When I picked the area of charity work to commit to, I knew, as a young child, that I'd like to work with the elderly and the dying. These are the 2 areas I'm very comfortable with. I don't just know what to do with them- I know exactly what sort of concrete help I can offer- either through private fundraisers or tapping on government aid schemes.
I'm very clear that I've no patience nor energy to work with children in any scope. Except for abovementioned 2 areas and the marine environment, the rest of the areas of charity/volunteer work really don't call out to me. The few times I attempted to broaden my horizons, so to speak, I ran away screaming.
But because the friend asked, I went with her on her rounds to another sector of volunteer work to explain our Workfare Bonus/Income Supplement Scheme. Not that I knew what that was about. I had to read this thick stack of materials and lug the file along just so that I could have something to refer to. I wasn't averse to this sector of volunteer work- just that I knew I wasn't going to be that good with handling emotions of the humans concerned.
The friend refused to let me tag along for the full 3 hours. She cast me aside after 45 minutes because she said we wouldn't be able to cover 1 block if we did it together. So we split.
At the end of that 3 hours, I was so ready to pummel the punching bag. Literally. I kept my cool, didn't say anything inflammatory and didn't argue with anyone. I did the job- hated it. There were humans who drove me up the wall with their accusations and whatever. Look, if you're so unhappy with the government, don't take their money. In a nutshell, whatever they said effectively suggested that some people would actually be happier in a welfare state.
[Insert all theories of comparative social policy. Now compare all policies, inputs, production, operations and outcomes. Can also read OECD publications.]
I'm not supportive of a government who spends the bulk of its budget on social welfare. Yay to education and I'm iffy about defence. So after that evening, I'm like, I pay (not high) taxes to help people like you?? Disgruntled humans who don't even say a word of thanks and think that everything ought to be accorded to them with no strings attached and no prior conditions set. There is a very clear divide between this sector and the sector which doesn't want to pay high taxes.
I'm so so befuddled by my fellow countrymen.
8 comments:
it can be a thankless job.
there are many disgruntled people out there for many varied reasons.
and, i have always been inclined to the elderly and the dying too, and hospice care. no children for me too. i think the old have their graves nearer so they need the help more immediate. sorry for the bad english. it's the weather. :p
only animal volunteer work for me. can't deal with people - big/small, young/old, healthy/ailing - for any length of time:)
Surely you didn't expect people to leave their welfare-handout expectations at home???
tsk tsk.
mistipurple: always. it's like, people think changing baby diapers is so cute and a big deal. try changing adult diapers for 2 weeks continuously. VERY few people can do that. I admire the nurses so.
sinlady: HEH. can understand why.
kachunknorge: not that i was expectating.... well, still, i felt like it's a slap in the face sorta.
i was volunteering with this sector of people before and i know what you mean. my mentor had to always remind me to be more magnanimous to whatever they say or do because they have a very different kind of life from us, so that i could continue working with them. it wasn't easy, but at least with that, i was able to stay committed for the period i promised.
i admire that u r able to work with the dying. it takes a lot (mentally and emotionally) to be able to volunteer in this area.
D
That explains why majority of the graduates of social work/counselling/psychology step into different fields and there is a shortage of social workers in Singapore.
I am still surviving in this sector but calling time out soon too. :)
Thanks for bringing some joy to these group of people.
Some people just expect help from others without first helping themselves. They are quick to blame others and don't want to take responsibility in improving themselves and their situation. I have no sympathy for such people.
D: then u'd have struggled to understand their points of view too, and often, we empathize. sometimes, it's quite frustrating.
iceaster: exactly. social work is so thankless. social workers have it so tough. i really admires their mental edge.
coboypb: sigh. yup. you and i separately and together have come across many many of such people.
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