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