1) A group of students called the Geri Pals identified loneliness among the elderly in old age homes as a problem. 2) They celebrated birthdays of residents at Tai Pei Old People's Home by giving handmade cards and a cultural performance. 3) The residents greatly enjoyed and appreciated the activities, showing the positive impact small acts of kindness can have in combating loneliness.

1. Name of the School: Global Indian International School, Balestier, Singapore.
Address : 51, Jalan Rajah, Singapore - 329154
School Leader: Ayon Mukherjee
Story Title: Why the Loneliness?
Tel.: +65 - 62543258 Email: saiqua.zaki@globalindianschool.org
Mentor Teacher : Saiqua Zaki
STUDENT INFORMATION
1) Name: Ayon Mukherjee
Age: 10 yrs Grade: 5
2) Name: Josh Abraham Jacob
Age: 10 yrs Grade: 5
3) Name: Sookthi Bhat
Age: 10 yrs Grade: 5
4) Name: Sreya Mahendran
Age: 10 yrs Grade: 5
5) Name: Yash Talekar
Age: 9 yrs Grade: 5

2. Why the Loneliness?
1. We thought the best approach would be
The problem identified by the ‘Geri Pals’
to contact an old age home and do
(Pals of the Aged) is the loneliness of the
elderly especially those who are spending something for the elderly who live there. 2.
the last few years of their lives in old age One of the ways, we thought, in which we
could bring a smile on the faces of all those
homes.
lonely hearts residing in the old age home
was to celebrate their birthdays by giving
them hand-made birthday cards.
3. We also thought that a short cultural
show would help them feel better and
cheerful!
We contacted Tai Pei Old People's Home and set up an appointment with the in-charge to meet her
and get to know details about the old people living there and about their needs. We realized that
their greatest need was company of people who cared for them.
We went back there later and celebrated the birthdays of 4 inmates who were born in August by giving
them birthday cards and singing the birthday song in English as well as in Mandarin (as most of
the inmates do not understand English)
We gave cards to all the other inmates too. The card read “We care for you”. Again special care was
taken to ensure that the script was in Mandarin so that they would be able to understand what
was written in the card. All these cards were made by the students of classes 4 and 5.
(contd. On next page)

3. The smiles on the faces of the inmates on receiving the cards were enough to tell us how much of a difference these made to
them and assured us that the time spent in making them was definitely worth it!
A dance was put up by some students of class 4. The elderly loved the performance because soon after the claps came a
request for an encore performance.
We all returned very satisfied that we, in our small way, had been able to make a difference in their lives.
We later made a presentation during the assembly in which all students of classes 1 to 5 were present. During this presentation
we shared our enriching experience and showed the school, through a powerpoint presentation, what a huge impact we
had been able to make on all those elderly people living in the old age home by just giving them a warm smile and
spending some time with them even though we could not communicate using words as they did not understand English.
We learnt that the most effective language of communication is the language of love. We also shared with the school how
we could make a difference in the lives of all the elderly people In our lives, be it our grandparents or some lonely
neighbour. Everyone was very moved and on being asked what they felt on seeing the presentation they responded that
they would surely not let the elderly people in their lives lead a lonely and desolate life. They would always be caring
towards them!
With this response, we thought, we had managed to achieve our goal of not only bringing a smile on the faces of the people
living in Tai Pei Old Age Home but also on the faces of those people who were probably being neglected, despite living
with their families. We had spread the message of love and care far and wide through the students of our school who had
gone back and spoken about our presentation to their relatives and friends.
We would say, after the assembly presentation, all of our primary section is involved in this project and how many people we
have impacted would be difficult to count as we believe we have triggered off a chain reaction of love and care and that
there will be fewer lonely hearts now!!
We, the Geri Pals or Pals of the Aged, are touched by what small acts of love can do! Our association with Tai Pei Old People's
Home will continue and we will continue to visit them and bring a smile on their faces and the faces of everyone around
us!!! We care!!!