The Happiness of Giving

"I felt beautiful when I was in Cambodia. I was sweaty, and my hair was matted and all over the place. And I was happy and hot and accomplishing a lot and running around, and I could feel my heart beating, and I felt beautiful." Angelina Jolie

This is exactly the same feeling that the HPC team felt in a hot afternoon on 3rd Feb. The team and a few volunteers brought 10 old folks from an old folk's home to China town to “feel’ the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year in the city. We were told many of these old folks had not been to China town for many years.

Most of these old folks had walking disability due to old age and need to move around on wheel chair. However, the spirit of joy and enthusiasm being able to go to town did not lose out when compare with any kids. Each volunteer was given the task to take care of one old folk to wheel them around.

The journey started with a simple meal at the China town market foodcourt. The old folks were given the choice to choose what they like to eat. Some chose their favourite chicken rice, some had cantonese fried noodles and their favourite kopi-o. It was sheered joy watching them enjoying their food. I was amazed with their appetite.

After the meal, they were wheeled around the streets of China town to see the goodies, decorations etc. The store owners were equally happy to meet them and offering them to taste the tidbits that they were selling. As we move along, we asked the old folk on what they like as the volunteers were anxious to meet their wishes.

Many did not want anything from us as the “giving” by spending time with them was already very meaningful to them. Nevertheless, we bought some foods, some S$10 watches etc. for some of them and again we could see the joy and tears from their eyes arising from the gesture of the volunteers.

We end the outing having dessert along the food street and again the old folks were given the choice to choose what they liked to eat. Though it was dessert time, some had asked for fish ball noodles, fried bee hoon despite they just had lunch 2 hours ago. I believe it was the happiness that had increased their digestive power.

Time had to come to say goodbye to the old folk. With a "heavy" heart, we wheeled them to the van to bring them "home". Some had not travel in a car for a long time and was feeling car sick. Nevertheless, the opportunity to reconnect with the outside community during an important festive season meant a lot to them.

We could see the joy and happiness from their eyes. We were glad to have the opportunity to make the trip possible. We feel so much richer and happier after the outing.

"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace." The Dalai Lama