Epilepsy Care Group

went to volunteer at the epilepsy care group (ECG) on saturday, with nx. it was a rather old, 70's style building, at 26 dunearn road, sharing the building with 2 other charitable organisations. despite the torrential showers, and the bus breakdowns, we managed to make it there on time.

we were welcomed by the hospitable staff there, which were made up of people in their middle ages. most of the volunteers that came for this trip came with their families, like there was one guy who brought his girlfriend along, and one family arrived full force, with their mother, two sons and their daughter, who was about the same age as us. some of them were just regular volunteers, others, first-timers like both of us, who kept to themselves throughout the journey. there was even an old lady who spoke Queen's english all along the way and was quite vocal, never failing to entertain the whole bunch with her jokes (although sometimes quite lame).
thank god i had nx with me, really otherwise i too would feel like a fish out of water, alone.

transport was provided for by one of the volunteers. mission: to deliver mooncakes to the elderly. we had two locations to do so, 1) at blk 52 of this sin ming industrial estate, and 2) at this AWWA (association of women welfare's... something like that) elderly home at ang mo kio st 12.

we set off at 2:30, armed with about 100 boxes of mooncakes. each box of mooncake had 4 small mooncakes in it (and i personally tried and it was quite good), to save the elderly the trouble from cutting the mooncake.

first stop: sin ming industrial estate. the block comprises of one-room flats, like those i've previously seen in holland v during the lion befrienders project. gives the ghetto feel with those lonely, desolate corridors again, but nevertheless we were there to finish our task. it was brief - press doorbell, knock on door, shout a bit ("are you at home?") and if the occupant inside opens the door, we give them the box of mooncake, say something like "happy mooncake festival..." and then bid them goodbye without stopping for a talk or anything else.

however, most of them weren't inside their houses (gone to work?) or the house itself wasn't occupied at all (you can still see the plastic covering the handle of the new door). to save time, i devised some methods to work out if someone was inside:
1) check the door - plastic handle still there (no), no religious symbols (no)
2) check the pin-hole. my hypothesis was that, if light shone through the pinhole, then there must be a window open somewhere, and that an occupant must be inside. proven wrong by nx.
3) check the electricity meter. if it is moving, probably there is an occupant inside. rather accurate method.
4) ask neighbours. they're very helpful in this case, often telling us where their next-doors have been.

after a while, nx and i just kept staring at the electricity meter of every house we visited to test my theory. haha. all in all, we made such a din that people just opened their doors and waited for us to approach them. we didn't give to muslim families, though, which was a pity. the mooncakes weren't halal and it was quite paiseh to wake them up for nothing.

leftovers: about more than half. never mind, next stop: the AWWA social home.

we arrived at this block (can't remember the number) in amk. seems quiet on the outside but inside is bristling with activity. i would describe it as a Hall for the elderly.. yes something like Sheares hall, but maybe even better.

we encamped in the kitchenette and gave out mooncakes via the door. i dunno why they have to ask the elderly to personally walk to the door, probably it's to keep check (cos everyone can only have one mooncake). as usual, we didn't finish giving all the mooncakes.

we then went on a tour of the home. each room in the social home (?) has 3 beds for the elderly, who are segregated by gender. in addition, each room has 3 cupboards, one for each elderly, and a table for all to use. each room also has a small toilet facility, and a small kitchenette for cooking and washing. Every room has a number (like #02-3487). not a bad environment for the elderly i guess, having companionship (although maybe the occasional fight can occur?) in a room with two other people.

they also have a common lift lobby (the home spans 4 floors?) and some recliners for the elderly to sit on, on every floor. Amentities such as "indian movie" room, sewing room, kitchenette, cafeteria, "therapy room", etc were also found on different floors. quite a nice place! was especially amazed by the "therapy room". they had 2 massage chairs, scented candles, and uncovering this curtain there were 3 beds for them to lie on, massage-center style! wow!

also there were this group of people from ntu.. some ntu welfare association or something. they reminded me of what xinyi described in her csc "adventures", taking care of the elderly, taking them around, entertaining them etc. so life here ain't too bad after all.

in fact, nx told me about the relative sorry state of the elderly in Moral Welfare Home. "the elderly don't smile there". even when the volunteers visit them. "they feel like society has abandoned them." shucks. i dunno what to say upon that. in contrast, we visited a lady in the cafeteria. she was happily sipping away at her tea and watching the HUGE flatscreen TV at the end of the room. i guess she sounded quite happy.

after this was fall-out. took the train back from amk and managed to bore nx with some pharmacokinetics. haha.