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Stories of Life Unstoppable

Silver Generation Ambassadors
Seniors

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Our latest updates in the media, insights and blogs.

AIC inks agreement with NUS to spur student volunteerism in the Community Care sector
She knocks on doors up to 6 times a week to check in on seniors
‘Age will never stop me’: This 74-year-old has cared for her Telok Blangah neighbours for almost 20 years
Growing in wisdom with every encounter

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Messkena Matawie

Since 2005, Messkena has sown seeds of her passion in organic farming, becoming a beloved figure in her local gardening community. Despite having a full-time job, Messkena continues to pour her heart and soul into tenderly care for the plants after her work hours. Her dedication shines through her leadership at the Khatib neighbourhood community garden, which earned a platinum award at the Singapore Garden’s Festival in 2018.

Embracing nature’s gifts, she makes homemade compost from shed leaves and pesticide-free materials, which is highly sought after by her fellow gardeners. Her creativity meets practicality when she recycles discarded plastic bottles to shield her plants. Messkena generously shares her wisdom and homegrown harvests with her neighbours and fellow gardeners, spreading joy to all around her.

On multiple occasions, Messkena donated organic vegetables that were freshly harvested from the Khatib community garden to the Food From The Heart distribution centre in her neighbourhood.

“Be kind to others, yourself and nature.”

Sanggaran Dorairaj & Thamil Chelvi Rajagopal

After a successful recovery from a pituitary tumour, Thamil embarked on a journey of healthy living and took up yoga classes with her husband, Dorairaj, on a close friend’s recommendation. Both enjoyed and believed in the benefits of yoga so much so that they worked towards becoming certified as yoga instructors to share the practice with more people.

Over the last 20 years, they have been volunteering to teach yoga classes every weeknight after their own work commitments. Their unwavering dedication toward passing on the practice of yoga stems from the satisfaction of hearing how their students’ health improve after attending their classes.

“Volunteerism is a way of life”

Tijah Kassim

Tijah is no stranger to volunteerism. A Grassroots volunteer for more than 20 years, she signed up to be a Pioneer Generation Ambassador 10 years ago, encouraged by her then-Grassroots Adviser, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam. These days, she continues to volunteer actively as a Silver Generation Ambassador (SGA), visiting seniors in their homes to share helpful government policies and schemes with them or helping them get connected to support that they need.

Tijah was awarded the SGA Exemplary Award in 2022, for going the extra mile in escorting seniors from their homes to community nodes for their COVID-19 vaccinations. Her fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay contributes greatly in her persuasive ability to convince lonely seniors she meets to join activities at the Community Centres and Active Ageing Centres around her neighbourhood.

In her spare time, Tijah enjoys spending time with her three children and grandson, as well as brisk walking.

“I am an advocate for community volunteerism.”

Vishwombar Chitrakar

Vishwombar (affectionately known as Visho) has been active in community service, serving as a Grassroots Leader for the past six years and a Silver Generation Ambassador (SGA) for the past five years. Born in Nepal, now a Singapore citizen, Visho draws on his experience as an architect to support various residential and commercial building projects in his community. He also appreciates the flexibility in his work schedule, which allows him to support the planning of events for residents and his efforts in senior outreach.

His fluency in both English and Mandarin has allowed him to build rapport and trust with many seniors. Visho was awarded the SGA Exemplary Award in 2023 for his outstanding work in supporting seniors in the community. His role as an SGA has allowed him to connect with people and support others, a cause he strongly believes in. Besides keeping him engaged mentally and physically, being an SGA also gives him a sense of purpose when serving his community.

“I strongly believe in connecting with people, and being active both mentally & physically”

Jessie Toh Kit Yue

Jessie has always loved dancing. She started with Chinese dance and aerobics in the 1980s and has not looked back. During COVID-19, she even led online dance classes for other seniors through her neighbourhood’s Resident’s Committee, in an effort to encourage seniors to stay active.

Jessie’s fitness routine has been beneficial in her role as a caregiver to her husband with Parkinson’s disease. Through her husband’s experience, she understood the importance of maintaining her physical fitness. At 68 years old, she faces the reality of diminished strength, which she addresses by heading to the gym. She believes that by keeping herself fit and healthy, she will be able to take better care of her loved ones. Despite her busy schedule, she also takes the time to visit some of her friends who are reluctant to leave their homes, encouraging them to exercise and stay active.

Jessie is a model of lifelong learning, earning her Bachelor of Social Science in Community Work and Applied Counselling at 50 years of age. She believes it is never too late to learn something new; it is never too late to take the first step.

“Be bold and take a step forward”

Chris Wong

While looking for an interesting course to spend his SkillsFuture credits on, Chris chanced upon a hairdressing course. He decided to try his hand at this new skill and has since graduated from the course. Since then, Chris has been volunteering with Charity Haircutting Hairity – an organisation which provides free haircuts to seniors twice a month. He has been serving fresh looks to seniors in the community since January 2022.

Aside from providing free haircuts to seniors, Chris has been a Silver Generation Ambassador (SGA) for almost seven years. He sets aside time in his schedule to ensure he is able to complete this volunteering commitment at least twice a week. With his attention to detail and profound dedication to serving others, Chris ensures that his volunteer work is not just a task to check off, but a genuinely impactful experience for those around him.

Chris also keeps himself active by going to the gym, doing yoga, jogging, and taking brisk walks regularly. He encourages all seniors to take at least 5,000 steps a day and do 150 minutes of moderate activities a week if their health allows them to.

“Giving back to the community brings me joy.”

John Chua

At 80 years old, John is living an active and vibrant life pursing his passion for competitive track and field. John began his journey in competitive track and field when he was 40 years old, while working as a cabin crew for Singapore Airlines (SIA). He represented SIA in the annual ‘Business House’ track and field event in 1981, marking the start of his athletic pursuits.

Since joining the Singapore Master Track and Field Association in 2015, John has consistently achieved impressive results in spite of his age. He has set personal best records in various track and field events – both locally and internationally – including the 80m, 100m, and 200m hurdles, competing in senior age categories.

John’s dedication and hard work have paid off as he regularly achieves podium finishes in his races. His success is proof that age is no barrier to pushing boundaries and an active lifestyle. John’s philosophy of making the most of his silver years and staying active has made him truly unstoppable.

“Move your legs before you lose them.”

Kathleen Chia

Kathleen is a senior who keeps herself vibrant and active by staying young at heart. She juggles multiple roles as a mother, grandmother, caregiver, artist, teacher, and leader.

Kathleen first discovered her interest in Nagomi Art during the pandemic, when she started exploring different art forms in her free time. She found pactising the artform therapeutic and soothing. The interest led her to become a certified trainer in the artform, with which she supported her neigbourhood interest group in conducting an art exhibition in 2023. Keen with her hands, she also enjoys other hands-on pursuits like gardening, where she has led her neighbourhood gardening interest group in receiving National Parks’ Community in Bloom (CIB) MERIT Award for four consecutive years. Contributing to the community gives her a sense of purpose and gratification, as well as the motivation to stay healthy and active.

Despite her busy schedule, Kathleen makes time for her family and takes care of her granddaughter every other week, watching cartoons, doing activities, and playing games with her.

“Helping others is the recipe to a Happy Life”

Bryan and friends: Alya, Cheri, Ian and Joshua

Inspired by conversations with his mother, a staff from the Silver Generation Office, Bryan’s curiosity led him to volunteer as a Silver Generation Ambassador (SGA). He quickly discovered a deep sense of fulfilment in the work, especially from his interactions with seniors. His enthusiasm grew as he found profound meaning in these connections, leading him to invite friends – Cheri, Joshua, Ian, Alya – to share in this rewarding experience.

Bryan and his friends take great satisfaction in the warmth and joy they bring to the lives of the seniors they visit. Often, seniors express their appreciation by inviting them to stay for longer, which they have learned is a sign that their presence as SGAs is greatly appreciated. What might seem like a simple conversation to them means a great deal to the seniors and goes a long way in brightening their days. The occasions where they helped seniors with the application of schemes, were deeply rewarding as they saw how their simple actions could have a tangible, positive impact on seniors’ lives.

In addition to the emotional rewards, the group has experienced notable personal growth. Their volunteering experience has enhanced their communication skills and fostered a greater sense of empathy. Overcoming their initial shyness and fear in speaking to strangers, they now converse more confidently and fluently in both English and Mandarin.

Their journey is a powerful example of how volunteering can lead to personal growth and a reminder of the impact that compassion and dedication can have on both individuals and communities.

“Inspire the intergenerational connection: Every small action makes a great impact”

William Teo

As a parent of a child with intellectual disabilities, William recognised the need for stronger community support for more vulnerable members of society. He assembled a dedicated team of volunteers to form a “Neighbours Network”, where residents within his community could reach out for assistance and are kept abreast of events and activities going on in their neighbourhood. Residents also volunteer their services through ad-hoc requests by people within their community.

Drawing on his experience as an engineer, William’s selfless service extends to fixing and repairing, earning him the moniker “Resident Handyman”. Many seniors in his community have expressed their gratitude toward him and the help his team renders to them. He hopes to expand this network for the community to come together, bringing back the old “Kampung” spirit.

“Bringing neighbours closer & together, doing good for the community”

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