During our Community Building Week, the Saints Advocate worked to raise awareness for people with mental illness, and for the work of Simei Care Centre as a psychiatric rehabilitation centre. They then organised for willing students to take photos while holding hands, in the likeness of Simei Care Centre's logo. This school-wide effort was organised into a photo montage and presented to Simei Care Centre on 14th June 2013, with the words "Persevere! Fight On!".
It was the second time that I had been to Simei Care Centre (SCC), but this was the first time that I had the chance to interact with a few of the residents there. At first look, many of them seemed a little quiet and unfriendly, but during the presentation of the frame, I could see that they were very touched and happy that there were students who were willing to support them and learn to understand and accept them. Most of them had smiles on their faces and when we brought the frame on stage, and many of them came forward to take a closer look. It was very heart-warming to know that Saints Advocate had made an impact on these residents. Even though the impact was small, bringing a smile to their faces was enough to make me smile as well. I had the chance to speak to one or two of the residents and they were really very happy that so many people were aware of the work that they did. When Justin and Siao Yen, the staff at SCC, thanked us for all the hard work, all I could think of was how it had been such a pleasure to have worked with SCC over the past year. It is also great to know that there are such selfless individuals who are doing their best to help those people who may be a little different from us assimilate back into society. The work that they do is a lesson to all of us, that as long as you have the heart to do it, anything is possible. I was very happy that I had the chance to present this token of appreciation to SCC and to share in their happiness. I hope that all of them are encouraged by this and I also hope that we will continue to work with SCC in the near future. :)
-Rosabel Tay, 3rd Saints Advocate
 |
| Rosabel expressing SAJC and Saints Advocate's support for the Simei Care Centre patients and the work that SCC is committed to doing |
 |
| Presenting the photo montage to SCC |
