Tembusu Alumni 

Make the lives of senior citizens meaningful and
relevant through sharing and serving.

 12.01.2004

The Alumni

After the report was presented to Central Singapore CDC, a meeting was called to form an alumni for the 10 awardees.  The idea was that, with the formation, the awardees would then continue to see one another to stay bonded, and to pool their resources together to organise projects for themselves as well as for others.  Besides, as the Life Inspiration Award programme for seniors would continue to be held annually, the number of members would increase.

The committee was formed with David Tan Bee Young elected as the Chairman.  The first committee meeting of the alumni was held on 11.03.2003 at the Volunteer Hub, CS CDC.  The following were confirmed as the office bearers:

Chairman:                David Tan Bee Young
Vice Chairman:       Ho Meng Jang
Secretary:                Charles Lingham
Treasurer:               Chua Kim Seng

Members:                   Chia Nga Teh
                                     Hajaah Ramlah Bte Ibrahim(Ms)
                                     Lim Mun Sim, Theresa (Mrs)
                                     Ling Chew Sing
                                     Wong Fatt See
                                     Wong Yuk Fong
Associate Members:   Chai Ah Pa (Mdm)

CS CDC Official:    Serene Chay     

In 2003, Tembusu Alumni

1. held altogether 9 committee meetings;

2. drafted some rules and regulations governing the Alumni;

3. named our alumni  "Tembusu Alumni (of Life Inspiration Awardees, CS CDC)";

4. designed a logo and badge for Tembusu Alumni, (designer Theresa Lim);

5. sent Charles Lingham for training as our committee's Volunteer Coordinator;

6. held a basic computer course at RSVP for 5 alumni members, conducted by David B Y Tan;

7. held a get-together at Wong Fatt See's Residents Committee at Alexandra.

8. held a health talk "How to deal with Pain in the hand" given by Ho Meng Jang on 08.07.03 at the Volunteer Hub, CSCDC.

9. created our alumni website : www.angelfire.com/alt/dbytan

10. had a get-together at Theresa's residence on 25.07.03;

11. visited Sunlove Home, a home for more than 200 mentally-handicapped inmates, managed by Charles Lingham;

12. collaborated with Catholic High School in October to hold an exhibition of antiques collected by Charles Lingham.

13. held a get-together to celebrate our first anniversary of Life Inspiration Awards;

This year, Tembusu Alumni

   1.     held a Chinese New Year buffet dinner cum Karaoke session at Sing Min Court RC,
           hosted by Mr Wong Yuk Fong;
    2.    participated in the selection and judging of entries in Family Tree Album Contest for
           schools;
    3.    conducted a 3-session story telling course for RSVP members by Mrs Theresa Lim;
    4.    held a story-telling session for the inmates at SunLove Home;
    5.    held a story-telling session for residents of Thomson Sing Ming court on Mother's Day;
    6.    Chairman David Tan and member Mrs Theresa  Lim went with the 2004 Life
           Inspiration Awardees and High Five Awardees to China for the 8-day Exchange
           Programme in Xiamen from 15/6 to 22/6  They went as officials.
    7.     joined SCEC, Kebun Baru CC in organising a visit to SunLove Home and
           entertaining the inmates with Karaoke singing;
    8.    is in partnership with Bishan North CC to hold weekly practice sessions at its e-Club
           for seniors keen to improve their computer skills.  The CC provides the facilities and
           get participants and we provide the trainers, manage the practice sessions and
           conduct suitable courses;
    9.    will hold a get-together for members at the Hub on 23.09.04 at 7pm.

  Another 10 Senior Citizens received the Life Inspiration Award

10 senior citizens who are grassroots leaders serving at various community clubs and other charitable organisations were given the Life Inspiration Award in June 2004.  The award ceremony was on 04.06.04
at Grassroots Club.  Held also at the same time was the awarding of Youth Awards for 20 high flyers noted for their community work.  

Soon after the ceremony, the 30 awardees were sent to Xiamen, China for the Xiemen Exchange Programme.  One of the things they had to study there was how the Xiamen government and its people tackled the problems of 3 generations living together harmoniously.

The awardees on their return became members of the Alumni.  Here are their names and the organisations where they are currently serving as grassroots leaders. 

Tembusu, the chosen name for our Alumni

Reasons for the choice?  Well, let Meng Jang's  writings ...  in prose and in verse ... do the explaining:

Our choice of Tembusu for the name of our Alumni is a well-considered one. This tree symbolises many of the values and characteristics of this group of senior citizens who are Life Inspirational Awardees.

1.      Tembusu is a native tree. So are many of the awardees “native” of Singapore.

2.      It lives a long, graceful and dignified life. The awardees are by no means young. We are dignified and graceful growing old.

3.      The older the tree grows, the more blooms and leaves it produces. Symbolically, when man lives to a ripe old age, he is supposed to have acquired vast knowledge and wisdom.

4.      Many craftsmen use its wood to carve their arts on or make teacups and spoons and forks and other utilitarian products. Artists and photographers are fond of using aged human folks as subjects of their arts, including female nude forms of aged women. Picasso was one such artist.

5.      The Tembusu tree in Botanical Gardens is an inspiration to young lovers and their expressions are carved on its barks. Children are seen romping about around the tree, shrieking in merriment . Senior citizens are an inspiration to the young by their achievements and talent. Those who are not, are exceptions. Many grandchildren found pillars of strength in their grandparents. Just like the Tembusu, grandparents have all the time to give to the young.

The wrinkled yet evergreen Tembusu tree
at the Botanic Gardens Singapore

The essence of all these can best be encapsulated in a poem and this we have done so for future generation of awardees.

TEMBUSU

Tembusu, Singapore’s native tree,

Graceful, dignified and longevity.

The older it lives,

More flowers blossom and more leaves.

The trunk, its wood,

Utilitarian craftsman carves his moods.

An inspiration in the park,

Young lovers etch their names in the bark,

And urchins romp around its trunk,

Swinging from branches, chuckling little chipmunks.

Now living past its prime,

Still useful to all seeking its time.
 

Ah, Tembusu trees

You symbolise us, the Awardees.

                                                                              Ho Meng Jang