Ah Gong Lee would have been a promising young musician who plays the Yang Qin if the fearful infectious disease - Leprosy, did not strike him. It was just shortly after World War 2 in the late 1940s that he realised the leisions and numbing of his limbs were symptoms of Leprosy. With the lack of advanced medical assistance, lack of knowledge and financial means, Ah Gong Lee could only let Leprosy consume him and suffer from deep social stigma and shunning by the people around him. After being tormented by Leprosy for many years and having recovered from it after a cure was introduced in Singapore, the Singapore Leprosy Relief Association was finally set up, and it became Ah Gong Lee's home for more than 5 decades, so are the 30 other elder residents in SiLRA.
I wouldn't have known about Leprosy - the horrifying disease of the past, if I had not volunteered with the Leo Club of Singapore Metropolitan since 2007. As time went by, people knew more about Leprosy and more people have recovered from it. Though it is no longer an existent infectious disease in Singapore, the elder residents at SiLRA who have recovered from this disease may still be discriminated by the people who lack awareness on this disease, maybe due to the disfigurement and loss of limbs caused by Leprosy. Knowing this, most elder residents had no place to stay even after they have recovered from this disease, and SiLRA became their home, and us, volunteers became their occasional companions and friends.
Volunteering has always been very fulfilling because it can make one feel the importance of our contribution, but through many activities, I realised that even more than the self-fulfillment is how us, as Leo Club volunteers play a role in providing informal social support and entertainers (haha) for the elder residents at SiLRA. Through our bi-monthly and festive visits, we managed to build rapport and provide some entertainment and joy to the elder residents in the home. Maybe this takes up 2-3 hours of our time every few months (or 10hours+ if planning of activity is included), but Ah Gong Lee and many elder residents appreciated it to the max. (How about us?) If i imagine myself growing old and having no family members to support me emotionally, physically and financially, I would feel really devastated. But the ah gong ah mas at SiLRA have proven me so wrong, they have shown me the positiveness of life and how they try to make the best of it - Ah Gong Lee even performed for President's Star Charity in the 2000s when he was still ambulant, the Ah Mas make handicrafts for leisure, and Ah Gong Wang sings very well! It is definitely not easy to look on the bright side when everything seems dark, but there are cracks because this is how the light comes in, and they have made it thus far. Their strength reminded me every time to be appreciative of my health and what I have. I believe they have influenced some of our Leos in the same ways too, I was especially heartened when some Leos and volunteers shared with me how they felt after their visits. So many life lessons to learn from these elder residents and this makes me look forward to visiting them again next month (or in May).
This time, 13 of us Leos and volunteers celebrated Chinese New Year with the SiLRA residents. With a budget of ~$150, we brought along 45 comfortable seat pillows, coffee and tea sachets, biscuits and cakes to share with them. We were also honoured to have some of our volunteers (Boon Hock and Kay Paw) to sing a few Chinese New Year Songs such as 大地回春 and 春風吻上我的臉 for us. We also played some games to share the new year goodies! Some photos have been uploaded on here: Visit to SiLRA (February '13)
Here's what some of our Leos who attended the visit would like to share with all of you:
The visit to Silra home this time round much more significant, we were glad that we brought some joy to the elderly during this CNY festive season!
Moroever, this visit was carried out on a weekday whereby most of the elderly were around, hence we could engage more of them in our games and activities. We shall try to visit during weekdays as much as we can.
It was not the gifts we have brought for them but rather, the interaction with them using my limited dialect skills, which was the most endearing. It was heartwarming that they mentioned that even though they do not remember our faces from past visits, they know that we have visited them before
- Leo Assistant Treasurer Anna Yeo
This was my first time at SiLRA and it was doubly special because it also marked my first participation in one of the Leo Club’s activities. Prior to my trip, I have never met patients of Leprosy and only knew what it was the day before the trip when I Googled the term. And certainly, reading about them was not the same as actually meeting them. Despite what they have been through, the patients staying at the home were extremely friendly and engaging. Although there were some difficulties in communicating with a few of them, I still tried my best to try to decipher what they were trying to say and when all else failed, a smile really did go a long way! It was certainly a memorable experience and I look forward to participating in future activities.
- Leo Sita Yang
Front row from Left: Leo Sita, Leo Immediate Past President Shurlene, Kimberly
Back row from Left: Leo President Tiong Hui, Shamini, Joanne, Leo Asst. Treasurer Anna, Diana, Louise, Hui Wen, Boon Hock
I am sure we all have so many more stories to share. Shall invite other Leos to share more of their experience next time! Right now, many of us Leos who are studying in the Universities are experiencing the super hectic period of our school term as deadlines and examinations are approaching. Of course, we would have to focus on and prioritize our studies and work first. We gotta ensure we can help ourselves before we lend our support to others right? :) And what heartens me through these years is the compassion and enthusiasm that our Leo members and volunteers have toward serving the community despite some of us holding on to many responsibilities. This is the true spirit of serving, and we shall continue to serve, with <3.
Ohh... and did I mention how volunteerism have brought like-minded leos together and that our Past President Leo Alan Tam has just married his wife who is from our sister club in Hong Kong - Leo Club of Hong Kong Host? Here's one of their blissful ROM photo! Congratulations to the both of you! :D Volunteering is amazing isn't it? You meet many people from all wards of life and countries, and who knows, you may just meet the love of your life who has the same interest in supporting others and similar life purpose as you. <3
So, ALL THE WAY, Leos from Leo Club of Singapore Metropolitan!! Continue to impact lives in all ways possible, and through the process, enhance and strengthen ourselves. :D
Loads of leove,
Shurlene
Leo IPP
Leo Club of Singapore Metropolitan
