I have always enjoyed participating in the corporate volunteering programs. It gives a little extra meaning to what I do for a living. Year 2011, I have done weeding in one of the islands. Boy, that was laborious. Year 2012, I have done art crafting with the children in a hospital. I hope by now, they have fully recovered and who knows, I might have tickled the kids’ artistic bones a little. This year, I have signed up for a learning trail excursion with the elders from a senior citizen center. A walk in the newly renovated Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park
I have been driving pass Bishan AMK Park for years as it is located quite near to my home. It was not until a 2010 blogger event that brought me to this park. Soon after, the park was closed for years. What was used to be a canal has now been transformed into a 2.7 km long meandering river integrated with the park. The park looks clean and beautiful, sustaining a healthy mixed of flora and fauna. During my visit, the water level was low. Besides a few gardeners working along the river, there were large white birds “playing” in the water.
The elderly group has a good mix of different cultural background. And the eldest was a 104 years old lady. Initially I was concerned if my lack of Mandarin speaking skill would be a burden. Fortunately, my Cantonese sufficed. Some of my colleagues do not speak the local languages. So they helped out with photograph taking, or carrying of umbrellas.
There is a fast food restaurant in the middle of the park. Probably not the healthiest choice for the elders. But it is a convenient location. There is a patio and I got to serve food, together with my colleagues. Quite possibly the most relaxing and enjoyable volunteering event I have participated thus far. The elders appeared to be happy. I took some pictures in the park with my wireless phone. The one above has surprised me a little. Snapseed application has done a great job in making the picture pops. But what delights me most is how well the perspective holds. It could only be a tinny miracle.