Joy Gathering

9 Jan 2012

2012-01-09T20:38:00.000+08:00

Hi all Joy Gatherers,

Times flies, 2011 had ended and 2012 has approached.

Have you done your review for last year and set new goals for the new year ? A few of us had done a review for Joy Gathering and we will share our calendar with all of you soon. Last year, we lost about 6 elderlys, we still have 41 dear elderlys with us and they are are getting older each year. For the 41 dear ones, there is a no. of interesting events lined up to let them live their remaining journey as interesting and fulfilling as possible. All these events will not be able to roll out without all of us coming together as joy gatherers to serve them and befriend with them. Hence, this year, we hope to recruit as many new & committed volunteers as possible and hope to see more of you coming back whenever you are available. You got the hint ? keke....

For a start, we are going to have the Chinese New Year Celebration on this coming Saturday.

We are going to have lion dance performance, Caishen to give out Angbaos , our own Laohei , cozy Steamboat dinner as well as various performances by new volunteers and friends.

As we have to decorate the hall and prepare all the Laohei as well as steamboat ingredients, let's meet at 10am in Silra Home this coming Saturday. Please bring along ladie , shredder and netted scoop for the steamboat dinner. :-) & please wear Red , Pink or Orange bright Shirt. Please reserve your evening for us , too, as we are going to have our Volunteers' Reunion Dinner to start the Dragon Year.

The ICs for the day is as follows :

Laohei IC : Bee Kim

Kitchen IC : Malcom & Mak

Mkting IC : Liyu

Decoration IC : Zhi Yong & NUS team & Liyu

Game & Performance IC : CK & Wanyi

Lion Dance IC : Liyu

Logistic & AV IC : Stan & Jack

Programme : Jacee supported by Sock Hwee

Treasurer : Carol and Yanting

Table IC : Volunteers who turn up :-)

The Programme is as follows:

3pm : set up Steamboat dinners

3.15pm :invite elderly

3.45 pm : Lion Dance

4 pm : God of Fortune with a Volunteer , Soo Fern to distribute Ang Baos

4.10 pm onwards :

Laohei

Dinner Starts

Guitar cum Singing by Wanyi & Team

Games by CK & Wanyi

Sitar performance by Wanyi's friends

Songs by all Volunteers

6.15pm : pack up

6.30 debrief

7 pm : Volunteers' Reunion Dinner

We hope to see you ya. cheerios

(Let's do little things with GREAT LOVE to start the New Year)

Warm Regards /
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

21 Nov 2012

2011-11-21T23:15:00.000+08:00

HI folks, for 26th Nov, mini-carnival, we have bought the gifts, preparing the food, renting the tables, preparing the games. So have u decided whether to come and join us in the fun and help out ? Cheers

Joythering

16 Nov 2011

2011-11-16T21:35:00.002+08:00

Dear Volunteers,

Did you have a busy week? Any plans for this weekend? :)

Why don't you join us, unwind, relax, spend sometime with our elderly at SILRA?

Though its a regular service this week, we hope to see you there.. at 230 pm.. we will have coffee tea session, befriending, Karaoke and maybe even a short walk in the park!

Everyone can be great because anyone can serve.

You don't have to have a college degree to serve.

You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace.

A soul generated by love... - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

See you!

Regards / On behalf of
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

12 November 2011

2011-11-13T14:18:00.001+08:00

Dear all, how is your sat ? Today, we are glad to have Angela, Cheryl, zhiyong, Zhiyong n gangs at Silra today. A pat for their shoulder for taking time to come. Man tat and ah Heng uncles sang a no. of songs, we did musical therapy and yoga too. Understand that you are busy n hope u have a good weekend. Hope to see you all one of these days at Silra. Next week we will be playing mass game, 26 Nov we are having a mini carnival, do come if you can. Cheers !

Sock Hwee
Joygathering Volunteer

Up coming event

2011-10-17T21:13:00.001+08:00

Hi folks, What is coming up : 22 Oct, magician show at Silra, 5 Nov, our great chef , Malcom will be cooking something nice for our residents (too bad Mak can't make it), 26 Nov, we are going to have a mini- carnival.

Usual service is ongoing on other weekends, do try to come if you could k ?

Thanks Angela, Shuyi & Carol for turning up yesterday. Pat on your shoulder. cheers.

What's up for the volunteers ? We are planning for a walk on 26 October (most probably Sengkang reservoir ) morning , please revert if you are able to make it. cheers.

Details will be sent via emails...

6th Aug 2011 Regular Service Resumes.. Come Join Us!

2011-08-04T15:57:00.003+08:00

Hi ALL,

We had a great bonding session at Alohal Loyang last Saturday. Thank you all for attending the session.. and there must be a special mention to CK who took the effor to put the event together. ;) We appreciate your effort!
So we are back to regular service. Shall we all meet at 230 pm? We need some help in getting ready for the 13th Aug 2011 七月歌台 and 喊标 event!

See you folks then.. and  remember 13th Aug! Come join us.

Cheers

JL

Regards / On behalf of XXXX
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

House Keeping Session - Sat - 21st May 2011

2011-05-19T23:51:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

TGIF! And its the arrival of the weekend.

What plans do you guys have in mind?

Why not join us with the elderly this Sat - 21st May 2011 for an afternoon of House Keeping?

We will be helping our elderly clean up their lockers. This is an important exercise to ensure that they keep the lockers clean, tidy.. just incase we have expired cans of food or forgotten leftovers stored in their lockers from earlier celebrations.. :)

Our activity will start at 230 pm. We will do our usual Coffee Tea or Milo Session, House Keeping, Elderly Yoga and some KTV, etc.

Lastly, just a quick note to say - we are gathering volunteers for our annual Dumpling Festival!! So Friends & Family, those who know how to wrap a nice rice dumpling, we WANT YOU.. Those who do not know, we LOVE TO HAVE YOU too.. :) We will have Dumpling Masters that day to coach you to wrap these tasty Dumplings. More details will be released later but mark your calendar for 4th June 2011!

See you folks on Sat!

Cheers

Regards / On behalf of XXXX
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

We are glad to keep you updated of our events @ SILRA. Just click onto our blog http://joygathering.blogspot.com/ or our event calendar http://www.keepandshare.com/calendar/show_month.php?a=y&v=y&i=1389330&appstart=y&clear=y&cat=0 to find out more.

Giant on the 26 March 2011

2011-05-15T15:17:00.000+08:00

- Yi Xuan: At attention service for the whole group of volunteers marching up to the bus :).
-The papaya girls :), showing their pose to the camera :D.

-Jacee is doing the "No body ...Nobody but you hand sign :). Or does she wants others to see her palm lines....any one want to try to palm read ?! he.he..

- Granny aunty is saying :" Hurry up ! I can't wait to reach to our destination...even my granny old legs can run faster than this slow couch. >.<
-Si Xuan: Is looking at aunty, in her mind she said:"Wah ! Next time when I am old will I look like you or worse ?! Better put more day and night cream.
-Aunty look back:" What are you looking at !!! Never see such beautiful woman before ar ?! HUH.

-Granny aunty:" Can the camera see my six pack if not see my micky mose muscles on my arm....I look strong right ! :)

-Hardworking CK is bringing the wheel chair down from the bus to the ground. In Pink Shu Ee is playing magic...now you see my hands and now you can't see as I can putting my hands to sophia's stomarch :P.

-Line-by-line, we are air hosters and air hosteresses. We are going up to the air plane to serve our customers whom are our elderly.

- 20 dollards of vochers for our elder to spend on whatever they wise to buy.
-Granny aunty :"Wow !!! So much cash...(didn't know it's vouchure) can go buy branded wheel chair wor so can speed up like the movie <>.

-What are you looking at pal...never see old and hansome unlce before ah... here take my tea stirer. And keep it..some day I'll be famouse and you can bring the stirer back to me for claiming a free autograph.
-What a friendly look a like of old and young brothers :).

-Tack Ee:"He..he..I got extra voucher to buy black man tooth paste...so my teeth will be clean and white so girls will love them :).
-Lady in red: " Ya right ! You need to go to the gym also."

-Those were the Pau lovers... not together but because of the delious pau they are here to take a good pictures:). Way to go CK to attract girls ke.ke..

-Groups and groups of volunteers and elderly siting down to have our dia sum lunch :).

-Elderly waiting for going for lunch :).

This is our Giant Outing Event Group photo. We have lots of fun and is a good way to bond with our friendly and lovely elderlys. Come down to join us at Silra Home in Singapore :D

Kaya Loti 9 April 2011

2011-04-27T21:23:00.011+08:00

- Look at us we are "Toats !!!"

-A New comer meeting, on what is our day's activities.

-Today we are having Kaya Loti for our elderly. Say hello to our Man in Red, a nice guy next door :).

-Busy ...busy..with the dressing up with our Toated bread :D.

-New comers and Yi Yuan is BBQing the bread ha.ha.. and half polishing the bread's with kaya.

-Ray Feng is a wonderful music master.....when he plays the Yang Sing...our ear hurts...just kidding :P

-What a lovely couple......stop posing for the camera and work ....elderlies are hungry.

-Oh look, she is giving the bread a shifty massage :D.

-Ingredians which clamp between the two cusions and where will they landed in.....in the stomarch of course !! =D

- Cut cut chop chop very hard working, wonder if there are any lovely shape being cut out of the normal bread.

-Pei Song uncle is teaching the new comer on how to bake the best bread it town, which you can smell the baking of bread from a far.

-All time singing contest will be won by this lovely lady here, as her good singing have won the claps of our elderly.

-Execrise time, up down up down, left right left right. Move your msucles grandpa and grandma. It will do good for your hands and legs.
-While the elderlys are doing their execrises, the volunteers are doing the toating of bread and sadines :)..yummy.

-Triangular shape.....will try doing different shape next time :)

-These are the kayas we use..simple but tasty :)

- shake your bottoms and shake your hips and dance.....it will be even better if viewers can hear what songs they have :)
-Friendly bunch of friends coming together to volunteer.
-Adidas forever ......how about "Money is GOD"

23 April 2011 Activities

2011-04-19T22:35:00.001+08:00

Hi all,

How have you been ?

Last week we had a good yoga cum singing cum strolling session with the Silra residents

It was very cozy and all of us enjoyed it.

We are going to start off a wheelchair cleaning cum maintainence project for the elderlys. We hope to let them sit on a good condition wheelchair as they are sitting on them most of time.

We are going to start it this coming Saturday. If you could make it, do come at 2pm sharp ... Stan, Jack & Desmond will be leading the project... do come to support if you are available !

We will also be playing table games with the elderly if we have enough volunteers on Saturdays.

Cheers

Regards
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

Chinese New Year 2011

2011-04-10T10:00:00.035+08:00

-Say cheezes ladies for your pretty post.
-CK:" I have some tricks up my sleeves, just you wait and see."
-Bernald:" come look at my watch, it's new."

-Aunty:" Ahh..it's too shiny, got diamons on it, is it."

-Ra Fong:"At home I also didn't do cooking, come here have to do so many preparations. Lucky can learn from them how to do cooking.
-Yi Xuan:" Just by smelling can even make you fat so must go slimming to keep fit after eating :)."

-Mak Bro. :" I am the only 1 in white so it make me chef of the day. My position is MAN IN WHITE, so...any dishes can call upon me. My skill are quick and sharp, no wasting of food on my tables or i will charge you by pieces.
-Been Kim:" You doesn't looks like man in white but we 2 looks more like Singapore Flag LOL, except no stars and moon.

-Mak Bro. :" Who say don't have....every day I cut myself after shaving on my face, got lots of stars wor. And bee kim you got moon dimpers lor.
-Guang Shan:" So hot in this suit...like an oven.
-Girl:" God of fortune is giving out free gold sweat...:P

- The lion dance is awsome and it display lion moves.
- Small Lion:" Very tire bro. we have been dancing for many long hours since days ago, can we take this time to rest.
-Big Lion: " No way so many oranges to eat, i got lots of vitiam C and it help me to keep on moving like energizer.

- Jason:" Rock my babe !" (Sings like the King)

-Jason's Fans:"Encall...encall"

-Helpers:" Jason is singing for me and not you"
-Second helper:" How sweet... he sing so bravely...."
-posting helper:" (thinking) Ha.ha..I am the 1 who got to date jason ha.ha.. none of you got the chance.

-Li Yu:" It's makan time for everybody."
-Cheers for a better year ahead and chong until the end of time :)
-Jacee:" here come food for the hungry souls"
-Chop sticks fight !

- Golden Boy and Jade Girl happily doing a food post.
-CK(In red) :" Uncle want to strike big a not? If so answer the correct Answers".
-Uncle:"Yes of coures ! want to buy new fake hair to show off to all the Old ladies here to see how young I am "
-Ck: " What do you think aunty?! about that big talk."
-Aunty:" What big talk ! I need to buy hearing aid. Pretty Ah boy I can only hear you talk wor XP"
-Ck:" which number do you want uncle?" -uncle holder red packet:" So..many number, any one will do fine so long they have good prizes." After choosing...uncle turn away...Wah Law !!! hope I don't dream of traffic lights count down .......better still, dream of 4D so it is HAW TIME.
-Eve and Ra Fong :" come and guess the picture and get free medicated plasters.
-uncle in black and white shirt:" Wah !! Referee also got prizes so good, this must be my lucky shirt. Should wear it for ages".

-CK is asking: "Ah Po do you want to sing the latest Hip and Rock chinese new year songs" :D.
-Ah Po tell CK: "You make for me a sets of teeths and shoes. I will not only sing but also dance hip-hop for you all to see !"
-Ah Boy:" uncle here is a red pack for you, hold it tied".
-Uncle in blue: " Don't play play! You think I can't see, you give empty red packet.Think i don't know ah....... wait.... let me feel it with my fingers" (leave up 1 eye lid...doing peeping).
-God of Fortune:" Wah...lucky best...I feel so heavy, too much bundle of cash and packets of coins in my many packets. Next time tell the old folks to carry credit card reader so i just bring Fortune credit cards will do :P"

- Nus Students helping out by giving the old folks some good old chinese new year songs :).
-Karen and new friend have prepare some delicious dessert for old folks. Any extras we volunteers can grab some to satify our tast buds.
-3 golden dessert beauties, posting for the handsome camera man XD.

Soup Day on 8 Jan 2011

2011-01-14T18:15:00.026+08:00

==>Stan and CK was doing their all time favourit songs, singing for our elderly. Our elderly was haveing their 4 O'clock dinner and opening their ears for CK and Mrs chua good singing. :)

==> Way to go CK, Stan and Mrs Chua...love to hear more our regulars come up and sing.

==> Our elderly are enjoying themselves, the food were great and soup were supperb. They must be talking among themselves saying such good food is feed for the kings and queens :>.

==>How come little lawrance only took photos of my legs...??? Was my legs slim and nice but how to see....when I it is hinding under my pant ha.ha.. .

==>Cherly have a good voice and she sung beautifully infront of our elderly and behind our back...mind you !... is because half the strenght of volunteers are in the kitchen helping with the day's dishes ^_~ .

==>Help ! Help ! Does anybody who is teaching in singing, please give me singing tuition...ha.ha.. I can't sing very well ... only can la-la-by along.

==> Mrs Chua and Hua Thang can enter into the Huang Jin Nian Hua show to compete for a King of singing hill or Queen of the singing hill. Mrs Chua can sing a high notes and Hua Thang can sing the popular oldies.

==> Mark Bro. is encouraging our elderly to come up to do a dance. But our elderly is too shine to do so. :)

==> We have mouth watering season sesame chicken wings, delicious egg tou fu with fish paste. And our star of the day...Lutus Root Soup.

==> Our chief cook of the day is our Mark Bro. and of course the rest of the volunteers. Thank you all volunteers for making this soup day a success ^O^.

==> How I wish I have tasted it but all was finish up by our elderly ha.ha.. :D

==>We do the cutting of Lutus Roots, wasging of chicken wings, smash of egg tou fu and fish paste, peering of chestnut and cooking of the soup.

==>The smell was so good that you can smell it from outside of the kitchen :)

==> We set down to have our lunch together, chit chatting among ourselves, the day's bonding session :)

==>We share the Bai ku Tay vegetarian soup, yummy :>

==> Serving of 1 dish by 1 dish of soup and ready season chicken wings and tou fu. Those who was not present on that day sure misses out on the making of this delicious dish. Want to know how it is being cook come down to silra :D. Our doors are always open to you.

==> Many hands are at works, see if you can guess who have done which food :)

==>Our dear Yi Yuan if doing a hip hop infornt of our food ha.ha..

==> More singing and we have our VIP guess for that day. Who is she ..... she is EVE our long lost silra volunteer.

==> Too much carbo....@_@;; . Not for me to eat lor... I want to be slim ! slim ! Not go side ways ha.ha.. :P

==> Our Evening walk round the IMH, that is the whether is on our side so we have a very windy and bright day to go for a stroll :)

==>Earth to Lawrance... kindly make me thine and not go side ways... :( . I can't reconige myself already he.he.. :P

==> Elderly is have a good work out at our stopping point. Ah Ba is having lots of fun too :)

==>Oh yes ! We have our pretty lady cerol, she wore a pretty dress and a high boost on that saturday. She out shine all of us :) . Jacees is the doing her Ar-go-go execrise, look at her...way to go Jacees :)

==> Humans go 2 by 2, oh look at these photo. There are 4 ballet dancing. Lets following..1...up ...2 down...3 up...4 down..

The Year of the Jumpy Rabbit

2010-12-28T20:44:00.002+08:00

Hi All Silra Volunteers,

It is the Happy celebration of the year again. Do you know the zodiac sign of this year's animal? Yes, it is the year of Rabbit, cute and fluff. Want to know more about the story behind New Year or even the Zodiac sign help yourself to the Google search engine surely there are fantastic animations plus story line behind it.

Our elderly have grown to a ripe old age and they have experience a lot of hardship through life, although it is so but at the same time they get to know many loving and happy people who bring happiness to them. This year we are giving our elderly a special and heart warming celebration to them. I am sure every volunteers who is going to be present on that day will have lots of fun and laughter with our Ah Gone and Ah Ma. Spreading the joy of New Year in Silra Home and I hope that include people you meet out side J.

This year, we are doing something special - we are going to have homely steamboat dinner with the elderlys ....

The roles and responsibilities are as follows:

Mkting Gp : Sock Hwee, Yue Ping , Liyu plus a "guy"

- buy all the steam boat food.

- buy steam boat Gas

Chef gp : Yue Ping

Ø will make the Soup Base and side Dish.

Ø is also doing Long Gan and Sea Coconut.

Yusheng preparation gp : Bee Kim

- Any volunteers who come to silra home will help out in the yu shan making. Kindly remember to bring your peelers.

Logistic Gp :

- Stan will pick the side dish, the duck, from the stall.

- Stan/Jack will operate sound system.

- Stan handle Logistics , table arrangements (with help from Jack & others)

- CK, Ruifeng and small Lawrence handle Backdrop

Jacee

Ø purchase the Beer, fruit punch and Tea.

Ø Utensils.

· All volunteers please bring soup Ladle & Net Ladle as well as peelers.

· CK will handle Fun and Games.

· God of Fortune will be act by NUS student.

· De Long / Jason will be photographers ( remember not to take volunteers and elderly who do not want to be taken)

· Lynette and NUS students will be MC for the day

· Sophia & Jacee need to distribute work for table volunteers and helpers a kitchen and Run around.

Ø will check if there is 8 steam boats

Lots of help are required in the preparation works & serving the elderlys....Please come back "Home" to re-union with the Silra folks if you have the time !

Meeting time : 11am

Ending time : around 7pm followed by Reunion Dinner by Joy Gathering at a "restaurant" to be determined by CK.

For more informations, kindly see attachments.

Lets do our best, on 22 Jan 2011 and enjoy as we volunteer. See all of you on that day, cheers.

Regards
Sophia & Jacee
On behalf of Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

Annual Dong Zhi (winter solstice) festival at Silra

2010-12-13T22:05:00.002+08:00

This blog will slowly come alive again ^.^.

Here is a message from us, kindly read the following ->

Hi everyone,

This Saturday (Dec 18) will be the annual Dong Zhi (winter solstice) festival at Silra.

And yes, we need extra hands (and mouths) from volunteers like you. Your small contributions can make a big impact to the lives of the old folks
there.

So come this Saturday at 1230pm to churn out the many QQ dumplings!

Cheers!

Regards
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

Temporary Service Break

2009-05-01T14:47:00.005+08:00

Hi all,

As of 30 April 09, there are no human cases of Mexican swine flu in Singapore. There have been 22 cases in total referred for further medical assessment. Of the 22 cases, 19 cases have been tested negative for Influenza A. 2 tested positive for usual circulating seasonal strains of Influenza A and 1 is pending laboratory investigations. (Reference: Ministry of Health)

In addition, we have received advise from Management as part of precautionary measurement , there will be no visitations and/or external visits till further notice as part of precautionary measurement.

We will provide updates via email. We seek to have your understanding and co-operation.

Please contact Rimei for further information.

In the meantime, while we are at Home during the service break, we can brainstorm on issues and/or ideas as to how to re-connect with SILRA residents once we resumed our services. In addition, you may wish to keep your blog entries coming in for publication. Keep the ideas flowing.

Regards
Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

Responsible, Vigilant and Prepared

2009-05-01T00:04:00.003+08:00

Hi all,

Please be informed that as of 30th April 09, there are no human cases of swine flu in Singapore. (Reference: Ministry of Health).

However, it will be good for us as volunteers to be responsible, vigilant and prepared in the current situation. As of now, we have yet to receive management information on the cessation of volunteer and/or visitation status. Once we received any information, we will keep you all updated on visitation status via email.

Please advise to us whether you will be visiting SILRA this coming Saturday, 2nd May. This will facilitate us to contact you should there be any cessation of volunteer service in abruptness.

Alternatively, please kindly contact Rimei for latest updates prior to your visitation to SILRA.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

1. Prior to Service:

ALL VOLUNTEERS are to report to 5th Level Volunteer Room

To record name, NRIC No., contact details, temperature readings and time in on the contact tracing form

Weekly IC will be in charge of the completion of contact tracing form

This will be given to SILRA Management for record purpose

Clearance for conducting service: Temperature readings is less than 38°C

2. During Service:
ALL VOLUNTEERS are to take note with which resident you are interacting with and location (Information required in form)

3. After Service:

ALL VOLUNTEERS are to report to 5th Level Volunteer Room

To record which resident interacted with, location and time out on the contact tracing form

Weekly IC - kindly ensure form is duly completed and forward the copy to Liyu.

We would strongly advise you not to visit and come into contact with any of SILRA's residents if your answers to the following questions were “Yes”.

1. Do you have high fever (>38°C) or other symptoms such as cough,sore throat or runny nose within the last 21 days?
2. Have you travelled to swine influenza affected areas within the last 7 days?
3. Have you travelled to swine influenza affected areas within the last 14 days?

In the meantime, we recommend that ALL VOLUNTEERS to:-
* consume your Vitamin C regularly;
* Drink more water;
* observe higher level personal hygiene;
* in event that you develop symptoms, please wear surgical mask and seek medical consultation.
* FYI: Cases will be referred to the CDC for a thorough assessment. A dedicated ambulance service (tel 993) has been activated to convey such patients to CDC.

Let us continue to be responsible, vigilant and prepared.

Kaya Roti Toast

2009-04-02T12:46:00.003+08:00

Hi folks,

Last week, many thanks to Karen & Alison for making the refreshing dessert for our residents. Yummy yummy... Let's welcome Alison to our BIG Family!! (clap clap)

Also, thankfully as the weather was good we managed to wheel some of our residents around the neighbourhood.

Watch out for this coming Saturday, 4 April 09, our famous and highly demand Kaya Roti Toast is back @ SILRA.

Let's meet at 1.30pm to gear up ourself. (keke..QC QC: Quality Control - the part that most volunteers like most...)

Nice Weather ~ crossing fingers wink

2009-03-28T13:19:00.004+08:00

Hi folks,

missing our blog posts?? Bet that you are happy and saying that "wow, finally got posts liao"...

These few weeks, SILRA got new things happening, in case you are still clueless..read on to let me update you.

We started with Weekly In Charge (IC) - seems familiar rite..yes this is a comeback kid. So everyone you will get your chance to be the IC. No "Siaming" one, sure kanna one. Time will tell...
We got new volunteers who have joined us for our sessions. Let's put our hands together to welcome them. WELCOME =)
Everyone is still contributing their ideas and efforts to make a difference in the lives of our residents. JIA YOU(x2)!!
Our Audio system is getting simpler and simpler to set up, speakers are already wired to the system. It's just connecting to the main power, switch on the TV, Amplifier and VCD player. of course, loading the disc lah. this one still need to teach meh =P
Its nice to know that our volunteers are getting more and more vocal to sing for our residents. Let's have a telematch among us and ask residents to vote for us. LOL.
2 of our volunteers exchange their vows and they came by to share their happiness with our residents in month of Feb. They are still honeymooning.
Chef is back @ SILRA!! Residents and us (keke) are in for a treat. Everybody, let's thank him and give him a massage whenever possible.
There is Yoga exercises and laughter therapy going on @ SILRA very Saturday, 3pm. Let's haha all the way with our residents.
Weather havn't been kind to us, everytime scheduled to rain at 4 - 6 pm. Thus, we havnt been able to bring our residents out. The new covered walkways, new plants etc...we have yet to got the chance to view them yet. Come on, let's pray for a bright and shinning day today!!!

Time really files and we are already passing the 1st quarter of the year already. The upcoming months will be full of events, so everybody hope these few months you've recharged yourselves and is ready to CHARGED all the way liao..

Highlight of Upcoming events:

4th apr: our famous Kaya Roti Toast (come & learn the ropes to be Kopi-di or Kopi-sor) remember to bring waist pouch...

23rd may: Rice dumpling festival (get ur family and friends down to help us wrap or conduct QC.

CNY Gathering

2009-01-28T20:29:00.011+08:00

Hi folks,

hope this post finds you & your family well. Yes, Brother Ox has arrived with a blast!!! As usual, our Joy Gathering Tradition carries on till now. To pay visit to "certain" volunteer's family on 初二。

We started with lunch at Shao Rong's place from 12 noon onwards and we laze there till evening as we head now to Teck Ee's place. We would like to give credit to both families for being such nice host to us.

Guys being guys like to play strategy, we played Citadels on TE's place. Before we can built our 8th district, we had to call it a day as its getting late where everyone need to work the next day.

Lastly, we got photos for u to see who's there on that day. (PS: try your luck). We do hope you can join us in Tigger Year.

Usher into Year of Ox

2009-01-22T23:46:00.002+08:00

Dear Friends,

missing our Blog?? Yah, totally agree that we have been slience since Sept 08...well we will try our best to keep u informed on the latest happenings as we usher into Year of Ox....

Another year is trying to slip past us again. As we usher into the Year of Ox, let's us reflect on the time we spent at SILRA together. The fun and hair grabbing moments while planning, organising and implementing activites for our elderly. Time spent with elderly on Saturday afternoon always pass by quickly without knowing and its time to say goodbye before we are even "warmed up".

Moments like these for the past 14 years from our Pioneers to the current batch of volunteers we have who still have the same characteristics: young, vibrant and talented with nice voice, with groove and handyman still remains. Nothing have changed except change.

Lastly, on behalf of the Group, here's wishing you and your family: A good health which will brings you wealth. For wealth at heart will brings you happiness to spread love. For love brings a smile on our faces. For a smile that is small but brings joy and light to all. Happy Lunar New Year!

PS: Let us continue to serve our elderly with care, joy and laughter as we are a part of Joy Gathering, a part of SILRA Home. To do something good, we must feel good in doing it good.

Note: Service will resume on 31 Jan 09. Please note that we are celebrating 人日 on that day. Please be at SILRA by 2.15pm, your punctuality is much appreciated.

ESN Carnival 2008 ~ Love, Care and Hope

2008-09-09T23:55:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

Remember last December 07, we hav a fun-time together at Yishun Junior College for our first and ever ESN Carnival? Well, gald that you remember! Guess what, they are back this year with more games stalls and participating agencies from elderly sector as well. This year, the carnival theme is "Love, Care and Hope"

The main objective of the carnival is to infuse a sense of togetherness as a community of volunteers serving the elderly sector, to promote sharing, interactions and learning among volunteers and beneficiaries alike, and to provide an afternoon of beyond volunteering experience of fun, cheer and company to the elderly by the combined efforts of volunteers. It is going to be a fun and interactive event comprising of carnival stalls (food, craft, games and bazaar), activities such as photo-taking with mascot and handicraft demonstrations, a mini-concert, and last but not least, lucky draw where the beneficiaries get to walk away with goodies such as grocery items and other basic necessities.

Thou, these 4-lettered, "Love, Care and Hope" seems easy to spell however it takes quite a bit of effort to show to our family, friends, elderly or even neighbors. Well of course we are not into what these words means as i bet that you guys know it better than I can describe.

In any case, today we are sharing on how you can help us in the upcoming carnival...

Date: 27 Sept 08 (Saturday)

Time: 1.30 - 4.30 pm

Venue: Yishun Junior College

How is SILRA involved??
- We will be manning a handicraft booth showcasing, Salt bottles made by Uncles & Aunties, Ah Kow’s rattan handicraft and tissue paper carrier sow by Aunties.
- We will also be having a game stall:

How we would like you to be involved?? (please revert okie..)

Before Carnival:

Handicrafts preparations do join us for our upcoming Saturdays to engage the residents to continue our Salt Bottle.
Banner Design (to provide assistance in piecing up our Creative Director idea on banner etc)

Actual Day of Carnival:

Bringing our residents out to/fro YJC; (27 Sept-> Time: 12.45 pm - 5.00pm)
Helping to man our Game and Handicraft stall (27 Sept-> Time: 8 pm - 4.30pm)

Other information that you should be aware of??

This is not a fund raising event, non-profitable, but the coupon sales earned from handicraft booths will be returned to the respective agencies.

Lastly, we are also in the midst of sourcing for sponsors to cover the costs involved.

Alternatively, if you have a great idea and its bursting or burning to share, do drop us a few liners. We look forward to hear from you soon!

ESN Workshop on 19 October, Sunday

2008-09-09T23:50:00.003+08:00

Hi,

Are you enthusiastic to embark on your first visit to an elderly home but not sure how you can contribute? Want to understand more about volunteering in an elderly home? Worried that you have problems communicating with the elderly?

Join us for our 1-day course organised by volunteers for volunteers.

Venue: All Saints Home (Hougang)

Date: 19th Oct 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 9am - 3pm

Target participants : New volunteers serving in the elderly sector

To register : Email silrahome@hotmail.com

Note: $5 will be collected for lunch, tea-break and materials cost

Volunteer Orientation held on 28 Aug @ NVPC

2008-08-29T11:35:00.002+08:00

Dear all,

Yesterday, we had our first Volunteer Orientation at NVPC at The Giving Place ever since they have shifted from Amoy Street to this new cool building at Central @ Clarke Quay. Their shift took place somewhere in December 2007. on 7 July 08, PM Lee H L grace the occassion of the official opening of NVPC's new premises.

This new premises has been generously gifted to NVPC by Far East Organization, and a host of organisations and individuals have come forward to donate their time, expertise and resources to make this community-based giving hub a reality. The place is awesome, do check it out the next time you are near there, you may find books on volunteering there. =)

Well, this post is not only saying as to how the place is like but to thank those who have attended yesterday NVPC volunteer orientation. It's great to see people who are willing to learn a bit more about local volunteering scenes.

Also, a BiG THaNK you to those who have signed up for a visit to SILRA Home on this Saturday, 30 August, 2pm till 6pm. We will meet at Ang Mo Kio MRT station at 1.30pm before proceeding to SILRA. If you are also interested to join us on this Saturday, please drop us an email or join us at 80 Buangkok View, Buangkok Medical Park on every Saturday from 2.00pm till 6pm.

Photos from 7th Month Cele @ SILRA

2008-08-26T12:19:00.044+08:00

Dear friends,

Its been a long time since we blog, if you have been waiting for this, guess you didn't wait in vain as this new post will leave you in awe (especially if you were not here for our 7th Month Celebration) For those who came, bet that you had a fun time @ SILRA during our 7th Month Celebration. We also had an Open House to volunteers from Brighthill Evergreen, Moral Home and not forgetting our in-laws: All Saints Home.

This Open House idea is to allow volunteers from different Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) to feel and experience on how other volunteer groups are like..also hoping that can find things to improve on thru a 3rd party perceptive. Lastly, the key thing is to bring back what the volunteers think can be implemented into their activities.. if you still havn't catch me, you ain't know wat you are missing at..

Okay enough of that, let's us recap on 16 Aug - 7th Month Celebration..

Our Group Photo

Volunteer Orientation 28 Aug Thursday

2008-08-20T22:12:00.002+08:00

Hi folks,

it’s here again! Yes, Volunteer Orientation!

A chance to seek fresh blood to join us. Besides, at NVPC, we would also like to invite your friends, colleague or family members to join us this round, if they are interested. Remember our date is on this Thursday (28 Aug-NVPC) and Saturday (30 Aug & 6th Sept-SILRA).

Attached is the tentative schedule for the coming Sep - Oct, please note that our existing schedule is still in place..

Date Special Events

30 Aug Volunteer Orientation / Wheelchair Handling

6 Sep Volunteer Orientation / Mid-Autumn Celebration

13 Sep Dialect Session

14 Sep Sunday - Walk in the Park ~ 8 am to 12 noon

(Volunteer Bonding Session @ South Ridge Park) - Please revert your interest to SILRA Mailbox, thanks.

27 Sep ESN Carnival @ Yishun Junior College

We need your valuable help to share your wonderful experience at SILRA with the potential volunteers to join us in serving the elderly at SILRA.

The details are as below:

Date: 28 Aug 2008 (Thursday)
Time: 7pm to 9:00pm
Venue: NVPC (National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre)

NVPC at The Giving Place is located in The Central, a shopping mall directly above Clarke Quay MRT

NVPC at The Giving Place
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#04-88 The Central
Singapore 059817

http://www.nvpc.org.sg/Pgm/Others/NVPC_F_GetteingNVPCbyTrain.aspx

2008-08-17T00:20:00.002+08:00

Monthly Food Fair-Kaya Toast with Kopi

2008-05-14T22:07:00.004+08:00

ESN Workshop ~ 1st June 2008

2008-05-13T21:50:00.007+08:00

Hi folks,

we will be having our ESN (Elderly Sector Network) workshop on 1st June 2008. Both workshops are "running" at the same time and venue will be @ The Giving Place (NVPC) - Central @ Clarke Quay.

1) Leadership Development & Mentoring Workshop:-

This workshop aims to target @ volunteer leaders who are involved in mentoring or guiding fellow volunteers. Of course, this includes the "highly potential" volunteers as well.

2) Volunteer Organisation & Management Workshop:-

This workshop is conducted in a forum style discussion where sharing of good practices of volunteer organisation and management in order to equip the volunteer leader in facing any potential challenges during the walk of volunteering.

Interested Parties please email to silrahome@hotmail.com Closing Date will be 17 May 2008. Please note that fee of $5 will be collected for lunch, tea-break and materials cost in advance.

Handicraft Session ~ 19 April

2008-04-12T21:52:00.001+08:00

Hi folks,

Please do join us next Saturday, 19 April for our Salt bottle making. Please be there @ 2pm. Thanks.

We hope to see you there to encourage our residents to participate this activity. =)

In addition, please be informed that we have 4 new residents @ SILRA. Please welcome them to SILRA.

Cheers!

Food Festival ~ 12 Apr 08

2008-04-09T20:19:00.003+08:00

Hi all,

Please kindly note that our dinner menu change for this Saturday ~ 12 Apr.

We will be having Yong Tau Foo Soup instead (based on high demand). It's been quite a while since we have cook YTF.

See you this Saturday @ 2pm. =)

Happenings @ SILRA

2008-04-04T09:53:00.003+08:00

Hi Folks,

been such a long time since we blog..well we are undergoing some UPGRADES in order to serve our residents better.. Well, as some of you might have know, we are coming up with a new outline to run our weekly activities or to put in bluntly: to be a little more structured...

Thus, this is just a sneak preview of what's new @ SILRA. Please do not be surprised at your next time...do remain calm..

1. Sneak Preview:

Each week of the month we will have a designated activity to carry out from 3pm - 4 pm.

Week 1: Games

Week 2: Food

Week 3: Handicraft

Week 4 Golden Week

Recap on our programe:

Set up of Karaoke (2.00pm) @ Ground Level
Milk Making (2.30pm) run concurrently with
Stress Ball Exercise (2.30pm) @ 2nd and 3rd Level
Designated Activity (according to the week) - 3 - 4pm @ Ground Level
Musical Therapy (4pm) @ Ground Level
Feeding (optional)
Meeting (4.45pm) @ 5th Level
Stroll-a-round (5.15pm)

2. Stroll-a-round:

As most of us is aware, the response for stroll-a-round is highly welcomed by our residents. However, this activity is limited to the weather conditions as well as the no. of volunteers who are able to join since we are targeting in the pairing of 1 resident to 1 volunteer.

Thus, to facilitate the IC to be aware of the no. of residents to engage in the stroll after their dinner, we will be putting up a white board @ ground level for volunteer to indicate their participation.

We have done up some magnets clips with volunteers names. For those who can't locate your name, please do not be despair, just write your name on the board and provide us with your name (in Chinese character and English).

As such, we need your co-operation to paste your names on the white board to indicate that you will be joining the evening stroll. From there, we will be able to determine the no. of volunteers and to find the equal no. of residents.

See You This Saturday for Bingo.. Are you Game Enough??

Vitamin D on 08 March 2008

2008-03-11T10:14:00.005+08:00

Hi folks,

Its been a fruitful last Saturday. Our prayers were answered by having such a Bright and Beautiful Saturday. It was awesome as our 31 residents and volunteers have gotten their Vitamin D @ Pasir Ris Park.

We would like to thank everyone for waking up so early and arriving on time since most of us stayed in the West part of Singapore. Yipee!! watch out for the 'zip effect' created by a 8-legged spiddy..If you got a minute check out our album now..

http://community.webshots.com/album/562746227fyKrFS?vhost=community

15 March 2008 = Handicraft

This coming Saturday we will be engaging our residents for Handicraft sessions...Do join us from 2.30pm onwards if you are available. C Ya!

Lastly, this is an appeal to all of you out there...please brainstorm some handicraft activities that is suitable for our residents..in addition the handicraft is functional as well as sellable. Please email your handicraft ideas to our Group email. Thanks.

Pasir Ris Park Outing 8 March 2008

2008-03-06T14:48:00.002+08:00

Hi Folks,

yes, your eyes are not playing tricks on you (lots of 8, confirm we will 'huat' = prosper), 8 March 08, 8am!!

We will be going out together with our residents, Students from American School, have you revert on your availablity? Its still not too late yet, call or email Rimei. We are still looking for manpower to join us

For easy identification, volunteers are encouraged to wear Red color T-shirts and track shoes / sandals for comfortable walking.

For those who have registered, be punctual on 8 Mar 2008 (Sat). Latest by 8.00 am for registration. We understand majority stay in west part of Singapore, so please try to morning call each other, okie?? =)

Programme Outline – Pasir Ris Park Outing 08 March 2008 (Saturday)

Time: Event:
7.45 – 8.00 am Registration of Volunteer
8.00 am Volunteer Briefing
8.15 am Prepare for Departure
9.00 am Arrival @ Pasir Ris Park (Carpark C) – Alighting
9.15 – 10.45 am Stroll around Pasir Ris Park (Area 2)
11.00 am Lunch
12.00 noon Prepare for Departure (Home)
1.00 pm Home Sweet Home
1.00 – 2.30 pm Take a Break

From 2.30pm onwards, we will be having our normal activities.

Things to Bring / Note (before leaving house):

• Please dress appropriately, preferably in T-Shirts (Red Color – for easy identification) and track shoes / sandals.
• Please bring own umbrella (foldable / compact) and own water.
• Please try to carry sling bag or waist pouch in order to have ‘free’ hands’ to assist residents in walking or wheeling them around the park.
• Volunteers are advised to be punctual on 8 Mar 2008 (Sat). Latest by 8.00 am for registration.

Happy Lunar New Year 2008

2008-02-08T10:16:00.000+08:00

Hi Folks,

Year of Rat have finally arrived after 12 faithful years of waiting.

May Year 2008 be filled with Joy, Laughter, Peace, Prosperity and Happiness for you and your family as well as residents of SILRA Home.

Please be informed that we will resume our service on 16 Feb @ SILRA for 人日庆祝会, 2pm onwards.

Greetings from Joy Gathering Volunteer Group

Chinese New Year Celebration

2008-01-30T14:47:00.000+08:00

Setting up the backdrop

Our Emcees.

Lion Dance...

Balloons and Balloons. Yeah..

Yu Sheng... Huat ah!!!

The performers.

Wheel of Fortune. Roll Money and Roll Money...

Our regular performers

Say "cheese"

Guitar... Hmm.. But where is Shaorong???

God of Fortune

Mass Singing

Upcoming Events in Feb 08

2008-01-29T22:04:00.000+08:00

Harlow mates,

last week was our CNY big bash @ SILRA. So happening n enjoyable, of course including our dinner @ Ban Leong and birthday celebration for our Feb babies. Yes, a bit too early..as our Jan's babies was not around to take the limelight..

Stay tuned for our photos, please be patience..

Following is our Upcoming Events in Feb @ SILRA, do join us if possible..

2 Feb: Broadcast of 881 movie (2pm onwards - 4pm) / Spring Cleaning of our Volunteer Rm
9 Feb: Service Break (ie no service)
16 Feb: Ren Ri Celebration (2pm onwards - Steaming of Peach Buns and serving @ 3pm)
23 Feb: Normal Activities / Sashi Group

Cheers!!

CNY BIG BASH @ SILRA (26 Jan 08)

2008-01-24T08:50:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Once again, we've waited for 12 years to hear the squeaking of Rat into our Home. We are not saying about the grey type lingering at our rubbish chute. We are talking about the Golden Rat. Yes, the cycle begins once more and it will be another 11 more years till we hear 'oink oink'. How exicting it this, a new cycle and a new year!!

This coming Saturday, we will be having our Big Bash from 4pm onwards. PLEASE WEAR RED COLOR TOP!! Thou our event kick off @ 4pm, all volunteers please be @ SILRA from 12 noon onwards as manpower is required in the following area:-

Lo Hei Preparation - we will be in the kitchen shredding and cutting all the ingredients needed (Please borrow vegetable shredders from your mummy and bring along)
Titbits Preparation (Preserved Fruits/Pineapple Tarts/Panda Cake)- cutting into smaller pieces & arranging onto smaller plates.
Set-up of Decoration - Stage Backdrop
Tea Preparation - brewing a good pot of chinese tea for dinner serving
Practice Mass Singing

Besides that manpower is also required during the event such as:-

Lo Hei Distribution
Buffet Distribution
Clapping of Hands / Creating the atmosphere (Througout the whole event)
Mass Singing
Distribution of Mandarin Orange
Spring Cleaning

We will be having our volunteer reunion dinner @ Ban Leong after the event, do join. =)

Weekly Updates - 13 Jan 08

2008-01-16T10:45:00.000+08:00

Hi folks, how have you been...

Last week our volunteer room was filled with people for the first time. We have welcome close to 10 new friends. Of course, our dearest Shao Rong (aka "axxowex") shared with us his moments of truth when he first started volunteering and things that he managed to pick up along the way. Not forgetting our vice-chair, Li Yu also shared with us on how she was "cheated" but was happy about it. Also, our 2nd newest member, Lawrence (aka the small one) shared with how he started out by gathering information over the net etc. Guess most of us have different reason(s) as to how we first started out in volunteering and the experiences we have after joining the group. Take a few moments to think back that baby first step you took in volunteering and how it have created an impact in your life.. Just wonder if you have not taken this step where would you be now??.....................

This coming Saturday (19 Jan) we are having our normal activites in addition we are organising a video shoot out for individuals to "record" their special greetings for our residents..(Remember we posted an email earlier for you guys to send us your video clips..yah as usual we being media shy=no response). Wear your Sunday best to SILRA this Saturday.

Gentle reminder to all, next Saturday (26 Jan) is SILRA big day, we are having our Chinese New Year Celebration, ppPLEASE wear RED color T-shirts/polo/any top. Manpower required for lots of things...so please be @ SILRA by 1pm. More details released at later date.

Volunteer Orientation - 12 Jan 08

2008-01-08T16:22:00.000+08:00

Hi,

this coming Saturday we will be welcoming new friends-to-be of SILRA.

Our normal activities such as Stress Ball Exercise, Coffee/Milk Making, Memory Game, Muscial Therapy and Stroll are all coming back already..Remember our activities start from 2.30pm.

If you have got the time, do join us. =) C ya.

Merry Christmas!!

2007-12-25T12:20:00.000+08:00

Hi Friends,

Ho Ho ho, Merry Christmas to you & your family. Time files and today is Christmas once more. The season for giving and sharing. Thou in the modern world with globalisation going on, all festivals are getting more commercialise. Guess this make sense so as to "witness" the increasing in GDP per capita, economy spending and what have you. Ever wonder why Christmas? Why Log cake? and why do we have stuffed turkey with cranberry sauce on our dinning table this time of the year? Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!!

Please note that there will be a Post Chirstmas gathering at Rimei's house. Details as follows:- Date: 29 Dec (Saturday)Time: After Saturday Service (6pm onwards)Menu: Spaghetti, Pizza, Cheesecake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It refers both to the day celebrating the birth; as well as to the season which that day inaugurates, and which concludes with the Feast of the Epiphany (Twelfth Day of Christmas). The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be his actual date of birth. Although nominally a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians.

Bûche de Noël ("Yule Log") is a traditional dessert served during the Christmas holidays in France and Quebec. As the name indicates, the cake is generally prepared, presenter and garnished so as to look like a log ready for the fire. Bûches are often served with a portion of one end of the cake cut off and set on top of the cake to resemble chopped off branch andbark like texture is often produced in the buttercream for further realism.

A Yule log, is a large log which is burned in the hearth as a part of traditional Yule or Christmas celebrations in some cultures.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming Events ~ Note*

2007-12-17T23:20:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

guess some of us are feeling moody..just like the weather, rainy & dark.. guess this kind of weather adds a feel of the "coldness in the air" and maybe, just maybe that it is this same element that sets the mood rite to feel the warmness when one hand a gift of thought and concern over to you.

As the Boar is going to sleep for another 12 years, seems like the quiet Rat is making its way up to the table for oil..

But before that, how could we forgot about the joy of togetherness in making Rice Dumpling in ginger soup and the laughter that we always crack during gathering. All these is a form of our customs before the joy of seeing our Fortune of Wealth kicks in..

Also as part of a good practice, we can also review and plan new year resolutions. Also, to mark down on your 2008 calendar for SILRA Home events..=)

Some useful dates to note:

22 Dec: Winter Solace (Please arrive SILRA at 12.30pm for Rice dumpling preparations). Our dear Liyu will be our Chef of the Day

29 Dec: Volunteer Group gathering @ Rimei's house. Be there for a treat! Something special..
26 Jan: Chinese New Year Celebration @ SILRA (Event kick off at 4.30pm) - Pls volunteer your talents and assistance..Shao Rong are we going to hear your golden voice once more??
We will soon be having a committee meeting for review and planning of the events calendar. So do stay tuned and note down more dates.

Lastly, an advanced Merry Christmas to all of you!!

ESN Carnival & Concert 2007 - Elderly, Volunteers & Friends

2007-11-14T13:01:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

How are you guys doing?? You must have heard by now that Elderly Sector Network (ESN) is organising a Carnival & Concert this year! Yes, you’ve heard them correctly – CARNIVAL & CONCERT. The carnival theme is “Elderly, Volunteers & Friends”.

The main rationale behind this event is to promote a sense of togetherness as a community of volunteers and elderly in the eldercare sector, such that we can all support one another's efforts in the services we provide for the elderly and improve, sustain these efforts for many years to come.
In addition, this will also be a form of “talent spotting” event, not exactly like Star Search with judges or facilitators. ESN committee would like to use this opportunity as a channel for showcasing the hidden talents such as singing, handicrafts and dancing from different Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWOs). This will promote active lifestyle for the residents and an opportunity for volunteers to bring back ideas of how to engage their residents with other handicraft sessions.

This event will be held on 15 Dec 2007 (Saturday) @ Yishun Junior College Hall from 2.00 to 4.30pm. (Address: 3 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 768675). Programme includes not mentioning Carnival = Food = Games = Fun, elderly/volunteer performances and lucky draw.

How is SILRA involved??
- We will be manning a handicraft booth showcasing, Ah Lim’s drawing, Salt bottles made by Uncles & Aunties, Ah Kow’s rattan handicraft and tissue paper carrier sow by Aunties.

How we would like you to be involved?? (please revert okie..)
- B4 carnival: Handicrafts preparations do join us for our upcoming Saturdays to engage the residents to continue our Salt Bottle.
- During carnival: 1) Bringing our residents out to/fro YJC; 2) Holding the fort @ SILRA; or 3) setting up either food or game stall (Closing date for proposal: 17 Nov)

Other information that you should be aware of??
This is not a fund raising event, non-profitable, but the coupon sales earned from handicraft booths will be returned to the respective agencies.

Lastly, we are also in the midst of sourcing for sponsors to cover the costs involved.

Alternatively, if you have a great idea and its bursting or burning to share, do drop us a few liners. We look forward to hear from you soon!

Check out our photos

2007-11-06T16:30:00.000+08:00

Harlow everyone, check out our yoga photos and the video. It really help in relaxation, try it out at home. Be careful, not to be ignored by your spouse, parents or neighbors.

Wat a week to go

2007-10-07T17:54:00.000+08:00

Hi Folks,

whoa!! Wat a week..its so hot & humid..the weather turning again in Singapore..Gosh..breaking out in persipiration all the time..So do remember to hydrate our bodies okie..we are losing lots of fluid.. Finally, today (sunday) there's raindrop falling not on my head but on the rooftop its such a relief to hear raindrops gently tapping on the windows..

Also felt a sense of relief as there are almost 15 volunteers down at SILRA home after many weeks of low turnout..Yeah!! Thanks folks!! (heard the stone drop??) Hope we will still see more volunteers back the coming Saturday. Normal activities as usual, okie..thou its a public holiday..Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

The coming events @ SILRA / for volunteers:-

14 October (Sunday): The Beginning Volunteer Workshop @ NVPC (Organised by Elderly Sector Network)Details found: http://esnworkshops.blogspot.com/Interested parties, please drop a tinker to Rimei either rimei08@yahoo.com.sg or 8181 8716. Cost of workshop: SGD5.00 (payable on Sat or on actual day). This is for Lunch & materials cost. Thanks.

20 October (Saturday): Food Festival..Guess whats cooking in the kitchen?? Do you have a sweeth tooth?? Yes, too bad its for the residents..hold a bowl for your drooling saliva..=)

27 October (Saturday): Its food again..heard that Sashi and friends are making "Hokkien Popiah".. its a live performance so do be there to "catch" the performance and assist. More details to be followed in our next email.

That's all folks..so catch up with you all next round..

7th Mth Getai Celebration Part I

2007-09-11T18:26:00.001+08:00

Sorry to keep all folks waiting.
This year, we had a dance performance by some of the volunteers. This dance is cheorographed by Sophia.
Let's take a peek at the rehearsal for the dance.

The rehearsal for the mass singing

"auction" item

The preparation

The Wait

The "Healthy" Dance Performance

The auction starts

New Game... Matching Game.

Look out for part II.....

Another week...

2007-09-06T01:16:00.000+08:00

hi all..missing on our posts?? yah we are still waiting for our getai photos to be posted..keep tuning in okie..we promise once we have will upload for every1 to see...

anw time seems to pass us pretty fast..we are already into the 3rd quarter eating mooncake soon. In no time, bet we are eating our hearts out for turkey with cranberry sauce, rice dumpling balls again..so looking back for the year have we done what we had planned in the begining???

This coming saturday besides our normal activities, we will encourage our residents to do up the Salt bottles..If you are thinking why we are so into Salt Bottle..its mainly that we are encouraging them on Hand-eye movement plus this year end we are having a inter-agency carnival at Yishun JC. Its one of the way for showing our residents' talents. =)

So do join us if you are able to make it..See u @ SILRA.=)

Getai Performance

2007-08-19T21:17:00.000+08:00

Hi folks,

are you missing out anymore fun actitivites these few weeks in SILRA..I BET you are..These few weeks we are all so busy with the preparations on the upcoming "Getai" @ SILRA. Thinking of what to buy for auction, what is the 4-characters to use for auction items, do backdrop, practise dancing..

Where were you when we needed you most...*.*

We hope that you can join the residents together this coming Saturday (25 August) for the fun-filled event which we have prepared.. Our MC for the night will be Lawrence Junior & Yueping.

Things to note:

Please come in Blue T-shirt. No specific shade of blue, just blue.
Arrival Time: 1.30pm.
Also a BIG thank you to the following volunteers for their "participation" (ps: or was it being arrowed??) in advance...

Auction MC: Chan and Chua
Backdrop Designers – Zack and Jack
Auction Items Display & our 2 Long-time purchaser - Sophia, Shuyi and Carol
Game ICs – Bee Khim, Yanting and Yean Choo
Residents' Refreshment – Rimei and Veronica
MC of the Night...

Our Fun-Filled programe:

Time Event
5:00pm Dance Performance (SILRA Volunteers)
5.05pm Song Performance (SILRA caregiver)
5.15pm Auction - Part 1
5.35pm Game Session: Matching Game
5.50pm Song Performance (Junior Lawrence)
5.55pm Line dancing (TBC: Yueping)
6.00pm Auction – Part 2
6.20pm Guitar Performance (Shaorong & Friends)
6.35pm Singing (SILRA Volunteers)
6.45pm Home Sweet Home

See you @ SILRA 1.30pm ^.^

Congrats to Siew Peng on her newborn baby

2007-08-10T18:14:00.000+08:00

Salt Bottles-Limited Edition

2007-07-30T15:22:00.000+08:00

Wow... Look at our enthusiastic elderly. We had very good response from the elderly on last Saturday. Thanks to Bee Kim who had called out for elderly to join us. Yeah...

Bravo to the elderly for making those colourful salt bottles. If you want to view those salt bottles, please make your way down to Silra Home on this Saturday. The elderly are waiting...

Salt Bottle Making - U Coming??

2007-07-26T23:22:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

Last Saturday, we had a well-deserved learning experience from Lawrence on Hypertension. Hopefully, we are able to bring home those key takeways. =)

This Saturday we will be asking the residents to join us together to make salt bottle..

Yah you heard us correctly..make salt bottle...This is to promote hand-eye coordination for them..the following actions are required and we as volunteers can help to assist, join in the fun or alternatively act like "promoter" to encourage residents to participate...

As part of "promotion", we will be distributing medicated plasters for this month participants who managed to complete a bottle.

How to?? (A rough guide, IC: Shao Rong & Jack will explain -)

Logistics: Bottle, Table Salt, Colored Chalk, Plates, Paper (fold to make it act as filter) & Disposable Gloves

1) Place a small amount of salt on the plate (The amount will depend on usuage)

2) Wearing the gloves, roll a colored chalk on top of the salt to & fro. (You may encourage the residents to use palm for rolling action) Repeat for different color.

3) With the colored salt, pour it into the bottle varying with the color to form different designs. Note: the salt need to be packed firmly otherwise the design will be "distorted" upon shaking.

So are you ready for this??

On an ending note...volunteering or assistance to others is not only @ SILRA, it goes beyond to helping those who are around you within your means..

The small act of giving a balloon to a young girl next to Auntie Mui Kee whom you may not know her name. I'm sure it have brighten her day with all the big needles inserted to her body... pat on your shoulder.. (you know who lor)

Finally our Bingo Game..

2007-07-16T20:32:00.000+08:00

Harlow folks,

Last weekend was pretty fun as we finally played Bingo. This time we use colorful Bingo cards with the 75-ball classic roller set..quite a pity not many residents have won..hee still left with the initial prizes..only left with 4 balls not open yet not many have won..

Anw for everyone benefit..there is a lot of variations of the game...(5 by 5 matrix)

1) Prize will be given for any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line formation. Ultimate goal is to cover all no. on the card.
2) Prize will be given for either one horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line formation. Ultimate goal is to cover all no. on the card.

Besides the difference in highlighted in bold, nothing much differ. Therefore means that Method 1, we will have to prepare for many prizes..please do a mental calculation..

Next week is our Food Festival, we will be having dessert soup..Red Bean with Lily Bubs. Sounds good then better be here to help serve the residents =)

See you at SILRA 2pm. =)

Another week have jus gone

2007-07-08T20:51:00.000+08:00

Folks how are you all doing??

Another week have gone and we are starting our new week soon..also half a year have passed us just as well as we are still thinking of what we have not done. Time is precious..treasure it.

Last Saturday, we didn't managed to play Bingo as only 4 turn up for service at 2pm with another 4 joining at a much later time. This week we SHALL with our new playing card and Ginseng Tea...

In addition, please note that on 21 July we will be having our Food Festival and an sharing session about Hypertension from our dearest Lawrence. Stay tuned for more details.

Another Saturday

2007-07-01T21:14:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

yesterday was a lazy afternoon..Everyone including the residents felt either tired or "no mood". Sigh...Such a wired feeling..wonder is it bcos of the climate warming. One of the volunteer was sharing this "As the temperature increase by 1 degree celsius, our activity level will decrease by half".

Another thing, is it bcos we had a break last week so we also loses the momentum?? Also realise that from last Saturday there is a repeat telecast of "Golden Pillow" on Channel 8, 3.30pm. All the residents seems like "hooked" onto the TV, no singing, less chit-chat...All their eyes are like glued..

Even when comes to the routine walk, not many residents was interested..only managed to get 8 residents..sigh business not good..

Oh no..WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING!!!!

This coming Saturday (7 July) we intend to PLAY our all time favorite BINGO to boost up all of our morale!!

In addition, do wear "Green" if possible for support for the "Live Earth Concert"

So the rest of us, please make available (from 2pm onwards) if possible to boost up the enjoyment!!

What A Retreat we had...

2007-06-25T22:14:00.000+08:00

Phew what a weekend some of us had..abt 15 of us had jus spend abt 24 hrs "hanging" out bonded with each out in a 4-wheel drive to JB..Nah it wasnt that bad as anyone tot of..we had great fun rite???

While waiting for our Durian Uncle under a bus shelter, we played Polar Bear under the Hot Sun.. managed to guess who is the blue blooded bear and the hunter??

Finally...our Durian. This whole basket is 74 kg not to worry we didnt finish it..we only ate 50kg...Luckily our kind-hearted organiser (Karen & Jason) brought salt for us...

Cant you guys imgaine that all these faces below had just finish the 50kg durian in less than 2 hrs ago and they are still eagerly wait for their food @ Kinashi Japanese Restaurant (Jusco Shopping Centre)

Our Beautiful Ladies

Just a peep as to what we had...

Yasai Tempura & Soft Shell Crab Maki

Gintara Teriyaki Bento Set & Saba Shioyaki Bento Set

Spot the difference...

Now who looks like the Marvel Superhero?? Johnny, Ben, Silver Surfer, Susan and Reeds...

Top 10 facts about our volunteers..

10. We love our feet a lot..(cos almost all had a pair of shoes..given that a few bought 3 pairs so if avg out all have a pair in theory)

9. Our stomach is as big as universe (as we keep eating and eating and of cos eating)

8. Gals like pretty or macho boys to wash our cars.

7. Everyone maintains their image when eating durian

6. Some of us like cleanliness and like others to be too..(6 mini vaccum cleaners were bought in less than 30 mins)

5. We love the joy of sharing food and eating from a single bowl of shaven ice..or is it we dun wish to add inches to our waist??

4. We "cover" one another...on roads (via voice) as well as in bed..(its nice to be tucked in by friends..so nice)

3. We ensure "bed stalls" are set up and properly run by one another

2. Even before bed we engage one another in physical activity (please..yoga okie..dun read too much)

1. WE LOVE EACH OTHER COMPANY!!!! & we are thinking of our next retreat..will it be Cameron Highlands (via coach) or to climb Mt Kota Kinabalu, Sabah...

Before that, see you at SILRA this coming Saturday...Welcome Back!!

Our Dumpling Festival

2007-06-17T16:48:00.000+08:00

Its bright and early that we all reach SILRA home carrying our items prepared earlier to wrap the dumplings.. yes so exciting to get our hands dirty for a good cause.

Weather was cool and breezy and soon we are done with the wrapping of dumpling with so much joy and laughter wrapped with the filling prepared by our respective volunteers. In addition, the SIA staff came down to SILRA providing a lunch treat for the residents. While waiting for the dumpling to be cooked, volunteers started to prepare for our HUMAN Jackpot (check out our youtube for the rehearsal).

In no time, we are so engrossed with the game and the residents are happy in getting the ginseng tea and subsequently the guilinggao...

Great job done for you guys who helped to wrap cos we received feedback that this year our rice dumplings is very nicely wrapped..(ps: we are not saying that prev years one is not nice..but residents felt that we have improved a lot...) A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU

Check out our photos...

THE DUMPLING....

our HUMAN JACKPOT

Please note that next week is our service break as WE ARE GOING FOR A RETREAT...for those who have signed up please check your email for more details abt the retreat on Wednesday...

Dumpling Festival 2007

2007-06-14T08:36:00.000+08:00

Hi all,
Its our Rice Dumpling Festival once more…remember our Human Race with 6 supporting volunteers dressing up as the ingredients of the dumpling?? (FYI: you may wish to check out our archive blog for the pictures, hee hee) You know our volunteers are very supportive of one another..

This year, we will be playing HUMAN JACKPOT…sounds interesting..come on down to be a part of this game… Do not worry only hands and smiley faces are required. No makeup will be provided.

Well, back to our main star of event.."Hokkien Dumpling", please be @ SILRA Home by 10am. Please bring along "S-Hooks" if your home do have any available. This is for hanging our wrapped dumpling.

To make you drool, yummy big mushrooms, the tantalizing meat, the chestnuts. In addition, the main ingredient, rice, also forgotten the "outer clothes", without these what’s rice dumpling…the bamboo leaves & strings..

See you guys here @ SILRA Home this coming Saturday.

Lastly, we hope to see you bring along your family members and/or friends to join in the fun to be wrapped together…

Another Fun Saturday

2007-05-27T13:34:00.000+08:00

Hi folks,

were you feeling down because you can't join us for the fishing game..oh we had so much fun not catching fishes but checking whether we got any winning number....hmm you mean its a new game??

Nope we had our usual game, BINGO...together with a group of RI boyz who came down and they also made italian pizza with our residents. Our residents enjoyed it that some of them had second round...Do you know that topping is of your wish.you like more chicken you'll get more..so good..where to find such good service.

Great thanks to the Boyz for their time in coming SILRA to share with our residents...also thanks to our them and our residents that our volunteers also managed to catch a bite of RI pizza as well after dinner is served.

Yesterday weather was sunny and raining which we tot we couldn't bring our residents out for walk. Thankfully, the rain stop abt 5 plus and we brought them out to exercise and sing-a-long by our "small" lawrence and pei hua with our new song book done by the team.

Keep up the good work...

Next week (2 June), we shall have our fishing game if manpower allowed. As such, do come down @ 2pm to help us set up the stall okie..many thanks in advance.

2007-05-20T13:18:00.000+08:00

Hi hi folks,

What a Saturday we had yesterday!! Finally, there are still soup left in the pot after serving the residents 2 times. Yeah!!

Great thanks to all who came early to do the "dirty" job like washing, peeling and cutting. Hope you all had fun in the kitchen... oso thanks to Mak Gor for answering our paging..Hee.. Also, for those who are still helping at the last moment for clearing. GREAT JOB!!

hmmm next month 16 June is our Dumpling Festival so its time to get our hands "dirty" one more time... but this time round, we hope that it can be our 1st ever "official" family day..meaning...bring along either your family member(s) or friends to join us to wrap dumpling..

Check out archive blogs for dumpling festival 2006 with cute pictures of our volunteers dressed up as ingredients of rice dumpling and dragon boat...

Also not to worry we hope that this year we will also have volunteer's mummy, daddy, aunties, sisters and friends join us to guide the "young" ones how to wrap dumpling...so this year is revision time again...Remember to mark your calendar and bring them down once more...

But before that...lets look forward to the coming week - FISHING GAME... do be here ontime @ 2pm to set the fishing stall oso some will need to assist to do exercise at 2nd and 3rd level..

Okie dokie?? Thank YOU & So C ya then...

We are over 20...

2007-05-06T11:24:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

Yesterday for a long time our no of volunteers turned up for yesterday service is over 20 pax..tis is remarkable feat (ps: thou can't enter into guinness world record, hee)

Well definitely, the count goes to our new friends who joined us like, Lawrence (aka Xiao Lawrence), Shu Zhen or Suzanne (aka Xiao Suzanne), Mei Chuen (aka Mei), Steven (the one with good memory, rem??). Without them adding to the count, we may not pull out the feat off.

Yesterday was the day that "arrow" was shot to one of our new friends in sharing with us her experience in wheelchair handling. Well, guess we are just trying to be friendly....

This week was pretty interesting, as some of us went to visit Samantha & Kok Leng's princess Grace on Labor Day. Grace is almost full month less 1 day (actual: 2 May) So sweet and demure..Papa Kok Leng look tired but surely he is enjoying this whole process. Check out Mummy Samantha..hmmm where's Kok Leng??

**Princess Grace @ 2 days old **

** Mummy Samantha & Grace @ 1 month old (less 1 day)**

Our next star during the full month visit, Ms Chia Shi Yi...

In addition, some of us got to see "Spidy" in action..hmmm all that about changing color red/blue to black and back again..I tot was spider not chameleon?? Hmm. spidy fans, no offense okie..

Volunteer Orientation @ NVPC (26 Apr 2007)

2007-04-27T01:08:00.000+08:00

Hi folks,

its been a great evening for most of us at NVPC.

First of all, on behalf of De Long, Lawrence and Rimei. The 3 of us would like to give thanks to Bee Kim, Chan, Veron, Yue Ping, Stan, Jack and Yan Ting for taking time off in the evening to be @ NVPC distributing SILRA Home brochure, sharing with the attendees on their volunteering experience.

In addition, its heartwarming for Kenny (NVPC staff) to know that this Volunteer Orientation is useful as we have 3 volunteers (Bee Kim, Veron & Chan) who was "attracted" the last round in Nov came this evening to share their experiences. The 3 of you have brighten up his evening. =)

This feeling is more than words can described. Although we know we do not expect to volunteer for any rewards however, as a token of appreciation, SILRA Home Management will provide them movie tickets to watch Spiderman 3. (Limited tickets received in kind)

For those who are unable to make it tonight, we know that you have given us your moral support. We know you have, right...you did gave us support right...yeah you did...

Upcoming Volunteer Orientation

2007-04-23T16:16:00.000+08:00

Hi folks,
it’s here again! Yes, volunteer orientation! A chance to seek fresh blood to join us. Besides, at NVPC, we would also like to invite your friends, colleague or family members to join us this round, if they are interested. Remember our date is on this Thursday (26 Apr-NVPC).

Attached is the our schedule for the coming May - Jun 07.

Date/Special Events
5 May: Volunteer Orientation / Wheelchair Handling
12 May: Dialect Session – Hokkien
19 May: Food Festival – Cooking of ABC Soup
26 May: Fishing Game
16 Jun: Dumpling Festival
23 Jun: Volunteer Retreat
30 Jun: High Low Game

We need your valuable help to share your wonderful experience at SILRA with the potential volunteers Details are as below:

Date: 26 April 2007 (Thursday)
Time: 7pm to 8:30pm
Venue: NVPC (National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre)
7 Maxwell Road, #05-01 Annex B MND Complex,
Singapore 06911
Above Amoy Street Hawker Centre (Nearest MRT Station: Tanjong Pagar)

From Tanjong Pagar MRT station, go to exit “G”. Follow the covered walkway from exit “G” which will lead you to a lift lobby (next to the lift lobby is the “ Lee Community College ”). Take the lift up to 5th level.

Hope to c u there! Hope u can join us as well to meet our new volunteers, exchange experiences and make new friends!!

Drinking Session (Ba Kuk Teh)

2007-04-18T17:20:00.000+08:00

This Saturday (21 April) we will be preparing Ba Kuk Teh from 12 noon. This will be coupled with some stir-fried vegetables and "You Tiao" for their dinner.

If you like your hands to be wet, join Rimei at 12 noon to wash 8kg of Ba Kuk. Yes, its 8 kg your eyesight didn't fail you.

Alternatively, you can us at later timing to "snip" "snip" "You Tiao" or just to drink the soup

The drinking session will begin at 4pm. So be in for a treat.

Waiting 4 you @ SILRA this Saturday. (",)

ESN Workshops on 22 April 2007 (Sunday)

2007-04-09T08:39:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone,

we are glad to inform that Elderly Sector Network (ESN) is organising 2 workshops (details as follows) on 22 April (Sunday). Yes, we are having it on NCSS premises from 9.00am to 3.15pm.

For workshop schedule, pls go to ESN Blogsite @ http://esnworkshops.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Workshop 1: The Beginning Volunteer

This is an annual workshop conducted for new volunteers who joined an agency in the elderly sector.

Objective: To allow participants to understand the physiological and psychological aspects of Elderly

Target participants: Fresh volunteers in the Elderly Sector or Volunteers who are interested to know about Elderly

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Workshop 2: Together in Volunteerism

This workshop is for volunteers who are potential leaders in an elderly-related agency

Objective: To allow participants to be aware of issues encountered in volunteer management and organization

Target participants: Volunteers who have at least half a year of experience

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are interested but yet to register, pls email your name and the workshop that you are interested to attend to Rimei. (Check your inbox for more details)

New Videos

2007-04-08T15:12:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

new videos are upload, do check out Uncle Da On's performances!! Enjoy!

月亮代表我的心: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rUlStdEvAs

甜蜜蜜: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp9xQ7Mi3VQ

New Updates!!

2007-04-02T00:09:00.000+08:00

Hi folks,

New photos have been added for your enjoyment. Click on http://community.webshots.com/user/joygathering for your eyes to work.

A new video is uploaded, switch on your PC volume and click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLoH-QsOHJ0 to view this new clip we have in store for you.

(0",) Proudly Brought to you by Joy Gathering Volunteer Group (0",)

Kaya Roti Toast (Part 2)

2007-04-01T23:09:00.000+08:00

Let's welcome our main lead and supporting actor and actress...applause... Let's check out our SILRA 4 beauties how are they doing...

Arrgh..dun they look so gorgeous in their black-grey, blue, silver and white gown...and do you know that 3 of them actually live under one roof...oops.

oh just look at our product...isn't it wonderful...together with a hot Milo..oh the combo is just too perfect..of cos with Ms Eggy too..Eh where is she???

Let us have a look @ our production team:

Our very first debut of Toast is successfully complete with overwhelming responses from the audiences. Some even encore on with second set of toast and eggs. Not to mention we still hear encoring as we are moving out from backstage..Here, we would like to thank all main lead and supporting actor and actress (from above only eggy is missing) and its whole production team for making all this possible.

You are so wonderful!!! We Luv U!

As set, we will make a comeback of Toast production in 6 months time. The next time, we will be selling tickets. Hopefully it will be a box-office hit. =)

Do u deserve a break??

2007-03-28T21:03:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

well we are already heading towards the 1st quarter of Year 2007, time really flies...are things at work, home, school doing okie?? If you think you deserve a BREAK then join us this June for an innovative trip ever done by Joy Gathering!! Yes, no doubt, we are currently planning for a retreat...this year we are going to do it differently...this retreat is all about food and more FOOD!!!

The smell of this thing is either you are in heaven or 6 feet under...hmmm not quite 6 feet under at least I know one volunteer who doesn't like this fruit & she is still on this earth breathing the same air...

Yes, it's DURIAN and we are talking about KAMPUNG DURIAN not any ordinary durian, its straight from PLANTATION, okie...yah yah okie i know its still thorny as ever...

Plan: Weekend Trip to Batu Pahat (Malaysia) & Seafood Dinner
Dates to choose from: 2 / 9 / 23 / 30 June 2007

(Saturday - Sunday afternoon/evening) Note: 16 June is our Dumpling Day
Tour Guide: Jason / Karen
Co-ordinator: Rimei
Transport: Mini-Bus / Bus with driver

As you note, the dates are still tentative and we are trying to accomodate the majority. Thus, would appreciate your assistance to revert to Rimei for her co-ordination on the dates that you are not available. (check out your inbox for her contact) Lastly, you may also let her know on any special diet of yours, lobang on mini-buses or other ideas for the trip.

PS: The earlier you get back to her the earlier the date will be fixed, pls keep your emails going to her.

Our 1st Kaya Roti Toast (Part 1)

2007-03-27T09:59:00.000+08:00

This coming Saturday (31 Mar)we are going to toast bread @ SILRA. Guess this is our first time trying to pull-off this stunt.

For all out there reading this post, pls join us from 1pm. Note there was a change in timing. Now it's 1 pm @ SILRA, okie...

Dress Code: Kopi Sor Attire / Handsome boy with apron or alternative just carry a waistpouch..

hmm jus wonder whether we are able to see our infamous orange color puch which at 1 time our resident can easily guess the owner..hee..

For those who have been assisgned with the important task of making our very 1st toast time successful, pls escort your following (companions) to SILRA with pride and honor to the event ground...

Check out our Spready guy, Square lady in their joint-effort prodution. =) Not forgetting our toasties and eggies. This is proudly brought to you by our FM, Dir, EP.

Cheers to our Kopi-O tis Sat!!

See U @ SILRA - 1.00pm

Note: If you are thinking where's Part 2 of the Post, guess you have to wait for April's Fools Day. Y?? Bcos event is in another 4 days time, that's y..

Wat a week to go!!

2007-03-25T15:41:00.000+08:00

Whao, there was many cars parking at SILRA yesterday, looks like a car showroom @ a moment instead of the normal SILRA look. As we step in, we realised that Michael had came with his church group friends for a game of Lotto. =) Of cos, some of our volunteers also contribute the "showroom" effect.

Yeah!! This means that we can sit down & relax. .Yippie!!

Well, not as in sit there and shake leg do nothing.. Wat I mean is that we normally will take a "backseat ride" when there are other volunteer groups carring out fun activities/befriending services with the residents. "Backseat ride" = We will also join together with the company of our residents in the activities, like for Lotto which we also enjoy as much as our residents, but letting the group "run" the show. We also understand that they also took their time off to be with our residents so we need to appreciate them as well.

Whao, we keep shouting for the numbers to be drawn out but guess luck was not with us yesterday. Of cos, there are bonus number from Michael for special prizes. Despite the luck, we keep cheering for the residents and crossing our fingers when a number is called. Wat a week to go, man!! Phew...

Guess the enjoyment in any activities carried out irregardless of which volunteer group is seeing the ear-to-ear smiles on our residents near-wrinkled faces.

Their smiles is our greastest satisfaction that we ever longed for each Saturday. =)

A moment of your time

2007-03-23T22:00:00.000+08:00

This photo taken more than 1 year ago is a picture drawn by one of our residents, Uncle Lim Ah Lee. I learnt from him that he sat outside of SILRA Home to paint this out. Also, heard that he have done up a few pieces as some had requested the similar painting.

Uncle Lim took up painting when he was already in his fifties to occupy his time. Initially, he attended art classes to learn how to paint. Now, he learns and practices on his own. However, the simple action of gripping the paintbrush is not an easy task for him. Though fully cured now, Uncle Lim was diagnosed with Hansen’s disease (Leprosy) at the age of 11 and had lost his limbs in 1959. Through sheer perseverance, he has learned to position the brush between the stumps of his thumb and forefinger and apply pressure similar to that of a conventional grip.

Then, in 1993, he sold his first painting, a sunset, for $400 which motivated him to paint more as he felt that his paintings had no standard at that moment.

Bathing Elephants (Acrylic) - 1995

His works:-
- One of Uncle Lim’s pieces was made part of the Istana's permanent collection;
- Another was purchased by the former United States Ambassador to Singapore; and
- has even been displayed at the United Nations in New York for a month.

Uncle Lim is very “entertaining” like the rest of the residents. He likes to show us his painting collection and obtain feedback such as the color, layout. Without fail, it’s another 2 hours sharing with him on the “feel” of each painting. I do not know what is the difference in acrylic, oil, canvas painting but I do know that each piece have a story to tell, just like Uncle Lim.

I like sunflowers myself because they are large, bright and chirpy just like me, LARGE. =) Whenever I see sunflowers blooming I would always think about Uncle Lim, because there was a moment where he learning to paint them. I remembered that one of our volunteer bought him a stalk of sunflower as he mentioned in one of our Saturday afternoon talk that he had not seen one before. The smile that this volunteer had brought to him touches me. The scene is still so vivid whenever I reflect back.

A moment like this, when and who will come or bring?

Weekly Update - March 2007

2007-03-12T10:19:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

hope you had a great weekend with your family and/or friends!!

We folks @ SILRA did so much fun last Saturday. We went out with 14 residents for a long stroll around the neighbourhood, the participation rate was good and of cos smiles was on each of our faces...Hmmm wat a great week!!

Well now back at work or study still looking forward to Saturday...Do you know why??

This Saturday (17 March) we are going FISHING!!! Yes, its fishing been so long since we had it...Of cos, with our "look-like" fishes in our man-made pond not really going out...still within '80 Buangkok View' compund..

Also its time to flex our biceps and triceps cos lots of pumping to be done to our "pond" Remember our exercise time is 2.30pm. Pls arrive on time. =)

To round-up month of March, we will be having Kaya-Bread toast on 31 Mar. Hmmm of cos we will try our best to toast the nicest bread at Buangkok View topped with our "cold storage" butter. The time to be around for "toasting" will be 2.00pm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More updates!!!

Basic/IntermediateTraining @ NCSS (Presented by ESN) => 1 particular April Sunday*

Recruitment @ NVPC => 24 May (Thursday)

Dumpling Festival => 16 June (Saturday)

Volunteer Retreat => 1 particular July Saturday*

* Details to be released on later date
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lastly, if you have time you may wish to check out our CNY 2007 photos...yes the long-awaited photos finally out...
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558061579TuNgdX

Human Birthday Celebration 人日庆祝活动

2007-02-21T16:45:00.000+08:00

How's collecting of Red Packets this year?? any increase in the money receive since last year was quite a good year... well jus read an article today that we can use this opportunity to teach our younger generation such as our children, nephews or nieces on savings. Quite interesting rite...

Well, do you know that this year "Ren Ri" happens to fall on Saturday??

By the way, anyone age is 25?? well, do you know that you are a quarter of a century old?? Have you ever wondered how it is like to be a century old??

Well well, your chance to meet our century lady shall not be missed!! We are arranging to celebrate our Century-old Lady's (Auntie Bee Neo) birthday on this special day. Yes, you are not reading things...yes it century (100 years old) so do not miss this chance to join us in eating "Peach Buns" 寿桃 and singing birthday song aloud...

In addition, we will have a small new year gathering after Saturday service for tossing of new year

Join us for the fun this Saturday!!

Dawn of New Year

2007-02-15T18:11:00.000+08:00

This festive period is a time of reunion for the family. It’s a time of feasting and ushering in good luck and prosperity for the whole year. This is also a good time to mingle with our friends in places like Chinatown, where we stock up on festive goodies and new clothes.

Yes, did I say feasting?? Jus imagine pineapple tarts or biscuits (whether you like your pineapple jam facing you or hidden inside it still taste as nice ever), barbeque meat, cocktail prawn rolls, steamboat and yes, more food. Ooh... any1 drooling... (Think this is the only festive where you can really “pig” out and hold all your slimming plans.)

Family members will start with cleaning their homes, and this has a symbolic meaning. Read on for some practices, customs and beliefs we Chinese believe in during this festive period.

Why Spring-Clean?
Spring-cleaning is a common tradition that families carry out days before the Chinese New Year celebrations. Bringing in the New Year and expelling the old (除旧迎新，好运来). Chinese believe you can sweep away bad luck and make the home ready for good luck to arrive. During Chinese New Year, all brooms and dustpans are put away so that good luck will not be swept away but will stay within the household.

Practically, this is the best time to get rid of useless things in the home. To get into festive mood, homes are decorated with red and gold paper cut-outs of auspicious Chinese phrases and couplets that signify wealth, happiness, peace and longevity.

CNY Do’s and Don’ts
Dressing up in red on the first day of Chinese New Year is encouraged. But there are many other interesting taboos and superstitions. While they may be thought of as old wives’ tales, they were probably thought up in spirit of ensuring that people enjoy a harmonious and happy start to the year. So, disregard them at your own peril.

No sweeping – Sweeping and dusting should not be done during the first few days of the New Year for fear that good fortune will be swept away.

Open up – At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, you should open every door and window at home to let the old year out.

Settle all debts – All debts should be paid before the New Year and nothing should be lent out on the first day because it is believed that it will set the precedence for the coming year.

No vulgarities – Refrain from using foul language and unlucky words like ‘si’ (which means ‘four’ in mandarin) because it sounds like the Chinese word for ‘death’. Death, dying and ghost stories are also taboos.

No washing – You’re not supposed to wash your hair on New Year’s Day because it means you are washing away the good luck for the New Year.

Red only – Red clothing is preferred for this festive occasion because it’s considered an auspicious color. That is why children and singles are given Hong Baos, which are envelopes stuffed with crisp bills in even numbers, for good fortune. （鸿运当头）

No sharp objects – Never use knives or forks on New Year’s Day because, if you do, you are said to be cutting away your fortune.

On behalf of the Group, here's wishing you and your family

Chinese New Year Celebration (Our Actual Day)

2007-02-13T09:37:00.000+08:00

Time really flies. This is the 2nd time that we celebrated CNY @ the new home. Fortunately, Heaven was on our side for not raining. Otherwise, the elderly would have to celebrate CNY with the leaking rooftop. Volunteers would have to walk different ways to escape from the rain. Does this remind us of the old home when we have to walk different ways to escape the leaking rooftop once it rains? :)

CNY - is a festival that both elderly and volunteers had been looking forward to. This is the time when volunteers will brainstorm for ideas for games, performances and celebrations. The organising committee lead by Yean Choo had started planning and shooting "arrows" months ago. We thank the committee for the big success of the celebration. Last but not least, we would like to express thanks to the performers and the volunteers. Without you, the elderly would not be able to enjoy so much.

Here goes the celebration.....

Things were going very smoothly with the "factory production" line going on for the stuff to be shredded and cut- from big radish to the small ginger for the Loi Hei (Some of us "arrived" as early as 11.30am to prepare)

After that, volunteers take a short break by helping ourselves to the balance of the buffet lunch proudly sponsored by Wee Guan Construction Pte Ltd. Their staff had arrived as early as 8am to do spring cleaning for the elderly. Thanks to them for cleaning up the place for elderly. In addition to food and their "sweat" our residents were also treated with games, singing performances and Ang Pows. Their singers were young, pretty and fantastic.

After lunch, more help arrived, glad that all on time. Good Job every1.

Our archery lady (YC) distribute the work to be done out to all of us such as, to prepare for the games, wrap the prizes, prepare for the backdrop, some went back to kitchen to prepare the other ingredients for the Loi Hei and some of course busy rehearsing for their performances.

Here are the final product of the Loi Hei.. Look professional, right? Yeah you name it got colors and taste okie...haha..

Catch "The Birdies (Hip-hop)" in their short video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTcZhzMzShg

Not forgetting our Lion Dance Troop. Great thanks to Tommy for his kindness to our CNY celebration. They had been doing this for few years. Also, they are the ones who came and did the lion dance on our shifting day. Remember??

Nice singing by Tang Chan Ren

Loi Hei Time.... (our residents' representative, caregivers and volunteers together tossing for the CNY)

Games Session-Time for elderly to win prizes

Song Performances (Yi Ling and Hui Ping)

The countdown for our big BASH~ 3 more days!!

2007-02-07T15:56:00.000+08:00

Harlow folks,

Its another 3 more days to our Group 1st festival celebration @ SILRA. Also, its the day you can see RED at SILRA Home. Pls pls, cos we will be dressed in RED okie...dun think too much..remember to wear red hor...thank you...=)

Even thou our event starts from 4pm, our normal activites will still continue...actually even earlier as we have to prepare our Yu Sheng...

Some things to take note:

1. Help needed to shred carrot, radish, kaffir lime leaves and ginger etc for our Yu Sheng. Thus, if you can please reach Silra by 11am "armed" with vegetable shredder if you have. (pls contact Rimei);

2. Otherwise, pls arrive by 2.30pm for the singing practice as we have a song to perform;

3. Pls do not escape the "clearing of voice session" as we need also help to trim the BBQ meat and arrange snacks for platter. (pls contact Seok Yee), timing about 2.30pm as well.

3. If you have long chopsticks (those used for deep-frying type??), please bring it along as we need it for the "Lo Hei";

4. Refreshments will be provided thus if you are buying any out of goodwill, pls do not buy too much as..

5. we will be having our Volunteers' Reunion Dinner after the session, pls keep your evening & stomach "empty" for us.

If you are able to join us in the evening due to work or lessons, pls contact Seok Yee or Rimei for our exact location...(If you are in tuned with them, you might be able to guess their 1st choice venue)

Chinese New Year Celebration 2007

2007-01-10T12:22:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

Time flies. Hope that 2007 will be a good year for all.

It is time for us to send off the Year of the Dog and usher in the Year of the Boar. As per tradition, we will have a big bash to welcome this important event. The tentative program lineup for the evening is:

1600 - 1615 : Lion Dance
1615 - 1620 : Lo Hei (Volunteers and Elderly Reps)
1620 - 1630 : Hip Hop Dance
1630 - 1700 : Singing Performance by 弹唱人
1700 - 1720 : Game
1720 - 1730 : Dance Performance by Silra Home's Nursing care
1730 - 1745 : Singing Performance by Hui Ping & Yi Ling
1745 - 1800 : Singing by Volunteers + Distribution of Mandarin Oranges

We have catered buffet dinner which will be served right after the Lo Hei session.

We would like to take this opportunity to reach out to all fellow volunteers to join us for this joyous occasion, especially friends whom we have not met for a while @ SILRA due to other commitments.

Hope to see you guys and gals on 10 Feb.

Tang Yuan 汤圆 significant and receipe for sharing

2006-12-17T12:39:00.000+08:00

Hi Hi,

this tang yuan 汤圆 receipe is for sharing with you and your family...

Wat's tat??
Tang yuan 汤圆 are round balls made from glutinous rice flour mixed with a small amount of water. It is then cooked and served in boiling water or sweet soup. Sometimes they have different feelings inside such as black sesame paste, lotus seed paste, red bean paste, chopped peanuts and sugar...

Tangyuan that has been filled with sweet or savory fillings are collectively known as yuan xiao (元宵; pinyin: yuán xiāo). or is locally known as "Ya Mu Ling".

How to cook??

There are different ways of cooking, in Guangdong and Taiwan, a sweeten soup is used; it can be either a soup made of sweetened red beans (Hongdou), or ginger and rock sugar.

when do we eat 汤圆?

It is commonly associated with the Chinese New Year, Latern Festival and Dong Zhi. But of cos, if you like, you can always eat Tang Yuan all year round (ready-made tang yuan are available at all major supermarkets)

Wat's Dong Zhi??

Dong Zhi is the thanksgiving of the Chinese calendar. "Dong Zhi" literally means "arrival of winter". Coinciding with the winter solstice, it is an occasion for the family to get together to celebrate the good year they have had. It occurs 6 weeks before Chinese New Year and would normally fall between 21st Dec and 23rd Dec. And Tang Yuan is indispensible during this festival.

The origin of Dong Zhi...

Winter solstice signifies the beginning of winter. The sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn and this results in the longest night of the year for those living in the northern hemisphere. The festival began as a farmer's festival to celebrate year-end harvest.

The significant 汤圆:

"Yuan" (literally meaning "round") signifies "yuan man" (complete) and Tang Yuan means "tuan yuan" (family reunion). Eating Tang Yuan is symbolic of family unity and family prosperity. For good luck, families prefer to have some pink tang yuan to mix with the white ones.

okay, after so much here comes the receipe... (makes about 500+ small rice balls) this is quick and easy method of cooking @ SILRA or for many many people

Dough:

2 packets of Glutinous Rice flour (can consider Erawan Brand= 3 Xiang Pie=3 Elephant Brand)

-> 1 for white and 1 for pink

Water

Red coloring (in powder form)

Filling: (ur choice, we use red bean)

Ready Made red bean paste (can be bought at baking shop)

Small amount of cooking oil / groundnut oil (for handling the paste)

Soup:

Dried Tangerine Peel (optional, this brings out a slight bitter taste) or

Ye Tang (optional, this will create the soup with coconut smell)

Ginger (Clean and mashed, no need to remove skin thus need to ensure it is wash clean)

Pandan leaves (clean and knot to knot)

Black Sugar

Rock Sugar or white sugar (for sweetness - thus ur preference)

Water (2 pots - 1 for soup and 1 for cooking tang yuan)

1 pot of Cold water

Steps:

1) Dough: Mix flour with water to form into firm but not sticky dough. Leave it cover with damp towel for half hour.

2) Mix the red coloring powder with small amount of water. Repeat Step 1 and pour in the red color mixture with water. Continue to mix till the color of dough is even (by now it will turn into pink color). Let it stand for half hour.

3) in the meantime, oiled your hands with oil to handle the red bean paste (to prevent paste from sticking your hands). Pinch / cut the paste into small pieces to roll into balls shape. (optional to shape into balls)

4) After the dough is rest for half hour, you may:-

a) pinch from there and roll into balls or

b) divide into 4 portions, each roll into long shape and divide into smaller pieces to form into balls shape

5) to add the filling, from either 4(a) or 4(b), flat the small portion of dough and add the pre-cut red bean paste. Cover the red-bean paste and roll into ball shape. Place it onto a floured plate.

6) Soup base: Add all soup base ingredients except sugar. Bring to a boil. (By this time, you will be able to smell the ginger and tangerine peel smell) Then add sugar to your tasting.

7) Bring a pot of water to boil, add the tang yuan. Also, place a pot of cold water next to you. The tang yuan will float when it is cooked. Remove the tang yuan with strainer and quickly place it into the cold water. This process is to stop the cooking of tangyuan.

8) Now you may place the cooked tang yuan (in even no.) into serving bowls and add soup to serve. (if you are cooking at home, you can put the cooked tang yuan into soup (for more flavor) and remove from fire quickly when boil if not the tangyuan will "break")

Sit back and enjoy your tang yuan.

Note: the above is the quick and easy method of homemade tangyuan..for my home cooking, we will normally prepare and cook the plain tang yuan the night before dong zhi. After cooking, we will "marinate" the plain tang yuan with lots of sugar and place in the fridge. This is done to make the tang yuan sweeter (thus it will not be so plain to eat, you may wish to separate out if any of your family member is diabetic).

When comes the next day morning, we will cook the soup (with no sugar or less) and add the sweeten tang yuan inside. Dish out and serve together with chopped peanuts & sugar (this is to coat the outside layer of plain tangyuan; oso to "cheat children to eat")

SILRA Homemade Tang Yuan

2006-12-17T11:53:00.000+08:00

well well yesterday was quite a busy day for the residents of SILRA home. They had buffet for lunch sponsored by a corporate and buffet dinner by a christian grp.

leftover from lunch buffet and christmas carolling in the evening..

oso yesterday we were making "tang yuan" (red bean filling) in ginger soup. Always feel the enjoyment of doing things together in grp cos we will talk, laugh and crack sometimes stupid or cold jokes. This feeling is fun and is also the time where we find out how each of us is getting on..any HAPPENING things..maybe in short "gossip" muahaha

Tang Yuan - Work in progress and the finish product - ready for serving

For those interested to try your hands on "tang yuan", pls refer to the receipe posting...

Yesterday we oso have old friends like Poh Lern and Chella together with her 2 friends joining us yesterday..chella, pls take care okie.. :) oso somehow we found a Santarina @ SILRA thou not in her usual outfit..

Now you c her.. Now you dun...

Since u're reading the post rite now, pls note the following:-

1) Collection of spare red packets.. (no money inside) as we intend to make laterns together with elderly on 6 jan 2007.

2) if you have any idea on making the latern pls share with us.

3) Our Chinese New Year celebration is on 10 Feb 2007.

cheers as we usher into the new year..

Volunteer Orientation @ NVPC

2006-12-14T10:56:00.000+08:00

Its been almost 2 weeks to our recruitment @ NVPC. Let's have a recap on that nite...before tat let's hav a round of applause for the whole group who turned up after work to lend their support to the recruitment com for this event.

The following are some feedbacks received via NVPC when asked upon the participants about "Which part of the Volunteer Orientation Program did you enjoy the most? Why?"

--SILRA presentation and the tribute to volunteers--
--The presentation by SILRA. Informal and entertaining--
--The SILRA presentation and the overview as they weren't boring and were quite informative--
--Presentation by SILRA. It was nice seeing the smiles and the elderly faces through the things that the volunteers do--

Of cos we felt honoured and thanks for all your comments, we will keep up spreading the good work.....

Once More

2006-12-09T22:34:00.000+08:00

Well well...we are heading towards the end of Saturday once more..sigh why does ticking of clock doesn't stop like battery?? or is it ours is the "En*******" brand?? Hee..think its the time of year where we start to do our yearly reflections & reviews while setting new directions for the NEW YEAR.. so hav you start working out yours?? Well tomorrow, our committee will be mtg @ LY's place for planning out 2007's events and directions 2set our sails to..of cos will be chaired by our De Long.

talk abt 2day's service, we saw some familiar & new faces @ SILRA so happi..and YB gave us refresher course for Theraband exercise..One of the uncle is discharged and is back to SILRA..HURRAY!!!

our service went as per normal like most of the time. *sob* *sob* jus that today not many elderly wan to go out for walk think cos the sky look pretty gloomy. However we still managed to "charm" 5 elderly out. Guess wat we saw when step out of SILRA??

there is a stray kitten gently "meowing" to us when suddenly not sure its a he/she found a LIVE lizard and bite its tail then body with the "killer look" in the face staring back at us...yucks!! 1 of the volunteers almost vomitted..guess that's life out there..okie forget it let's look forward..

next week (16 Dec) is our last festival celebration - Dong Zhi (Winter Solace). time to make rice dumpling ("Sor Yi")..hmmm think the safest color to wear is either white or pink, think harder and you'll know y..muahaha!!! We will kick off at 11.30am @ SILRA and start serving at abt 2pm.

This year we will be having red bean paste filling (in white color) and plain (in pink) in ginger soup..come and have soup with us there...we will save some for you!!

ps: There will be other volunteer groups having christmas carolling in the morning and evening time next Saturday. So do join in the fun..

So Fast....

2006-12-08T22:04:00.000+08:00

whao one week have jus whizz past and its Saturday in less than an hour...well think we can really say time flies.

and guess wat happen in 64 yrs ago? This day Singapore was bombed for the first time..

well tat's history we all know and we will need to move on....SO....tomorrow there will be some more new friends joining us @SILRA and we are arranging to meet at Ang Mo Kio MRT at 2pm.

This week we heard that there are 3 elderly hospitalised hope they will recover soon and join us back at SILRA =)

Yesterday

2006-12-03T21:37:00.000+08:00

hmmm yesterday was bright & sunny @ buangkok green..and we managed to make new friends with Chan and Veronica..They were on time (and yes some of us still on way there)

We brought them around the home and with a cup of "Anlene" milk, Veronica chatted with Uncle Ah Lim and Ah Cheok. On the other hand, Chan is engaged in a battle of wits with Uncle Ah Bar and tis brought in crowds to watch them battle in chinese chess..

Yesterday quite a no. of volunteers "kai jin kou", a rare sight... keep up the good voices... Oh we heard abt the visit by Dino and Faith on Fri...they were telling us the babies look so cute..and they keep on and on and on..

Oso our hope came true, we managed to bring some elderly for a short walk, exercise and singing jus a stone's throwaway from SILRA home before we head back and go to Tan Tock Seng for hospital visit...

e dinosaur 4amily - first outing

2006-12-03T21:36:00.000+08:00

December 01, 2006

Its been more than a year since Dino & Faith last visited SILRA. Oh, they brought along their new additions in the Yeo family; Gracia and Chloe (going 2 months old in another few days). Yes, TWINS!! (c pic, its not mirror reflection hor!) of cos with the help of Irene and rented car, from cityspeed...its their (Gracia & Chloe) first step out of sembawang estate (besides @ clinics for injection)....

Heard that the nite before one of the baby very cranky and refused to sleep in the middle of the nite. ..

Anw all are surprised and happi to see the family of 4 (& irene) and the 3 adults are glad that elderly still remember them!! After chatting for a while and posing for pictures, they left for their next destination...

An extract from Dino's blog for sharing:
"At the clinic, we got a few attention. Even on the way to and from the clinic. Most frequent heard "Eh? Twins huh?" But that's nothing compare to the feeling of being a parent now. I used to see young couples carrying their baby and thinking, wow, wat a fortunate parents. And now, it's my turn. U know? The kind of feeling like, I'm a father now. I'm a daddy now. And I have to act tough to look like one too. And the funny thing is u feel great when shopping for drypers and milk powder. As if u r buying a pair of $200 Levi's jeans or the latest iPod model. Haha..."

Our heartfelt CONGRATS to Dino & Faith being the proud parents of Gracia & Chloe...=)

All photos with courtesy from dino&faith

Today is the BIG day!!

2006-12-02T08:10:00.000+08:00

whao...

today we are hoping to meet new friends who had attend Thurs recruitment @ NVPC.... We are meeting them @

Venue: Ang Mo Kio MRT Station Control
Time: 2.00pm

Today we will be having the honor of Vernon to teach and/or refresh us with "Wheelchair Handling" oso a bit of ice breaker from Zhen Ming as well...

Hopefully with today turnout, we can bring some elderly out for a short walk aroung the area. We havn't done this act for almost going 2 months... and we are being asked by our elderly..

Ah...kinda of embarrassing..hee to be asked...but guess they understand our situation too..cos this period is HOLIDAY thus not many of our volunteers are here..but "spiritually" guess they are with us..haha...

Tune in later for more updates on Today's event and a special highlight specially for U.

5 more days!!! 5 more days!!!

2006-11-26T12:32:00.000+08:00

Hi folks,

whao its another 5 more days to our recruitment at NVPC...so exciting...

Terence and Com have come up with the following schedule to welcome our new volunteers:
02 Dec: Wheelchair Training + Normal Activities
09 Dec: Theraband Exercise Training + Normal Activities
16 Dec: Winter Solace Celebration
PS: Orientation Tour will be conducted on 2nd & 9th Dec..

definitely, u are also not forgotten!! we hope that you can join us to welcome them, exchange experiences and hav a refresher for wheelchair handling and theraband movements.

Lastly, its the time of the year with lots of love, wine and to get dirty...
Love: its the season of sharing and spreading love to ur loved ones..
Wine: no need further explanation rite...
Dirty: Cos we are making rice flour dumpling (with filling) served with ginger soup for residents. "Sor Yi"

As usual, tis is the last festival celebration for the year and bring us to a close of a fruitful year.

Before we get dirty...join us on Thursday @ NVPC. =)

Congrats to Teck Keong & Soo Fern on their newborn baby

2006-11-20T09:31:00.000+08:00

This blog started with the idea of updating the volunteers on the regular volunteering activities, festival celebrations and volunteers' happy occasions. Recently, there have been quite a number of happy occasions happening in Joy Gathering.
And I have to admit thatt I am late in posting these good news. :( Apologies for the delays.
We will start with Teck Keong and Soo Fern.

The Happy Family

Words from the family:

Thank you very much for sharing the happy moments with us..

We are honoured to be surrounded by all of you....a group of kind hearted and joyful volunteers...

Keep up the good work!!! Happy Volunteering!!! :)

Cheers!
Teck Keong, Soo Fern & Shi Yi.

Recruitment Drive

2006-11-08T15:16:00.000+08:00

It had been quite some time since we had our last recruitment drive. This year, Terence had signed up for a slot with NVPC's volunteer orientation. Please note that the change in venue.

Date: 30th November 2006, Thursday.

Time: 7pm

Venue: NVPC (National Volunteer Philanthropy Centre)
7 Maxwell Road
#05-01 Annex B
MND Complex
Singapore 06911
Above Amoy Street Hawker Centre
(Nearest MRT Station: Tanjong Pagar)
For those who do not know where is Amoy Street Hawker Centre, you may want to arrange to meet up with someone who knows.

Hope to see you there........ :D

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration 23/09/2006

2006-09-24T18:30:00.000+08:00

中秋节
Started the celebration with the delicious dinner. Pineapple rice & banana leaf otah was served.

Before the celebration...
Jess teaching the volunteers to do balloon sculpture. Every elderly will get to have one. Look how Karen was excited with the balloons.

Got 2 guys to help with the pomelo cutting but need to teach them along. Shuyi, smart move!!

This year, we have a good number of external performers to volunteer to perform for the celebration. We have Tai Qi Quan, sword performance and song singing.
Our guest performers....

Yang Qin performance by Pei Song

Dance performed by the volunteers.

Singing Performance by volunteers.

The 'tikam" game

Outdoor activity

One more week away......

2006-09-16T22:38:00.000+08:00

Yes!!! 7 more days away from our next big festival celebration. That is Mid Autumn Festival Celebration. This year's celebration is being filled up with performances, games and outdoor lantern carrying outside the home. We will get our elderly to get out of Silra Home after the performance and games for a walk with the lantern. This is the 1st time that we will be doing such a walk. Hope the weather will be great for us to do so. Well, other than this interesting walk, we also have Rimei to cook a nice dinner for the elderly and the nice mooncakes bought by Carol & Shuyi. Heeding advice from the admin staff (Angie), the mooncake distributed will be a very small portion. 1/8 piece of a big baked mooncake (3 flavours) and 1/4 piece of a small snowskin mooncake.

SO... What are you waiting for?

Note down the date in your reminder or calendar.

Date: 23/09/06
Time: 4pm
Venue: Where else???

See you all next saturday!!!

1 year anniversary

2006-09-10T17:12:00.000+08:00

Time really flies. Today marks the 1 year anniversary of shifting to new Silra home. Few elderly came up to us and told us they have been at this new home for 1 year. It seems that they have shifted here not too long only, isn't it? There have been some changes throughout this one whole year. Other than quite a number of new volunteers who have joined Joy Gathering, there are also a few new elderly who had join Silra Home. There are even changes in the maids and nurse who have been taking care of the elderly.

Kong Bak Bao

2006-09-09T22:43:00.000+08:00

On courtesy of Mr & Mrs Chua, the elderly got to enjoy one of their favourite food. Of course, some volunteers enjoyed the delicious food despite the fat & oily meat. haha..
The buns & the pot of kong bak

Uncles & aunties busy eating their kong bak bao

Lets peek at the volunteers work.....

Today, we also have a group of uncles and aunties who came to sing for the elderly. This uncle even sing Indian song.

Paper Heart Folding & Outdoor Activity

2006-09-02T23:58:00.000+08:00

Today is quite a busy day for both the volunteers and elderly.

As most of you are aware of the Singtel Touching Lives Fund 2006, the Fold-a-heart was introduced to the elderly today with Shaorong's "lobang". Elderly were to fold an origami heart using a special red advertisement in the Today newspaper and SingTel will donate a dollar for every folded heart received. In this way, we can get the elderly to help to raise funds in a way too.

Now in its fifth year, the SingTel Touching Lives Fund will support five children’s charities under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). They are:
· APSN Tanglin School
· Autism Resource Centre – WeCan
· Fei Yue Community Services – eGen
· Singapore Children’s Society – Tinkle Friend
· Students Care Service

Let's take a look at the elderly and volunteers working hard at the Fold-A Heart Session.

Wow... our elderly & volunteers had folded this box of hearts. Hope this box of heart will bring them not only the funds, also the "heart" and "well wishes" from elderly & volunteers.

Hair Cut

While the elderly and some volunteers are busy folding papers for a good cause, Mr and Mrs Chua are also busy cutting hair for the elderly. They are getting more professional nowadays after years of practise.

Outdoor Activity

After dinner, we brought some elderly for a walk. We went around the IMH, Ren Ci Hospital, Econ Nursing Home and etc. Stopped by at an area with no access to vehicles for a short exercise and song singing.

Yoz... let's stop for a while for a break to let those at the back to catch up with us.

Yubing came with simple exercises to let them do some stretching exercises with stress ball & therabands.

Seventh Month Festival Celebrations Part 2

2006-08-21T20:07:00.000+08:00

As usual, items were still purchased by our"official purchasers" Shuyi and Carol...

See how uncles and aunties excited when they had successful bid over the auction items.........

Seventh Month Festival Celebrations Part 1

2006-08-20T22:01:00.000+08:00

Other than Chinese New Year, this is another festival celebration that elderly & volunteers will be looking forward to. With "getai", the yummy food and also their favourite "auction", who will be left out in this celebration? There was something for everyone.

The rehearsal....

The performance

Our regular "guest" performers.

Our regular auction emcees.

Joy Gathering very own "S.H.E."
Before and After Make Up.

Can you spot who is who?

How can the celebration miss out Lawrence's singing?

Joy Gathering very own "Alex To" performing the song"脱掉"

Finale....

Will post up more when I get more pictures from Delong.... Keep a lookout....

Fishing-New activity

2006-08-20T20:45:00.000+08:00

8 July 2006
A new activity was introduced on this saturday. Idea was initiated by Shaorong. Tying strings to long chopsticks to make the fishing rods. Look how enthustastic our elderly were.

Wow... Uncle Pei Song is so excited....

Look at the 2 aunties. They paid so much attention while fishing. hhmm.. Fishing really need lots of patience..

Dumpling Festival

2006-08-20T17:14:00.000+08:00

27th May 2006

Dumpling festival, one of the main celebrations at Silra Home. This is also the 1st time we celebrated dumpling festival at the NEW Silra Home with quite a number of new volunteers too. Everyone is so excited about this festival celebration. This is the time when every volunteer is working together on one thing-Dumplings Wrapping. Some even brought their parents down to help out with the dumpling wrapping. Thank you, volunteers and parents of volunteers!

As there are quite a number of volunteers who turn up to help to wrap dumplings, we decided to distribute ourselves into 2 groups.

The group in the kitchen

The group in the recreation area. Windy there. Right Choice!!!

Wow.. Look at those yummy ingredients.

Thanks to mothers of Terence, Shaorong, Liyu and Yean Choo for preparing the ingredients. Not forgetting Weiyi and Evon preparing the dumpling leaves. Somehow, the ingredients got leftover again. So we have to go and buy more rice to finish up the ingredients. How come we never be able to escape from this "tradition"? :)

"Shi Fu" in actions. Do not disturb......

QC time!! Better check properly before putting into the pot. Otherwise, there will be lesser dumplings.

Other than wrapping dumplings, a game was also planned.

Volunteers dressed up to represent the different items on the dice. These items are either related to dumplings or the festival. Let's see.....
The "mushroom" and the "hae bee"

The "chestnut" and "dragon boat"

The "pig" and the "dumpling"

When all get together

Background

2006-08-20T16:15:00.000+08:00

Purpose

This blog is created for 3 main reasons. 1. To share all these nice festival celebrations with those volunteers who have no time to visit SILRA home. 2. To let everyone of you be updated with the activities and celebrations @ SILRA. 3. Of course, this blog will not only show the activites and celebrations @ SILRA, it will also show volunteers annual retreat or celebrations of volunteers be it birthday, wedding or new birth.

Delay
This blog had only just been created so there will be a lot of out-dated posts. Posts will be updated as often as possible.

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to Jason and Karen for providing us with the pictures especially those late posts. Also thanks to Our "official" photographer-Delong.

Joy Gathering

9 Jan 2012

21 Nov 2012

16 Nov 2011

12 November 2011

Up coming event

6th Aug 2011 Regular Service Resumes.. Come Join Us!

House Keeping Session - Sat - 21st May 2011

Giant on the 26 March 2011

Kaya Loti 9 April 2011

23 April 2011 Activities

Chinese New Year 2011

Soup Day on 8 Jan 2011

The Year of the Jumpy Rabbit

Annual Dong Zhi (winter solstice) festival at Silra

Temporary Service Break

Responsible, Vigilant and Prepared

Kaya Roti Toast

Nice Weather ~ crossing fingers *wink*

CNY Gathering

Usher into Year of Ox

ESN Carnival 2008 ~ Love, Care and Hope

ESN Workshop on 19 October, Sunday

Volunteer Orientation held on 28 Aug @ NVPC

Photos from 7th Month Cele @ SILRA

Volunteer Orientation 28 Aug Thursday

Monthly Food Fair-Kaya Toast with Kopi

ESN Workshop ~ 1st June 2008

Handicraft Session ~ 19 April

Food Festival ~ 12 Apr 08

Happenings @ SILRA

Vitamin D on 08 March 2008

Pasir Ris Park Outing 8 March 2008

Happy Lunar New Year 2008

Chinese New Year Celebration

Upcoming Events in Feb 08

CNY BIG BASH @ SILRA (26 Jan 08)

Weekly Updates - 13 Jan 08

Volunteer Orientation - 12 Jan 08

Merry Christmas!!

Upcoming Events ~ Note*

ESN Carnival & Concert 2007 - Elderly, Volunteers & Friends

Check out our photos

Wat a week to go

7th Mth Getai Celebration Part I

Another week...

Getai Performance

Congrats to Siew Peng on her newborn baby

Salt Bottles-Limited Edition

Salt Bottle Making - U Coming??

Finally our Bingo Game..

Another week have jus gone

Another Saturday

What A Retreat we had...

Our Dumpling Festival

Dumpling Festival 2007

Another Fun Saturday

We are over 20...

Volunteer Orientation @ NVPC (26 Apr 2007)

Upcoming Volunteer Orientation

Drinking Session (Ba Kuk Teh)

ESN Workshops on 22 April 2007 (Sunday)

New Videos

New Updates!!

Kaya Roti Toast (Part 2)

Do u deserve a break??

Our 1st Kaya Roti Toast (Part 1)

Wat a week to go!!

A moment of your time

Weekly Update - March 2007

Human Birthday Celebration 人日庆祝活动

Dawn of New Year

Chinese New Year Celebration (Our Actual Day)

The countdown for our big BASH~ 3 more days!!

Chinese New Year Celebration 2007

Tang Yuan 汤圆 significant and receipe for sharing

SILRA Homemade Tang Yuan

Volunteer Orientation @ NVPC

Once More

So Fast....

Nice Weather ~ crossing fingers wink