Accentuate the Positive

Rose Ho shows that even a physical disability need not stand in the way of volunteering.

I felt very privileged to be able to help the less fortunate. Even though I am myself handicapped, I feel that I can help those who are more in need of assistance.

I’ve always wanted to do volunteer work from an early age. In my secondary school days, one particular classmate would always make fun of my crippled leg. One day, my teacher assigned me to sell flags for Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Flag Day and this particular classmate was nominated by the teacher to partner me. She furiously refused to be my partner, saying "Look at her! She is BAI KA (Hokkien for “crippled”)! It is impossible for her to do any volunteer work!” My heart was broken and my desire to prove her wrong started to grow in my heart. But due to time and financial constraints plus work and family commitments, I only managed to do volunteer work from the beginning of this year.

What drew you to volunteering at FFTH?

I read the Straits Times article about the bakeries discarding their unsold bread. I felt the pinch and asked myself, “Why waste? What must I do? Who should I approach? How can I help to save the food?”. The solution came when I found out about the FFTH programme. I was motivated and registered with them to be a volunteer.

What does your volunteer work at FFTH entail?

My duties take me 2 evenings every week. On Tuesdays, with my partner Eileen, I collect bread from the Arcade and Clifford Pier for distribution at King George’s Senior Activity Centre. If there is extra food, I will deliver these extras to the Moral Welfare Home in Henderson Road. On Thursdays, I collect from an International Plaza outlet and pick up Eileen from Robinson Tower. Together, we deliver the food to the Moral Welfare Home in Henderson Road.

Have you had any memorable encounters with food donors, homes or other volunteers which you would like to share with our readers?

Being a volunteer, I feel the joy of living and experience great satisfaction when I see that the poor and the needy have food to fill their stomach and as a result, brighten their days. Once, it was raining dogs and cats during one of my deliveries to the Moral Welfare Home at Henderson Road. I was totally wet. One particular live-in patient welcomed me by bowing several times. He left me a very deep impression because even though he could not stand straight, he still managed to bow his head several times and opened the doors for me, as my hands were full with bread. Later, his Supervisor came and said “Miss, you are our saviour, we have no bread as super as yours for the patients.” I felt so touched by her words and my tears slowly rolled down my wet cheeks.

Have you had any negative experiences while volunteering at FFTH and how did you deal with it?

Sometimes, when I put on the red FFTH vest, passers by stare at me. But instead of feeling uncomfortable, I feel very proud because I know that I am on a mission to save food.

What would you say to someone who's thinking of volunteering at FFTH?

I hope the mission of FFTH inspires many of you as it had inspired me. Being part of the FFTH volunteer team, I would like to urge you to Help Us To Help Others in Need.

Finally, if you were a bun, pastry, pao or kueh, what would you like to be?

I would like to be different things to different people. For the old folks, I would like to be a curry puff with thin shell and a healthy pohpiah vegetable filling. For children, I would like to be a multi-coloured pastry which is sweet and crispy. Well, this is just my imagination!!!

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This Teen's a Trooper

For teenager Karen Tay, the two ‘E’s in volunteering stand for empathy and enthusiasm.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Karen Tay. I am 20 yrs old. I am currently a 2nd year student in LaSalle-SIA
College of the Arts majoring in interior design. During my free time I am like all other teenagers. I enjoy shopping and movies.

What drew you to volunteering at FFTH?

I saw FFTH over the news. But at that time they only needed people who could drive. But in June, my friend asked me whether I could help as they needed help with packing. That was how I came on board.

What does your volunteer work at FFTH entail?

I manage the self-collection center at Redhill every Monday evening.

Have you had any negative experiences while volunteering at FFTH and how did you deal with it?

I think that sometimes, elderly people can be forgetful. For example, there was an old gentleman who told us to stop delivering bread to him but the following week, he requested bread from us. We told him that he had cancelled the deliveries but he lost his temper and claimed that he had said no such thing. With instances such as this, I will forgive and forget as I know that the elderly are all alone at home so their temper can
be bad at times.

What would you say to someone who's thinking of volunteering at FFTH?

I would say that if the founders of FFTH, both of whom are foreigners, are willing to help Singaporeans, then we Singaporeans should play our part too. In the past six months of volunteering at FFTH, I have found find that the staff and volunteers here are friendly and easy-going. I really enjoy working with them. Since we are the more fortunate, we should lend a helping hand to the needy.

Finally, if you were a bun, pastry, pao or kueh, what would you like to be?

I would like to be a bak pao. It may not attractive from the outside but is really delicious.

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Healthy and Wholesome

Bernie shares with us her philosophy on volunteering.

I'd just like to be a wholemeal bun; healthy and wholesome.

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