Tzu Chings find creative ways to keep in touch with sheltered home elderly
Youths from Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (a.k.a. Tzu Ching) have been visiting SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home every month to chat and interact with the elderly since June 2016, until COVID-19 hit. Since the pandemic, the homes for the elderly have not been open for visits by outsiders, and so, Tzu Ching made some adjustments and switched their monthly visits online. Besides presenting engaging performances, they would also interact with the elderly to care for them and warm their hearts.
The splendid singing, dancing and acting performances were all prepared for the elderly at SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home.
Melissa, Tzu Ching: During the planning, it also takes quite some time to plan. We also don’t want the elderly to feel that we just take whatever we have and put them together. Everyone in the end, it’s about letting them feel our sincerity.
Tzu Ching：We will be bringing all of us back to 1960s streets in Singapore.
The recordings are finally completed. Today, the Tzu Chings are finally going to meet the elderly online to watch the show together.
Tzu Ching：Are you excited?
Chuah Wen Cian, Tzu Chi volunteer: We would visit the elderly every month in the past. Due to the pandemic, we can no longer do so. As youngsters, we just do what we can with technology to bring joy to them.
The nursing homes may be closed for visits due to the pandemic, but the youths could still have instant interactions with the elderly virtually.
Melissa, Tzu Ching: Honestly I was a bit nervous, I was scared that it would be a little awkward if they couldn’t understand what I was saying.
Tzu Ching：How are you? Have you eaten? (Not yet)
Melissa, Tzu Ching: During the live interaction, can feel that they actually enjoyed it and also moved together, so it was quite fun overall.
Chanel Leong, Senior Executive, Community Engagement: Such interaction is actually quite important, especially when you have already been visiting them for years. Although you can’t do so face to face, at least seeing each other online can still bring them a sense of familiarity. We can also see that the elderly enjoy themselves very much, they would look forward to the next session.
Unaffected by the social distancing measures, the formless care and companionship has made this monthly meet up even more heart-warming and moving.
