Community Services

Mid-term exams are finally done! I had 1 last week (Food & Health), 2 mid-terms yesterday (Multivariate Analysis & Dynamic Decision Methods), and the last one (Supply Chain Management) today! 3 mid-terms in 2 days... that was hectic, and I had to postpone writing a blog entry on my first community service to another home last week! (aiyoh I have been procrastinating)


NTUSCPD & Wan Fang Development Centre

OK, actually I joined a society (known as 社团) known as NTUSCPD (NTU Service Club for People with Disabilities 身心障碍服务社), and they are involved in regular community work at Wan Fang development centre (万芳发展中心). The centre is actually a place for kids aged 6 and below, with cerebral palsy (an impairment of the brain) or disabilities. There the kids undergo special education, treatment and day-care service.

Members of the society would choose a weekday where they are free and go down to the centre during 1030 to 1230, to help out with the lunch time feeding (喂食) of the kids with disabilities. I joined the society in late Feb after attending their welcome session but did not participate in the community work as I was down with flu/cough in March, and I do not want to pass my viruses to the kids~

First-time experiences at Wan Fang centre
Alright so last week Tues I finally went down! And this week too! I initially thought that the feeding job would be quite simple (like what most of us might think: scoop one rice and put into the mouth), but it turned out to be otherwise. I made many blunders along the way which somehow made me felt that I am giving the staff there more trouble, and I was quite sad =(

Firstly, the teachers there asked me to use a scissors and cut the food up into small bits without mixing them up (i.e. dun do it like putting all the food into a grinder). I attempted twice but the teacher said it wasn't fine enough, and by the third time, I got tired and forgot the instruction not to mix the ingredients up! So the food now appears mashed which you know, affects even our appetitie~

Secondly, everyone one of us were tasked to look after one or two kids who could not eat properly on their own (e.g. those who are easily distracted). As it was my first attempt at doing it, I was so focused at making the kids eat (e.g. making sure the kid is eating all the time, doesn't eat food that drops on the table) until the teacher told me that I could simply let them try eating with their own hands while I just monitor by the side and tell them instructions (e.g. hold the side of the bowl) when necessary! Oops I was too kaypoh lah. Yup, so I heeded the teacher's advice and let the kid try eating himself. But this gave me a bit of time to get distracted and gaze around the place and you know what, the next moment the bowl was on the floor, half the food spilled! Argh! =( By then, I was a bit lost. And the teacher had to help me clean up the mess!

So, feeding wasn't that easy afterall~ And The fine and delicate things to learn. I don't want to be additional chore to them!

Second-time experiences at Wan Fang centre
Yup, so this week I went down too! After performing badly last week, this week was much better~ No more bowls on the floor. This week I also had more interaction with the kids cos last week the water supply was cut off suddenly, and so there was no chance to try helping them brush their teeth after their meal. Again, this is something that looks simple but many things to learn... like the strength needed, and how to brush when their teeth are so small?!

This week I also noticed a kid which made me feel sad. He had a device installed at the throat part (somehow like an opening for breathing) and he couldn't speak. He was playing with the tatto on my arm (the temporary one we got at Kenting) and was trying to speak to me! But I couldn't understand~ He was also coughing and phlegm was discharged from that device. It was heart-wrenching seeing him coughing, and all I could do was just wipe the phlegm away and informing his teacher, hoping the teacher could help ease his discomfort.


Hope that he recovers very soon!