Some 150 national servicemen from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) aimed for a different target on 13 January 2017. Instead of performing military duties, they rolled up their sleeves to serve some 400 frail clients under TOUCH Home Care’s (THC) Meals-On-Wheels programme for the first time. The meals were packed and distributed from THC’s three centres at Ang Mo Kio, Jurong and Toa Payoh.
The SAF national servicemen are part of THC’s 3,500 volunteers who deliver meals to THC’s elderly clients. Many of THC’s frail elderly live alone with little or no caregiver support, and suffer from a range of chronic medical ailments including mental health illnesses, and have mobility issues due to stroke or weak leg muscles. They will either starve or turn to biscuits stored at home or cook instant noodles to stave off hunger pangs, causing them to suffer from malnutrition and illnesses. MOW frees them from these worries and provides ample opportunities for them to meet different volunteers every day. For those who are homebound, these volunteers may be their only source of social contact.
Said Mr Kavin Seow, Director of TOUCH Home Care and TOUCH Caregivers Support, “We believe in honouring the pioneer generation with their most basic need - good nutrition, and for many of our frail clients, MOW is their lifeline. We are grateful to the many volunteers who have journeyed alongside us to help meet the needs of these vulnerable seniors.”
“I used to weigh only 49kg before I received help from TOUCH Home Care. Within a year, I put on 3kg! In the past, it was hard for me to eat proper meals as I have pain in my leg and can’t walk far. I was skinny then as I was having irregular meals like instant noodles. Now, I do not worry as I can count on the volunteers from TOUCH to deliver my lunch and dinner every day!” said THC client Mdm Hamidah Mohd Noor, 68, with a bright smile.
Special thanks to all our kind volunteers who have taken part in THC’s MOW project! If you have a heart for the elderly and wish to volunteer or take part in Corporate Social Responsibility projects, call 6804 6565 or email [email protected] today!
Click here to view the video of the national servicemen serving the community!