Thirty-seven volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group celebrated Fiji Day with elderly residents of the Golden Age Home in Lautoka through music, action songs, simple massage techniques and compound cleaning.
The volunteers performed action songs, bringing smiles to residents, many of whom clapped and sang along.
Volunteer Fengyi, who is from Australia, also demonstrated simple massage techniques for the neck, shoulders and body to promote relaxation, while providing gentle massages for residents.
The volunteers later worked together to collect rubbish and tidy up the Golden Age Home's surroundings.
One of the volunteers who travelled from Australia to participate in the activity shared her personal experience of caring for the elderly, having cared for her parents, who are nearly 90 years old, for many years.
She says that through caring for her parents, she has learned that elderly people need more than help with their daily needs.
Melamy says they also need patience, companionship and love and sometimes, simply sitting with them, listening to their stories or sharing a kind word can mean so much.
She adds that caring for the elderly should be a shared responsibility among families and the wider community.
She says seeing everyone come together today to sing, spend time with the residents and help care for their surroundings makes her very happy.
She also says people do not have to do something big to make a difference because a little time and kindness can help someone feel loved and remembered.
Melamy is encouraging more young people and community members to take part in volunteer work because, no matter where we come from, we can all care for one another through our actions.
Volunteer representative Rita, from Matawalu Village, also encouraged greater community participation during an on-site interview.
She says regardless of our race or where we come from, we are all one and should love one another because love is what matters most.
She hopes more people will join them in bringing kindness and happiness to our seniors.
Staff at the Golden Age Home thanked the volunteers for their visit, noting that the companionship of young people and the variety of activities brought additional enjoyment to the residents' daily lives.
The Fiji Day activity concluded with a shared message: caring for the elderly begins with simple, everyday acts of kindness.
The Shincheonji Volunteer Group says it will continue its elderly-care activities and encourage more people to contribute to their communities.
