I went to Chartwell Kamloops Retirement Residence as a volunteer. I could get a good experience.
[Week 1] Oct 12th and 13th
On first day, when I introduced myself, a senior said to me “Japan spread the COVID to the world”. I didn’t care much because I was able to know that some seniors said not good bias, no offense, but it was surprised for me. On this day, I had an event of instruments. Then I could try to play the drum. In the afternoon, I decorated the room for Halloween. On Thursday, I went to Aberdeen Mall with seniors. Two seniors gave to us pictures for coloring in.
[week 2] Oct 19th and 20th
On Wednesday, I walked with seniors at Mcarthur Island. Then, I could hear many stories from a senior. On Thursday, I went on a trip with seniors in the evening. we went to Moon Wak to eat dinner. Some seniors invited me to the same table, so I talked a lot with them. After dinner, we went to the Halloween event at North shore. I could see many Jack-O’ Lanterns at this event. It was so fun!
[Week 3] Oct 26th and 27th
On Wednesday, I made a Jack-O’ Lantern with some seniors in the morning. I helped with seniors’ lunchtime. Many seniors talked to me, and some seniors remembered to me, it made me happy. In the afternoon, I joined the Java music club with seniors. Java music club is singing and having a conversation with someone about a theme. On this day, we talked about to appreciate. It was so interesting for me that I heard many stories from other people.
[Week 4] Nov 2nd and 3rd
I exercised with seniors in the morning. Then we used the ball to play indoor soccer in the exercise. I helped seniors at the lunch. Some seniors remained my name and talked to me a lot of time. I enjoyed talking to them. After lunch, we enjoyed the dance party. A man taught me the step of dance. It was so fun! On Wednesday, I played “Scattegories” with seniors in the afternoon. “Scattegories” is a game where we think about words related to each theme. On Thursday, I played the board game in the afternoon. I could play various games, so it was fun for me.
[Week 5] Nov 9th and 10th
I went to the Aberdeen Mall to walk with seniors on Wednesday. We planned to go to Mcarthur Island to walk. But it was too cold, so we changed the plan. A senior walked with us. She told to us for a long time. We could hear a lot of her stories. It was so interesting for me. Also, she bought chocolates for us. She is so kind. On Thursday, we had a dance party. We danced to instrumental music. On both days, we played a game with seniors.
[week 6] Nov 16th and 17th
This week again, I went to the Aberdeen Mall to shopping with seniors on Wednesday. On Thursday, I had a trip with seniors in downtown. We went to Real Deals on Home Décor for shopping and Frick and Frack for lunch. Then we could see many Christmases stuff at Real Deals.
[Week 7] Nov 23rd and 24th
On Wednesday, I decorated celling for Christmas at the senior center. It was a little hard work, but many seniors said, “Nice decorations!”. It made me happy. After that, we went to Walmart to shopping and eat lunch. On Thursday, we had a dance party. People at the senior center gave to me gifts. Also, many people said to me “I’m goanna miss you”.
I could get nice experiments at the senior center.
I could spend a wonderful time with seniors and my manager. Sometimes, it was a little difficult to talk with seniors because they are hard of hearing, and also, my pronunciation is not good. However, they tried to listen to me. I was so glad and grateful to them. They were so friendly to me, so I could get very good experiences. And also, I could get a lot of things from senior’s stories.