A Talk on How to Manage IMH patients – “Volunteering with the Mentally Challenged”

“Volunteering with the Mentally Challenged,” a talk on how to handle IMH patients was organized by RAC Singapore West on the 22nd September 2007 in liaison with the club’s focus of avenue of community service for this year. RAC Singapore West was fortunate enough to have the talk, conducted by councilor Ms Christina Liew, who is President Eileen’s friend.

The talk was an informal session in which volunteers shared their voluntary experiences and concerns about handling IMH patients. With her vast experience and knowledge in handling IMH patients, Ms Christina even explained the complexity of the illness that the patients face, thus making the session a fruitful yet interactive one.

As such, it was also without a doubt, that the talk raised our confidence on how to handle the IMH patients effectively. Ms Christina even bought her “symbols of volunteerism”, an ancient horse and Chinese warrior statues, to share with us her volunteering enthusiasms and how these symbols helped her to march on.
To end the day, President Eileen gave a token of appreciation to Ms Christina whose talk has definitely helped us to be mentally prepared in handling these patients and spurred us to make a difference in the lives of these patients.

Reported byRtr Abdul Wahid

Community Service Director 07/08

BBQ at Faber Gardens

On 9 September 2007, members of RAC Singapore West, their Rotarian advisors and guest attended a BBQ at Faber Gardens. It was indeed an interesting evening with the MAN of the club tried starting the fire. Of course we succeed. The fire was indeed very hot and caused the first batch of chicken cooked to be burnt. There was a short disagreement that the food was not enough (especially the bee hoon). After much debate, we decided to buy more food as the members concluded excess food is better than no food at all.

Wahid demonstrates the art of starting a BBQ fire

Not long our guests from Republic Poly, National Junior College and NUS arrived. We sat together under the full moon and got to know each other better. To some of us it was the first time we met one another.

That day also marked a special day to two of our new members Bing Xian and Jeryln (better known as Yogi). These two new members were inducted and welcomed to our club officially.

Left to right : New members Bing Xian and Jerlyn with President Eileen

Thank you to Rtn Tay for booking the pit for us and the other Rtns who joined us for the BBQ. The nite ended and the members had fun interacting and enjoying each other company. Hope you are looking forward for more fellowship events by your Club Service Director.

Reported by Md Zakir, Club Service Director

For more photos of this event, click HERE

Join our Heritage Walking Tour!

You are warmly invited to join us in our up-coming Professional Development activity.....

Memory and Heritage: Chinese Architecture in Singapore
A RACWest Heritage Walking-Tour

Take a walk down memory lane and rediscover our past!

Date: 20 October 2007 (Saturday)

Time : 9am (UOB Plaza) to 12pm (Amoy Street Food Centre)

Venues :

1. Yueh Hai Ching Temple
2. Fuk Tak Chi Museum
3. Ying Fo Fui Kun
4. Thian Hock Keng Temple
5. Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church

Guest Speaker : Dr. Yeo Kang Shua, Architectural Consultant, Monuments Inspectorate, Preservation of Monuments Board

Cost : $2.00 (Refreshments will be provided)

Only 30 spaces are available, so do register with us soon! Contact our PD Director Tse Siang at racwest@gmail.com NOW!

Ying Fo Fui Kun

Thian Hock Keng Temple

IMH Orientation Session

On the 18th August, Rotaract Club of Singapore held its first Institute of Mental Health (IMH) orientation session. This is in view in working hand in hand with IMH on our future community service projects.

Entrance to IMH

Madam Chua Siew Hong, who I have been liaising with IMH, was kind enough to offer an orientation session with us as we were keen to embark on venue of community service that we have not done yet. In her presentation, she gave us detailed insights on what the patients of IMH was suffering from, what are the things we can expect, and what we can do as a volunteer. She also shared some of her experiences with us.

Then, it was the second part of the orientation, which was to visit the ward. Mr Tan, nurse manager, led us to our assigned ward 53A. Along the way to our assigned ward, Mr Tan gave us an orientation of the place. The ever so friendly and cheerful Mr Tan helped us to settle in the ward when we arrived. As the ward was having a karaoke session, we joined in the fun with Zakir singing a song. The patients also took turns singing, with Phillip, one of the patients, impressing all of us with his good vocals while some of us interacted with the patients. We also asked the nurses what are the activities that we can do for the patients, to get feel of what are their likes and dislikes.

POW and prison guard! This photo was taken in a garden featuring items that were saved from the previous IMH premises. (E.g. an old metal gate.)

As the day was late, we parted ways with the nurses and patients of 53A. Despite the short time spent with the ward, we all felt good and motivated at the activities that we can do for the patients. The orientation session ended with a group photo with Mr Tan, who was a big help to us.

We are definitely looking forward in working hand in hand with our community service projects. If you are interested in this worthy cause, please do not hesitate to email us at racwest@gmail.com.

Attendees:
Eileen
Yi Ling
Zakir
Dawn
Tse Siang
Desmond
Rtn Ronnie Neo
Jerlyn
Wahid

Photos from this activity HERE

Contributed by Community Service Director Wahid

Installation Report – Taj Mahal

On the 14th July 2007, Rotaract Club of Singapore West celebrated its 27th Installation with our guests and friends at North Chandni Dining restaurant. With the theme set on “Taj Mahal – A Celebration of Friendship and Love”, the day was dedicated to have fun with our guests and friends.

Program for the night

The installation was a total success with plenty of fun, laughter and audience participation. And all this could not have been done with our wonderful guests and friends who went to such great lengths to dress themselves for the occasion despite the dress code being “Exotic India”. In the run up to the installation, we also had 2 fund raising activities, which is the Kachang Puteh Man and Song dedications which were well received.

Zack, the Kacang Puteh man, out doing sales


To start off the installation, we had a short video-clip comprising mostly the members and guests of RAC Singapore West. It was our very own version of Bollywood filmed at one of our local parks – Toa Payoh Park. (* VIEW THE VIDEO HERE! *) This was then followed by the usual protocol, roll call and toasting. Shortly after this, the installation of the new board began, with the appreciation of outgoing board of directors kick starting this. Then, this was followed by a speech by outgoing President Yi Ling. After her speech, she handed over to the Incoming President Eileen, who introduced her incoming board of directors. President Eileen also gave a short speech afterwards.

Handover of duties

After all formalities were done, it was time to have fun. But of course, we can’t have fun without dinner. Thus, dinner was served. With the mouth-watering spread and variety of food, consisting of North Indian cuisine, our guests and friends helped themselves for second servings.

Then it was time to have fun! Thus, we had lined up a dressing game in which the best dresser from each respective group would win. They were given some materials such as crepe paper, garbage bags, safety pins and more to assist them in the game. It was all good fun as they had a wonderful time dressing up their friends and let their imaginations run wild.

Contestants of the Dress-Up Game



The winner of the Dress-Up Game - the bashful Indian bride! (And her attendants.)

We also played another game “Dhal or No Dhal” with the similiar game format of “Deal or No Deal.” The only difference is that instead of pressing the button to indicate they have made their decision to deal, we replaced it with dhal and by eating it, it would indicate their decision to deal. And the chance of winning back their ticket price made it more interesting. The game was very well received and there were lots of laughter with DRR Zakir hosting the game. Congratulations to our contestants too who won some cash in the game.

Lastly, on behalf the club and organizing committee, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for making this installation a success. Without you, it would not been much of a success. A big “Thank you” also going out to our guest of honor, DRC PP John Ng and Chua Geok Lian for your kind sponsorship.

The organizing chairpersons - Winnie and Wahid

Till next year, keep in touch and hope to seeya all again for our next year’s installation.

More photos from the Installation HERE.
View Installation Bollywood introductory video HERE.

Contributed by Installation Co-Chairperson / Community Service Director Wahid