It's an odd thing to interact with older folks -because somehow as a person who takes psychology, being a counsellor was my last resort (true, I aspire to be on the educational/research scope more). The idea of staying days of completing a treatment about someone who would take time to heal mentally is exhausting. But today I took the opportunity of joining my mother's Maybank branch on a volunteering project to an old folks home -Cheshire Home, Selayang, Selangor.
It had changed a bit of my perspective.
Thinking of just simply going without the need of you to plan the event, why not? As I arrived there were plenty of staffs, allocated from more than 6 branches come to one forming into 5 colour ribbons each with a different task. Mine was being involved in a story telling session with the elderly.
The air was filled with a void of mixed emotions. Somehow, everyone was both entangled with either being happy or sad at the same time as we remarked each of the elders to highlight anything they would enjoy sharing with us. It was a pleasant surprise when most of them had been a resident to this home for nearly more than 44 years.
My impressions were simply wrong of what I would normally expect. A hard heart on accepting the arrivals of those offered help, a lost in faith and lack of cognitive abilities to function as an adult.
I was wrong.
These people had the hearts of steel, all fist up with such positivity and courage to explore places independently without supervision. They'd drift off into the night to one of their houses for a sleepover and pay hundreds for the taxi -for the pleasure of fun. Steamed beef, with hot water was served and though it happened many years ago, all of them had that bright spark of smile as if it happened last night. In their battery-charged wheelchairs they'd find the strength to hang their clothes, wash them up or even shower themselves. Unlike what I'd imagine they would be fulfilled with dozens of nurses assisting them, but in reality no. If only they had been given the fair share of education, their minds would be filled with certainty and pride with knowledge.
One of them, Mr.Rajaa (he didn't need an instruction or free style remark to pose himself excitedly) would bring out the biggest smile he had given to all of us in the room when my mother mentioned their next intention was to bring them to the zoo one day. He couldn't speak, no words would come up from his mouth yet his hearing abilities were as sharp as a rabbit. Smiling like a sloth from Zootopia, it was mesmerising to observe their gratefulness to have anyone caring for them, listening to them.
They didn't need knowledge to be wise, wisdom grows with age and they proved it well -and they improved their minds with experience.
Another elderly, a chinese lady who grew up and spent her whole life here depended on this home. Family investing nearly 100MYR for her stay there as a resident, made her reluctant to be uncomfortable with her life. She would run a shop in the compartment selling anything she and her other friends could -used clothes given of donation from the public, toys, bags, each cleaned and rearranged to the shelf. I've spent a full hour pushing her wheelchair, hearing her mumble about the things she'd have in mind. How a drug addict came in and robbed her, how she loved fried chicken, the thought of her unable to speak well in mandarin yet admire how diverse our country is to have english and malay as a language.
I admired her the most because she reassembles my late grandmother. She gives the positive air out of me and made me ponder how an elderly like her would remain strong about her life, when it was clear her family was unable to take care of her and sent her there. Hadn't she ever gave up living thinking how unlucky she was? -yet it was clear it was the opposite. She'd ask me to push her around, allowed me to bring her up on a higher platform, trusting my little strength that I wouldn't let her fall to the ground. It was a great moment to me personally, it felt more like a gift of gratitude. Because she had given a big trust to a stranger like myself to give a tour personally in her shop.
As I bid my farewell to her with a picture (above), she said 'You'll be keeping this picture of us right? Don't forget me'.
It felt great, beyond words I could imagine.
The orphan kids whom I've taken a selfie with were also wonderful. Their names were difficult to remember yet I tried to make the effort of asking them. Their smile was also what made it very exciting to me on joining the event. It wasn't about mingling with the staff, it wasn't about just putting your effort of keeping an event going on without actually knowing the real purpose.
A high denotation to everyone who handles a CSR program, always remember the aim of the event. When it is about helping those in need, it's not just about giving poor people money and leave. It's also not about being busy laughing with friends when the elderly or orphans are right beside looking.
Keep the love, people. Talk to the elders. Engage with the orphans, let them know some things about you. Be open and offer help. Charity programs are not about the process, it's about the fulfilment of keeping everything in place and accomplishing the main goal -make those who are helped feel loved.
Definitely coming here to keep up with them for sure, and I can't wait!
P/S: If you are interested in donating or learning more about Cheshire Home, click the link here.
It was originally established from British in 1963 and now under our Malaysian advisory Datin Paduka Khatijah Suleiman. From how the system runs here, it's pretty positive that all your money will be directed straightly to them :)
