Project BESAR (Vesak Day Distribution)

It has been a  year since I started volunteering with Teck Chen Choling Temple. How time flies. I'm thankful I'm still able to volunteer, still find it in my heart to continue giving. I'm thankful IZ could join me too.

Date: 10th May'15 - Housecall

I went for the housecall with YJ and my cousin, V. I hoped to show V the other side of Singapore. For her to know that there are people in needs in Singapore too. It's not just about being a nice city and all glamorous.

Again, I managed to talk to the Cantonese speaking Aunty. This time round, I chatted a bit more.

For each work I carry out in the name of volunteering, I stay grounded, deeply humbled and grateful for what I have. And my heart goes all out to people who are in the receiving ends. It's not easy to survive, but they are hanging on.

Even then, they did not take advantage of kindness. One particular door we knocked on, we saw this. The message simply says do not waste the food, do not hang food on their door. And they ended with thank you.

Date: 17th May'15 - Packing

IZ and I joined later after violin class. Managed to help just the last bit of the packing.

He was perspiring, but he was happy to be able to help.

IZ helped to put 2 toilet rolls in each bag

Volunteering weekend takeway..

Kids in Play: 17th Jan'15

It was the first session for the year. There were 3 kids in my group, all of them from P2.

He appeared to be uncooperative at first. Complaining it was boring and that he wanted to do other stuffs. At the end of the session, the kids were given a hotdog bun each. He exclaimed he didn't like hotdog bun, and stopped eating.

I asked him why he didn't finish his bun, he said he was keeping it for his grandmother. So, it was pride that made him said he didn't like hotdog bun, but really, it was his sweet thoughts for the grandmother that he stopped eating.

I told him he could finish up his, and he could have mine for the grandmother. He shook his head and said no.

I chose to share about what he did at the debrief session, and he was given compliments albeit not being there personally. I hope the good note would be conveyed to his caseworker and in the end passed to the grandmother as well as the parents. That the kiddo is very sensible.

I'm very proud of him.

Project Besar House-call: 18th Jan'15

This time it's food rations distribution for the Chinese New Year which is just around the corner.

IZ joined us after his violin class.

One particular family with an elderly woman walking with a stick. She told us her hand has not been well and that no one could clean the fan. Her son was jobless coz of heart issue. So we offered to wash the fan. While we have just started dismantling and showering the blades in the bathroom, the son woke up and showed us very unhappy face and insisted he needed to use the bathroom. Didn't feel embarrassed at all that he is a fully capable man with a giant built that us 2 ladies helping his mother cleaning the fan. YET, he gave us the face as if we owed it to him.

Neighbor uncle came, reprimanding us that we shouldn't have helped them as they are not exactly the ones in real need. He then brought us to another unit where the elderly woman is suffering from osteoporosis, using walking stick and needed to sit on the stool when she talked to us. The uncle told us, THIS is what needy people. But, she still did all the housechores on her own. So very proud of the aunty.

This neighbor uncle also told us that he is still working, so he doesn't see the need to take the food rations. He said he still can survive, let other people who needs it more have it.

Another elderly woman in her 80s, who speaks Cantonese. When IZ called her "Ah Mah" out of the sudden, she said "wah, why are you so guai!". Living alone, depending on neighbors for her meals. But she was all smiley and all positive.

God bless them all.

IZ's 1st Experience

Date: 23rd Aug'14

It was my 3rd time volunteering with the same group of people from Teckchen Choling temple.

But it was IZ's first.. a lot of explanation, but I thought it was a good start.

The Project Maude is now extended with collaboration from Community Clubs, thus the meet-up place was at Jalan Besar CC not at the temple

Early bird gets the worm.
I told him it was time to wake up, he jumped out of bed immediately
although he slept past midnight.
He was really excited to take early the 8am bus.
He said "mommy, you didn't buckle me"
Note to self: bring him on public transportation more often

Both beloved joined me for the good cause

Group photo before we split to our respective blocks

IZ made a new friend "IS"

IZ's job was to distribute face masks

Bonding session too

After walking for more than 3 hours.. he still had the energy
as the ninja turtle!
Creative!

His favorite turtle.. haha!

It was a good experience to do it with IZ..

One thing that bugged him, what happened to an uncle who switched on his tv so loud that he couldn't hear us knocking on his door. So, it was Science lesson to teach him about impaired hearing.

I was really proud of him not complaining about the strong urine smell at the corridors of the 1/2 room flats we went. And he greeted the elderly by their names, exactly how we greeted them.

Way to go.. May we be enlightened further to continue helping people who are in need.