PERTAPISSeptember - December 2014

Norasimah Sujai (Editor)Osman V P Mohamed (Asst. Editor)Siti Rahmah ShamsudinSoraya BegumNur Dina AmalinaNur Faizah Hairil Basar

AdvisorsAbdul Wahab HusseinMohd Jufri Haron

Khairunnisa RusliMustika AlyssaRashidah RashidSyahir Iskandar Rosli (Designer)

Editorial Team:

Photo by Joshua Pwee Photography

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An outing to the River Safari on 12 Nov 2014 had the elderly and staff of PSCFH bowled over by the trip courtesy of Royal Plaza on Scott. The residents, in particular, find the experience interesting as they went through each of the exhibits found along the river wilderness. Most of them were also visiting the safari for the very first time. The staff from Royal Plaza on Scott acted as guides throughout the outing as they patiently attend to the queries of the residents.

The elderly were in awe of the majestic creatures there such as the giant dugongs, anaconda and of course the famous pandas, Jia Jia and Kai Kai. They also walked on the boardwalk bridge and were given an opportunity to experience the amazing boat ride under the natural weather and cooling breeze.

Trip to River Safari

Pertapis Senior Citizens’

Fellowship HomeBy Nur Faizah Hairil Basar

12 November 2014

To welcome the sacred month of Muharram on 25th October, Muhajirin Mosque Volunteers’ Committee organized the Maal Hijrah celebration in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidil Adha.Approximately 85 volunteers and patrons from the mosque gathered at the PSCFH premises to jointly pray with one purpose; which was to seek and attain the pleasure and blessing of Allah SWT.

It was a good platform for the participants to bond with the residents and staff of the Home. The programme lined up during the celebration included prayers and zikir recitations and Marhaban performance led by Muslimin Muhajirin. The success of this event was a testament of PSCFH good relationship with the volunteers’ committee of Muhajirin Mosque which the Home hopes to further strengthen.

Hari Raya Aidiladha and Maal Hijrah 1436 Celebration25 October 2014

Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) invited PSCFH to their concert on 6th November 2104. The residents were treated to an array of performances by the talented students of the school. From funny skits to singing and dance segments, the students had managed to capture the hearts of the elderly with their cute and lovable antics.

While the concert was ongoing, some students also visited the table to interact with the residents and even helped to serve their meals during lunch time. The residents were especially touched by the students and volunteers who went to great lengths to make sure that they had an enjoyable time.

Invitation to ACS Concert6 November 2014

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PertapisChildren’sHome

By Mustika Alyssa

MINDEF 16 Years Collaboration7 November 2014

MINDEF personnel came down on this day to celebrate the 16th year of collaboration with PCH. We are truly honoured with their collaboration. After a tour of the facility, MINDEF personnel conducted a mini in-house carnival with the residents which put a smile on their faces. It was a joyous celebration for everyone!

Most days, the children’s mode of transportation will be the bus or van. But on this day, the children got a taste of what it is like to be in a cruise! The children were invited to be on board the Princess Cruise which had docked in Singapore at that time. There were activities such as designing-your-own-shirt for the children on top of the Kinect that was available in the activity room. After which, they were treated to a buffet of food for lunch to fill their grumbling tummy. This was such an amazing experience for the children and it is something that they will never forget in their lifetime…

Princess Cruise

Volunteers from SRJC conducted a mini car-nival with the residents on this day to interact with them and just have a good time with them. Not only were the games fun but it was also focused on values like teamwork and team spirit. It was a splendid half-day event for the residents.

Capitaland had their volunteer day with us this year by helping to repaint certain parts of PCH to give a fresh new look to our building. The fresh new coat gives our building a fresher look than before! After their hard work of painting, they conducted interactive games with the residents. We couldn’t be more thankful for their help!

PCH residents were invited to a children’s day celebration organized by SPIZE at Simpang Bedok. They were treated with an array of food, snacks and also a rainbow tiered cake. Games were carried out for the children with wonderful prizes as gifts; the children couldn’t be any happier. At the end of the celebration, they had a piñata section where each child had the chance to break the piñata…and voila! It rained candies and chocolates as the piñata broke and all the children were excitedly collecting the treats that rained on them. What a happy children’s day celebration it was for them!

Children’s Day Celebration by SPIZE25 October 2014

SRJC Mini Carnival19 November 2014

Capitaland Volunteer Day

21 November 2014

Programs as such balance the children’s lives between studying and having fun. The children are already looking forward to activities that are in store for them for the November – December school holidays!

23 September 2014

Star struck. That’s what it is! The residents were invited to a dinner event with RIA98.7fm DJs at Penang Street Buffet to celebrate RIA’s birthday. The scrumptious buffet food, topped with tasty birthday cake to satisfy their sweet tooth, they enjoyed mingling with the DJs. Of course, they came back home with a happy tummy too.

Ria’s 24th Birthday4 December 2014

The Singapore Police Force staff brought the children out to an outing to the MINT toy muse-um. The children discovered toys that they have not seen before. It was an eye-opening experience for them. The residents were treated with Mc-Donald’s meal after the museum tour.

Mint Toy Museum Visit with SPF

10 December 2014

Kind volunteers from the syariah court came down on this day to give a new face to our fences. The fences were painted with colourful designs! After their painting, they conducted some interaction games with the residents and also some food donation. Residents of PCH were all very happy to be given this chance to interact with these friendly people.

Syariah Court Volunteer Interaction

5 December 2014

PCH got extra helping hands from the Special Operationsv Command team in area cleaning. They left PCH in a spick and span condition and we cannot be more thankful for their help!

SOC Home Cleaning8 December 2014

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In order to spice things up for the monthly reading and writing programmes, Pwee Foundation had assisted to fund and engage Keelat Theatre Ensemble to help the residents to develop performing skills and apply their writing skills. Throughout the 8-sessions program, participants have learnt basic of theatre-making, script-writing, staging and presentation. On top of that, they also learnt teambuilding skills as they worked to perform in front of their peers and PCWG staffs on 18 October 2014.

Reading, Writing, & Drama Skills Workshop by

Keelat Theatre Ensemble

Pertapis Centre for

Women & GirlsBy Soraya Begum & Nur Dina Amalina

September - October 2014

Hari Raya Celebration

23 August 2014 was a joyous day for residents and their families over at PCWG, as they participated in a Hari Raya celebration, entitled ‘Cahaya Syawal’, literally means ‘The Light of Syawal’. The programmes included performances by the residents, and family-bonding activities that involved both residents and their family members. It was also a day where PCWG showcased the residents hidden talents through dance, ‘dikir barat’ and skit performances, and a mini singing competition.

Charity Run With United Parcel Service 13 residents and 4 PCWG staffs actively participated in a 5-km Charity Run organized by United Parcel Service (Asia Pacific Region) on early Saturday morning, 30 August 2014. UPS awarded the first girl among all PCWG residents to reach the finishing line with a small token, thereby showing their appreciation for the girls’ enthusiasm. It was indeed an enjoyable day, as the girls took part in games and displayed strong teamwork.

23 August 2014

30 August 2014

Spring Cleaning With Software AG Volunteers

A team of volunteers from Software AG came to the Centre on 11 September 2014, ready to get wet and dirty in a spring cleaning project, as part of their community service tasks. The volunteers were divided into groups and joined efforts with residents in tasks like scrubbing, dusting, mopping and washing. It may have sounded mundane, but the volunteers and girls took the time to bond and interacted with each other. By the end of the day, both volunteers and residents have made new friends and learnt more about each other.

Monthly Birthday Celebrations Sponsored By ‘Food from the Heart’

With effect from October onwards, PCWG residents may look forward to every 3rd Friday of the month for the monthly birthday celebrations at the Centre. Special thanks to ‘Food from the Heart’ organisation, which extended the program to PCWG as one of the beneficiaries! As a first celebration, a birthday cake was delivered for all residents to enjoy, and gifts were prepared for girls of the birthday month. The rare experience of getting cakes and having everyone in the Centre celebrating their birthdays with them have definitely touched their hearts.

11 September 2014

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PertapisHalfwayHouse

By Muhd Sufian Md Salim

Visit by PERKIM, Sarawak27 October 2014

The PERTAPIS Halfway House were honoured by foreign delegations on 27th October 2014, delegation from PERKIM Sarawak. The team was appreciative to PERTAPIS for hosting them and brought them around the vicinity of the Halfway House.

In the picture, Chief delegation from PERKIM, Dato Hajah Sharifah, presented a cheque and also exchange momentous with our President of PERTAPIS, Mr Husseini Abdullah.

In her speech, it was conveyed how the good work of PERTAPIS had inspired their team to tap upon the knowledge gathered to advance the social service sector in their country.

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PERTAPIS Halfway House collaborated a Joint Halfway House mosque collection on 5th September 2014.

The Project was a joint effort by the various halfway houses to reach out the various Mosques around Singapore. The event also saw volunteers from different walk of life and special thanks to the taxis that ferried our volunteers and participates in the collection.

The residents of PERTAPIS Halfway House participated in the mosque collection drive which also served as part of their HSM 2 rehabilitative programme in the domain of Spiritual Awareness. A resident shared, “I am thankful for this opportunity which I would never had done when I was out”.

Community Works

-Fleet of Taxis volunteering to the cause

International Coastal Cleaning DayOur residents and staff had also came together to observe International Coastal Cleaning Day by volunteering to pick up litters near the beach along Changi Coast.

-Volunteers, residents and staff celebrating the completion of the Environmental cause.

13 September 2014

List of Community Works SEP-DEC 2014

• 5th Sep 2014 Joint Halfway House Mosque Collection•13th Sep 2014 International Coastal Clean Up Day• 3rd Oct 2014 Mosque Collection for Haji Mohd Salleh Mosque• 5th Oct 2014 Solat Aidil Adha • 11th Oct 2014 Korban Alms Giving for the poor & needy• 31st Oct 2014 Mosque Collection for Yusof Ishak Mosque

The month of October has kept PERTAPIS Halfway House busy as we continued to host and received many visitors from both home and abroad.

Visits

• 15th Oct 2014 Prison Psychology Branch, Singapore Prisons• 27th Oct 2014 PERKIM, Sarawak• 28th Oct 2014 Institute of Mental Health• 28th Oct 2014 Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman

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Visit by SCOREOn 11th Sep 2014, Mr Stanley Tang, CEO SCORE paid a visit to PERTAPIS Halfway House. A good sharing session was held together by our president, Mr Husseini Abdullad and the Home Management Committee with the delegations from SCORE.

11 September 2014

Visit by Prison Psychology Branch30 Corrective Rehabilitative Specialist from the Prison Psychological branch visited PERTAPIS Halfway House for a learning curve and had a chance to interact with their charges from the ICP programme in prison.

The visitors shared their appreciation and encour-aged their former charges to continue to better themselves in their recovery.

15 October 2014

PERTAPIS Halfway House was visited by the delegation from the Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman. Here, a fruitful sharing session on the different approach and cultures have impacted the rehabilitation of drug abuser were discussed. The delegation were impressed by our system and programmes in rehabilitating the ex offenders in their recovery. It came to a surprise to the delegation of how a Voluntary Welfare Organisation contributes a significant role in the community running on limited resources. The house and organisation were appraised for its good work from the delegation.

Visit by Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman27 October 2014

On the same day, our House hosted Medical Officers from Institute of Mental Health who are our partners in the rehabilitative programmes.

Matters of detoxification and the recovery process of in care and aftercare were laid out for discussion.

Visit by Institute of Mental Health27 October 2014

The House received new mattresses to improve the accommodation of its residents. New wardrobes were also bought to replace old aging lockers. The changes were much appreciated by our residents. Wall and ceiling fans were installed in the dormitories. The improvement to the facility made possible from utilising the President’s Charity fund.

Halfway House Upgrading

Major Events