Two weeks ago, our company volunteered in the Besar Project. The Besar Project is a ration distribution project organised by ThekChen Choling Singapore and Jalan Besar citizens’ consultative committee. The purpose of this project is to ease the burden of the elderly and the needy staying in 3 main areas; namely Jalan Besar CC, Kallang CC, and Geylang West CC. We reached out to 11 blocks of 1-room and 2-room flats, giving out food items and daily necessities. There were 1250 gifts of love distributed to the residents on 17 May 2015. Each gift of love consists of at least 10 food items and daily necessities.
The Besar Project
Our Visit Experience
The elderly were all very friendly, offering us drinks and welcoming us to their homes. Some of the houses were clean and tidy. In other homes though, there was a foul smell. Some of the elderly were bed-ridden, had their leg amputated due to diabetes or are sick and unable to move, thus causing them to be unable to clean up their homes. Some have hearing problems; we would have to knock very loud just to get their attention. Most notably, some residents were so receptive that they welcomed us when we had only just arrived at the void decks!
Our thoughts after helping
Sometimes we feel so frustrated about life, work and problems that we forget to realise that we are actually very fortunate. Being able to walk around freely, being able to take care of people close to us, to be able to work, to have the luxury of good health. These are all things that we always take for granted, especially our own health and people around us.
Through this, we learnt that we should be kind to everyone by being more forgiving even if we are right, as we do not know what unique circumstances are other people facing. We need to take a compassionate step, to see that everyone is suffering or having their own problems in their own way, and not believe that everyone is as fortunate as we are.
This is definitely a good experience that will encourage us to help out and volunteer in the future. I’m happy that our company had organised such a meaningful event for all the staff, allowing us to give a helping hand back to the less privileged members of our society. I encourage everyone to reach out to the people in need as much as you can. And in doing so, we can make this world a better place!
Through this, we learnt that we should be kind to everyone by being more forgiving even if we are right, as we do not know what unique circumstances are other people facing. We need to take a compassionate step, to see that everyone is suffering or having their own problems in their own way, and not believe that everyone is as fortunate as we are.
This is definitely a good experience that will encourage us to help out and volunteer in the future. I’m happy that our company had organised such a meaningful event for all the staff, allowing us to give a helping hand back to the less privileged members of our society. I encourage everyone to reach out to the people in need as much as you can. And in doing so, we can make this world a better place!