PSSA 2001 - Individual Category Award Winner

Mr Aw Teck Chin

For the past 17 years, Mr Aw Teck Chin has been serving the lonely elderly and less fortunate. From doing household chores and running errands, to bringing them for outings and medical appointments, and providing financial assistance.

At 79, he still enjoys what he has been doing all these years. "At the end of the day, I feel happy and satisfied. The time I spend with the poor and lonely elderly is worth more than the value of gold," said Mr Aw.

Cheerful. Humble. Helpful. Kind. Considerate. Compassionate. The kind of words that others use to describe Mr Aw. And little wonder because Mr Aw goes about building bonds with the less fortunate, time and again.

He counts among his friends many of the elderly residents at Woody Lodge, a home for the destitute. Mr Aw chit-chats with them, organises parties and games, and accompanies them on outings.

For some 40 poor and lonely elderly residing in one-room flats at Holland Close, Mr Aw is a caring befriender. Apart from visiting them every week, he also takes them on hospital visits. Should any of his elderly friends get warded in hospital, he pays them regular visits and fetches them home upon their discharge. All at his own expense.

Mr Aw is blessed with a caring and supportive family. He has four children – three of whom are medical doctors and one a dentist. His wife also accompanies him on some of his rounds of volunteer work, including visiting and counselling terminally ill elderly patients under hospice care.

Mr Aw has received a long string of awards and commendations for his volunteer work. This President’s Social Service Award marks the pinnacle of his voluntary achievement, in recognition of his exemplary service to the community.

Other PSSA 2001 Winners