18 February, 2016 – The iconic bright yellow t-shirt reflects the cheerful personalities of the 17 Soka Volunteers Group (SVG) volunteers who were at SPD (Serving People with Disability) for the last volunteering service at the Day Activity Centre (DAC).
Warmly known as the ‘Soka aunties and uncles’, the most senior among the group is 85-year old Mdm Molly Ng Seok Choo, who has been with the programme since its inception in 2005. The volunteers and DAC clients were so happy to see each other as strong bonds of friendship have been forged over the years. Witnessing the vibrant energy among the rest of the volunteers, it is almost hard to imagine that they are all aged between 60 to 80 years old.
Over the past 11 years, SSA has been partnering SPD in the bi-weekly volunteering programme where the SVG volunteers befriend the DAC clients, engaging them in simple exercises, song and dance that brought many smiles of joy to their faces. Every year during the Lunar New Year season, the volunteers would also bring the DAC clients outdoors on an outing to Chinatown to soak in the festive mood.
To thank the aunties and uncles, SPD DAC clients performed a simple medley of Chinese New Year songs accompanied with beating of drums and tambourines. Bernard, a DAC client, also shared touching words of appreciation to the aunties and uncles to thank them for spending time with them. A video was also specially made for the volunteers that document the 11-year journey of service with DAC. In return, the volunteers had prepared intricate hand-made souvenirs and goodie bags for each DAC client.
Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Executive Director of SPD, presented a plaque to SSA General Director Mr Tay Eng Kiat to thank the SSA volunteers for their dedicated service over the past 11 years. Mr Pal also looked forward to the continuous partnership with SSA in future projects. Thereafter, appreciation gifts were presented to the volunteers.
Mr Tay also shared words of appreciation to the volunteers for their dedicated efforts. Special hand-written ‘Thank you’ cards were presented to each volunteer, together with a small appreciation gift.
As SGI President Ikeda teaches, “Our true selves shine and the inherent strength of our lives wells forth when we exert ourselves for others. This is human nature. And this is the way of life Buddhism teaches.” Let us learn from the youthful spirit of our SVG senior volunteers to go out and touch another person’s life, becoming active citizens who contribute to society.
