Senior Citizens Lunch Gathering@Changi Simei RC Zone 3

Changi Simei, Singapore, 11 Dec 2010

Once a month, around 50 to 60 senior citizens of Residents Committee Zone 3 gather at its senior citizens corner to share their lunch together.  This morning on 10 Dec 2010, it was no difference. The only different in the programme was the inclusion of a caroling session by senior citizens of the Moriah Church located a stone throw away from the RC Centre. The choir was invited by Fiona, the chairperson of the RC Senior Citizens Executive Committee.

On my arrival, I noticed these senior folks were eagerly waiting for the programme to start. While waiting, they chit chats with each other and there were smiles on their faces perhaps these senior folks were happy to meet each other again in the once a month lunch gathering.

Before the commencement of the lunch, the caroling added to the festive mood. Those senior folks who could manage English, they too sang along with the carolers. Perhaps, the next time, the carols should include the Mandarin version so that many more senior folks could also participate in the caroling. Nonetheless, it was fun for all.

At the end of the caroling, it was time to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The organising committee prepared a cake which I understood was available for this lunch gathering only. Being Singaporeans, instead of the traditional log cake, the senior folks preferred a cake which they could divide into equal pieces for the senior folks who were presence. Well, it was not the traditions that matter but the opportunity for bonding created by such lunch gathering. I was asked to lead the cake cutting after the traditional singing of “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.    

Finally, it was lunch time, 8 course buffet lunch where these senior folks paid $2 which was a third of the cost for lunch per pax. The lunch was definitely value for money. RC Zone 3 has been funding the senior citizens for many years now to attract these senior citizens to come out of their homes. Coping at home may not be the best option for these senior citizens firstly, they are lonely at home and secondly, meeting others raise their qaulity of life.   

After lunch, the senior folks attended a talk on Dengue as part of the RC educational programme on each playing a small part to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes. Many details like the cycle of  mosquitoes breeding, the areas to look for at home to prevent breeding grounds, the symptoms of identifying dengue victims from normal flu, statistics on the numbers of dengue fever cases in RC Zones etc were shared.

At the end of the sharing session, there were 10 questions quiz with umbrellas to be won for giving the correct answers. The participation was overwhelming. Many senior folks raised their hands at all the same time which made it a challenge for NEA to determine who raised their hands first to stake their right to answer the quiz. What surprised me was these senior folks gave the correct answer the first time. This proved that these senior folks were listening with a strong presence of minds during the sharing session.  

The sharing session was useful to create an awareness of dengue fever. I had also reminded these senior folks on this common myth. There are no breeding grounds in their homes and if there are, mosquitoes in their homes, it is always their neighbours who are the culprits to have bred mosquitoes and these mosquitoes flew into their homes. I had told them that during inspection at their homes conducted by NEA, a compound fine of $300 would be issued if NEA inspectors detected any breeding ground. These senior folks understood the monetary penalties and the appearance in court for repeat offenders after two composite fines. The position taken by NEA on mosquitoes breeding grounds is non-negotiable as a momentarily lapse in dengue prevention can result in grave consequences as seen in 2006. That year saw an outbreak of dengue in Singapore with many deaths cases related to dengue. I had a colleague who was hospitalised for weeks and even undergone a blood transfusion and fortunately he recovered. Therefore, why go through the suffering where prevention taken is better than falling sick?

I thought the monthly lunch gathering was a good way to bond and at the same time creating awareness of the environment around them.