By Smt. Anusha Mahesh
When volunteers first walked into Sree Narayana Mission’s centre for elderly care, the air was filled with a quiet sense of anticipation.
Although the day was originally planned to take residents in their wheelchairs to a nearby NTUC, sudden rains meant the plan had to be changed, and all had to adapt to perform a different activity. For the safety and well-being of the residents, the program was moved indoors.
To most of us, volunteering at elderly care homes was a new experience. We were reminded to wear our masks following the briefings from the SNM program coordinators.
Eager to meet them, as the elderly arrived in the hall, we greeted each resident personally, with folded arms, exchanging smiles and words of warmth.
A game of Bingo was arranged as an alternate activity, pairing each volunteer with a resident to ensure no number called out went unnoticed. What stood out during the game was the importance of encouraging residents to identify and mark the numbers themselves, rather than the volunteers doing it for them. This gentle act of support not only made the game more engaging for them but also helped exercise their cognitive skills.
It reminded us that active mental engagement is essential at every stage of life. Something we often overlook in our middle years, the joy and necessity of keeping the mind challenged, is deeply meaningful for those in their later years.
As we eased in, some of them were eager to share their life stories, filled with experiences of resilience, love, and the challenges they had faced. Their eyes sparkled when we listened, and in those moments, we realised how powerful it is just to give someone your time and attention.
We spent some time distributing snacks, but what mattered most were the conversations, the warmth, and the reassurance that there are people who care. It was very heart-warming to see that some residents offered their snacks back to us, as a token of appreciation and their love.
By the time, we carried with us a profound lesson: happiness often lies in simple acts of kindness, and the greatest gift we can offer is our presence. The visit reminded us that ageing is not just about growing older; it is about cherishing dignity, nurturing connections, and recognising the wealth of wisdom that comes with time and such wonderful volunteering activities.
Would you or your family like to be a part of ongoing activities at Sree Narayana Mission?
Here are the experiences shared by the Volunteers & Society members:
“We asked for 15 volunteers! 20 came in, though, it was a busy working day. Kudos to volunteers who decided to take up this Seva with a small note over WhatsApp”.
“Namo Narayana. Special thanks to all – everything was so meticulously planned and executed. It was a wonderful and enjoyable experience. It taught Adiyen to be humble and thankful. The enthusiasm of the elders was inspiring.”
“Pranaams to all the Sevaarthis who have given Samaya daan as Seva, this dedication shows that our commitment to service is a direct act of devotion, proving that serving humanity is indeed serving God.”
“The whole day after Seva, we kept thinking of the elderly in the nursing home. We have never experienced seeing the elderly like this. It is eye-opening. We would love to volunteer and do our little mite.”
Do write back to us if you are interested in volunteering, or feel free to leave your valuable comments below. Thank you.
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