Hi! My name is Jacqueline, and I’m a third-year undergraduate majoring in Communications and New Media. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always felt a special connection to seniors. Growing up, my late grandfather was one of the most loving and nurturing figures in my life. He filled my childhood with stories, laughter, and the kind of unconditional love that shapes who you are. After school, I would stay at my grandparents’ home, and spending time with elderly neighbours nearby only deepened my appreciation for the wisdom and warmth they bring to our lives.

When my grandfather passed away in 2021, it left a void in my heart. I missed his presence, his stories, and the quiet comfort he gave me. So, when I came across GEN2062Y, I saw it as more than just a course—it felt like a way to reconnect with that lost sense of having a grandfather figure again. At the same time, I wanted to serve and learn from seniors like my grandmother, who has grown frailer over the years. Watching her navigate the challenges of aging has made me acutely aware of the struggles that come with it, from losing mobility to the frustrations of relying on others. I hoped this course would allow me to honour my grandparents’ legacies while giving back to a community that means so much to me.

To me, GEN2062Y is more than just an academic course—it’s an invitation to make a real difference in the lives of seniors. As part of the SG Cares movement, this course aims to support local communities through Volunteer Centres, creating activity hubs that help seniors stay active and connected. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to equip students with key concepts in volunteerism and essential skills such as empathy, communication, conflict management, and team building.

Throughout the course’s 15 sessions, we applied these skills by designing, coordinating, and conducting activities for seniors at selected Volunteer Centres. It’s a hands-on approach that not only enhances interpersonal effectiveness but also fosters a deeper understanding of collaboration and engagement. For me, it represented an incredible opportunity to combine learning with meaningful action, and it has left a profound impact on my personal growth.

At Tzu Chi SEEN @ Bukit Batok, I had the privilege of meeting many seniors, each with their own unique story. One encounter that left a lasting impact on me was with Auntie Ong, a spirited woman who now relies on a wheelchair. She shared with me how she once worked in a school, shaping young minds and finding joy in her work. But a series of fall accidents changed everything. She spoke candidly about how difficult it was to adjust to life in a wheelchair—the loss of independence, the emotional toll, and the everyday frustrations of not being able to do things she used to do.

During an Art & Craft session, we gathered around a table scattered with colourful metal wires, beads, and keychain rings, all set for making flower keychains. The atmosphere buzzed with quiet concentration, broken occasionally by bursts of laughter as we fumbled with the delicate wires, trying to twist them into petal shapes. Auntie Ong, with her steady yet slightly trembling hands, carefully bent the wires, but her flower took on a more abstract form. She looked at it, laughed, and said, “Aiyaa, I was never much of an artist anyway!” Her light-heartedness filled the room, turning what could have been a moment of frustration into one of shared laughter.