ESN TimesESN Times

A tribute to volunteers working in the eldercare sector in SingaA tribute to volunteers working in the eldercare sector in Singaporepore

By promoting volunteerism in the elderly sector in Singapore, weBy promoting volunteerism in the elderly sector in Singapore, we

hope hope to spread the message of healthy and active aging to spread the message of healthy and active aging --

adding life to the adding life to the sunset years of the often forgotten elderly in our society, be isunset years of the often forgotten elderly in our society, be it the lone t the lone elderly or the elderly in nursing homes or shelters.elderly or the elderly in nursing homes or shelters.

With this newsletter, we would like to share that volunteering wWith this newsletter, we would like to share that volunteering with ith elderly can be a fun, exciting and lifeelderly can be a fun, exciting and life--transforming experience, and in transforming experience, and in the process forge lifethe process forge life--long friendships.long friendships.

Join us on this journey to touch the lives of others!Join us on this journey to touch the lives of others!

The debut issue

2

The debut issue

ESN TimesESN Times

From ESN Chairperson

NPOs

who wish to connect 14

Want to volunteer?

Connect with Us

Feature story : Interview with Moi

Moi

3

For 15 years, she has given selflessly to the lone elderly at Kreta

Ayer

Banda Street Blk

5.

Calling for articles

Spotlight : All Saints Home (Hougang)

10-13

914

15

Interview with Jeslyn

TanOur volunteer first-aid trainer, who has helped us trained many volunteers since 2004. Check out what keeps her motivated.

16-17

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Agency Open House 8

Notice BoardNotice Board 14

EditorialEditorial 15

Share a storyA Starfish Story 5

About ESNAbout ESN 4

ESN Networking Camp 8

ESN Carnival 2009

6

Voices 15

Message from chairlady Josephine Ang

for year 2010

Don’t miss the sharing by this veteran volunteer as we walk together with her into the lives of the elderly …

Subscribe to us for event updates and future issues of ESN Times

From ESN ChairpersonFrom ESN Chairperson 3

A Starfish StoryA Starfish Story 5

ESN Carnival 2009ESN Carnival 2009 6

SpotlightSpotlight 9

Feature Story :Feature Story : 10

Interview with Interview with JeslynJeslyn

TanTan 16

Interview with Interview with MoiMoi

MoiMoi

3

More than ever, eldercare sector in Singapore is confronted More than ever, eldercare sector in Singapore is confronted with a shortage of volunteers. Nevertheless there is a with a shortage of volunteers. Nevertheless there is a company of dedicated individuals who give unstintingly to company of dedicated individuals who give unstintingly to the community and contribute meaningfully in bringing joy the community and contribute meaningfully in bringing joy and love to the elderly voluntarily. and love to the elderly voluntarily.

Elderly Sector Network 2010 will be looking at ways of being Elderly Sector Network 2010 will be looking at ways of being creative and effective to mobilize and engage volunteers creative and effective to mobilize and engage volunteers from various agencies to working and training together, from various agencies to working and training together, supporting and appreciating the contributions of time and supporting and appreciating the contributions of time and resources that one another brings to the agencies. resources that one another brings to the agencies.

ESN 2010 hopes to provide a wider channel for learning and ESN 2010 hopes to provide a wider channel for learning and sharing of thoughts and ideas between different volunteer sharing of thoughts and ideas between different volunteer agencies, volunteers, trainers and veteran volunteers by agencies, volunteers, trainers and veteran volunteers by

organizing nonorganizing non--profit workshops. profit workshops.

Additionally, ESN hopes that by encouraging participation Additionally, ESN hopes that by encouraging participation in events such as carnival, networking camp and agency in events such as carnival, networking camp and agency open house, will raise awareness of volunteerism and bring open house, will raise awareness of volunteerism and bring out the passion in each volunteer. out the passion in each volunteer.

In year 2010, ESN will be as magnetic, passionate and grand In year 2010, ESN will be as magnetic, passionate and grand as a tiger does. Go fellow volunteers go, let the spirit of as a tiger does. Go fellow volunteers go, let the spirit of volunteering glows and grows!volunteering glows and grows!

Josephine Ang

Cuixian

From ESN

Chairperson

4

About ESN

Who we are

The Elderly Sector Network (ESN) is a non-

profit, non-religious gathering of volunteer leaders & representatives from various elderly related VWOs

(home or club based), coming together to tap on combined manpower and expertise, in the areas of (1) volunteer training & development, (2) networking, (3) event management and (4) resource sharing

Origins

The origin of the group can be traced to the Volunteer Networking Camp organised

in 1998. Networking began when a group of camp participants from several VWOs

initiated visiting each other at their own agencies.

The visits further led to exchanges of skit/singing performances. From then, a platform was established which facilitated sharing of ideas/experiences among several elderly volunteer agencies.

It’s all about sharing

Via this platform, the idea of Hungry Ghost Festival Auction/’Getai’

was shared with other agencies. The idea grew and almost all the agencies in the network are organising

the event for their beneficiaries.

Volunteers from other agencies were also called upon for big events when manpower was needed. In 2003, the group started to

focus on providing training for volunteers. The name Elderly Sector Network was coined in

the same year.

Synergy in actionSynergy in action

ESNiansESNians

share the belief that through share the belief that through networking, synergy is created which will networking, synergy is created which will bring about greater benefits for the bring about greater benefits for the beneficiaries in the aged homes and senior beneficiaries in the aged homes and senior citizen citizen programmesprogrammes

in Singapore. Our group in Singapore. Our group hope to raise the awareness of volunteerism hope to raise the awareness of volunteerism in the elderly sector, in addition to providing in the elderly sector, in addition to providing opportunities for interaction between elderly opportunities for interaction between elderly from different agencies, between elderly and from different agencies, between elderly and volunteers, and between volunteers from volunteers, and between volunteers from different agencies.different agencies.

We officially became a volunteer work group under Volunteer Circle of National Council of Social Service in 2004. In 2006, ESN went independent and formed a management

committee to identify more areas of cooperation. Our policy is non-interventionist and participating volunteer groups can benefit by leveraging on the combined

resources, expertise and manpower in the network, which are often scarce for volunteer groups operating on their own.

A Starfish Story

5We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. --Mother Teresa

adapted from The Star Throweradapted from The Star Throwerby Loren by Loren EiseleyEiseley

(1907 (1907 --

1977)1977)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the oceOnce upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his an to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the bOne day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a each and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thuman figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone hought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch upwho would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up..

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a youngAs he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young

man, and that what man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the oceashore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.n.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask whaHe came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are t it is that you are doing?doing?““

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the " asked the somewhat startled wise man.somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is gTo this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't oing out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die.throw them in, they'll die.““

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do yUpon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize ou not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish athat there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? ll along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!You can't possibly make a difference!““

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfishAt this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into , and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that oneIt made a difference for that one."."

ESN Carnival 2009ESN Carnival 2009

6 ESN Times

An annual gathering of fun, laughter, friendship and love

The InterThe Inter--Agency Carnival is the brainchild of Lim Agency Carnival is the brainchild of Lim ShaoShao

GuangGuang, ESN committee member, also a , ESN committee member, also a volunteer of Moral Angels. First started in 2007, its main objevolunteer of Moral Angels. First started in 2007, its main objective is to provide an afternoon of ctive is to provide an afternoon of beyond volunteering experiences of fun, food, joy and company tobeyond volunteering experiences of fun, food, joy and company to

the ah gong and ah ma by the ah gong and ah ma by the combined efforts of volunteers. the combined efforts of volunteers.

Individual volunteer group manpower are often challenged and Individual volunteer group manpower are often challenged and organisingorganising

meaningful funfairs meaningful funfairs and carnivals are usually beyond a single volunteer group capaciand carnivals are usually beyond a single volunteer group capacity. Combining volunteer ty. Combining volunteer

strengths from all participating agencies, we managed to bring tstrengths from all participating agencies, we managed to bring together 175 elderly from 12 ogether 175 elderly from 12 agencies, with 15 games and food stalls in the carnival on 5agencies, with 15 games and food stalls in the carnival on 5thth

Sep 2009. Minds MYG volunteers Sep 2009. Minds MYG volunteers and beneficiaries also joined us in bringing a dance to the eldeand beneficiaries also joined us in bringing a dance to the elderly. Many thanks to the principal rly. Many thanks to the principal and staff of and staff of YishunYishun

Junior College who has been so supportive in providing venue anJunior College who has been so supportive in providing venue and d manpower for this event!manpower for this event!

ESN Carnival 2010 will be here soon, keep a lookout for notificaESN Carnival 2010 will be here soon, keep a lookout for notification if you would like to bring tion if you would like to bring your elderly beneficiaries to participate in the carnival or if your elderly beneficiaries to participate in the carnival or if you wish to help out in the event.you wish to help out in the event.

Pandemonium at the ESN Carnival (2009) ESN Carnival 2009 in Yishun

JCCheck out Check out BlogBlog

entries:entries:

7

Winners of Elderly Singing Competition

Mahjong Matching Game

Casino for elderly

Guest performance from Minds MYG beneficiaries

Food Glorious FoodParticipant for

Singing Competition

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. -

Mother Teresa

“…“…But all these hassles were worth it. For the regular volunteers But all these hassles were worth it. For the regular volunteers at All Saints Home (ASH), I believe you have at All Saints Home (ASH), I believe you have come to understand that the residents at the home do not regularcome to understand that the residents at the home do not regularly get the opportunity to go outside of the ly get the opportunity to go outside of the home to attend outdoor activities. This type of event has come thome to attend outdoor activities. This type of event has come to be a rare form of luxury for the residents at o be a rare form of luxury for the residents at ASH. As most residents at the home are either bedridden or wheelASH. As most residents at the home are either bedridden or wheelchair bound, it requires a significant chair bound, it requires a significant number of nursing staffs to accompany the residents, and providenumber of nursing staffs to accompany the residents, and provide

them with any necessary assistance. them with any necessary assistance.

Furthermore, transporting the residents from the home to the venFurthermore, transporting the residents from the home to the venue of the event is no easy feat either, as it ue of the event is no easy feat either, as it calls for volunteers and nursing staffs to cautiously carry eachcalls for volunteers and nursing staffs to cautiously carry each

individual resident onboard the chartered individual resident onboard the chartered buses. I have forgotten the number of times I felt utterly dejecbuses. I have forgotten the number of times I felt utterly dejected when I saw residents at ASH, such as auntie ted when I saw residents at ASH, such as auntie PuayPuay

Lin succumbed to morbid pessimism due to inactivity from the coLin succumbed to morbid pessimism due to inactivity from the confinement to her bed. nfinement to her bed.

Events such as the ESN Carnival provide them with the opportunitEvents such as the ESN Carnival provide them with the opportunity to venture outside the home and y to venture outside the home and

preoccupy their minds with activities. Thus, despite the strenuopreoccupy their minds with activities. Thus, despite the strenuous amount of planning and coordination, the us amount of planning and coordination, the volunteers at ASH will always strive to ensure that the maximum volunteers at ASH will always strive to ensure that the maximum possible number of residents from the home possible number of residents from the home could attend events such as the ESN Carnivalcould attend events such as the ESN Carnival…”…”

--

FumFum

WeiZhongWeiZhong, ASH volunteer, ASH volunteer

ESN Networking Camp 2010After 5 dormant years, the Volunteer Networking Camp (previouslyAfter 5 dormant years, the Volunteer Networking Camp (previously

organisedorganised

by Volunteer Management Workgroup under Volunteer by Volunteer Management Workgroup under Volunteer

Circle, NCSS) is finally back!Circle, NCSS) is finally back!

ESN will kick start Networking Camp 2010 on 31ESN will kick start Networking Camp 2010 on 31stst

July 2010. The main July 2010. The main objective of this camp is to infuse sense of bonding as a communobjective of this camp is to infuse sense of bonding as a community of ity of volunteers, to promote sharing, interactions and learning among volunteers, to promote sharing, interactions and learning among

volunteers, as well as to groom the potential volunteer leaders.volunteers, as well as to groom the potential volunteer leaders.

This will be a marvelous opportunity for volunteers to network, This will be a marvelous opportunity for volunteers to network, share share ideas, foster lifelong friendships while enjoying lots of fun amideas, foster lifelong friendships while enjoying lots of fun amidst a idst a nostalgic campfire!nostalgic campfire!

Invitations had already been sent to volunteer coordinators and Invitations had already been sent to volunteer coordinators and leaders of selected leaders of selected NPOsNPOs..

Date: 31 July (Sat) & 1 August (Sun) 2010Date: 31 July (Sat) & 1 August (Sun) 2010Venue: Camp Christine, 71 Venue: Camp Christine, 71 JalanJalan

BahteraBahtera, Singapore 719922, Singapore 719922

Announcements

8

Agency Open House 2010

Volunteers from other agencies joining in the Volunteers from other agencies joining in the fun during the exercise session at fun during the exercise session at KretaKreta

Ayer Ayer VSG, Agency Open House 2009VSG, Agency Open House 2009

The agency open house is conducted once a year where a volunteer

group hosts volunteers from other agencies, while carrying out their routine service. The objective is to create opportunities for exchanging ideas on weekly activities, events/outings organizing and volunteer

management.

Date: 18 August 2010 (Wed) 7Date: 18 August 2010 (Wed) 7--9:30 pm9:30 pmVenue: Henderson Aged Venue: Henderson Aged ReachoutReachout

ProgrammeProgramme

(HARP) (HARP) BlkBlk

129, 129, BukitBukit

MerahMerah

View, #01View, #01--150 150

AOP 2010, HARP invites other volunteers working in the

eldercare sector to their clubhouse for a night of games, singing with the elderly at Henderson area.

Let’s learn & share from one another’s volunteering experiences!

SPOTLIGHT

A relatively new volunteer group in Northeastern part of SingapoA relatively new volunteer group in Northeastern part of Singapore re --

All Saints All Saints Home's Volunteer Group was set up by Edmund Home's Volunteer Group was set up by Edmund QuekQuek

on 6th Sept 08, when a on 6th Sept 08, when a group of volunteers joined the Volunteergroup of volunteers joined the Volunteer--AA--Day 2008 Day 2008 programmeprogramme, jointly , jointly organisedorganised

by Volunteer Initiator Person (VIP), Volunteer Management by Volunteer Initiator Person (VIP), Volunteer Management Workgroup (VMW) and (NVPC) National Volunteer & Philanthropy CenWorkgroup (VMW) and (NVPC) National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. tre. There are 140 elderly in this home. As a new volunteer group, wThere are 140 elderly in this home. As a new volunteer group, we are looking e are looking for more new volunteers to join us on alternative Saturdays fromfor more new volunteers to join us on alternative Saturdays from

2.30pm2.30pm--6pm 6pm in elderly activities, mass games, handicrafts, outings and festin elderly activities, mass games, handicrafts, outings and festive events.ive events.

All Saints Home (Hougang)

Come and Join us in this meaningful volunteering journey:Come and Join us in this meaningful volunteering journey:

If you are interested in joining our volunteer service on alternIf you are interested in joining our volunteer service on alternate sat, 2.30pmate sat, 2.30pm--

6pm, please contact:6pm, please contact:

Edmund at 97813499 or email Edmund at 97813499 or email ashvol_hg@yahoo.comashvol_hg@yahoo.com

Address: 5 Address: 5 PohPoh

HuatHuat

RoadRoad

Singapore(546703)Singapore(546703)

9I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. --Mahatma Gandhi

INTERVIEW with Moi

Moi

10Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have

to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. --Martin Luther King Jr.

It was seemingly impossible to steal a moment from Moi

Moi’s

packed schedule on a Wednesday night as she busied herself with the house calls on the elderly which was under the care of Banda 3 of Kreta

Ayer Volunteer Service Group.

Not to mention the frequent friendly “interruptions”

(warm greetings) from the residents at Blk

5, Banda Street on this service day, even 10 seconds seemed a luxury. In her fluent multi-dialect returns are always words of genuine concern and a simple touch, that though simple on its surface, encompasses trust, faith and kinship from the residents.

Opening ‘Closed’

Doors

To these elderly who have weathered many hardships in life, many

of them live in their own solitude and shun away from the public in

general and are wary of strangers. How did she manage to let the elderly put so much trust in her? What did the volunteer group do to gain their

acceptance? On my mind were many questions ...

To let these elderly ‘open’

their doors and their hearts to you is no easy feat. Moi

Moi

recalled 1 elderly that they took care of, simply refused to open up to the volunteer group, verbally abused them and threw out things that they brought for him. Moi

Moi

did not give up on him. It took a long time and strong persistence before the elderly finally saw the sincerity of the volunteers and opened up to Moi

Moi

and her group.

Seeing the smiling faces of the elderly (when they saw the volunteers calling on them) is more than enough evidence to show the great work done by these volunteers and the deep relationships established over the years. I was sometimes given the luxury of stepping into their 1-room rented flats. As the elderly bustled to get drinks and food to offer me as if I am a VIP, I can only attribute this honour

to the trust the elderly have in this volunteer group, which have been taking care of them for many years.

Chinese New Year visitationBanda 3 Zone, Kreta

Ayer VSG

A veteran volunteer, Choy Moi

Moi, who has been volunteering since 1996, selflessly sharing her love, time and concern for a group of lone elderly in the Kreta

Ayer area.

1 1

How it all started

Moi

Moi

started volunteering in 1996. With a simple motive to help others, she joined Lion Befrienders

during a Monthly Orientation Talk at NCSS and was assigned to help out with the volunteer group caring for the elderly in the Kreta

Ayer area, which subsequently evolved into the current group she is volunteering with now. In 1997, she readily became a volunteer leader of the group. To her, it was a super short learning curve. She recalled in the early days how she had to use a typewriter to type out the elderly list for the house calls as she was not computer-proficient then.

Besides the weekly house-calls, the volunteer group also organised

regular stamp-cutting activities, handicraft sessions, birthday celebrations, festive celebrations, outings etc. The volunteers also visited the elderly when they were hospitalised

or when transferred to nursing homes. Before the Chinese New Year, the volunteers also helped the elderly in spring cleaning.

Besides the regular activities, there were many times when the volunteer group was faced with dilemmas in situations, especially when the elderly are sick and

helpless, and are unable to take care of themselves…

Little gestures of love

While doing her rounds (no mistakes, it is not dissimilar to the rounds that doctors conduct during their duties), Moi

Moi

checks out not only the physical but the overall well-being of each elderly.

One of the residents had a stomach upset, Moi

Moi

simply sat down with him and laid her hands for

about 10 minutes on his abdomen. After sometime, the Cantonese uncle said, ”Moi

Moi, I am feeling much better now, the pain has relieved …

Moi

Moi, you can be a doctor!”

Though seemingly unfathomable to us, it could just simply be a touch of love, ‘familial’

warmth which helped ease the anxiety of the elderly when they are sick or helpless. No doubt about it, many of the elderly simply look upon her as their own daughter.

One volunteer was particularly touched by Moi

Moi

when they went about the rounds. There was an elderly who was sick and declined to go down for the weekly activity. Moi

Moi

did not simply walk away after inquiring after the elderly, she asked the elderly to

stretch out his hand so that she can just hold on to him for a while. These little gestures which are often overlooked by others, demonstrates the meticulous care and concern Moi

Moi

has for the elderly.

House callsBanda 3 Zone, Kreta

Ayer VSG

1 2

Good begets good

Moi

Moi

recalled once when she was running the flu, and one elderly got

to know about it when she was doing her rounds. Before long, the elderly came back with a

special concoction and brought to Moi

Moi

in a porcelain bowl with feebly hands and ask her to drink it. Moi

Moi

was very touched by the incident. Another elderly helped to massage her hands when her hands were feeling sore …

Helping on domestic matters(House calls)

Banda 3 Zone, Kreta

Ayer VSG

An emotional struggle

There was a wheelchair-bound Indian elderly who was under the volunteer group’s care. This Indian elderly was frequently bullied by the flatmate

and conned of his money. When Moi

Moi

found out the dire situation of this elderly, she wanted to do something for this elderly who could not take care of himself and steer him away of further harm inflicted by his flatmate. They went about finding a nursing home for this elderly. It took them sometime before they found a suitable home for him.

However, nearing the days before his move to the nursing home, the elderly became withdrawn because of the attachment to Moi

Moi

and the volunteers, and the fear that he might not see them anymore. “I know you don’t like me and want me to go …

I know what to do …”, the elderly cried. It was a moment of struggle for Moi

Moi

and the volunteers ... For fear that the elderly might do something silly, on the night before the shift, Moi

Moi

carefully kept all the knives and sharp objects and made sure the windows were all fastened before going home, though with an unsettled heart.

The next day, the volunteers rushed down and escorted the unwilling elderly to the nursing home. It turned out that after 2 months stay at the nursing home, the elderly adapted well and thanked Moi

Moi

and the volunteers for helping him out and that he was happy with his new home where he is very well taken care of.

Though these are simple acts of kindness, it shows just how much

the elderly cared for her, perhaps in return for her good deeds,

but perhaps more aptly, this is reminiscent of deep kinship, albeit it is between people who are virtually unrelated.

There were many incidents when elderly passed away that Moi

Moi

and her volunteer group helped to take care of the funerals.

There is no profound theory to her ways of life, but simple manifestation of true love and sincerity. “When you don’t think of rewards and just do what you can with love, you will get bigger rewards in life.”

she said.

1 3

Moi

Moi

with other dedicated volunteers of Banda 3 Zone, Kreta

Ayer VSG

Challenges in volunteering

When asked whether she has at any point (in her close to 15 years of volunteering) wanted to give up on volunteering, Moi

Moi

reflected that it is the deep relationships with the elderly and volunteers that keep her going. She shares that it is important to manage your time well, take care of one’s family first and find a balance point so you will have peace of mind when you volunteer.

Volunteering has changed her life, from which she found new energy and motivation, to help others around her, especially the elderly for whom she feels that they are often forgotten or misunderstood by others.

In our forever ‘progressing’

and meritocratic

society, where everyone is constantly caught in rat races, forever justifying for higher ranks or bigger pay packets, when even high ranking staff of some charitable organizations are soliciting for their own gains …

It is indeed a humbling experience to see simply a dedicated volunteer (without a single cent), who spent countless hours volunteering and ‘contributing’

love in her own little ways to people totally unrelated to her, without asking for any return. Isn’t that the most fundamental ‘ingredient’

in making Singapore a more humanistic and caring society?

Moi

Moi

has inspired many others in her simple down-to-earth ways, ‘get your hands’

dirty approach to help the needy elderly. Her ‘concept’

is simply that the elderly or beneficiaries will sense it if you do it with a sincere heart with love.

This article does little to pay full credit to all the good work that has been done by Moi

Moi

and all the other volunteers in her volunteer group. In fact, most of the touching stories are still on an

audio recording that we did at a rowdy dessert stall at Kreta

Ayer.

For those who wish to know more of these stories and how you can be a part of this group, just pop by on a Wednesday night at the Senior Citizens

Centre at Banda Street Blk

5 and look for Moi

Moi

or the volunteer group there, you are bound to uncover for yourself many stories of friendships and simple kindness …

Volunteer NetworkingVolunteer Networking

We welcome volunteer groups working in the eldercare

We welcome volunteer groups working in the eldercare

sector to network with us to share the volunteer management

sector to network with us to share the volunteer management

‘‘knowknow--howshows’’ and experience, participate in ESN events or to and experience, participate in ESN events or to

send your volunteers for our training programs. Connect with

send your volunteers for our training programs. Connect with

us!us!

Email us at Email us at elderlysectornetwork@gmail.comelderlysectornetwork@gmail.com

Volunteer RecruitmentVolunteer Recruitment

Calling for volunteers Calling for volunteers -- get your friends, relatives,

get your friends, relatives, classmates, colleagues to join you.classmates, colleagues to join you.

Whether it is cooking for Elderly / Befriending / Whether it is cooking for Elderly / Befriending / Gardening / Karaoke / Handicraft / HairGardening / Karaoke / Handicraft / Hair--cutting / cutting / StampStamp--cutting/ Musical Therapy /

cutting/ Musical Therapy / TaijiTaiji / Mahjong / / Mahjong / Festive Celebrations etc or you can even create Festive Celebrations etc or you can even create your own activity to bring joy to the often your own activity to bring joy to the often forgotten elderly in our society.forgotten elderly in our society.

Email us at Email us at elderlysectornetwork@gmail.comelderlysectornetwork@gmail.com and and we will link up with you immediately on a suitable

we will link up with you immediately on a suitable volunteer group near your home!volunteer group near your home!

Notice BoardNotice Board

1 4

Volunteer groups from other sectors are also

Volunteer groups from other sectors are also

welcome to network with us too. We can share on

welcome to network with us too. We can share on

the benefits of networking and the the benefits of networking and the ‘‘knowknow--howshows’’ to to

form a meaningful network for the sector you are

form a meaningful network for the sector you are

volunteering in. Itvolunteering in. It’’s all about strength in numbers!s all about strength in numbers!

ESN TimesESN Times

Calling for articlesCalling for articles

There are many volunteer groups out there who have done great

There are many volunteer groups out there who have done great

jobs in serving or working with elderly beneficiaries. However,jobs in serving or working with elderly beneficiaries. However, to to

put up a regular newsletter to document requires huge amount

put up a regular newsletter to document requires huge amount

of effort and time.of effort and time.

We provide a platform here for volunteer groups to share :We provide a platform here for volunteer groups to share :

We welcome stories of memorable experiences by your

We welcome stories of memorable experiences by your

volunteer group, introductions of your volunteer groups and

volunteer group, introductions of your volunteer groups and

special activities or events your volunteer group has special activities or events your volunteer group has organisedorganised

for your beneficiaries etc, do not hesitate, pick up your pen anfor your beneficiaries etc, do not hesitate, pick up your pen and d

send in your articles to: send in your articles to: elderlysectornetwork@gmail.comelderlysectornetwork@gmail.com

Selected articles will be published in the following issues of ESelected articles will be published in the following issues of ESN SN

Times.Times.

We would like to outreach to more people who may not be able

We would like to outreach to more people who may not be able

to read in English. If there are volunteers out there who are ato read in English. If there are volunteers out there who are able ble

to help us with translating our newsletters to Chinese, do drop to help us with translating our newsletters to Chinese, do drop us us

an email too!an email too!

VoicesVoicesShare with us your thoughts or volunteering

Share with us your thoughts or volunteering experiences experiences -- your first experience at an elderly your first experience at an elderly home, some volunteer you would like to thank for

home, some volunteer you would like to thank for making your day at volunteering, someone who has

making your day at volunteering, someone who has taught or shared something meaningful with you ... taught or shared something meaningful with you ... Keep your notes to about 100 words. Selected

Keep your notes to about 100 words. Selected notes will be published in the following issues of

notes will be published in the following issues of ESN Times. LetESN Times. Let’’s hear from you!s hear from you!

Email us : Email us : elderlysectornetwork@gmail.comelderlysectornetwork@gmail.com

EDITORIALEDITORIAL

1 5

INTERVIEW with Jeslyn

Tan Lay Har

I am a full time First Aid Lecturer, my main job is to conduct first aid training to the working

adults on the management of injured when

accident arises. Also very involved in

conducting first aid examination including course coordinating and assisting in administrative work.

In what areas do you volunteer besides helping ESN in carrying out basic first aid training?

As I am no longer in the uniform unit of St John Ambulance Brigade, I am trying my very best to give back to society by helping out in the continuous life support trainings as well as helping to enlighten the youths by means of judging in yearly First Aid competition in different zones

The initial motivation to volunteer in ESN training workshops came from Shaoguang

who leads a team of volunteers, hungry for more

skills in order to value add their services to the needy during their free time, I am just contributing my little bit of time to transfer my skills to them.

1 6 No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. --Aesop

JeslynJeslyn

is our first external volunteer trainer. is our first external volunteer trainer. When we first started and was looking for a When we first started and was looking for a trainer to help us conduct first aid training for trainer to help us conduct first aid training for our volunteers, our volunteers, JeslynJeslyn

willingly took up the role willingly took up the role without asking for any without asking for any renumerationrenumeration..

Since 2004, she has helped conduct many Since 2004, she has helped conduct many

workshops for ESN. We are grateful to her for workshops for ESN. We are grateful to her for helping to equip many volunteers through the helping to equip many volunteers through the years with basic CPR and first aid skills. years with basic CPR and first aid skills.

1 7

How do you stay motivated all this years?

It is 'Appreciation' , that simple, Shaoguang

and his team always express appreciation upon my

presentation and during the talks, has motivated me to go on helping them whenever my time

allows. The word 'Thank you' is the biggest reward, and the challenge I guess is the lack of energy to do much and when you see some public taking us for granted.

Are there any moments that you wish to give up and what made you stay on?

Have not think of giving up totally, but I have to apologize and turn down some request in order to have enough rest due to my busy work load and spend more time with my family.

Is there any message you wish to say to existing and new volunteers?

Bravo to all volunteers out there, keep up the noble spirit!

We welcome external trainers who would like to We welcome external trainers who would like to

help us conduct workshops to equip our volunteers help us conduct workshops to equip our volunteers with skills required in their volunteering service.with skills required in their volunteering service.

Just send us an email and we will link up with you.Just send us an email and we will link up with you.

Email us : Email us : elderlysectornetwork@gmail.comelderlysectornetwork@gmail.com

18

Our members:

Carolyn TanFum

WeizhongTan Czek

XingWong Kee

TeckEdmund QuekJosephine Ang

CuixianMolly ChanLim Chung TatShermin

LimStephanie ChuaLer

Lay GuatHong JinxiongLee HuiquanLim Seow

KuanNg Jek

MuiLee Siew

WengHoney ChanLim WenhuiJordy

NeoBen Tan

Our associates:

Ang

Teck

EeChoo

Meng

KweeLee Woei

ShiuanEric CheongJean QuekPoh

Hwee

Hian

Our friends and supporters:

Foo

Say ThyeKenny TeoVolunteer Management WorkgroupVolunteer Initiator Persons

Our volunteer trainers:

Jeslyn

Tan Lay HarIvy Chua Lee KhengAndee

SohTing Inn Shyan

ESN is on facebook

ESN web portal

Volunteer groups who are particpating

in ESN events or networking with ESN

All Saints Home (Hougang)All Saints Home (Tampines)The evergreeners

at Brighthill

Evergreen HomeHeartwarmers

at Christalite

Methodist HomeHenderson Aged Reachout

ProgrammeMoral Angels at Moral HomeKreta

Ayer Volunteer Service GroupJoy Gathering at Singapore Leprosy Relief AssociationSree

Narayana

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