What: Chinese New Year Charity

When: 26 January 2014

Where: Ang Mo Kio

Participant(s): Bengyan, Bihui, Candice, Clarence, Corine, Eunice, Jasmine, Jean, Jiamin, Joanne, Jolie, Junyee, Lionel, May Yen, Ming, Peijun, Phyllis, Ser Chee, Shirley, Shu Pei, Shuwen, Vanessa, Xin Jie, Xinyi, Yanjun, Yanling, Yanping, Yeeling, Yingmei, Yunxian, Yvonne, Zhiqing

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Vanessa, Participant:

Being just my second year participating in the charity, I was eager to find out what was in store for the day. There were new items to be distributed, and more blocks for us to visit, so it was no doubt going to be quite a busy day for us.

I reached early to help out with the unloading, and one by one, everyone arrived and soon we had everything set and were ready to go!

As usual, we went through our list and distributed the rations to our old friends, having small talk with them and greeting them “新年快乐” and “Happy New Year!”. Some households still remembered us, and it’s delightful that they look forward to seeing us every time. No doubt, there’s that subtle sense of happiness when they thanked us, or said things like “God bless you”.

We ended with our lohei and well wishes for the new year; another moment when I felt that we were together as a family again, with everyone aiming together for our goals~ :)

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Yanling, Participant:

This was actually my first year taking part in the distribution of food packs directly to the elderly. Initially, I was kind of worried as to what to say to the elderly because I basically can’t lame and crap with them right.. Haha.. But thankfully, when we were at the first house, the aunty and uncle were very friendly! In addition, we were conversing in Hokkien which is the same dialect as my family, “ga-kee-nang” man! Chill la~ haha..

The aunty was really friendly and kept saying that we were of her grandchildren’s age. She also kept asking what we were doing (schooling or working) and commented “Oh can get married already!” Hahaha something that you really get when you 拜年 to your relatives!

We then had a group photo with the two elderly people at home. When the photographer, Vincent, was counting the usual 1, 2, 3, he actually said it in hokkien “Yeo, li, sha”!! Hahaha it was totally unexpected and we had to control our laughter to maintain our smiles for the photo!

Although I left my group earlier, there were many interesting stories shared during our debrief for me to experience the joy of giving as well :)

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Jolie, Participant:

After so many years, I finally managed to join RBKD for the charity drive this time round. As I missed out on the past few years, I was kind of clueless about what we had to do, but my group leader, Joanne, showed us the ropes and we caught on very quickly. I have learnt that a trolley is very important. If it is too bulky, IKEA’s recyclable bag is even better! Bananas, thanks for not sharing such a good and useful item.

Whenever we go to the houses and give the CNY goodies to the elderly, the thankful smiles and looks they have on their faces are really the best part of doing all these. A couple that we visited even had the polaroid that some of the members took with them last year. They shared with us that during the previous CNY, his wife was unable to celebrate CNY as she was hospitalized, and so they were looking forward to celebrating it together this year.

I’m definitely looking forward to next year’s charity drive and hope I will be able to join again!

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