It may have been the last event on the Intergenerational Month calendar, but it was my first time volunteering. I’d previously only heard about the Jiak Simi project, initiated by Owen Tan, a Youth Corps Leader.
It may have been the last event on the Intergenerational Month calendar, but it was my first time volunteering. I’d previously only heard about the Jiak Simi project, initiated by Owen Tan, a Youth Corps Leader. I knew it involved bringing seniors out to eat at common spaces, but everything else was a huge question mark to me.
Being my first volunteering experience outside of school, I didn’t know what to expect at all. Would I be able to make the seniors happy? Would I be able to understand them and would they be able to understand me?
Entering the Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens, I was even unsure of what I should do or where I should stand. I found a corner and stood awkwardly while scanning the room. After a while, I noticed a senior looking curiously at me, so I smiled at him, and he raised his hand at me. Concerned that he might be trying to get attention for something, I alerted a caregiver who was standing behind me. She just laughed and told me it was alright, the senior was just greeting me. Feeling a little silly, I waved back at him, which seemed to please him very much.
Owen began to greet the seniors and shared the itinerary for the day. On previous Jiak Simi outings, the volunteers would be aware of where the outing location would be. However, this time round, they weren’t told beforehand as Owen felt it would be meaningful for the volunteers to experience what dementia would feel like.
CONQUERING CHALLENGES
Challenges began to arise when we had to board the buses with the seniors in the rain. It proved to be an uphill battle when the seniors, who were also wheelchair users, had to be carefully helped onto the bus by the caregivers and volunteers. However, having sufficient volunteers played a significant role to speed things up. Some volunteers helped wheel the seniors out while others held umbrellas above their heads, and the rest helped fold the wheelchairs and stack them in the storage compartment. Indeed, there’s strength in numbers and teamwork!
Volunteers preparing the wheelchairs for the seniors despite the rain
I was on the same bus as popular food blogger, Maureen Ow from Miss Tam Chiak, who did an amazing job as our ‘food guide’. She was fluent in both Mandarin and English, but chose to speak in the former for the benefit of the seniors.
ENCOURAGING INCLUSIVITY
One of the more outspoken seniors requested for her to speak in English so that the non-Mandarin speaking caregivers could understand as well. He even offered to translate! It was heartwarming to see him take care of those who care for him.
When we reached Good Chance Popiah, the rain had gotten heavier. In the process of escorting the seniors off the bus, many of the volunteers got really drenched, but they carried on with the rest of the day with huge smiles on their faces. Their selflessness really touched my heart.
Ah Boy and Maureen explaining the dishes we were about to have
Of course, the first thing we ate was the popiah. Ah Boy, the owner, made the effort to visit every table and explain the dishes to the seniors. At the table I was at, it was heartwarming to see the volunteers and caregivers helping the seniors roll the popiah. It was the first time for many of them as well!
The volunteers helping the seniors put on gloves before rolling the popiah
INTERGENERATIONAL BONDING OVER FOOD
I was sitting beside an Indian senior who repeatedly passed me her utensils, wet wipes and her food. Initially, I thought that she might perhaps be forgetful, but on hindsight I realised that she was concerned that I was not eating enough. She advised me that I had to eat well, that vegetables were good for my body.
The meal ended with a dessert course of yam paste. As she was not familiar with the food, she passed her dessert to me. I ate some and assured her that it tasted fine. Though she could have protested, she trusted me and tasted it anyway. Turns out she really loved the dessert. She even had a second helping!
Ah Boy (left), Maureen (in grey), Owen (right) and the planning committee for Jiak Simi
After a sumptuous meal, the seniors were all ready to go on a bus tour to view the Deepavali decorations in Little India. They sat in the bus and continually waved at us, the volunteers. Apparently, it was a Jiak Simi tradition to wave the seniors off.
Even though I barely spent an entire day with the seniors, and only got to interact with two of them, I felt a lingering sadness. It was no doubt difficult; I couldn’t communicate with them very well, and I didn’t think I did much for them. But one of the volunteers shared with me – it doesn’t matter that we can’t do much for the seniors, what matters is that we were there with them. We spent time with the seniors and we bonded over food. I believe that’s what Jiak Simi is all about, and I’ll definitely be going back for more helpings!
We shared a good meal and a great time!
~ Written by Raihana Farook, Youth Corps Member
If you’d like to make a difference to the lives of others, why not join Youth Corps Singapore now? Click here to find out what volunteering opportunities await you!
