Visit to Peranakan Museum with Clementi Zone 4 RC

Today is the day! I'm going with the Clementi Zone 4 RC members to bring residents out to Peranakan Museum! It is also my first outing with Rathi, my primary school friend.

We signed up together to be this outing's resident volunteers. So what's our role today? We helped to register the residents, guide the residents to do the batik bookmark and decoration, ensure they are in the appropriate transport, and ensure their safety in the museum during the tour. It was fun, no big issues.

We got feedback from residents the food was nice, ticket was cheap and worth, makes residents happy especially the elderly, and of course the activity let them learn about the Peranakan culture.

The only thing I felt sad about was that I wasn't attentive enough. At the debrief session then we came to know that, one of the RC members asked an uncle if he came alone, and he responded that he came with his wife, who was told that she is in the first bus which had already left for the museum, and he is in the second bus. Though they didn't complain about it, and didn't tell us about it during the registration, i felt quite sad as they came together but to realize that they can't go for the tour together. That was my only regret for this trip today.

What do I learnt from this activity today? 

I learnt to give. When I see people smiling, thanking us, I felt happy. Not that I'm doing something really that noble, after all, this idea does't come from me, but to be able to be part of it, makes me feel good. 

I also learnt simplicity is the best thing in life. I remembered giving a suggestion to add a little ribbon at the end of the bookmark, but it wasn't put into use though the idea wasn't rejected either. In today's session, I realize really, just taking out double sided tape to stick something, could take some time for the elderly too. They were asked to decorate the bookmark at the back, and I saw simple drawings that are so wonderful. What have I drew? Nothing! Nothing comes out from my mind, but the elderly are happily back to childhood, use the given colour pencils provided, drew simple yet nice images of flowers, plants, lady in Peranakan costume, coffee, tea, milk, tree with wishes to a friend and family, a simple quote, or even just their name ... it just turns out wonderful!

I want to thank the residents for teaching me what simplicity is. They just made me realize how complex I am and why I should get back to basics.

Simplicity, if that's how everyday life is.

Simplicity, if that's what we can be.