"There are ex-convicts, ex-drug addicts, people with mental illness in the block" I heard this from the person in charge. It isn't the most pleasant thing to hear when you know that you will be visiting the people in this block.. but the housevisits wasn't that bad after all.
When we stepped out of the lift, the sight is like what you see in movies. dark corridors, most doors are locked... i can't describe it, but it was quite scary. when we started the house visits(chinese households), we knocked on the door of the first household, waited--no response, second household,waited--no response, third household,waited--no response. I was quite dissapointed initially, because we wanted to help, but we cant even get to talk to them. then we saw the person in charge. she knocked the door of the resident real hard and called 'susan', 'susan', 'susan'. at first, there was no reply, but few minutes later, someone opened the door. and we learnt, knock louder, call their name and wait longer. it was difficult doing so, cause it felt weired to call for someone so loudly...
afterward, i joined the girls from MCS to visit the maly households. though i don't understand malay, i felt the sincere care and love that the MCS girls showed towards the malay households. they were so polite and gentle. in return, the malay households also showed hospitality by inviting us into their house. all three malay households we went to did the same. though they are poor, though they might not have much to offer their guest, they were so willing to invite us into their house. i was touched by this. How many people are willing to open their doors and welcome "strangers" into their house these days? they were so sincere...
a sickly old man stayed in the first malay household that we went to. there was another woman staying there too, i think it's his wife. According to the MCS girls, they said they would gladly accept anything that we were to give them, cause they are living as the day goes by and accepting fate as it is. the man was weak and frail...
we did not get a reply from the second household at first, but when we went back again, a women came to the door. she was seriously ill too. she was lying on the bed and could not go to the door when we visited her the first time. she did not ask for much too, just the daily neccessities...
the aunty from the third household was smiley. she chatted with us and i could feel her joy. she said her grandson is studying in pasir ris sec. she said it proudly and with a smile. who says that without material wealth, there is no joy? i believe that the aunty is much happier than many other singaporeans.
the housevisits was a great experience. talking to people whom we seldom or never interact with in our daily lives was enriching. i'm glad that we perservered in doing this project. the people, the interaction and the hospitality made my day! :D
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment