Monday, July 5, 2010

发挥甘榜互助精神 生活更美满快乐 The Joy of Kampung Night














发挥甘榜互助精神 生活更美满快乐

一份爱,就这样一点点地传开,激发着每颗心走向快乐。《甘榜之夜》,让我们不分你我、站起来手牵着手,不计较大家身后有着不同的故事,阿公阿嫲一边尽兴地跟着手语动起来,一边高唱着 :陪我分享每一天,陪我创造每一天,陪我走永不停留,让我们来手牵手,一起渴望拥抱每一天。

激昂、感动的气氛感染了在场的每一位。大家都笑开了怀,合不拢了嘴。也就是这份互相扶持、相互鼓励的精神,重新燃烧了久违的甘榜情怀。歌曲结束之际,我们与身旁的友人深深拥抱或握手示好,自然流露我们最友好的眼神和笑容。

2010年6月26日(星期六)傍晚,来自武吉巴督或新加坡其他地区的朋友,尤其是老人家们穿上整齐的衣服,带着兴奋的心情参加了由傳神居家照顾协会与武吉巴督第8区居委会,共同举办的《双亲暨环保之夜》。

这个居民聚会也正好见证了我们中心“老老介护”这种互助互爱的精神。同样年老的义工们展现了非一般的亲和力,协助残老幼小的居民登记与入座。与此同时,台上也有曼妙的音乐以及轻松的舞步带动欢乐气氛。这么一个属于居民、老年人的联谊会,无疑是制造了大家见面、交朋友的机会,也同时鼓励着大家要时刻保持活力、开朗,给生活增添几分愉悦。

节目在傍晚7时30分正式开始。代表居民上台表演的六位活跃乐龄长者一身红衣,以及别上白色蝴蝶结的打扮,显得绚丽夺目,也衬托了白发苍苍却笑容满面的长者。特别是84岁的符婆婆,她的活力让现场的观众看了啧啧称羡,给与热烈的掌声。符玉兰婆婆虽然年迈,但她却怀有积极的人生态度,每天到CCS武吉巴督邻里中心参与音乐氧生操。她不但性格开朗、爱开玩笑,也是中心里的开心果。知道要上台表演手语《你是唯一》,六位居民加紧排练;虽然紧张,却丝毫没有怯场,因为他们知道表演最重要的是展现笑容。有了笑容,就算手语做错了也没有关系,压力立刻消失得无影无踪。

傳神多位乐龄义工借着经改编的歌曲《天下的爸妈都是一样的》祝福在场的每位爸爸妈妈双亲节快乐。由于这首歌的调子大家都耳熟能详,因此掀起了现场《大家唱》。所谓 “独乐乐不如众乐乐”,与其享受独自一人快乐,不如大家一起来开腔高唱,同享欢乐。

为了配合环保概念,四组参赛嘉宾各施创意,分别利用环保材料,如:弃用纸袋、彩带、塑料碗碟等为自选模特儿量身订造一件“环保衣”。在等待模特儿装身的同时,观众们在台下鼓掌打气,笑声连连。模特儿为“环保衣”走过猫步后,评判陈玉莲女士与郭基禄先生便选出最别出心裁的一组代表领取冠军奖。这样的服装比赛具娱乐性,也提醒大家不要随便丢弃能再循环的任何用品。

《双亲暨环保之夜》能顺利举办成功,我们要特别感谢武吉巴督第8区居委会主席许永楠先生,以及所有义工们的全力配合。同时,我们也感谢Bengawan Solo赞助当晚的生日蛋糕;以与内利礼品赞助的奖品。衷心感谢。

The Joy of Kampung Night

“Love spreads little by little, to inspire every heart”. This was the highlight at “Kampung Night”. Regardless of race, age and background, the participants danced and sang to the song “Embrace Every Moment”.

“Kampung Night” was held on 26 June (Saturday), where the return of kampong spirit brought encouragement and joy to everyone, especially for the lonely elderly. It was a touching scene where there were all smiles, hugs and warm handshakes.

Residents from Bukit Batok and the surrounding areas, dressed in their best, participated in this “Parents’ and Environmental Night”, jointly organised by Concern & Care Society and Bukit Batok Zone 8 RC.

We had an “Environmental Creativity Competition”, where four groups of participants designed “Green Clothes” with recycling materials, like abandoned bags, ribbons and plastic items. The judges, Mrs Teo Jiok Lin and Mr Michael Koh, selected the most outstanding team to receive the first prize. This competition was very entertaining, indeed.

Some residents were pleased to sing a few Hokkien Songs on stage. The game brought the show to its climax. Residents passed teddy bears to one another while the music was played. When the music stopped, those with teddy bears in their hands would receive a gift. At the end of the day, everyone who turned up for the night went home with a souvenir each.

We also sang the birthday song to give our blessings to residents who were born in May, June and July.

We are grateful to Bukit Batok Zone 8 RC’s chairman, Mr Koh Yong Nam and all the volunteers from Zone 8. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Bengawan Solo Pte Ltd for its sponsorship of the birthday cake and Mr Thomas Chua of Immanuel Gifts for the sponsorship of souvenirs and gifts. Without their support, this event would not be a success.

我们参加了武吉知马五十五周年庆典 Bukit Timah 55th Anniversary Celebration: Hand in Hand






我们参加了武吉知马五十五周年庆典

约万名居民与志愿者在6月19日参与武吉知马五十五周年庆典。当晚的贵宾是李显龙总理。他亲临现场,为庆典发表祝辞。

我们的30位傳神居家协会的义工也参与此盛会,连同1500名表演者筹备了精彩的歌舞表演。苦练了三个月,义工们联同其他表演者呈现了桑巴舞表演。

“这是一个难得的经验。,让我能参加这样的盛会,与大家在一起,感到非常有意义。这也是一个机会,让我们好好表达爱国精神。” 傳神义工陈月美女士说。

其他演出包括大家唱、印度舞蹈、恰恰舞表演、马来舞蹈、嘻哈舞蹈表演以及红白才艺比拼。


Bukit Timah 55th Anniversary Celebration: Hand in Hand

About 10,000 residents and volunteers from various organisations participated in the Bukit Timah 55th Anniversary Celebration on 19 June (Saturday), where the guest-of-honour was our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

About 1,500 volunteers had worked tirelessly over three months in preparation for this event and 30 of them were from Concern & Care Society. Our task was to perform a Samba dance item together with volunteers from Bukit Timah Community Club’s Women Executive Committee, Buona Vista Community Club and Ulu Pandan Community Club.

“It was a great and meaningful experience to be able to take part in such a grand event that brought people together. It was also an opportunity for us to express our patriotism towards our home and country.” said Mdm Chan Yoot Mei, one of CCS’ volunteer.

Other performances included Mass Sing Along, Cha Cha and Hip Hop dances and Red & White Team Competition etc.

携手相伴 成长与共 Your Hands in Mine; Together We Grow




携手相伴 成长与共

我们是第一期的毕业义工,从2004年开始接受培训,能与傳神居家照顾协会一起携手成长六年,我们感到很荣幸。

抱着“服务长者”的信念来到这里,我们由始至终不问回报地付出真心,协助老人走出生活和病痛的缠绕。每当别人问我们为老人贡献了什么的时候,我们心里总觉得惭愧,因为我们觉得自己的付出其实微不足道,我们还可以做得更好、更加仔细和全面。

回想我们照顾过的老人,他们有的从绝望伤心到开怀面对人生,从郁闷被动到主动问候义工,这些成果都是义工们付出了很多心力来与老人互动,最后建立起的信任关系。看见孤独、病重老人脸上重新焕发笑容,他们那种发自内心的喜悦,让我们非常感动。因着这些小小的成就,让我们坚持了六年的助老服务。

记得有一次,我(兆儿)放假数星期回来傳神。一位老人看见我立刻哭个不停地说“我以为你不要我了。”我心想,原来我在他心目中是那么重要。而长时间的服务关系也确实让我们与许多老人建立了互相信任的友情,这也印证了我们真心的关怀,老人家都是能感受到的。

面对不同的老人,我们都必须付出真正的爱心来关怀他们,不可排斥他们。要知道,一个嫌弃的表情足以伤害老人的自尊和心灵。调整了正确的服务精神后,美月便能毫无保留地拥抱这些贫病的老人,而无所介怀。义工们应该整理好自己的心态,才能确切地帮助到这些老人家。

生命是短暂的。我们相信还有很多需要帮助的老人正等待无私的义工,给他们送上心灵的慰藉、关怀和照顾。所以我们默默耕耘,传达正面的讯息来鼓励老人家,让“义工”成为一个沟通的桥梁,发掘及协助弱势老人面对各方面问题。

资深义工:郭美月、陈兆儿

Your Hands in Mine; Together We Grow

We are the first batch of volunteers that have undergone the Music Academy for the Elderly training conducted by Concern & Care Society (CCS) in 2004. We are delighted to share that we have served the elderly in Bukit Batok area for the past six years.

We believe in serving the old and we do it as a way to contribute back to the society, not wanting any recognition in return. Our aim is to help the elderly to live out of their helpless and sometimes maybe painful circumstances. We felt that what we have done is not enough. We could have done better or provide more comprehensive and dynamic support. As such, we felt ashamed whenever others asked us how much we have done for the old.

Recount those whom we have served before. Some of them were drawn back from their hopeless isolation and sorrow. They become more hopeful and willing to lead a more positive life now. They no longer feel lonely, they could smile again, and the joy on their face warmed our hearts. This little, little accomplishments gave us a sense of satisfaction and encouragement to continue on for the last six years.

I, Tiaw Jee, remembered there was once I came back after a few weeks of vacation, one elderly saw me and told me with tears in her eyes, “I thought you didn’t want to visit me anymore.” I was so touched to know that I have made a difference in her life. In fact, we have built lasting relationships with the elderly whom we have served over the years.

To serve the senior citizens, we have to be sincere and genuine to extend our heartfelt concerns. We have to be sensitive to their feelings as a simple negative facial expression like a disgusted look because of the stench from their body may hurt their feelings. Kok Yuet fully agreed with this observation. In fact, we have to acknowledge such understanding and adjust our attitude then could we be able to serve the elderly with an open heart.

Life is transient, however, we believe that there are still many who are waiting for us to extend help and comfort. We hope we could befriend and encourage the needy elderly, so that they would be able to face the challenges ahead with courage, confidence and strength!

Senior Volunteers: Kok Yuet & Tan Tiaw Jee

数字排列比赛 动脑筋赢欢乐 Games for the Elderly



数字排列游戏是中心里最热门的桌上游戏。我们常见一些居民来到我们的中心,聚在一起借此游戏娱乐自己,也同时动动脑筋,非常有趣。

数字排列游戏的规则十分简单,但也相当富有挑战性。您必须眼明手快排列三个数字在一组,直到优先把数字排列完毕者为胜出。由于这游戏容易学习,因此也深受年长者欢迎。

6月14日(星期一),CCS武吉巴督邻里中心举办了《数字排列友谊赛》,目的是为了鼓励更多居民认识这个游戏,从而发展健康的娱乐兴趣。当天的比赛深具挑战性,参赛者尝试各种方法完成所有数字组别,终于其中三位优胜者赢了比赛。每一位参赛者也带着小礼物和满满的欢乐回家。

Games for the Elderly

The Rummy-O game is a popular table game in our centres. Residents often gather to play this game with great interest and zeal.

It is a simple game where you arrange numbered tiles in groups of three or more on the table, either in running numbers or same numbers. Many of the residents, both young and old, enjoy the game as it challenges their minds.

On 14 June (Monday), a Rummy-O competition was organised at Concern & Care Bukit Batok Neighbourhood Link to encourage more people to participate in social activities and learn more about the game. Though it seems simple, this game can be quite challenging, as there are a variety of strategies to play this game.

The three residents who won the competition brought home attractive prizes and the rest of the participants received a door gift each. All participants thoroughly enjoyed the game.