K is for Kelly

Last Friday, we went to PeaceHaven Nursing Home to spread some cheer as part of our ViaCommunity Day activity. Quite frankly, I initially signed up to escape a day spent sitting behind the desk. =X

A couple of days leading up to the event, Ariel and I helped to prepare game props and prizes. We were giving out MTV and Nickelodeon premiums such as jackets, umbrellas, coasters, water bottles and stuff.

On the day itself, I printed out driving directions (gothere.sg rocks!) to PeaceHaven, and we had lunch at Mos Burger before heading down. We volunteers were then given a welcome briefing by the volunteer coordinator and Pastor Jimmy before we split up into groups to the different resident living areas.

It was... quite an experience. I didn't know how to interact with them because of the language barrier since I didn't know any dialects. =S Some of them had suffered a stroke before, some were feeble and I had a hard time trying to listen to what they were trying to say. They enjoyed the keropok and cakes that we brought. :) It was a treat for them as they had been keeping to a strict (and bland) diet for health reasons.

I was actually quite surprised that they really enjoyed seeing the mascots that we brought along. Some shook hands with the mascots, some even stood up and danced with them! Who knew there's a child in them despite being at such an old age? :)

I feel that Pastor Jimmy has a really big heart, overflowing with love for each resident and I admire him for that. He knows just the way to crack them up. It takes a really strong person to be around and witness residents go through the different stages of their illnesses, from being able to walk to being wheelchair-bound to being bedridden. I don't think I'll ever be that strong to handle that.