Tzu Chi Singapore’s collegiate youths put up a humorous skit that evoked loud laughter from the audience. Photo by Chen Ming Yao
“Ah Mah, fish that ‘fish’!”
“Ah Gong, keep it up! Just get two more, and you will win a prize!”
Waves of cheers and laughter broke the afternoon quiet in the SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home on 1st October 2017. Despite the bad weather with rain throughout the day, the Home was filled with a lively atmosphere, with a group of Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association members spending a heart-warming afternoon with the grandpas and grandmas there.
In conjunction with the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the youth volunteers, together with some senior members of the Association, had organised a festive celebration with an exciting programme line-up, including interactive games for the elderly folks to take part. The youths started planning the programme several weeks prior to the event date, exercising their creativity and ingenuity to create fun and interesting games and activities for the event.
Rekindling the Childhood Joy of Seniors
At 2pm in the afternoon, the organising committee and volunteers arrived at the SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home and started decorating the place as well as having their final rehearsals. The grey weather, with a constant drizzle outside the Home, did not dampen the spirit of the energetic young adults. In line with the festive occasion, the venue was decorated with pomelos and lanterns, and there were even paper cut-outs of a full moon and the jade rabbit displayed on the stage, momentarily imbuing the place with an atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
As soon as the programme started at 4pm, the various games stalls attracted numerous grandmas and grandpas. They could not wait to jump straight into the games after listening to their rules. Although the games were relatively simple and easy, the senior citizens thoroughly enjoyed themselves and couldn’t stop smiling and laughing. With the company and guidance of the youths, they played their hearts out, reveling in the fun.
Some of the elderly residents who had mobility issues were initially reluctant to step out of the main hall and join in the fun. But after being coaxed by the youths, they bravely stepped forward to join in the activities. After playing the games, the grandpas and grandmas carefully placed their hard-won prizes in their pockets before walking back to the hall with contented smiles.
It was the Tzu Chi youths’ first attempt in organising and running games stalls at the SASCO Seniors Citizens’ Home, and it brought much joy and laughter to the elderly residents. Photo by Chen Ming Yao
After the games ended, 69-year-old Lv Ying Kui played the Er Hu to kick off the day’s special programme. He played the tune of the familiar Chinese folk song, “The Moon on the 15th Day”, and won loud applause from the audience. “Although I can’t play very well, what I really want is for everyone to be happy,” he shared.
Lv Ying Kui’s Er Hu performance won resounding applause from the audience. (Photo by Chen Ming Yao)
“我一见你就笑，你那翩翩风采太美妙……” (Tr.: “I smile when I see you. Your graceful and elegant demeanor is really wonderful...”)
The Tzu Chi youths staged a dance item and performed the lively dance moves from the 70s, with an oldie playing in the background. When they heard the familiar tune from the past, many of the elderly residents were spurred to clap merrily along to the music. The programme also included presentations of several other popular Chinese oldies as well as a humour-filled skit, which evoked much laughter from the audience. At one corner of the venue, the youths' mentors (senior Tzu Chi volunteers) could be seen preparing delectable snacks, for the elderly residents to enjoy.
The youth volunteers presented many popular Chinese oldies during the celebration, whipping up a rousing atmosphere in the home for the aged. Photo by Tay Jing Yun
The youths also presented a segment of beautiful sign language songs, which captivated the eyes of the elderly. Photo by Chen Ming Yao
Showing Love and Care Amid Festivities
Many new members of the Youth Association were inspired to help with the organising of this festive event. Chen Jia Qi, who hails from Nanyang Technological University and has just joined the Youth Association, has an interest in singing and took part in the song performances.
“Instead of staying inside the school hostel, I’d rather come out to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with the grandpas and grandmas here,” she said.
This was her second experience of participating in a care institution visit. She has learned much from engaging in such meaningful activities during her spare time and also gained the priceless reward of a heart deeply moved by valuable experiences and filled with human warmth.
Chen Yu Ying, an ITE student, is a Christian. Since she started joining the Youth Association, she has always been passionate in volunteering at the Tzu Chi Free Clinic. After gaining a deeper knowledge of Tzu Chi, she realised that one should not be restricted by one’s religious beliefs. Besides planning the games and activities with other youth volunteers, she also joined them in presenting Tzu Chi’s sign language songs on stage. She shared that through her involvement in the Youth Association, she finally found the courage to step out of her introverted shell to serve others in the public.
“This is the first time I donned the Tzu Chi uniform and came to serve at an elderly home. I feel really happy and fulfilled,” Chen said happily. She could not hide the joy on her face, and truly embodied the spirit of joy in helping others.
Wang Zhen Feng and Jiang Jun Kang, who both hail from Nanyang Technological University as well, shared similar sentiments, commenting that interacting with the elderly was truly not an easy task.
“I’m most afraid of communication barriers with the grandpas and grandmas,” Wang admitted with a laugh.
Despite her qualms, she still took the time and effort to take part in this day’s activities, to bring care to the elderly residents. In the light of the approaching Mid-Autumn festivities, she could not help but miss her own family overseas. As a foreigner in this land, the experience of the care visit touched her even more deeply.
The love and care of the youths for the elderly was evident throughout the heart-warming event. Although the festivity had ended, the warmth of human bonds never ends…
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