From The Straits Times    |

As part of our Her World Give-Back Project, we challenged our favourite Singapore personalities to take up this do-good cause too.

Previously, we’d shown you actor Desmond Tan’s stint at the soup kitchen. Here, we matched Singapore star (and frequent volunteer!) Jade Seah to Thye Hua Kwa Hospital for a karaoke session with the elderly folks. Get a peek at her experience, which might just inspire you to do the same soon too.

Jade Seah, media personality

jade seah for her world gives back 2015, Watch Jade Seah sing karaoke for a good cause

HER TASK We proposed that the actress, who visits homes for the elderly to distribute food and organise makan sessions for residents as part of her work with Catholic charity Society of St Vincent de Paul, try something more interactive: Being a karaoke coordinator (yep, that meant singing!) at Ang Mo Kio – Thye Hua Kwan Hospital.

JADE SAYS: “My mum was a nurse and volunteered with the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged (now known as St Theresa’s Home) between her hospital shifts.

I tagged along as a child and the experience probably rubbed off; I’ve been volunteering for the past 10 years.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the elderly, especially the poor and widowed ones who have no one to talk to. Still, today’s activity was out of my comfort zone – I don’t usually sing!

My task was to entertain elderly patients at the hospital and keep the atmosphere lively … I even grabbed the microphone to croon a tune when no one else dared to!

I made friends with Uncle Heng, a patient in his 50s, and we sang a mix of Hokkien and English songs. He even gave me a high five after I conquered my nerves and led a song!

There was an auntie who could sing only Malay songs, yet everyone sang and clapped along with her – I guess music truly is a universal language.

Many people think that volunteering with the elderly means sweeping floors or helping to bathe them, but there are many other ways to help out – like singing to entertain them!

If you’ve got a great voice, go for it. If you don’t … well, I got through it, if that’s worth anything!”

LEND A HAND: Ang Mo Kio – Thye Hua Kwan Hospital organises various activities for its elderly patients, including karaoke sessions, seated tai chi classes and cat therapy. To volunteer as a facilitator for these activities, complete the Volunteer Application Form at www.amkh.com. sg/volunteer.php, call 6453-8033 or e-mail mohd_sharil@amkh.org.sg.

PHOTOGRAPHY FRENCHESCAR LIM ART DIRECTION ALICE CHUA STYLING VIOLET FOO OUTFIT MOSCHINO RINGS DIANA BROUSSARD/LULA ROCK BOOTIES REPETTO HAIR LEON LOKE/LE DESTINEE MAKEUP JYUE HUEY/THE MAKE UP ROOM

This article was first published in Her World magazine January 2015.

Watch as Jade Seah recounts her karaoke session with the elderly in this video below: