari Raya/Deepavali celebration for the senior citizens. The celebration would be held at the void deck of Block 6. Thus, we went over to check out the area to ensure that our floorplan was correct and that the space given was sufficient for us to fit in at least a hundred senior citizens for the celebration itself which would be held on the 12th of November. Through this recee trip, we have ascertain the space given was sufficient and everything would go according as planned.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
NYAA Entry - Overseas Service
1. Focus
- The aims of the outcomes of our trip are to help the disabled who have lost partial use of their legs and also to raise awareness of the literacy levels in Cambodia.
2. Outcome in Singapore
- Photo journal/booklet
-This photo journal/booklet would be a compilation of the thoughts of the children who face the dangers of UXOs(unexploded ordnance) in Cambodia, combined with our thoughts. We intend to do this by passing around strips of paper around in schools for the children to write down their thoughts.
-The photojournal/booklet concept will be one which reflects our perception of life in Cambodia as well as the perceptions of the children on their own lives. It would include their messages to Singaporean children or simply a reflection of their thoughts. These would provide insight into how they view their own lives. All these would be written down on the paper.
- The photo journal/booklet will act as a means of showcasing the plight of the children in Cambodia who need education. The booklet will also provide a platform for people to make pledges by providing instructions on how to go about making such pledges through NGOs already in place to help such causes.
- Gather donations in the form of walking aids from Singapore.
-Get them from our schools or from relatives and friends. (Crutches are often bought for one time serious injuries but then are left untouched subsequently after recovery)
3. Preliminary Activity
- Survey one session of SCAS on Tuesday to have an idea of what dealing with the disabled would be like. Subsequently we will carry out a similar activity to the one we're going to carry out in Cambodia to have a feel of what it would be like in Cambodia and anticipate possible problems
4. Areas of Research to be covered
- Availability of walking aids
- Locations of UXOs in Cambodia
- Specific route (Stopover in which towns,lodgings and transportation etc) to take which cover Bangkok-Cambodia-Bangkok
- The intended target group i.e. children in Cambodia, specifically also the ones afflicted by the mines
- Check for NGOs that deal with the target groups (e.g. NGOs that deal with handicraft or other forms of products that subsist the target group)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
NYAA Entry –Upcoming Events
1) Elderly Gaming Session
Date: 4th November 2007
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 8a.m.-2p.m.
This event is a gaming session organized by MPFSC for the elderly. We will be going there as official volunteer facilitators and hence a standardized dress code would be good. SM Goh will be attending the event so do take note of the formality of the event....
The people involved will are Zhan Liang, Calvin, Edmund, Thomas, Chang Yang, Jia Wei, Boon Kiat, Joseph, Zi Hao and Seth.
2) Joint Hari Raya-Deepavali Celebrations
Date: 12th November 2007
Venue: Multi Purpose Hall(near MPFSC)/MPFSC
Duration: (subject to planning)
The event will be organized by us with Joseph and Boon Kiat spearheading the event. The event consist of 2 parts. One for the main group of elderly folks at the multi-purpose hall near MPFSC and one for the low income group elderly group. The 2 parts of the events would be running concurrently. That is the brief overview of the program for that day.
Date: 4th November 2007
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 8a.m.-2p.m.
This event is a gaming session organized by MPFSC for the elderly. We will be going there as official volunteer facilitators and hence a standardized dress code would be good. SM Goh will be attending the event so do take note of the formality of the event....
The people involved will are Zhan Liang, Calvin, Edmund, Thomas, Chang Yang, Jia Wei, Boon Kiat, Joseph, Zi Hao and Seth.
2) Joint Hari Raya-Deepavali Celebrations
Date: 12th November 2007
Venue: Multi Purpose Hall(near MPFSC)/MPFSC
Duration: (subject to planning)
The event will be organized by us with Joseph and Boon Kiat spearheading the event. The event consist of 2 parts. One for the main group of elderly folks at the multi-purpose hall near MPFSC and one for the low income group elderly group. The 2 parts of the events would be running concurrently. That is the brief overview of the program for that day.
Friday, September 07, 2007
NYAA Entry – Service ll
Date: 6th September 2007
Venue: MPFSC
Duration: 4 hours (1000-1400)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Edmund, Joseph, Seth, Zhan Liang, calvin and jia wei
The day started at 1000 when everyone reported at the MPFSC function room to prepare for a mini gathering party for the seniors in the area. We shifted chairs into a circular arrangement for about 20+ seniors who is expected to arrive at around 1100. The guitar people practiced their performance item which they have learnt during their skills training in the meantime.
By 1100, we began with a simple game of pictionary in chinese and malay with the seniors with simple words such as chicken rice and fruits which they can easily associate with in their daily lives. Many of them enjoyed the game very much.
After that, we proceeded with the performance item by the guitar people. They played Di Tanjong Katong, 500 miles as well as Seasons in the sun while the rest sing by the side. The seniors even danced whilst they were playing the song.
The gathering ended with a simple lunch afterwards at around 1230.
From then on, we carried on with our outreach project, as me and edmund visited once again our kind senior whom accepted us as befrienders. We chatted with her for a while about our lives and so on as she introduced some pictures to us. Jia Wei and seth on the otherhand, sent their senior to CGH as he fell down conincedentally.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
NYAA Entry – Service
Date: 3rd September 2007
Venue: MPFSC (Block 6, 15, 16 Marine Terrance)
Duration: 6.5 hours (1000 – 1330 hrs, 1530 – 1830 hrs)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Edmund, Joseph, Seth, Thomas, Zhan Liang, Calvin
We reported at MPFSC at 1000hrs to continue our outreach project, but unlike the last time, instead of visiting rental apartments, we were to visit three-room apartments at Blk 6 (where Good Life @ South East is located). We were briefed by the personnel in-charge on the details, what to do, what to ask, and what to find out from the residents, for about half an hour, before starting out on our outreach project at around 1030 hrs. Our focus of this outreach project was somewhat the same as that we did the last time, to investigate the living status of senior residents at the block. Each pair were to visit unit-by-unit, covering 4 floors, to find out their names, whether they heard of and whether they are members of Good Life @ South East, who they are living with in the unit, their support network of relatives and friends, how they pay for their expenses, their medical conditions, their contact numbers so that MPFSC can contact and inform them about activities, and for those senior residents living alone, whether they will be interested in delivery of meals at two dollars per meal and whether they will be interested in joining a club where senior residents can meet weekly to interact with one another and make more friends, expand their social circle. As we wanted to find a senior citizen per pair to attach ourselves to as befrienders, but the centre could not find sufficient senior residents for us to attach ourselves to, we took this opportunity to approach and look senior residents who were willing to accept our befriending services.
What we experienced this time was somewhat about the same as that we did the last time, except that, more people were not at home but out at work or doing grocery shopping, conditions of the apartments were better, lesser occurrence of language barriers as most people knew how to speak the universal language English, as such lesser people rejected and closed the door on us as they could understand our explanation of why we were there visiting unit-by-unit. However, there was an especially significant difference in the needs of the senior residents of the three-room apartments we were visiting, as compared to that of the rental apartments we visited the last time. Senior residents of the rental apartments we visited the last time were more in need of basic financial support (eg. money for food and other basic needs) while senior residents of the three-room apartments we were visiting were more evidently in need of social support network, as although these senior residents are relatively richer, most were living alone, having very small social support network and were lonely. Our focus was thus to find out about and record their social support network so as to identify those who might require assistance in social support from the centre, and also to look for those who require social support and were willing to accept our befriending services.
We managed to finish our outreach project in one and a half hours and went back to meet at MPFSC at around 1215hrs, to discuss and conclude on our findings with the personnel in-charge, for about half an hour. Only one pair managed to find a senior resident willing to accept the befriending service. Knowing that we wanted to do befriending with senior residents, the personnel in-charge then found us each pair two units at Blk 15/16 from the records, who are more in need and may require befriending services, to approach and ask for whether they were willing to accept our befriending services. We left at around 1245hrs and visited our respective two units for about half and hour before meeting back at MPFSC at around 1315hrs to discuss and conclude on our results for about fifteen minutes. All of us got rejected and we did not manage to find any senior residents willing to accept our befriending services. We left for lunch at around 1330hrs.
We came back from lunch and reported at MPFSC at around 1530 to help the YAH! Community College to do some paperwork (folding and stamping of letters to be sent to their students). We were briefed by a personnel in-charge from the YAH! Community College on what to do. We were to fold two sets of papers (yellow set on top of the pink set), slot them into envelopes and have the envelopes well-stamped. We had helped MPFSC to somewhat of the same tasks before (folding of newsletters, slotting them into envelopes, having the envelopes well-stamped, pasting the addresses of the recipients onto the envelopes and thereafter dispatching the envelopes into post-boxes and mail-boxes) and thus recognized that we have to divide our tasks (Edmund and Joseph doing the folding, Thomas doing the slotting into the envelopes and Boon Kiat doing the stamping of the envelopes) in order to achieve the highest efficiency, and complete the tasks in the shortest time possible. After a while, there were insufficient stapled yellow set of papers, while there were insufficient stamps to stamp on the envelopes thus Boon Kiat changed tasks and went to staple together the yellow set of papers, before changing back to stamping after more stamps arrived. We learnt to think quickly, make use of all the manpower available and be flexible to change when unexpected incidents occur, in order to sustain the highest efficiency and complete the tasks in the shortest time possible. We completed all the paperwork in about three hours, stopping at around 1830hrs.
Venue: MPFSC (Block 6, 15, 16 Marine Terrance)
Duration: 6.5 hours (1000 – 1330 hrs, 1530 – 1830 hrs)
People involved: Boon Kiat, Edmund, Joseph, Seth, Thomas, Zhan Liang, Calvin
We reported at MPFSC at 1000hrs to continue our outreach project, but unlike the last time, instead of visiting rental apartments, we were to visit three-room apartments at Blk 6 (where Good Life @ South East is located). We were briefed by the personnel in-charge on the details, what to do, what to ask, and what to find out from the residents, for about half an hour, before starting out on our outreach project at around 1030 hrs. Our focus of this outreach project was somewhat the same as that we did the last time, to investigate the living status of senior residents at the block. Each pair were to visit unit-by-unit, covering 4 floors, to find out their names, whether they heard of and whether they are members of Good Life @ South East, who they are living with in the unit, their support network of relatives and friends, how they pay for their expenses, their medical conditions, their contact numbers so that MPFSC can contact and inform them about activities, and for those senior residents living alone, whether they will be interested in delivery of meals at two dollars per meal and whether they will be interested in joining a club where senior residents can meet weekly to interact with one another and make more friends, expand their social circle. As we wanted to find a senior citizen per pair to attach ourselves to as befrienders, but the centre could not find sufficient senior residents for us to attach ourselves to, we took this opportunity to approach and look senior residents who were willing to accept our befriending services.
What we experienced this time was somewhat about the same as that we did the last time, except that, more people were not at home but out at work or doing grocery shopping, conditions of the apartments were better, lesser occurrence of language barriers as most people knew how to speak the universal language English, as such lesser people rejected and closed the door on us as they could understand our explanation of why we were there visiting unit-by-unit. However, there was an especially significant difference in the needs of the senior residents of the three-room apartments we were visiting, as compared to that of the rental apartments we visited the last time. Senior residents of the rental apartments we visited the last time were more in need of basic financial support (eg. money for food and other basic needs) while senior residents of the three-room apartments we were visiting were more evidently in need of social support network, as although these senior residents are relatively richer, most were living alone, having very small social support network and were lonely. Our focus was thus to find out about and record their social support network so as to identify those who might require assistance in social support from the centre, and also to look for those who require social support and were willing to accept our befriending services.
We managed to finish our outreach project in one and a half hours and went back to meet at MPFSC at around 1215hrs, to discuss and conclude on our findings with the personnel in-charge, for about half an hour. Only one pair managed to find a senior resident willing to accept the befriending service. Knowing that we wanted to do befriending with senior residents, the personnel in-charge then found us each pair two units at Blk 15/16 from the records, who are more in need and may require befriending services, to approach and ask for whether they were willing to accept our befriending services. We left at around 1245hrs and visited our respective two units for about half and hour before meeting back at MPFSC at around 1315hrs to discuss and conclude on our results for about fifteen minutes. All of us got rejected and we did not manage to find any senior residents willing to accept our befriending services. We left for lunch at around 1330hrs.
We came back from lunch and reported at MPFSC at around 1530 to help the YAH! Community College to do some paperwork (folding and stamping of letters to be sent to their students). We were briefed by a personnel in-charge from the YAH! Community College on what to do. We were to fold two sets of papers (yellow set on top of the pink set), slot them into envelopes and have the envelopes well-stamped. We had helped MPFSC to somewhat of the same tasks before (folding of newsletters, slotting them into envelopes, having the envelopes well-stamped, pasting the addresses of the recipients onto the envelopes and thereafter dispatching the envelopes into post-boxes and mail-boxes) and thus recognized that we have to divide our tasks (Edmund and Joseph doing the folding, Thomas doing the slotting into the envelopes and Boon Kiat doing the stamping of the envelopes) in order to achieve the highest efficiency, and complete the tasks in the shortest time possible. After a while, there were insufficient stapled yellow set of papers, while there were insufficient stamps to stamp on the envelopes thus Boon Kiat changed tasks and went to staple together the yellow set of papers, before changing back to stamping after more stamps arrived. We learnt to think quickly, make use of all the manpower available and be flexible to change when unexpected incidents occur, in order to sustain the highest efficiency and complete the tasks in the shortest time possible. We completed all the paperwork in about three hours, stopping at around 1830hrs.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Service section MPFSC-Meeting.
Meeting to plan for September Holiday event.
Venue of meeting: VS
Date: 9 August
Time: 10a.m.
Plan a 2 hour program for a group of elderly this Sept Holiday. Preferred timing is Thursday from 12-2pm. The elderly are the club members of MPFSC, about a group of 40 people. I'm guessing those who play the guitar could perform among other things. Try to come with some ideas on what to do.
Venue of meeting: VS
Date: 9 August
Time: 10a.m.
Plan a 2 hour program for a group of elderly this Sept Holiday. Preferred timing is Thursday from 12-2pm. The elderly are the club members of MPFSC, about a group of 40 people. I'm guessing those who play the guitar could perform among other things. Try to come with some ideas on what to do.
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