JOHOR BARU: TO show they care, 13 students and three staff members of Tenby International School Setia Eco Gardens recently visited Rumah Warga Emas Nur Ehsan to bring cheer to the residents.
The group did not merely pop by to donate food. They brought and helped to serve a homemade lunch that included pastries and desserts, performed the golden hits of yesteryear for entertainment, and spent time getting to know the elderly residents of the old folk’s home in Kempas.
The community service project was conducted with the blessing of the school, which had a programme for charity to develop a caring student and staff body.
The visitors were led by student council president Nurain Mohd Zulkifli, who said the group considered several homes before deciding on Rumah Warga Emas Nur Ehsan for the project.
“We wanted to show the residents that we care and they seemed pleased to see us,” she said.
Nurain said the students council’s first such project had proved an eye-opener for the students.
The visitors were greeted at arrival by the home’s caretaker Abdullah Ibrahim, who gave them a warm welcome and made the introductions to the home staff.
Abdullah said the students’ efforts enlivened the home and warmed the heart.
He said: “It’s good to see young people trying to do something for those who are less fortunate.”
The home, established in 2009, currently houses 26 women and 58 men. It is dependent on contributions from well-wishers.
Spirits were clearly lifted at the home as the students’ performance of golden classics moved the smiling residents to clap along.
“We also packed some goodie bags for them,” said Nurain.
She said the inmates were a little shy at first but soon warmed up to the friendly young guests.
“They were all happy to see us because some have not had visitors for a long time and some were abandoned by their families.”
“Our presence made them feel wanted and loved. Some were even moved to tears when we hugged them,” said Mohd Irfan Zulkifli, one of the students.
Irfan hoped that more would take the time to visit the residents as many of them were lonely and had no one to talk to.
Another student Anna Chua Shu Yee said: “The visit opened my eyes. It is a reminder that we, as children, must take care of our parents for as long as they are with us. It is a sin to dump them in a home.”
Quoting Mother Teresa, she said: “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for and deserted by everybody.”
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