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SAFE HOME PROGRAMME WINS PRESIDENT’s AWARD

by Ariel Lee

Yet another significant accomplish-ment for the ITE – its SAFE Home Programme was conferred the President’s Social Service Award.

The Award bodes well for ITE’s community outreach. It acknowledges SAFE Home as a programme that has benefited the lives of senior citizens across Singapore, as well as inspired ITE to a higher level of community involvement and long-term commitment.

Having been around for seven years, the Programme has served at least 4,500 senior citizens in 25 HDB estates. As many as 2,611 households have been made elderly-friendly since the Programme was initiated as a project between ITE College West and the South West Community Development Council.

ITE received the Award from His Excellency President S R Nathan on 13 November 2007. It is the only recipient in the category of formal group/non-profit/public sector organisation. Receiving the Award on behalf of ITE, Dr Yek Tiew Ming, Principal, ITE College West, said: “I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the SAFE Home teams and student and staff volunteers for making invaluable contributions to our society. I would also like to encourage more students and staff to join the teams to initiate more community service projects.”

Social Responsibility
An ITE graduate, who is currently a polytechnic student, Porter Nicolas, has volunteered in SAFE Home Programme since 2004. He said: “The Programme enables me to apply my technical skills and knowledge in a responsible way. What is more, since volunteering for the Programme, I am more sensitive to the needs of the elderly.”

The Programme helps develop students into socially responsible and active individuals of the community, observed Ms Chan Lay Lee, the Programme Coordinator, who is also the Manager/Student Services of ITE College West. She added that “…the Programme serves as a channel for student and staff to volunteer and fulfill their desire to help others. Often, changes are observed especially in the attitude of the student volunteers, as they realise they can make a difference in the lives of the elderly.”

Continual Improvement
How does the Programme make homes safer for the elderly? Homes are modified with elderly-friendly features: Rotating tap is replaced with a lever tap; a grab bar and shower hose are installed in the bathroom; and a wireless door bell, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit are provided.

In addition to the basic modifications, the ITE has enhanced the SAFE Home Programme with a SAFE HOME PLUS@South West initiative. Launched in July 2007 at the South West District, it stresses on safer and energy-efficient homes not only for the senior citizens, but also the disabled. More safety- and energy-and-water-conservation features will be introduced, while household appliances will be donated to the needy.