Photo by Chen You Yi
“Come on, raise your hands and wave!”
Vibrant voices accompanied by lively movements broke the quietude of a Sunday afternoon at the Evergreen Place home for the elderly. In light of the approaching Chinese New Year, members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (Tzu Ching) specially held a festive celebration at the nursing home to bring cheer to the residents.
Loud sounds of drums and cymbals rang out as a Tzu Ching member dressed as the Big Head Doll entered with a “lion”, to wish the old folks a Happy Chinese New Year. Delighted at what they saw, the elderly clapped merrily and beamed with joy.
Photo by Chen You Yi
The lion dance performance was the first ever by Tzu Ching, and NTU graduate Lin Zi Xiong (left) who acted as the lion’s body shared his experience, “Actually we didn’t have much practice. Tzu Ching senior Shen Ming Xian (right), who held the lion’s head, learned some dance steps from a volunteer in Jing Si Hall and did some practice on his own. Then, he came this morning to rehearse the dance with us, and we performed it later.”
After the vigorous performance, Lin was drenched in sweat. But he said it was all worth the effort as the old folks truly enjoyed it. Apart from the lion dance, the collegiate volunteers also presented several popular CNY Chinese song items, allowing the elderly residents to bask in the festive joy.
“The God of Fortune is here! The God of Fortune has arrived at my doorstep…”
The lively lyrics of a much-loved CNY song “The God of Fortune is here!” filed the air as volunteer Douglas Lee, dressed as the God of Fortune, made his appearance. Upon seeing the “auspicious God”, the elderly were all delighted; they waited for their turn to shake hands with the “deity” and receive a red packet. This joyous surprise lent a rich, festive spirit to the event.
Photo by Chen You Yi
At the close, the youths held the old folks’ hands as they sang the heartwarming Tzu Chi song, “One Family”, and gave the latter a warm embrace.
“I was really touched when the old lady rested her head on me and gave me a big hug,” said Lin Xin, a student from China who joined the Tzu Ching activity for the first time. She further shared that she had visited senior citizens’ homes in senior high school and has always been interested in elderly care.
While interacting with the elderly at Evergreen Place, Lin thought of her own grandparents back home in China. She feels sorry for not being able to keep them company as she is studying in Singapore and is away from home most of the time. Knowing that old folks enjoy the companionship of young people, she feels happy visiting the residents in the nursing home.
“I treat the old folks like my own grandpa and grandma, and believe that there are young people like me in my hometown who care for my grandparents too,” said Lin.
Photo by Qiu Hui Yan
The CNY celebration brought much joy and warmth to the old folks in Evergreen Place and left the youths deeply moved. Blessed indeed are those who give with love and compassion!
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