Hi angels,

we are now 4 days away from the big day, can u believe it? The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as we made the final preparation last sat at the home.

We will celebrate this National Day in carnival style. There will be games, food, prizes and song performance to mark this special occasion. All elderly will be given 10 angel dollars each, and they are free to use it for games, food, or exchange for prizes. Immobile elderly will be accompanied by 1 volunteer to help them move around the various stalls.

The food stall will be selling Mee Hoon Kuey (specially made by Min Yuet), Oneh oneh, tapioca kuey and other yummy food. Our dear Rico is the lady boss, so make sure you ask for discount, and some sweet love!

The mama shop is stocked up by Hui Quan, Song and Poh Yan. In fact there are so much varieties it should be called a hypermart. Many thanks to the bosses who helped buy all the stuffs. The towkay and towkay neo for that day will be HQ and Fiona.

The games are:
- Fishing - With real pond and real fishes!! And real Jojo!
- Casino - Roulette, big small, odd even with Big Boss Meng Huat and Sam.
- Ball Throwing - Whack the can, or Poh Yan shiny head.
- Steady Hand - Touch the wire and be shocked by Mei Kuen.
- Golfing - With Sharon the tigress.

The events are:
220pm - everyone in dining area for open ceremony
230pm - Cake cutting and song singing
245pm - Start of carnival
430pm - End carnival by singing lots of country loving songs
5pm - Jet fighters fly pass, and fireworks.

Other important committee members:
Photo - Stuart
Video - Ah Kiat
Game assistants - Rusty, Loi, Shu Hua, Xiao Xuan
Decor - Shu Hua, Hui Hsien, Ping Sing
Volunteer coordinator - Ah Yen
Big Boss - SK

All committee members please kindly meet up at 1pm. We need to decor the place, move the tables, set up the games, have some fun, etc.

Volunteers please turn up at 2pm, or earlier if you wish to help out. We sure can use some extra hands.

And please wear the brightest, reddest shirt you ever own.

Cheers
Jin Xiong

Hello! It is me, SK, who has volunteered to contribute this week’s flash

This Saturday afternoon, I saw all the volunteers hard at work, preparing for next Saturday’s National Day’s celebrations, and befriending the elderly at the same time. Really appreciate your efforts.
I somehow start to reflect on what volunteering means to me and how its meaning has changed over the years for me.

I recall when I initially started, I just wanted to serve, and I was not comfortable meeting and working with so many different people. I wondered why we must arrow here and arrow there; take on responsibilities when I wanted to do was to “volunteer” those few hours per Saturday and that should be it.

But being part of the volunteer group, I discovered that I had to occasionally “bring volunteer work” home. When I was volunteer leader back then, assigning people duties in organizing activities was a concern to me as I was afraid I would put others off with the extra work. Uncle Meng Huat then would often give me the advice that providing volunteers with responsibilities will help grow their commitment to the home, given that they can contribute more than their interactions with the elderly. It is sound advice. Thank you Uncle Meng Huat!

I believe that there is “no one size fits all” definition to volunteering. But I do believe that by combining our efforts, we can bring about more value-added services to the elderly. And it is thus important that we keep “the end in mind” and appreciate that “every single volunteer counts”, and we help one another keep our volunteering spirit aflame.

As such, as individuals and as a group, the Moral Angels are very important and much appreciated. We are of different personalities, age group and fashion tastes, but we can sure work together and have fun at the same time, that’s certainly our strength and we should build on that.

Ok, finally what happened today at the home?

Most of us are busy with preparations for next week;

HQ was trying out the fishing game and making the Styrofoam fishes with the help of Uncle Meng Huat. I contributed a fighting fish one but it was rejected…

Ah Hsien, Shuhua and Ping Sing were planning the decorations with stuff they had bought. Ah Hsien was also very enthusiastic in guiding an elderly to colour vanguard sheets.

Guiding ah gong to decorate the stall for National Day 08

Jin Xiong, Ping Sing, Mei Kuen and I helped to cut the funfair vouchers. We contracted Uncle John, Rosie and a few other elderly to help us cut. Rosie won the most positive attitude employee of the day.

MAS (Moral Angels of Singapore) busy ‘printing’ coupons.

Ah Ma ensures all coupons are in correct dimension.

Concentrating on cutting the coupons. Oh so sweet and erhmm…

Ah gong… “wai liao..wai liao”.. cut straight.. Do we have quality check?

Elsewhere Sharon, Christina, Rico and Song were befriending and running errands for the elderly.
Poh Yan was busy preparing for his can throwing stall, he was grumbling all the way but still no one can deny his good heart.

Our own “IR”… Healthy card games.. keeping your mind clear and sound…

Josephine came in and started singing to herself on the stage. She is going through her probation as an engineer and so has not been coming down for a couple of weeks due to her work. Let’s give her a pat on the back to support her in her first job! Josephine you must piah then can win.

Auntie Molly also came down with her family, bringing kueh for the elderly, so kind of her.

Moral angels,
Let’s continue to be great companions, and get more others involved in our mission to bring joy, love and care to the elderly.

Regards from
SK, the fashionable (with the “Lays Potato Chips, Fabregas” Sling bag)

26072008 Saturday – Hot & Sunny

This week flasher is out!! Fresh and hot from the oven stove!! Wait hold on a min … Oopps.. it should be the weekly FLASH and not FLASHER… wahaha..

Well well, the home was slightly quiet last week as most of the elderly were out on a trip to Loyang Tua Pek Kong. Even though most of our regulars were not around, but our normal activities resumed for those who were around at the home.

At our Moral’s Integrated Casino, senior Uncle Yeo got the ball rolling with the card game despite the fact that only 3-4 kakis were present at the table. As he gambled, he chit chatted with the elderly.. hmmm guess he was trying to divert their attention away as we could hear his happy shouts of “Ban Lat, Ban Lat!” oh dear… ?

Next we’d our wonderful Uncle Song making his usual rounds of grocery shopping for his “customers” at the nearby Cold Storage. Out of the home empty handed and returning with his hands filled with plastic bags. His service is truly EXCELLENT for he has never failed in his grocery mission. Hey Uncle Song, don’t forget to share one or two tips on your excellent service with us ya.. haha!

At the games floor, Huihui was enjoying his game of sticky ball with an ah gong whilst the rest of the ah Mas watched on. Hey Ah Mas, concentrate on your little mermaids before they get eaten up by the sharks. Phew, the timely arrival of Ice Cream and Ah hua lead the Ah Mas back into their mermaids fishing game. And Botak @ Yan Dao Poh Yan was at the mahjong table trying to GAME his tiles.

After a short while into the games, the elderly were rewarded with mini Toberlone chocolates by our stylo milo Uncle Sam. Why stylo milo? Because he had his hair handsomely styled like what Hui Hui normally does… oops.. What I meant was Uncle Sam you’re looked younger with your new hairdo… hahahaha..

We also had VL Sharon and the very special arts team in the room, packing, gathering and organizing the games material needed for the upcoming National Day Celebration. Roulette game, golf games, and many many more.. Oh my, the activities for that day will be very fun so ANGELS do book your calendar so that you will not miss this out. Guarantee no regrets!!

Oh ya nearly forgotten about our specially kind and SOFT Rico who was doing her usual rounds upstairs.. keke.. Her siao siao chit chat sessions are greatly enjoyed by the elderly!

Hahaha with the above, the day’s activities had more or less been rounded up. The time we spent with the elderly was short but it’s enjoyable. Though things constantly change, our attitude remains unchanged for our presence can somehow make the day of the elderly worthwhile. ?

My sharing for today will be:-

Valuable is the work you do
Outstanding is how you always come through
Loyal, sincere and full of good cheers
Untiring in your efforts throughout these years
Notable are the contributions you’ve made
Trustworthy to that someone in need
Eager to serve in every aspect
Effective in the way you fulfill your role
Ready with a smile like a shining star
Special and wonderful—that’s what you are

Luff
yen

Same Old Weekly Flash – SPECIAL!!!

19th of July 2008 (Sat) at Moral Home For The Aged Sick… everything seemed to be as usual, as per normal…as special…

We have the very “Special” arts team in action!! They are: specially not so special Huiquan and Jinxiong with especially sweet Meikuen and Shuhua, lead by the all time especially nonsense SK. They were working together with a few special ah kongs and ah mas on the salt bottles!!! Wow! :O Really… Special!! Thanks to the “Special” Arts!!

At one corner, we’d our especially senior Uncle Meng Huat gambling and chatting with the elderly, while at the other end, we’d our especially hardworking Uncle Song, buying food and groceries for some elderly then flew planes with them and still had to drive a few very special angels for dinner!! Can’t thank you enough!!

There! The botak! The especially bald Uncle Poh Yan who conned the elderly from the mah-jong table to disturbing the folks at the flying planes game!! Gosh! Good Job

Oh! How could I forget our especially charming ‘yummy’ Huiquan who was busy playing games with other elderly and at the same time, helping out with the salt bottles thingy! No wonder Min Yuet was complaining that she had no business… no’ elderly “seung ban nak” with her Thanks to Huiquan! Must be all attracted to him hehe

As for our specially accurate and efficient VL, who aimed and shooted the specially kind and SOFT AVL to write the flash, galloped around the home, sending care and warmth to the other elderly!! Lovely!!!

When things look seemingly ok and normal on the surface may not necessarily be the ‘inside’. Things do definitely changed constantly, especially at the Moral Home. There are empty beds, some being filled up, some still empty; there are seats not occupied and some being replaced; there are new faces around with some familiar missing. We can’t always be in control of life, but we can do our very best to be in charge of our attitude to it. Here’s a Little Kindness to you:

Someone listens, someone shares,
Someone hears and someone cares,
Someone says a kindly word
And joy and hope are gently stirred.

Someone is in need of you,
Needs a cheerful line or two,
Be the one to light their day,
Sending happiness their way.

Someone needs a friendly smile,
Just to make their day worthwhile,
Show a little kindness too,
And kindness will return to you

Typed by Rico; Created by Iris Hesselden

So you may be wondering what is happening to the Weekly Flash? Don’t fret my angels, the Weekly Flash is well and alive. In fact there is much happening during the past 2 weeks, Kopi Roti, BBQ, Bottling Art, etc. The angels just need a bit of time putting them into words. So be patience, you will get your fix soon…. I hope.

Last Sat after the weekly activities and a nice dinner at Acia, some angels went to watch the Night Festival at the National Museum, performed by an Italian group. Although it was packed with people, but the spectacular show was well worth it.

Here are some photos taken by photographers around web. Click them for more in the gallery.

Hi angels,

the photo gallery has been updated with new photos:

- ESN T3 Outing

- Kopi Roti Corner

- Dumpling Festival

- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Outing

Many thanks to Stuart for the nice pics.

Howdy Angels, long time no hear from me. Oops sorly for the bad engboon.:) With so many angels that can write better flash, I’m beginning to get l. a. z. y.

With Uncle Song help as Transport Minister, Aunty Molly arrived at 2pm with her sumptuous homemade “Siew Mai” snacks for the elderly. Our helpful Hui Hui was there to assist the nurses distribute the snacks together with 3 young walk-in volunteers

After the snacking, the usual activities were then conducted. Jin Xiong started playing the card games with the usual ah mas, which was subsequently taken over by Auntie Molly, Ah Xian and later Min Yuet.

Shu Hua was warming the seat for an Ah Kong at the ever popular mahjong table. She later proceeded to play airplane games with an elderly together with Song and Xian.

The elderly at the common area played fishing, throwing balls, hoop on bottles and bean bags throwing. Luckily we had 3 young volunteers to assist us in conducting these games.

Rico and me, as usual went around doing befriending and running errands for the elderly. Poh Yan was also there to take turn to assist in the board games.

Everything looks normal for the day, except we will not see an ah kong playing Chinese chess with Mr. Lim anymore. On Thursday, Lee Kok Kee passed away. Life is such…It’s painful but let’s not dwell on it…there are others that needs our loves and concerns.

Angels, this Saturday is our kopi roti time, but instead of roti, we are giving them popiah and kuay pie tee. So many many hands are needed to take order, serve and wrap the popiah. Poh Yan, hope you can get your friends down to help.

After our home activities, we’ll proceed to Pasir Ris for our Volunteers-Get-Together BBQ. Hope all angels can be presents.

See you…

Cheers,

Sharon

Hihi Angels,
Our dear Uncle Poh Yan had finally said good bye to his hair. Hair for Hope, organized by Children’s Cancer Foundation, was creating awareness and seeking donations from public to raise funds for the children who are suffering from cancer. These children lost their hair through ongoing chemotherapy treatment. These volunteers in order to show support to these little patients, besides volunteered to get their hair shave, they also help to raise fund from their friends, families, organizations and the general public. Kudos to these volunteers…

The atmosphere at Novena Square was touching and meaningful. I had witnessed many volunteers, volunteeringly parting their hairs for the children who are suffering from cancer. DJs from 100.3FM were the first to kick start the event. DJs from 100.3FM, especially one of the woman DJ, Ke Ling, shaving off her long beautiful hair for these cancer little patients. Upon witnessing these touching moments, many walk in personnel had started queuing up waiting for their hair to be shaved. Some came in to shave as family, couple and even organizations. The women were the one that we have to be really admired and respected. They are brave enough to ignore their image and shave their head bald for these children.

Here are some of the pictures taken live from the event. (Apology for the poor quality - forget to on my stabilizer)

Poh Yan… Before Hair Cut (Now you see it…)

Half Way… This hairstyle also quite hip. Maybe can stop…

Talking to his ’sweetheart’ while getting his hair shaved.

Proudly receiving his certification.. The End Product.. (Now you don’t…)

Poh Yan and Rico (oh.. so sweet…)

This is moral angels correspondant, Xiao Quan Quan, reporting from Novena Square.

Hahaha.. after many weeks of arrowing other angels to write the flash.. This week is the AVL’s turn to start writing. So well VL and AVLs are not that horrible after all! We don’t always aim the “cupid” arrow to write flash, we merely want you to share your penny of thoughts

But hor, after seeing how talented you angels are at writing the flash, the tension in writing this flash starts increasing.. Why?? It is because don’t you angels agree that those weekly flashes were really very well written? Yes, it was so well done that we think you angels really deserve a big clap *CLAP*

All right, now back to the activities going on at Moral home last Sat. Nothing really special took place at the home last week as attendance was not too good. Why lehz? 1. Xiao quan quan and “soon to be botak” Poh Yan was at brighthill helping out, 2. Uncle Song too was out on an important delivery mission. But nevertheless we managed to kick start our normal activities for the elderly at the home.

Our gangster Ah Tao - Uncle Sam was there to kick start the card games with the Ah Mas at our mini casino. With no Uncle Song’s laughter around but our gangster Sam’s laughter was not too bad after all man. Hahahaha.. His laughter attracted a new Popo and her daughter – Mdm Chee Min Yuet. Well, Min Yuet looks rather keen in the activities happening at our home. It seems that the small introduction and sharing session that VL Sharon and Jinxiong did has interest her to join us for our weekly activities. She’s a good cook, who knows, she might be able to work hand in hand with aunty Molly.

But gangster Ah Tao and Uncle Song, guess you will need to provide a short training session for her as she was abit uncertain with the rules of this card game. During one of the games, she actually had “21” but as she did not open her cards up, and Ah Ma Lee Ah Kim gave her a fair bit of dressing down. But she was cool to say that it was because she doesn’t want them to lose their chips that why her cards were not open up… kekeke.. So cool sia!.

Rico and Sharon were as busy as bees, buzzing up and down, doing befriending with the Ah Kong Ah Ma. For elderly who couldn’t join us for our fishing and bean bags activities downstairs, they were not forgotten as Rico and Sharon were there to accompany them with their chit chat sessions and board games.

Soon ah xian was seen strolling into the home, even though she appears “shaggy” after a hard day at work that did not stop her from conducting her salt bottle sessions with one of the Ah gong. Hahaha even though it was another “straight” and colorful design but nevertheless a good try.

Not forgetting our wonderful Jinxiong who volunteered to go shopping at Cold Storage. Even though it was his 1^st try, he has done a good job!! And Aunty Beng Choo got panicky when he did not return with her Strepsils!! But worry not; he appeared eventually with the right stuff as requested by her. But then his appearance needs to be substantiated with explanations before General Beng Choo decided to let him off. Ooops..

And last but not least, we also had Mr Mok Tuck Seng – a new volunteer at the home last Sat. Some of us might have seen him the week before as he has an aunty who is staying here. He can play the Guitar and sing well too. Let’s give a warm welcome to Mok and Min Yue and we look forward to seeing you more often at the home. And all those angels who have gone missing from MH for qt some time, please report back, we miss you. Hahahaa…

Alright, guess you people must be falling asleep soon, I’d better bid goodbye but before I go and you go, please run through some of the announcements below. See ya and cheers!

Oh ya, before I forget, I hereby will like to thank Catherine (volunteer from Brighthill) for being a loyal reader of our Angel’s blog. She mentioned that she enjoyed reading our blogs and do feel free to drop us your comments. Thank you.

Some points to note:-

• BBQ – 12^th July 2008

We will be having a BBQ at Pasir Ris Park, Angels who are interested, please confirm your attendance with Shu Hua so that the necessary arrangements can be done. For more details on the BBQ, please refer to Shu Hua’s email.

• Snacks Day – 12^th July 2008

We will be serving snacks on this day to the elderly. Please mark your calendars and if possible, make yourself available and come down to help out.

• Date Joined

For the upcoming 10^th year anniversary, we need you angels to provide the date and year of which you became part of the MA’s family. Please let me know as soon as possible

Howdy Angels,
It’s me again, Xiao Quan Quan, being arrowed by the VL at the very last minute (Wednesday, 25th June 2008, 2137hrs, on our way home from Kreta Ayer) to do the weekly flash. Sigh…always ‘kena’ arrowed suddenly.. How I wish it is a ‘cupid’ arrow? Haha.. I am only just kidding.. still prefer single but yet unavailable kind of lifestyle…

Sharon, Shu Hua, Rico and I went to visit Kreta Ayer this Wednesday, 25th June 2008 at around 1930hrs. Even though it was not my first time visit to Kreta Ayer, it still left me with deep impression, thoughts and feelings after my visit and thought it would be good to share in this platform. Kreta Ayer is a program based and not home based kind of setup. Basically, the ah gong and ah ma at Kreta Ayer live on their own at rental flat. Most of them received public assistance from the government. They are more independent, responsive and able to take care of themselves. These ah gong and ah ma comes from all sorts of background, from samsui women, coolie, and tailor to even trishaw or rickshaw pullers. Some of them are even 90 over years old and can still run around like little children.

The elderly at Kreta Ayer started off with stamp cutting. Despite their age, they were able to cut the stamps fast and neat, like ordinary young people. Some of the elderly were also there to play board games. After the stamp cutting, the volunteers at Kreta Ayer conduct some simple hand and palm exercise with the elderly. I thought it is effective and perhaps we can try it at Moral Home.

The most interesting and challenging part is the home visitation. Together with the four of us, the volunteers of Kreta Ayer were divided into 2 groups to do a random visitation to the home of the elderly. The basics of the home visitation is to check the well being of the elderly, update their profile, letters or medical appointments that needed to be read or reminded by volunteers. Through the visitation, we had seen how the volunteers engaged conversation with the elderly, how to identify whether the elderly are at home by looking at the power meter and the lights etc.

Together with the volunteers, Rico and I went to visit this particular Popo. She is a rag and bone woman who likes to collect things and see those items more precious than her life. Her house was full of junks that she barely had space for her to sleep. Her condition is better now than when I first visited her. Her corridor was initially full of stuffs that it might pose fire hazards. Sometimes you could see cockroaches crawling around. However, she was very generous and even offered us drinks but we had to check the expiry date just in case the things she offered to us expired… haha…

Next, we visit this new elderly, 79 years old, male, who just moved in to Kreta Ayer. He used to be a tailor. Through the conversation, he seemed to be very pessimistic about life. However, the volunteers are pretty professionals, trying to engage him for future events. Next, we went to visit these 94 years old ah gong, but he was not around. According to his roommate, he usually went out during that time. Imagine a 94 years old ah gong, walking around Chinatown area… impressive.

Then finally, we came across this partially blind Indian ah gong, staying all along in the flat. During my last visit, he had this so called “nephew” staying with him. But now according to Stephanie, in fact that “nephew” was not actually his nephew but an illegal immigrant who had been arrested. I was totally shocked when I heard about it. However, this “nephew” really took good care of this Indian ah gong during his stay with him.

Every elderly, every household at Kreta Ayer has their own stories and experiences. All these stories can be seen written in their wrinkle and sullen faces. Their eyes seem tired and as if they have witnessed many up and downs throughout their life. Some of them have no family or relatives. Some of them are distant away from their family. Some of them do not even know whether their families are still alive. Most of them came all the way from China, coming here to earn a living so that they can send all their hard earned money aboard to their loved ones so that they can have a better life. Some elderly longed to go back to their homeland and spend the rest of their remaining life but some choose to come back. Perhaps, they had met disappointment at their homeland which we never know. They may seem happy on the surface, but deep in their hearts, who knows how many disappointments, regrets and setbacks they have suffered. These are the things which we volunteers can’t apprehend. The only things that we volunteers can do is to provide accompany, care and happiness to these ah gong and ah ma. The lesson that we volunteers can learn from here is… to cherish your loved ones, family and friends.

Ah Gong and Ah Ma doing hand exercise with Yakult Bottles

Hand Clapping and Palm Exercise

Home Visitation… Ah Po… Nei Di Chu Bo? (Are you at home?)

On 22nd June 2008, some of the angles (Uncle Song, SK, Shu Hua, Jin Xiong, Mei Kuen, Doris, Stuart, Uncle James, Wendy, her friend Shen Yu and me) went to assist an outing conducted by ESN for All Saints Home Hougang. Due to the bad weather, we went to Changi Airport Terminal 3 instead of the usual itinerary at Hort Park. Despite the bad weather, the spirit of volunteerism never ceased. The volunteers and elderly had a wonderful time at T3. They had a tour around T3, followed by songs, games and prizes conducted by volunteers. We even met David and Kathy (ex Moral Angels) at T3 and they even got their lovable children to perform 2 songs for the elderly. So sweet!!!..

On 21st June 2008, SK, Sharon, Rico, Uncle Meng Huat and I were at Christalite Methodist Home to help out in the breakfast. Well, due to the increase in the number of residents at CMH, the breakfast was not enough for the residents at CMH. We might organize a similar ‘Ge Tai’ and ‘Auction’ at CMH during their National Day Parade.

Back at the Moral Home, SK and Jojo had started out the salt bottles with the elderly. Sharon, Uncle Song, Rico and Christina as usual went around the home doing befriending and running errands. Mei Kuen and Uncle Meng Huat were playing mahjong with the elderly. Uncle Poh Yan and Shu Hua were conducting the games activities with the elderly. Uncle Song conducted the card game which was subsequently taken over by Christina. Uncle James and Auntie Jane were there as well befriending with the elderly.

Nothing special going on at the home except that engines started to warm up for the 10th Year Anniversary. Exhibition Committee, I think we have to meet up next Saturday morning to get materials from Bras Basah. Auntie Mona, when will you be free? Ping Sing, Uncle Sam, Shu Hua, Ah Xian and Jojo – we might need your help in doing write-ups. Will brief you guys more next Saturday.

All in all, I had visited 4 different agencies (Christalite Methodist Home, Moral Home, All Saints Home Hougang and Kreta Ayer) within 5 days, without me even realizing it. To me, it had been a hectic but yet rewarding, fulfilling and meaningful 5 days. Each individual agency has given me different kinds of experiences, thoughts and feelings and these are priceless. These feelings are genuine and indescribeable. It feels good and warmth in the heart and at the same time, feeling a sense of calmness and peace. (I also don’t know why??) These experiences have provided me with valuable lessons which allow me to look at life in a different manner and perspective. Therefore, I strongly encourage volunteers to go and venture other types of volunteerism. (at your own discretion… :))

For those who have being to Kreta Ayer, Christalite Methodist Home, All Saints Home Hougang or any other beneficiaries, we encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings with fellow volunteers and peers and impact them with your volunteering experience.

Cheers
Quan

P.S. Remember must come back moral home otherwise VL will kill me.
Once a moral angel, always a moral angel.