Ushering in the Year of Dragon with Festivities for the Elderly

_{Seniors basking in their festive spirits and posing for a group photo with their vibrant t-shirts.}

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the S R Nathan School of Human Development (NSHD) staff, SUSS Minor in Applied Ageing Studies students, SUSS community partners and friends gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year in style.

To kick things off, the team first delivered 80 calligraphy couplets, light sticks and gift bags to nursing homes and Active Ageing Centres (AAC) across Singapore.

_{Seniors from Orange Valley AAC practising Ping Shuai Gong.}

In the week leading up to the Lunar New Year, SUSS staff, students and alumni visited Orange Valley AAC @Woodlands Peak and SingHealth Outram Community Hospital (OCH) to engage the seniors through a rousing series of activities. From a hand-swinging exercise, also known as Ping Shuai Gong (a form of Qi Gong), drumming with exercise balls, virtual reality (VR) experiences to photo opportunities with their social robot, LOVOT, the elderly were in for a treat.

_{Seniors, along with attendees, engage with one other during the Ang Bao Fish craft-making session.}

Valen Tan Husistein, SUSS alumni and founder of Social Gifting, also led them through a handicraft session on making auspicious Ang Bao flowers from red packets – so everyone had a unique flower to bring home that day!

The Chingay parade in full swing, while NSHD staff and interested parties watch on.

The festivities hit a peak on February 24 with the team’s hosting of the annual Chingay Watch Party held online, attended by over 25 care organisations and their clients, alongside SUSS colleagues, students and alumni.

Kickstarting the opening of the Chingay parade, Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Mayor of South West District, presented the theme, ‘Blossom’, which signifies the combined effort of one community to create a beautiful garden city full of talents and opportunities.

Ms Tan Swee Leng, Director of Arts and Culture at People's Association, Dr Jennifer Lee, Chair, Programme Advisory Committee, Gerontology, and Associate Professor Lim Lee Ching, Dean of SUSS S R Nathan School of Human Development, also joined in extending warm wishes to the audience.

_{Attendees of the watch party witness the spectacular performance of the Lion and Dragon dances by Nanyang Girls’ High.}

Attendees at the online watch party were treated to an extraordinary showcase of talent and cultural diversity, featuring a variety of performances such as Nanyang Girls’ High Lion and Dragon dance, a sing-along session from the Cedar Girls’ School Choir, a drumming performance by the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan community, Taiwan, as well as an Ang Bao fish craft segment by Social Gifting.

_{Cedar Girls’ School celebrates with a sing-along session together with attendees.}

_{The NCKU-led community in Tainan (Taiwan), showcasing their drumming sticks with exercise balls.}

For bring festive cheers to our elderly and community, our special thanks and appreciation to Nunchi Marine for their donation of over 100 Prosperity Yu Sheng to the nursing homes, AACs, partners and everyone who made this festive celebration a resounding success! Through their collective efforts, they not only celebrated a cherished cultural tradition but also demonstrated the power of community in spreading happiness and goodwill.

 

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