In the season of giving and spreading joy, two best friends have found a unique way to touch lives. After their A-levels in December, Chuai Sen Min and Hnin Nanthar, both 18, decided to utilize their holidays in a meaningful way by crafting and delivering bouquets for elderly residents in their community.
A Blooming Initiative: Gift a Smile
Source: Hnin Nanthar
The duo’s initiative, aptly named “Gift a Smile,” aims to spread joy amongst the socially isolated elderly community through the vibrant beauty of flowers. The main idea was simple – to create and deliver bouquets for elderly residents at an aged care facility.
To fund their noble cause, they reached out to their family and friends, asking them to “gift a smile” through a S$5 donation. Each donation would then be transformed into a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Source: Hnin Nanthar
Delivering Bouquets for Elderly: The First Success
With the help of these donations, Chuai and Hnin assembled 100 bouquets and delivered them to St Andrew’s Senior Care on January 10, 2024. This first delivery was met with an exceptionally positive reaction from the elderly residents, filling the hearts of our young heroes with immense satisfaction and joy.
Despite a challenging budget, the teens minimised costs by purchasing flowers from wholesalers and crafting each bouquet from scratch. Their dedication didn’t stop there – they also sourced ribbons and wrapping paper and arranged the bouquets themselves.
The Impact of Bouquets for Elderly
The impact of their endeavour was truly heartwarming. Seeing the joy and happiness on the faces of the recipients, Hnin said that even though it was physically tiring, they felt a deep sense of accomplishment. The desire to help those feeling neglected become happier drives them forward.
The Future of Gift a Smile: Bouquets for the Elderly and Beyond
Chuai and Hnin have no plans to stop their initiative anytime soon. Regardless of their A-Level results, they are determined to expand their project. They aim to extend this warmth to children in children’s homes and beyond.
By the end of the year, the teenagers hope to partner with 15 community organizations, including hospice care centres and children’s homes. In the long term, they aspire to open their online florist and use the profits to continue giving back to their community.
How You Can Help
If you wish to support Chuai and Hnin in their mission of delivering bouquets for the elderly and spreading smiles, consider donating. Every bit helps and contributes directly to their cause. To donate to Gift a Smile, contact them through their Instagram page. Join them in their journey to spread joy and happiness in the community, one bouquet at a time.
The Power of Bouquets for the Elderly
Source: iStock
Throughout their journey, Chuai and Hnin have encountered several profound reflections and realizations. They’ve discovered that something as simple as a bouquet can bring immense joy and brighten someone’s day. Crafting and delivering these bouquets for elderly residents has taught them the true value of community and empathy.
They’ve realized that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in people’s lives, particularly in those who may feel neglected or isolated. This experience has also instilled in them an appreciation for resilience and creativity, as they navigated through budget restrictions to bring their vision to life.
Most importantly, they’ve learned that age is no barrier to making a positive impact and that everyone has the potential to contribute meaningfully to their community. These insights continue to inspire them as they expand their initiative and touch more lives with their beautiful bouquets.
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