Singapore Chapter – Community Event 2016

About the Event

Written by Lynn SEAH (FS2014-15, National University of Singapore)

To contribute back to our local community for the privileges we have received, the Singapore Chapter decided to organise a community event. To give back in a meaningful way, the Scholars decided to hold an early Chinese New Year Celebration with the patients at Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital. The hospital is a leading provider of rehabilitative care in Singapore with a team of dedicated doctors, nurses, therapists and dieticians to chart a customised rehabilitation plan for each patient. Most of the patients are elderly between the age of 50-80. Through the event, the Scholars hope to bring some warmth and laughter to the patients to ease their recovery.

On 23 January 2016, 13 Fung Scholars, including 2 scholars who are on exchange in Singapore, volunteered at the event. Each volunteer was assigned to a patient to interact and bond with them through various activities. Each volunteer and patient made 2-3 Chinese New Year lanterns using red packets, red strings and tassels. During the process, the volunteers worked together with the patients to make the lanterns and the room was filled with hearty chats and laughter.

After the making of lanterns, all of us had a sing-a-long session of Chinese New Year Songs. All the patients and volunteers sang out loud and feedback that singing the songs brought back many memories for them. In Singapore, after primary school, many of us did not have a mass singing sessions of Chinese New Year songs for a long time.

After the event, the volunteers wheeled the patients back to their wards. Some of the volunteers had built a bond with the patients and the patients were reluctant for the volunteers to leave.

Overall, all the patients and volunteers had an enjoyable and meaningful time spent together. The Fung Scholars who attended the event hope to have more of such events organised.

All Fung Scholars would also like to thank the Foundation for the funding and support rendered, to make this event a successful one. We hope to have more of these community service events organised and encourage all Fung Scholars to actively participate in future events.