59 thoughts on “Charity and Social services”

  1. SOCIAL/COMMUNITY WORK

    Dear Terence,

    Currently, I volunteered my services performing on the keyboards as a one man band at various local old folk homes. My pop repertoire consists of oldies in English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Malay, Tagalog, Japanese and a little Thai. And ,of course, I punctuated it occasionally with some English, Mandarin, Hokkien christian songs, my mission. But just hearing my voice alone is getting a little monotone. If I could have some lady SHC volunteers to lend their voices and add a little colour it would be wonderful.

    My involvement with Henderson Home ended last month. Now I am on to the Kwong Wai Siu Day Care Centre along Serangoon Road, opposite the Boon Keng MRT station. I am inviting lady singers in SHC who are willing to support my mission to get in touch with me. My music sessions there are on Mondays from 10.00am till 3.00pm. Interested ladies must be able to sing in key and tempo and have their own song sheets (duplicated for ease of reading by this old man’s sight) and music scores, if any.

    Here, old folks requests are usually in old pop Cantonese, Hokkien, Mandarin and Teochew songs. Boh pian! Sometimes, I have to “tembak” a few tunes on the Er Hu to please the crowd! So different from Ozland! But the fun is certainly there!

    Regards and God Bless,
    Edwin Chen

  2. Dear Ron/Allrounder,

    Thank you so kindly for leading me to read about Steve Jacob who had to bite the bullet and carry on with life through a full blown miserable storm. It is truly a personal challenge and more than always the weaker ones would certainly just break and take the easy way out..jump!

    Frankly, I really love what I am doing right now more than what I have stressed myself out to do in the corporate world. I have enjoyed a very colourful bourgeois life style that is surely just a vague wish or dream for any young upstart…and now greying to almost oblivion, it is truly a very trying situation…for me at least!

    Sometimes, when I observe those newcomers speculating the market, I wish I have the guts and patience to forwarned them that uncontrolled greed is the catalyst to every downfall. Riches, is always never enough for us, we always want more…that is how disasters are born.

    I have come to realized, I hope you do too, that losing everything is an awful experience and coming out of it requires more than just money. It is a real test to your entire mock-up, your personality and everything else.

    It is liken to being a walking skeleton and for the first time in your life. So transparent and expose to a rather wicked unforgiving world that is generally ready to
    comment and criticise more than lending a hand.

    Always pray and search within yourself,live life the way you want to, no matter how imperfect. I travelled and perform occasionally too, just a trivial income but some survival money is better than nothing at all. It does not matter how spartan, Jesus walks about with no luggage, nor did Paul. They survive the deserts and the storms whether physical or otherwise.

    Doing some charity work along the way is always good for the soul. No matter how bad a shape you think you are in, remember there is always someone out there that is worst than you a hundred maybe a thousand
    fold.

    There was a time, when the chips were down, I was so desperate, I even walked into a buddhist temple to seek help! Even sorted the oracle, went to fortune tellers all over in Thailand and HongKong etc. Sat motionless daily in a santuary room in a catholic church..it is a long, long sad story my dear new friend.

    Thank you and I appreciate your kind offer to help me with my equipment when I make my rounds of old folks Homes and I will certainly call upon you soon. Just to let you know, my chiropractor said that if I
    snap my back once more, thats it, it’s Halleluyah Amen for me!

    Do call, if I don’t, a cup of coffee at a “Kopi Tiam” and a good chat is anytime better than contributing to the betterment of “Zouk” just to stress down.

    Regards and may our Lord God guide you just as he did for me, out of the pain and sufferings of this wild, wild “frontier”. Most of all, do not lose your faith, you will lose everything.

    Thanks again for your moral and physical support.

    Regards, God Bless,
    Edwin Chen

  3. One can contribute in many ways.

    Currently, SHC is running up a Social Enterprise project under Blue Helmet. This will help the seniors to lead a fruitful and gainful life in their golden years. If successful, it can help to eliminate the need for old folks home altogether. And the demeaning discrimation of the term “old folks”.

    So consider helping out here too.

  4. Ya Edwin

    Just becos u hv a different life style and outlook, there’s no need to be critical. If u prefer to de-stress in Kopitiam fine! But there are others who have diferent wave length.

    It is a common practise amongst the politicians to do things in the name of “the nation”. Other characteristics include broadcasting one’s achievements (past or present), or putting others down to make oneself look good.

    There are many amongst the SHCians who did charity work but had stopped due to circumstances. And there are those who are still doing it. They just do not broadcast themselves that’s all.

    God bless you too, Edwin.

    Lily

  5. Dear Lily,

    Yes, I did a little publicity on this thread with the hope that some SHC folks, of like mind, may want to come forward and lend me a helping hand at some of these places. But if you feel that this approach is broadcasting to you, it is just too bad, the message, an appeal, if you will goes to the masses not to you alone.

    Regards,
    Edwin Chen

  6. Hi all,

    Came upon this from the NST
    newspps on 2/6/07.

    RE: Voluntary Work for Seniors.

    For those who can spare some time , pls. see below:-

    1) We have few types of volunteers works, example; help-line is operating during office hours, for other activities, it may not necessary to be organized during office hours.

    2) We will be organizing a volunteers’ briefing session soon and will inform you again once the date & time is confirmed.

    3) Any friends who are interested in our volunteer works are most welcome !

    4) Training will be provided.

    5) Please feel free to contact / email us at sianghua.see@centreforseniors.org.sg should you need further clarification.

    Best regards,
    See Siang Hua
    Counsellor
    DID: 64785012
    Address:
    9 Bishan Place # 10-02
    Junction 8 Office Tower
    Singapore 579837

  7. Hi all,

    If you could sacrifice 1 day , 3hr on any weekday or weekend, you could volunteer to be a help line caring for the Seniors.

    Right now, I am undergoing my 1st.week of training.
    The full duration is 8 consecutive weeks.

    After which we will be put into operation.

    Please feel free to contact / email us at sianghua.see@centreforseniors.org.sg should you need further clarification.

    Best regards, See Siang Hua Counsellor DID: 64785012

    Address: 9 Bishan Place # 10-02 Junction 8 Office Tower Singapore 579837

    Steven Chan

  8. Good of you, Steven, to volunteer yr time to social services while enjoying retirement.

    However, you’re only into yr first week of a 8-week training so post yr summation at the end of yr training, and another one after 6 mths of actual service rendered to the seniors.

    Let me buy you a makan at ah yat – no big deal – when you hv posted both reports with milestones marked.

  9. ??????????????????????

    ????????????????? ???????????????????????????? s????????ENCOURAGE??????of the ??????? ??Cians or those who are still in the working sector to help out?

    All it takes is 3hrs?on any weekday or weekend up to you to chose?

    NOT?????????????
    but SHC is a good avenue to reach out with 1/3 of our popln are retirees as Terence has pointed out?

    Besides being engaged in my part time tuition ?I took 1 day off every week to volunteer?

    ????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????

    ??????????I????????????????????????old and lonely senior citizens cramping themselves ???????????????????????????????????H??????????? ????????????? ??? ??tates?

    The single tiny living room?bathrm ?kitchen and bedrm all fitted into a very cramped tiny space?

    What a pathetic sight ? ???
    ??????????????????????? website designer lady of abt 23 yrs?joining us?

    She was the youngest among us while the rest of us has ages ranging from 40+ to late 60s?

    Age does not matter?

    Ultimately? the choice is yours?
    Regards?
    Steven Chan

  10. Hi Terence?

    With ref to comment 9?why is the font so STRANGE ?

    I used the same font throughout but when it appears it shows 2 kinds of fonts?

    I am puzzled?Strange lah ?
    Terence?can you pls. enlightened me?

    Hope it is NOT virus playing tricks?

    Steven Chan

  11. Hi Steven

    Many SHC members also volunteer for social wk in one way or another. If you wd like to take the lead to organise visits to these old folks, maybe on a regular basis like once every 2 to 3 mths, I m sure U will get gd response n support.

    Ultimately, the choice is yours.

  12. Hi Yew Kwong?

    In my volunteering work for the Caring of Seniors ? a new orgzn ? I am only expected to be a “listening” ear on the telephone 3h? and suggest advices/solutions to help these seniors who may have marital problems or facing a divorce or communicatn crisis in their family ect???????

    That is why Mr? See the co-ordinator cum professional counsellor ? ex-engineer ? gave us workshops?

    We are expected to undergo this intensive training to equip us with new skills on communicatn and listening skills and how to deal with difficult and stubborn senior citizens who are unrealistic in their demands?

    We are not expected to organise visits to these old folks?

    That will happen in a different orgnzn like the Befrienders?

    Perhaps? you wd like to take the lead to organise visits to these old folks, maybe on a regular basis like once every 2 to 3 mths, I m sure U will get gd response n support.

    Ultimately, the choice is yours.

    Steven Chan

  13. Steven, I am actually very happy for you that you hv chosen to spend time doing social work which, as you must be aware, requires 3 Ds viz :-

    1. Decision, which apparently you hv made, to want to do social service.

    2. Determination to completing your course, and in the process learn the value of listening and making no judgments or opinions.

    3. Dedication to the cause you’ve devoted yrslf to.

    It’s gonna be an arduous task in an audacious journey that has no end unless you choose to end it.

    I sincerely wish to see a very different Steven in 6 mths, and that Steven truly deserves a makan on me at ah yat…..if you like it, with his concubines cuddling you, abalone or what hv they.

  14. Hi Tim?

    Thanks for your analysis?

    In life? no harm trying out a new experience?

    All I can is to do my best and NOT expecting any kind of rewards in return?

    In 6mths time?the Steven will still be the same tall and lanky?don’t expect me to any shorter?Ha? Ha?

    Perhaps with better listening and communicatn skills which I had benefitted from this training?

    And I sincerely hope by then you would have quit smoking and I will treat you at Crystal Jade Restaurant?Ai mai ?

    Steven Chan

  15. Hi all,

    I was VERY HAPPY to meet Pheng Sok Gek,one of our SHC members at the Volunteer Centre.

    Thanks Sok Gek for joining us. However, out of 19 volunteers that attended the workshp on Gerontology(the study of the Elderly)
    by external professional speakers and I counted the ratio of Female to Male was SHOCKING indeed. Female : Male is 16:3.

    Hey, what happen to all the Batangs and why the Great Discrepancy ?

    Pls. comment. I am sTILL very Puzzled.

    To share, Old Age is VEry Precious, why?…

    Gold…Teeth.
    Our teeth keep falling off 1 by one and in no time BOGEI.

    Silver…Hair.
    Cannot deny the hair gradually get more Silvery day by day.Better to have Silverhair than NO hair like a Bird Nest
    Head(unlike Beijing 2008 Olympics-they have a Bird nest Olympic Stadium as an icon)and go to Sywenson for hair weaving?

    Lead…Leaded legs due to lack of exercise getting LaZIER and FATTER difficulty in moving and may succumb to more old man’s diseases like Diabetes,Rheumatism and Arthritis.

    Alamak, more joint pains . Sini sakit Sana sakit. Massage lah to remove the STRESS hormones.

    Gas…Stomach.
    Makan, makan, makan ,with lower absorption rate causes Indigestion and Stomach Ache, BLOATED with Gas.

    Pls. AVOID too much of Masters Pura Fresh Cream milk SEDAP but High Fat content as it can cause diarrhoea too.

    Go for Slim milk as our stomach cannot digest too much fat. Lao Sai.

    My Vision.
    With some experience gather from volunteer work esp. on the Elderly like some of us are going thru this phase of life, I would like to see how other SHc members or me can help our SHC members in their prime precious silver years by providing (AD HOC) FREE Counselling and other Services EXCLUSIVELY to our Retirement SHC Village members.

    And so I APPEAL, for those who are sTILL working,it is more difficult for them due to work commitments,

    BUT for those of you here in Retirement with MORE time, perhaps you can spare 3hrs. a day ,any chosen day to volunteer for a GOOD cause.

    Just a thought,
    Steven Chan

  16. Hi Steven

    I am not surprised at this ratio of men to women. We see similar ratios at SHC, other social clubs, classes at community clubs, etc.

    Wonder where the men are – in pubs, in China, in Vietnam, in Batam?

  17. Hi Joy,
    Wonder where the men are – in pubs, in China, in Vietnam, in Batam?………maybe having 2 or more mistresses at Batam lah or Hatyai/BKK?

    Why does man SHUNT away from Volunteer work ?
    Any comments.

    Steven Chan

  18. Joy,

    Your observation is absolutely correct.

    Men generally do not socialize for socializing sake. They are predatorial by nature and thrive in competitive and gainful settings eg business, investment or sports. You will find many of them in entertainment, cocktails and functions for business related purpose.

    Women are funny. They love socializing. Where women dominates even formal meetings are caught up with local gossips and F&B arrangements for tea breaks rather than the business at hand. At one recent meeting, I find myself voting for Polar, Hans or Delifrance.

    Top-down, the govt is privatising and professionalising charity and social activites. The Social Enterprise program is the main thrust. The ability to run charity and social services as self-funding excercise is now priority. This is where you contribute if you want to make a real difference. Not pure voluntary work.

    We have NKF much to thank for in redefining our National Social Agenda. They added “Governance” to “Giving”. This is why we are rewarding the gang with free holidays at Changi.

  19. Steven,

    I appreciate your good intentions. But be real.

    York Hill is CBD where a studio can rent at $5K per month and sell for more than $1 mio.

    You can run a retirement village or home with more space/facilities than you can use for a fraction of the cost. It boils down to your choice of location. If you prepare to move to JB, problems over.

    Don’t talk about seniors. Just look at what PM has got to go through to to try sell Punggol to the people. Seniors would certainly choose to stay at Relections or Sail, if the rest of us choose to foot the bill.

    The choice is definitely ours.

  20. Steven,

    Where are the men?

    They are hard at work to afford their trophy mistresses in Shanghai. You cannot do so on a salary alone. This is one reason why China is now the heart of global entrepreneurship.

  21. Hi Wong Kong Thean,

    Who says that I am doing my volunteering as a business ?

    And so location of a place is NOT a problem.

    I am nOT investing in this as a business venture.

    I am doing this FREE EXCLUSIVELY to help our SHC retireees/elderlies in their retirement villages( home to home)kind of support ie. why( on Ad Hoc) basis.

    Of course, most SHCians and me too would eye and want to buy a condo at SAILS,Sentosa Cove, Reflection or St.Regis Residences but the bottom line is how many of us can we really afford them ?

    The price of each unit is way out of our budget unless we are businessmen/women or like Tim WIN all the soccer bets at each go or win 1st.prize in Toto or Social Welfare
    Lottery tickets which I myself seldom buy.

    Steven Chan

  22. Hi Steven,

    When you look at the volunteers actively involved in social work,please look beyond what you have just managed to grasp within this short span of time that you were exposed to this form of Work.

    Many unsung heroes are out there giving without taking for ages! Don’t just skim the surface after engaging with just one organisation.I know for a fact, that there are many regular volunteers out there who use their own funds,time and adamantly prefers anonymity.

    Even to starting schools for the under priviledge across country sides in China, Cambodian, Thailand and other third world countries. Please widen your perspective!

    Regards, Edwin Chen

  23. Hi Wong KT,

    Thanks for your explanation.

    Wong KT wrote………The ability to run charity and social services as self-funding excercise is now priority.

    This is where you contribute if you want to make a real difference. Not pure voluntary work.

    I do nOT like the idea of soliciting funds from the public and I do value more time for my other priorities.

    To run charity and social services will take tOO much of my time.

    I want a BALANCED LIFESTYLE on retirement and I am HAPPY and SELF CONTENTED unlike a business orientated person.

    Steven Chan

  24. Dear KT/Steven,

    Both of you have differing thoughts over Social Work, especially in the area of care for the aged and the needy. I respect that.

    Fact is, generally speaking, most of us have read and are consciously or subconsciously aware of this is very serious and rather frightening ageing population scenario.

    It is no surprise, therefore, that our academics in governance have searched their greys for solutions. Some definitive ideas have been made public recently via our PM’s speech. Well, whether it is hard or soft, these are some reasonable approaches to cushion what is ahead for all of us as we aged.

    My point is, if you have an inkling of how you could start an entity to arrest this Aged problem, space is not a problem, you can approach the Ministry concern for assistance. They have offered me a void deck once before, I rejected, now it has been taken over by a flourishing Muslim GRO.

    Regards, Edwin Chen

  25. Hi Edwin,

    Getting a space from the void deck is OUT of the question.

    I am NOT into FULL time volunteer work .
    I do it in order to maintain a MORE BALANCED HEALTHY lifestyle.

    Of course, I still need some time to have exercise,socialise,leisure holidays abroad, and flexible part time tuition (No Sat or Sun) if you work for tuition agency, they expect you to work for both weekend days.

    Why? P.T. tuition to keep my mind ALERT and
    not sitting idyling my time away.

    Steven Chan

  28. Balancing on a tight rope, won’t it be nice to have a cash bed for a safety net?

    No money, no talk. It is so with biz as it is with charity now. You may volunteer but most of your efforts may be channeled to paying salaries and executive perks. Only if you get involved with the setup, can you guarantee its governance.

    Are you helping the needy or helping to buy gold taps for private bathrooms. Don’t you want to know?

  29. Hi retirees / others at #7,

    1) After training for 8 consecutive weeks to man the help line for the
    Centre for Seniors , it finally has no green light to operate due to lack of funding.

    2) However, RSVP is still searching for many volunteers to help in mentoring “disadvantaged” ( single family, latch key children ) pupils on every Wed. 12.30 -3.30 pm. to keep them from mischief/idling around at shopping centers/video arcades or worse still into gangsterism after school which ultimately translate to more society problems.

    If you could spare the time,
    pls. contact Steven at sfc0007@yahoo.com.sg for more details.

    Thanks and awaiting yr responses.

  30. Hi all.

    Any one interested to volunteer for charity work on food distribution to the poor at Heart to Heart ?

    This is a non-profitable and non-religious charitable organisation.

    How to get there?

    i) By bus,take bus 165 to Hougang Central Interchange , walk straight on and take bus 133.

    ii) By MRT, head to Kovan MRT and take bus 113 and it proceed along Lorong Ah Soo.

    Venue:130,Hougang Ave 1, next to Blk 165.

    Pls.contact Sharana Rao at Heart to Heart(96374532) before going.***

    Had no fear,for those without transport,once you are at the meeting place at Heart to Heart ,you can request to distribute the assigned recipient plastic food ration (rice,soap,milo and coffee bags,toothpaste ,groundnuts cream jam etc..) to the area nearest your home area . And one of the volunteers will give you a lift as he/she too had to distribute food in that particular area.

    Instructions:-

    You have to deliver the food package to the assigned person and talk to him/her or family members for abt 15 mins or more.

    There is no time frame.

    Depends on your own free will.If you have more time,you can talk to him/her for 1/2 to 1 hr or more.

    I was v.happy to see a handful number of families bringing along their young children to join their parents in this voluntary activity to learn hands on compassion.

    Hope to see some of you SHCians there too on 27th April.

  32. Thanks Yew Kwong for the timing left out.

    The time to meet at Heart to Heart for the food distribution is at 9.45AM subject to change on 27th April(Sat)

    Pls call Sharana Rao at Heart to Heart(96374532) before going.***

  35. Hi Terence at #34,

    Yes. I will be participating and attending this food distribution activity on 27th April(Sunday)

    A practical approach to learn more about compassion than reading from books.

    Heart to Heart is also planning a visit to Vietnam during the school holidays. Details will be out later.

    For those keen to know more details of this charitable organzn , pls. click the link below

    http://www.hearttoheartservice.org

  37. Hi Steven,

    I am not be able to join you as I won’t be here.

    I have seen a number of members with social and charity interests at heart. Let’s see what kind of response and feedback we get from this charity activity. As in SHC style, plse respect the interests of individuals. If they are interested, they will join you.

    Going back to your helpdesk/callcentre project, how is the project getting on? Are you reviving the project? And maybe how are you funding this project?

    Terence Seah

  38. Steven, y dun u organize a grp of SHC members n c how many r keen 2 participate on this i/o of we approach them individually. I am sure 2 support tis kind of activity but usually my sundays’ morning are burnt wif brisk walking 2gether wif snr citzens ard my home plc.

  42. Hi Tim Kor /others,

    For those who are staying in the Hougang area, you may donate
    old clothings in wearable condition to Heart and Heart for the underprivileged /elderly poor.

    Tim,you may bring along your princess too. See you there on 27th April.

  43. No, Steven, my gal is being courted by so many bfs that if i take her along, they’ll come as well and will create a pandemonium so wd rather lug some clean used clothings with me.

  44. Hi Steven,

    As Hougang resident, i shld be able to join u on 27/April after my regular Sunday morning exercise. Please count me in.

    Tks/Rgds, Joyce

  47. Hi retirees/ others,

    It is purely voluntary.

    Changi Senior Ambassador Programme is a partnership project with CAAS to provide opportunities for our seniors to assist passengers at the Changi Airport .

    If you enjoy assisting customers, please come and attend our Briefing cum Interview Session.
    Best Regards,
    RSVP Secretariat

    RSVP Singapore
    9 Bishan Place #08-02 Junction 8 Shopping Centre Singapore 579837
    Tel: 6259 0802
    Fax: 6259 0805
    Email: general@rsvp.org.sg Website: http://www.rsvp.org.sg

  48. Thanks Joyce Tan for your response.

    Pls. check your email regarding Volunteering Work at Heart to Heart for details and thanks for your interest shown.

    Fyi, I will be attending the next food distribution session on 27th april at 9.30 AM and I look forward to more support from SHCians.

  49. Hi retirees /others,

    If money is not your main concern, you may join me for voluntary work at Evergreen Primary School to mentor the upper primary school “latch key” children.

    And also for as a care giver in another school. You can choose whatever day you wish to go. F and E.

    However, to teach at the child care school,you have to be a mentor in at least one school before you are eligible for the care giver’s school.

    The reason is the co-ordinator wants to find out whether the volunteer has some passion in mentoring before assigning you to the care giver’s sch.

    Not to worry, mentor training will be provided at the respective schools.

    For more details, pls. email me to my add: sfc0007@yahoo.com.sg

    SC

  50. Hi Steven,

    Where were you on Sunday? Anyway we did our part and it was something to see Ms Theresa full of life, joking and crusading to help the needy in Vietnam and in Singapore even at her age of 103?
    However just want to ask if anyone is staying around Eunos cresent and is willing to coach one of the needy single parent family to tutor her son.
    He is bright, quiet and smart boy who is in Pri 6 and has just been given a computer with broadband by his school, so and do it via internet or personal visits.
    Also if anyone has anything like books, or household furniture or appliances that is reasonably good condition that you want to give away.
    Or if you feel you can share some time with the mum just to talk or be a friend once in while to them, email me to get her contact number.

  51. That I had forgotten abt this date sounds lame. That I had requested a butty to remind me too is not an acceptable excuse. Apologies to those who expected to see me there but I wasnt to be seen.

  55. Hi RonaldW @ 50

    I m interested. Wld like 2 pay tat family a visit 2 assess how n wat type of help can be arg or extend. Perhaps if other members r keen, we can do as a gp.

  57. Hi RonWie @# 53

    I think I have suitable books for this P6 pupil. I can get some books ready by Saturday 3rd.(if there’s someone to pass them to for the boy. If I deliver personally, it’ll have to be near end of May). Let me know. Tks.

    Jassmine

  58. Hi all (Steven, seems you have forgotten again, and did not answer my questions to you yesterday about going on Sunday)

    Any one interested to volunteer/or do a small part for charity work on food distribution to the poor at Heart to Heart ?

    This is a non-profitable and non-religious charitable organisation.

    How to get there?

    i) By bus,take bus 165 to Hougang Central Interchange , walk straight on and take bus 133.

    ii) By MRT, head to Kovan MRT and take bus 113 and it proceed along Lorong Ah Soo.

    Venue:130,Hougang Ave 1, next to Blk 165.

    However as I am going and will most likely be visiting the same 2 families as I have some things for them, you can alternatively meet me at Eunos MRT at 1015.

    You can either hand me things to be given to them or follow along, but limited seats in my car left unless someone else is driving.

    Two families that we will be visiting are:
    a. Single Malay mum with her son who is in Pri 4, Jasmine Teo has handed me a book for him.

    b. A elderly Chinese man living with his wife, and has just recovered from throat cancer staying at Geylang Baru.

    Things you can do for them:

    For family a. Books, etc for her son, tuition also if you are staying around that area. Also if you want to just give the mother some moral support can call and talk to her,etc.

    For family b. Any foodstuffs, etc.

    If you are going on you own, pls call Heart to Heart first.

    Pls.contact Sharana Rao at Heart to Heart(96374532) before going.***

  59. Hi Ron Wie,

    I had to scroll thru pages of comments before I saw yours again.I had KIV for sometime.I type search post for Charity and the comment was not found there. V. sorry.I had been v.busy nowadys being not only bogged but bombarded as well in our intended Vietnam trip.

    To clarify,Ron … 500 over emails to handle…why stop reading the latest emails? NOT true, I do check and delete as I go along but it is a tedious process to read and reply not only SHC mails but also others support and vol grp and personal emails.And at the same time to go into SHC forum. As event organiser too has kept me busy as well coupled with my vol work too.

    ….I send an email asking you about the tuition to that boy in Eunos and what other plans we arrange for him.

    Ok. Here is my reply.

    i) As far as Qadif is concerned, he is abv, average and he learns fast.He is well-disciplined.To me this is a plus factor.

    ii) The Principal once told her mother that Qadif could be one of the potential top students in his school.The sch had arranged “enrichment studies” for a selected few during the sch hols.to groom the “top” students.

    iii) Qadif’s result in Sc and Maths has depreciated slightly.Maths 94 —> 82 , Sc.95—> 84.To me his result is considered good.However,her mum feels otherwise. She has HIGH expectns of Qadif and this has unnecessarily “pressured” Qadif to excel. And that does NOT goes well with her depression problem since her hubby has died from throat cancer a few yrs.back.

    Pityful! she had been unemployed for a long time and living on social financial help.She requested that if any of us,had usable items like books, small furniture, old TV ,vacuum cleaner ,etc you could donate to her. Both of them live in a 1 small room HDB flat with kitchen ,bedrm and living rm all lump into one. Quite pathetic to see them “squeezing” in such cramp condition.

    iv) Qadif is quite addicted to computer games.
    Her mum requested volunteers to guide his child everyday if possible. I had suggested to her to get highly subsidised tuition from Mendaki or Sinda. She said that the teachers there are NOT good. Once 3rd.term starts,I will be v. busy with my own volunteer RSVP mentoring work at SJI (Junior) and Evergreen Pri Sch from Mon to Fri. As so weekends to me are now precious to join SHC healthy events. I too need a break to relax and destress. As such,I could NOT help Qadif as much as I would want. Sunday,I miss my badminton/swimming badly for a long time and I want to re-energize myself with Dan Huang and others

    If you need more details,pls.refer to Ron. I had 4 gotten his unit no.

    Steven do you want to post something on finding someone to tutor that boy? OK. I will.

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