IMH PATIENTS DO THEIR PART FOR NDP '09

Patients seated in two neat rows to form assembly lines is definitely not what you expect to see in a hospital.

However, in support for this year's National Day Parade, that was exactly what 40 patients from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) did as they came together to prepare 500 funpacks on 21 Jul.

Working side by side, the patients filled each messenger-cum-tote bag with items such as a miniature Singapore flag, a hand-shaped drum, a heart-shaped lantern, a packet drink and NDP tattoos. The bags also contained personal greetings from the patients to the recipients of the funpacks.

It was the first time IMH patients have been involved in the assembling of the NDP funpacks, as part of the initiatives of the NDP 2009 celebrations to reach out to the less fortunate in the society.

Commenting on the significance of the activity, occupational therapist Ms Teh Chiu Ling said it was a good way for the IMH patients to contribute back to society in return for all the help they receive through volunteers.

"The patients are very happy to be doing something so meaningful, and it increases their sense of belonging to the nation," she told cyberpioneer.

One who was all smiles while putting together the funpacks was 47-year-old Joy.

"When we're packing the funpacks together, it's very fun, almost like playing a game," she said.

"Although I can't be at the actual parade on 9 Aug, by helping to pack the funpacks, I feel very happy that I can be a part of this year's NDP."