对我们来自南洋女子中学校的全体十三名同学来说，在傳神居家照顾协会做社区服务的这两个星期真的是一个富有成效，同时也富有意义的新体验。
两个星期前，我们在对傳神一无所知的情况下来到了这里。记得刚得知传神是一个‘乐龄人士活动中心’时，我们以为这项社区服务会是又一次漫长的过程，毕竟我们与老人相差几十岁，在沟通上可能会遇上障碍。但当我们开始服务社区，让我们意想不到的是，这里的乐龄人士对我们的态度完全超越了我们的想象。他们一个个都面带笑容，特别友善地欢迎我们的到来。这马上就使我们产生了一种宾至如归的感觉。
来到傳神参与活动的乐龄人士个个精神抖擞，兴致勃勃地邀请我们与他们一同玩游戏。我们大家一起度过了很多快乐的时光，无论是做早操、读报，或者是在帮助中风人士做舒展身心的运动时，我们的心情都是愉快的。年长者参与我们所组织的游戏时，他们的脸上都会展现灿烂的笑容。这就是让我们继续的动力，也是我们的快乐所在。
在帮助中风老人做舒展身心的运动时，他们虽然行动不太方便，可是，他们认真做运动的决心则是旁人有目共睹的。他们非常努力地用自己比较弱的那只手来投环，非常认真地做着每一个动作。这些动作，这些游戏，对我们来说可能完全不需要多少力气，可是对他们来说，这则是一项大挑战。从这些老人身上，我们可以看到他们笑容背后坚韧不拔的精神。这种精神特别的让我们钦佩。为此，我们学到了生活中特别重要的一课：我们走在人生的旅途上，一定会有挑战的事出现在眼前。可是，只要我们坚强地走下去，成功早晚会出现的。
我们在这两个星期中所经历过的一切都是赋有意义的。我们学到了如何与老人家相处、如何讨他们欢笑。最重要的是，我们从新认识到我们祖父母的重要性。我们了解老人家虽然平日没有任何的怨言，不过他们一个人呆在家里总是会孤独的，会寂寞的。有了这次的经验，我们不禁要让我们身边的每一个人知道，其实老人家不一定很多怨言，凡事都不愿意合作。其实，听他们分享他们宝贵的经验，从他们的经历中学习也可以是非常愉快的。
我们在傳神居家照顾协服务期间，学到以乐观态度来过生活。只要乐观地生活，我们就能让生活变得更加有意义。
Text by Lee Puay Ling & Huang Bao Xian
Two weeks just flew by and it has indeed been a very fruitful and meaningful experience for all thirteen of us student volunteers from Nanyang Girls’ High School. As part of our education, we are required to fulfil service learning and we chose Concern and Care Society (CCS).
Initially when we came to CCS, we had no idea what to expect. The knowing that CCS is an elderly activity centre made us wary of the generation and communication gap. We were worried we could not be able to relate to the elderly or even communicate well with them. However, just five minutes mingling with them proved us wrong. The elderly were very friendly and cheerful group of people. They welcome us with open arms and make us feel at home. Their warmth melt our wariness and we just open up to them.
The enthusiasm and alertness of these elderly are an eye-opener. We played RUMI-O game with them and joined them in other activities. We enjoyed every single activity from morning exercise, reading the news, to helping out in the Body and Mind Renewal Exercises. We also organised games such as “Bowling”, “Guess What Is In The Bag?” and “Pin The Man’s Facial Features” for the elderly which they thoroughly enjoyed. Every single minute spent with the elderly and seeing the smile and hearing their laughter brought much joy to us.
During the Body & Mind Renewal Exercises, we were extremely touched to see some of the elderly who suffers from some form of disability preserve throughout the whole exercise programme. Imagine trying to lift up a very weak hand to throw hula-hoop is not an easy task especially for the elderly. Yet they preserved on without giving up. That in itself alone shows us the value of perseverance and to have a strong determination and will-power to move on regardless of the challenges we are facing.
At the end of our two weeks, we felt it has been a very meaningful learning experience for us, something we may not have gained if we had not come to CCS. We also learn to treasure our grandparents and understand that just because they are not voicing out to us does not mean they are happy being alone and cope up at home. We first step into CCS with a set mind that elderly people are grouchy, uncooperative and difficult to be with. However, today we step out of CCS with an open-mind. An open-mind that elderly are wonderful and fun people to be with and also the wealth of experience they have to share with us.
In conclusion, we learn to be optimistic, always thinking on the bright side of life and knowing life can be meaningful.
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