PROJECT I-CARE – CHRISTALITE METHODIST HOME
SUNDAY 23 APRIL 2006

The day began with 27 volunteers (9 from North West CDC, 3 from RC Suntec City and 15 from RAC North West) meeting at Christalite Methodist Home at an unearthly hour of 7.45am. Of the 15 from RAC North West, 1 is a guest, and 2 were pioneers of Project I-Care when it was first lauched in 2003. Our Rotarians, President Richard Yap, Deputy New Generations Director; Rtn Felix Tok and Rtn Lorinda Tan were also present.

MacDonalds breakfast was provided for all volunteers by the NW CDC. At about 7.55am, the Singapore Women’s Association (SWA) volunteers arrived in their van packed with eye screening machines as well as hand held equipment. Our male volunteers readily assisted in unloading the van, carrying and moving the machines and equipment into the Physiotherapy room which was allocated for the eye screening session.

Briefing of volunteers began at 8.10am was led by Ms Sinti Sim, Liaison Representative from NW CDC, myself, and Dr Allan Fong from the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology (SSO) respectively. 8 volunteers were identified to assist our volunteer optometrists in the 1st station of the screening process.

Thereafter the volunteers were led to Physio room where the machines and equipment have been set up and according to the work flow of the screening process. Ms Anny Leow from the SWA walked the volunteers through the screening process and another 2 volunteers were identified to assist in the 2nd and 3rd stations of the screening process. DRR Audrey being pioneer to previous I-Care sessions in 2003 and 2004, was roped in, to man the 2nd station.

The last 2 stations of the screening process were manned by the volunteer doctors (6 doctors who took shifts) from Singapore Eye Foundation (SEF) as well as the SSO. The identified volunteers were taught how to take readings, how to use the machines and assist the doctors at their respective stations.

At about 8.50am, the remaining volunteers started their journey through the whole eye screening process with the residents, one at a time. Thanks to the overwhelming number of volunteers, that almost all the residents each had 1 volunteer to journey through the process with them.

Initially, we experienced a bottle neck at the first station due to our volunteers familiarizing themselves with the process at the respective stations, but soon enough, we managed to get the flow moving smoothly. Credit also must be given to our floor managers – Rtr Haz and soon to be inducted Calvin Mak, not forgetting our Zone 3 ZD Kumar who took some very good pictures during the whole event.

We were honored to have PP John S Y Tan, District Avoidable Blindness Committee Chairman drop by with his family and Mr Sam Fong from the Glaucoma Society (Singapore) to view the eye screening at about 9.05am.

At 10.15am, our GOH Mr Hawazi Daipi, Advisor to Marsiling GROs arrived and was welcomed by the welcoming party which consisted of Dr Lim Wee Kiak; father of Project I-Care as well as PAP candidate for Sembawang GRC, representatives from the Home, the NW CDC, our sponsoring Rotary Club’s President Richard Yap, our home club’s President Dalon Quah, Dr Allan Fong, Ms Sinti Sim and myself. The Branch Chairperson of the Home; Mrs Heng led the welcoming party on a tour of the premise then to the Physio room where the eye screening was carried out. Dr Lim walked through the process with Mr Hawazi and they both even had a hand in screening a couple of the residents.

Channel News Asia (CNA) was present at the home for a coverage of the event and also conducted an interview with Dr Lim.

The eye screening process continued and was completed at 1.15pm with volunteers taking turns to take breaks to enjoy some refreshments that were provided.

All volunteers helped to clean up the room and pack up the machines and equipment and then headed down to the Meeting room where they enjoyed more refreshments and the air-conditioning. A brief debrief was done and feedback was gathered to better improve future I-Care sessions.

To end off the whole event, all the volunteers gathered in front of the banner and posed for a few shots. Pity, a couple of volunteers and the doctors that were not present at the photo taking session. Their efforts are not forgotten!

Volunteers left feeling happy and satisfied with their time spent at the Home. They look forward to future I-Care sessions. The next Project I-Care will be held at SWARMI Home for the Aged on Sunday 4 June 2006.

The Organising Committee would like to thank Rotarians, Rotaractors, Pioneers, guests, Doctors - Laurence Lim, Elaine Chee, Sunny Shen, Kelvin Lee, Loo Jing Liang, volunteers from NW CDC, and not forgetting the nurses and directors of Christalite Methodist Home. You have made a difference in the lives of the residents in the Home! We hope to see you at our next Project I-Care!

Yours-in-Rotaract,
Amanda Quek
Project Manager – Project I-Care
RAC North West