Social Service - Visit Buddhist Foo Wong Hop Neighbourhood Elderly Centre
On the 19th of March 2018, our group went to the Buddhist Foo Wong Hop Neighbourhood Elderly Centre together which is located in Kwai Chung to do social service. Different groups needed to plan some interesting activities for the elderly to entertain them. This was our second time to visit an elderly centre, so many of us had related experience. During the preparation, we introduced ourselves and tried to build up a harmonious environment. We tried to ask them some simple questions, such as “How are you today?” and “Do you know where do we come from?” And then we decided to play a game which was named “估歌仔”. When we played the preludes, they had to raise up their hands and answer the name of the songs. If they were correct, we would give them a small biscuit as a gift. The songs that we chose were all quite popular in 1960s. After the game, one of my group mate Frankie sang a Cantonese Opera which was named “帝女花”. This time we had prepared many times at home and were familiar with this song. We just tried our best to perform and most of the elderly enjoy singing with us. All of us had a great time together. It was quite lucky that the elderly were very cooperative, although we were not familiar with how elderly center work, we had a great time with the elderly and we learned a lot from this experience.
This was a meaningful experience that we could know more about the living environment of the elderly. Many of them may feel lonely when they stay at home on their home. They also need to have entertainment, so as a teenager, we have responsibilities to take care of them. We could try to design some simple activities for them and talk with me. Most of them love listening to our performance. That’s why all of us had a great time in that day. It was a good chance for us to better not to help them. I feel satisfied in the process of service. Of course, I will try my best to spend more time on doing social services after this course.
We had a very meaningful time together.
Samuel: It is second times to sing the “Never Say Goodbye: The Fragrant Death”(帝女花之香夭) to the elderly. This time was better than the last time because they look very happy and sing with me. I felt satisfied.
回覆刪除Hi I am Chan Pui Yee (SID: 11239967) from Buddhism Group 2. Thanks for your sharing. I joined this service together with your group. I observe that all of our group prepare the activities or performance with music. Our group played songs and passed the balls to the elderlies, when the music stop, the elderlies who was holding the ball would ask to answer a simple question, if correct, he/she would get a present. Another group did a performance on singing live songs, and then play the karaoke video to sing together with the elderlies. Music bond the young and the elderlies in this time. We enjoyed a great and short time on interacting with the elderlies. For discovering the Buddhist element, when I was waiting outside the door of the venue (before we play game with the elderlies), I saw some photos on the corridor, which show the elderlies visited to some monastery with their friends. This inspire me to be a volunteer on helping elderlies to visit monastery such as be a organizer, docent or helper.
Hi this is Matthew Li from group 5. I believed that you guys have spent a enjoyable time with the elderly. You recorded the whole activity very detail in order to let us know what is going on. I also participated other social service with elderly and understood what their needs were. They still love to play and sing enthusiastically so that they can reach happiness. I understand how your successful and satisfy after helping them.
回覆刪除Hello! I am Cindy Zeng Yang Xing from group four. I think it is "killing two birds in one stone". During the volunteer work, we are both gained volunteer experience and learnt different skills such as organisation skills, quickly reaction skills and problem-solving skills. As you mentioned, you guys asked different kind of question to break down the diaphragm between elderly and volunteers such as “How are you today?” and “Do you know where do we come from?”. It is difficult for youngsters to stay well along with older enpgeration because of the gape of generation.Using Sentence and question are some great way to get started.
回覆刪除Hello!i am Tang Wing Sze from group3. I also joined this service. Our group was quite nervous because we decided the game on that day. I think the experience of this time was better than 12th March 2018 because the reaction of elderly was eagerer than 12th March 2018. For the elderly, these kinds of centre is very important because it seems like a shelter. They feel happy, relaxed and safe. It is because they can meet other elderly and volunteers in the centre. Maintaining the social contact is good for their mental health.
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