Cats who teach me to fly…

I went for training yesterday from 9am to 1pm for a volunteer session today. We, volunteers, were trained what to do today. e.g. What kind of information we should get from the elderly. The purpose of this volunteer was to improve the environment for the elderly in a local area. We asked questions such as whether the floor is slippery for them, whether there are obstructions along the corridors which may block their way, whether they have fallen before etc…

I felt that our government really cares about the people. I was at the “not so” elderly place at 9.30am today. I partnered with another volunteer. I was in charge of taking down questions while my partner, Guo Hao, was in charge of making “everyone” feel comfortable. I mean, I am not good at conversing with people, therefore, my partner helped a lot. From the minute when we were out from the “elderly” home, I kept asking questions. First the flooring, next the lift, next the pathway, the bus-stop, the seats and so on… I was required to take photos too. If the floor is slippery, a picture has to be taken. I did miss out a few pictures cos I was engrossed with writing down the  questions. :p

Our destination was from the senior’s home to NTUC, which is three bus-stops away. We took bus there and returned by foot. The “elderly” was cooperative. She told me the problems that she encountered and I simply wrote down everything she said. Even the impossibilities. Well, who knows. It took us an hour to complete. Once I was at the elderly center, I had to load up the pictures and name them carefully. The elderly center was comfortable with several expensive massage chairs. I told myself that I would have to use them it after I uploading the pictures. I did not do so as I had forgotten about it.

I felt great after the session and went home happily. I received a call from the center in the afternoon asking me to help them again tomorrow. However, I have work to do. The volunteers range from as young as 16-years-old to 65-years-old I think. We worked together and I just like that feeling. 

Mel and I will have another volunteer session this Sunday, i.e. to patrol the Macritchie forest for obstacles and damaged facilities. 🙂 Sounds very interesting to me and I am looking forward to it.