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In lieu of the Hari Raya celebrations, there were two concurrent events co-organised by Migrant Worker’s Center and Doveswarm on the 12th of July. Seeing that you have already heard about the celebrations at the children’s home in the earlier blogpost, here is another perspective from one who went to the Jamiyah’s Nursing Home.  Photo Courtesy: Nadya Ow
On that Sunday afternoon, a motley crew of community advocates members, students and migrant worker volunteers headed down to the Jamiyah’s Nursing Home to join in the festive celebration with the resident elderly. The programme began with a captivating dance performance by a group of RJC student volunteers, followed by a 1-hour session of handicraft making (Ketupats and folded stars) and came to conclusion with a hearty communal breaking fast session in the evening. Over the course of a few short hours, I am glad to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there and gleamed many insightful lessons despite the brevity of my experience.
 Breaking fast together! Photo Courtesy: Nadya OwMy first lesson would be that, sometimes, expectations and reality could be worlds apart. When I first arrived at the nursing home, I found myself unsure as to how to speak with the migrant workers and resident elderly. After all, being an inborn introvert who had once even googled “good conversation topics” at a gathering, I found myself uncertain as to how to engage the elderly and migrant workers in meaningful conversation. I expected that there would be a communication gap. Thankfully, I could never be more wrong. When we were first dispatched to communicate with the elderly, many of us CA and student volunteers were hesitant as to how to approach them. By contrast, it was really heartening to see how the migrant workers were so forthcoming and earnest in their interaction with the resident elderly, and how some even took the initiative to lead us students in engaging the elderly. As for the elderly, while there were indeed some verbal communication barriers such as language differences, these obstacles were quite easily overcome through holding of hands, giving thumbs-up and even a simple smile. I fondly remember this Malay lady, where we communicated through nothing but simple body movements, such as slightly bobbing our shoulders during the dance performance. I believe that many student volunteers would agree with me when I say, while many of us came down with the expectation of engaging the migrant workers and elderly, instead it was the migrant workers and elderly who engaged us.  Photo Courtesy: Nadya Ow
Also, another lesson that I gleamed from my experience, was that migrant workers are some of the sincerest people I have met. From the beginning to the end of session, they were fully engrossed in their task at hand: engaging the elderly and students. As mentioned above, they did not hesitate to make the first move; by readily opening up to the students and elderly, it was the migrant workers who facilitated much of the interactions, thus making the event as successful as it was. During the handicraft session, I distinctly recall that the migrant workers ensured that the elderly all had their materials and instructions before settling down to start on their own handicrafts, putting the needs of the elderly before themselves. In this regard, I earnestly find their sincerity exemplary and laudable.
This brings me to my final insight: Migrant workers are amazing. Even though migrant workers work long hours and have few rest days, it was really heart-warming to see that they are willing to spend their precious, well-deserved rest days making someone else’s day and helping out the community. I remember one of the migrant workers being thoroughly engrossed in conversation with an elderly resident for the entire duration, both parties brimming from ear to ear as they engage in hearty conversation. These migrant workers have already made considerable sacrifices to contribute ever so much to our society, and yet are still willing to take the extra mile to give back even more; for this, I truly respect our migrant workers of Singapore.
Christopher Lim
Raffles Institution Community Advocates (Doveswarm)
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Photo Courtesy: Nadya Ow
