TEE/RCBT 777 JOINT COMMUNITY PROJECT

Contributed by PP Henny Goh and Chan Cheow Wee

Through our Staying Connected website staying-connected.org, TEE International Ltd approached us to assist them in organizing a special outing to the Jurong Bird Park for the Elderly on the auspicious date 7-7-07

With most of the ground work done by Teresa, Henny and a pretty, young and very capable lady, Fanny, from TEE International, the rest of us only had to turn up on that day to help with looking after the elderly. 

That morning, the weather played a big joke on us by sending thunderstorms throughout the whole of Singapore. Teresa was worried that the wet weather might affect the turn out rate of the buddy volunteers. But reality proved otherwise, at 8.30 am, a full force of volunteers were waiting at the entrance of the Birdpark for the arrival of the seniors.   It was particularly encouraging to see many first-timers volunteer at this joint event.

The buses fetching more than 80 Home Residents and staff from the Villa Francis Home and Society of the Aged Sick were late due to the heavy downpour. The wheelchairs, when they arrived, were all wet but everybody rolled up their sleeves and soon got everything wiped down and organized.  Next came the more difficult task of carrying and helping down the more than 60 residents from the buses onto their wheelchairs whilst another lot of volunteers fussed over them with their raincoats.

Thankfully, the rain had lightened to a drizzle by then Nevertheless, for safety and health reasons, it was decided to keep to the sheltered path in the Park.  The seniors had a great time visiting the Penguin Expedition before proceeding to the Pool Amphitheatre for the Birds 'n Buddies Show.  At the show, they were fascinated by the resident bird star, Amigo, who is probably the only Amazon denizen in the world who can sing Rasa Sayang! 

All the while, it was heart warming to see our volunteers trying their best to look after the residents by talking to them, feeding them with water, biscuits and making sure they were not drenched by the rain.

After the show, we left for lunch at the Oscar Food Court in International Business Park Jurong.  The variety of food provided by Oscar Food court was simply awesome. Both seniors and volunteers enjoyed the food very much. Everyone had big happy smiles, and none was bigger than Mdm Cecilia Chan from the Villa Francis Home who was also celebrating her birthday.

All too soon, it was time to say bye-bye to our uncles and aunties and to wish them all the best till we meet again.

Rotary Club of Bukit Timah is thankful to TEE International Ltd and Oscar Food Court for their generosity and sponsorship, the Jurong Bird Park for taking extra care in assisting the outing, Volunteers and staff of the Homes for their help and most importantly, the residents for making 07.07.07 a memorable and meaningful day!