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Tsao Foundation - ComSA👵🏻👴🏻❤️ (Thoughts and Reflection💭)

The Tsao Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of older persons in an inclusive society that can embrace both the challenges and opportunities of population ageing. Their community-based programmes and services give older people access to quality integrated medical and pycho-social care in their homes and communities. Their scholarly research as well as dialogue and collaboration with community, academia and public service agencies address critical population ageing issues at both national and policy levels; and their professional and community training and education programmes empower eldercare colleagues, older persons, caregivers and the public with practical help and knowledge.

The impetus for ComSA comes from insights into the needs and aspirations of older persons and the community resources available to their continuing healthcare and personal growth. Underpinning ComSA is the understanding that health is not just a biophysical issue but necessarily includes psychological, emotional and spiritual wellness, and that, a person, along the course of his life, needs to be recognised as much for his continuing potential as much as for his past contributions, and thrives in the loam of social connectedness, while isolation, loneliness and boredom - the three plagues that commonly beset older people - thwart the best attempts of medical care.

Volunteering for a charity that helps the elderly brings me a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose. I am grateful for the opportunity to offer companionship, assistance, and kindness. Every moment spent with them serves as a reminder of the importance of giving back and the profound impact of small acts of care. Helping others, especially seniors, not only enriches their lives but also brings me a unique sense of connection and joy!

I have a strong belief that older people - regardless of their conditions- are capable of leading a full life provided that they have access to sufficient care and support, and are given opportunities to participate in mainstream society :)

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Tsao Foundation - Singing Program Pt. 4

🔹Before the class:

Get the list of name of the members who perform on session four and write the name on the certificate.

🔹Kind reminder for members:

- The 4th session topic: Skills on Performance Presentation

On the second half of the class, each of the four groups will take turn to present a song during class for teacher's feedback.

🔹The flow for the day:

Warm up.

Singing master class cum presentation for each of the group songs.

⁠Five mins break.

Certificate presentation.

Final singing of Auld Lang Syne, picture taking then ending the class.

🌟Reflection:

Group singing activities provide a fun and effective way for elderly individuals to connect with others and stay active. These activities offer a wide range of benefits, from strengthening cognitive abilities to improving emotional well-being. During my internship, I observed how group singing positively impacts mental health, particularly in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. For seniors, who often face challenges such as social isolation or the loss of loved ones, singing offers a meaningful way to stay mentally engaged and mood lifting.

Singing involves recalling lyrics, melodies, and rhythms, which helps stimulate memory and cognitive function. It also requires focus and coordination, which help enhance attention and mental clarity. Group singing also provides a safe and supportive environment for emotional expression. For elderly participants, this mental exercise can help keep the brain sharp and may even reduce the risk of cognitive decline or dementia.

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Tsao Foundation - Singing Program Pt. 3

🔹Before the class:

Message the leaders to collect the four selected songs from them. Find the appropriate backing track links for each song in different keys, then post them in the group chat to assist with practice. Also, provide a brief summary for each of the four songs chosen by the group.

🔹Kind reminder for members:

- The choice of songs can be one of the songs studied in class or in the song list provided in the folder or an own choice agreed by group members.

- After the class, will send the individual group video snippets to the relevant group for review of their own songs.

- Remember to bring the party blower to class tomorrow to use.

🔹The flow for the day:

Warm up - Samba music.

Edelweiss - show lyrics and music on screen.

Study of Edelweiss.

Group work - Bonding, practise method.

Sing through each song as a class.

group break up time.

Individual Group coaching.

📝Keynotes for the session three:

All groups are allowed to assign a small portion of the chosen song with repeated parts to be sung by solo or duet voices if so desired.

Be very familiar with the lyrics so members can focus on performance artistry on Session 4. (The lyrics will be reflected on the projector just as a reminder.) Keep practicing with the karaoke with singer's version helps.

Do listen attentively while singing to match the rhythmic beats and pitches of the backing track.

Be aware of what voice quality you are singing in (speaking chest; head; or mixed voice)

Finding a suitable key for most members to sing a song is important to reduce vocal struggle and heighten enjoyment.

Appropriate amount of space and shape of the throat, mouth, nose, tongue etc allow vocal vibrato to travel and resonance to ring freely. (E.g. Sing with a yawny space)

Group singing requires listening, matching and blending to produce a unifying group voice quality. This exercise leads to group bonding, interacting, compromising, and achieving.

Level of difficulty, preference, and time availability to complete the learning task are three key elements in selecting an effective group singing piece.

Patience and support to each other during group practice encourage those who are timid to sing with less inhibitions.

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Tsao Foundation - Singing Program Pt. 2

🔹Before the class:

I've added the tracks to the YouTube playlist (Spring Kawan Series 2024), including the singers and lyrics for the main songs for session two: 'Edelweiss,' 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' 'What a Wonderful World,' '明天会更好,' '朋友.' And, I have prepared a description of the songs to share with the seniors. Also, I made name tags for each member.

🔹Technical equipment List for the class:

- A TV and wire extension

- ⁠A speaker (to play the YouTube videos)

- Two microphones

- A microphone stand

- A small table for putting things

- A whiteboard with markers and an eraser

- A bottle or wet wipe pack of sanitizer to be placed at the door

- Name tags

🔹Kind reminder for members:

- As the covid cases are quietly rising, members required to come with mask till singing time.

- Encourage all to self test before attending the singing class.

- The chairs should be placed far apart from each other in the room.

🔹The flow for the day:

Turn on the entrance music, door open, students walk in with the music beats to find their seats.

Physical and vocal warm up.

Solfeggi learning using Twinkle Twinkle little star.

What a Wonderful World (Speaks of some wise words that link into the content of the song) and learning a music element from the song.

Brief intro on the emotional expression and sing for them once.

Asks students to respond to the lyrics to personal experience.

Sing the song again.

Introduce and sing Ming Tian Hui Geng Hao.

Announce plan for group singing and tutorial / choice of song / practice format.

Fun singing time.

Class ending, students walk out rhythmically with the same entrance music!

🌟Reflection:

Volunteering to teach singing to elderly individuals is not just about sharing a musical skill; it’s about connecting on a deeper level and offering something that goes beyond the notes. For many elderly people, the opportunity to sing is more than just a fun activity—it can be a source of joy, self-expression, and emotional release.

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Tsao Foundation - Singing Program Pt. 1

🔹Before the class:

This series will be mostly on the topic of Spring. I searched some popular evergreen songs about Spring. And I compiled all the karaoke versions of the songs in the wellness singing chat into a folder, divided them into different categories:

Language Happy Sad Energetic Depress Love parents Children

Also, I created a folder for the lyrics and added translations or Hanyu Pinyin for the songs in Chinese. Afterward, I sent the sing-along songs to the senior Kawan members so they could practice on their own.

🔹Technical equipment List for the class: - Two microphones - A microphone stand - A TV and Wire extension - A small table for putting things  - A whiteboard with markers and an eraser

Classroom Floor plan:

🔹Kind reminder for members: - Wear comfortable outfits and be ready to engage in simple movements during class (Footwear: No high heels). - Bring their smartphones with song folders, if possible. - Bring water to drink in class.

🔹The flow for the day:

11: 55am arrived.

12 pm: 1. set up keyboard, tv, sound system, small table, whiteboard with an eraser and marker. 2. Mic check, check play karaoke, chair placement. 3. Print The survey form

And the class begins!

✏️Keynotes for the session one:

The whole body is the singing instrument and the ears (listening), mouth, head, nose, eyes, voice, neck, brain, heart and the breathing organs are the primary machines.

Reawakening the natural instincts and 'the Self' via group rhythmic movements and healthy singing.

Air flow (Breath flow) = vocal sound.

Effective time management on breathing, emotions, text, listening, and musical time = effective and expressive singing.

Everyone has a unique voice and a special song in the heart. There is no shame in vocalizing our feelings through a song.

⭐Discoveries:

As we age, physical and cognitive changes can make it more challenging to engage in activities we once enjoyed. However, singing remains an activity that is surprisingly accessible. It doesn’t require expensive equipment, and its benefits are immediate. Research shows that singing offers numerous health advantages, including improved lung capacity, better circulation, elevated mood, and reduced stress. For elderly individuals, singing can also provide valuable mental stimulation, helping to keep the mind active and engaged. Furthermore, for those experiencing memory loss or conditions like dementia, music has a unique ability to evoke memories and emotions in ways that other forms of communication may not. I've seen firsthand how a familiar song can bring back many memories.

🌟Reflection:

Teaching singing to the elderly is not just about the music, it's about building meaningful connections. Many elderly individuals experience isolation, and music offers a shared experience that brings warmth and joy. Watching their faces light up as they sing a familiar tune can be incredibly rewarding. Singing together creates a sense of belonging. I feels like these moments of unity go beyond the music itself. Volunteering in this way teaches me empathy, perseverance, and gratitude. It makes me appreciate the simple joys of life and reminding me of the timeless nature of music.

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Tsao Foundation - Singing Program Preparations

Work Task Allocation For My Internship:

Events

Preparation for event of the day

Online research materials and content management prior to each session.

Online debrief, reflection on pedagogy, guiding, managing a senior group class, and after event management of visual archive materials such as photos and video.

Management between sessions for Kawan singing members - online liaison with members, disseminating info, homework or reference materials, printing, and providing brief learning recordings and revision tutorial to Kawan members where necessary. 

Assisting with office work where necessary so I can understand what skills I need to work for a foundation and with what, how, and why Tsao Foundation serves the community with arts.

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Tsao Foundation - Singing Program

My internship with Tsao Foundation will be from May to June 2024, I will be attached to the Community Development/Four Seasons - Singing Program.🎵

✏️First Day Preparations

The first day of an internship is always a mix of excitement and nervousness. As I prepare for my upcoming internship, I'm reflecting on the essential steps I need to take to make a positive impression and set myself up to meet the standard. From organizing my materials to mentally preparing for new challenges, there's a lot to consider before walking into the office. Here's a steps of how I plan to get ready for my first day!

🔹Research the Company and Role

Before I started my internship, I'll make sure I've done enough research about the company and the team I'll be working with.

- Company Overview: I'll revisit the company's website to ensure I understand its mission, values and services. This will help me understand the bigger picture and align my efforts with their goals.

- Role Expectations: I'll review the job description one more time to refresh my memory on the key responsibilities and expectations!

- Company Culture: I'll also check out the company's social media profiles, blog posts, or any articles to get a sense of the culture, work environment and any recent updates.

🔹Prepare Essential Documents and Materials

It's important to be well-prepared with all the paperwork and materials I may need on the first day.

- Identification & Paperwork: I'll make sure to have all necessary identification documents, onboarding forms, and any specific paperwork requested by HR.

- What's in my bag: a laptop, charger, headphones, a water bottle, snacks, notebook and pen.

🔹Map Out my Day

- Arrive early: Aim to be at least 10-15 minutes ahead of schedule.

- Bring the right mindset: stay positive, be curious(don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification!) and trust myself.

- Make my mark: Introduce myself confidently, engage with others, take notes on key instructions and names to refer back to later.

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INTERNSHIP 2024

📅 Tsao Foundation /

My Internship Journey: A Step Toward Growth and Learning : )

As I reflect on my internship experience, I am filled with a sense of gratefulness and excitement for the knowledge and skills I've gained along the way. An internship is more than just a stepping stone in my career, it's an opportunity to dive deep into the real-world application of what I've learned, to make connections, and to discover new passions and strengths. This blog will take you through my journey - the invaluable lessons I learned along the way. Whether you're considering an internship of your own or simply curious about what it's like, I hope my story provides some valuable insight!🌻