17 February 2019, Yew Ci Wei – It was an evening of festivities and celebration at Kebun Bahru Community Centre where a total of over 200 people gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
A dedicated team of Project Starfish volunteers, headed by Chairman Mr Chua Wah Ann, had planned and organised this event. Elderly residents from the Kebun Bahru GRC were invited to an evening of food and drinks, and an exciting line-up of performances.
A dedicated team of 80 volunteers were present to help and to facilitate the event. The event began with registration, where elderlies were excitedly streaming in and guided to their seats.
The elderly residents were decked in bright cheery colours symbolic of the joyous occasion. The residents sat with familiar neighbours, and the hall was filled with loud chatter, laughter and anticipation while waiting for the dinner and celebration to begin.
The event started with our volunteers serving piping hot chrysanthemum tea, fragrant rice and an array of accompanying dishes to the elderly residents at their tables. The elderly residents enjoyed their sumptuous meals as familiar festive tunes played in the background.
The Guest-of-Honour for the event, Kebun Bahru GRC Advisor Mr Henry Kwek, graced the event. He greeted the elderly residents, volunteers and performers with a warming smile and speech as he wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year.
Soon after, the exciting performances began. The residents were treated to an exciting line-up of fascinating performances, ranging from performances by award-winning artists to the famous and mysterious Sichuan Opera dramatic art – 变脸, performed by a Face-Changing master from China.
Award winning artists sang upbeat festive tunes, as well as old, familiar melodies which the elderlies were clapping and singing along to. 
Singers sang oldies with melodies which the elderly residents immediately recognised, as they clapped and sang along to the familiar tunes of yesteryear. Songs of various dialects and languages were performed, and the elderly could all join in to sing along.
Other captivating performances included performers singing songs of the Tamil language and Hokkien dialect. 
Towards the end of the celebration, there was the customary Lo Hei, where all residents sitting on each table will come together to 捞魚生. Lo Hei, or Prosperity Toss, is an important traditional practice of the Lunar New Year as it symbolises an abundance of wealth and long life.
As the Lo Hei began, all the residents enthusiastically gathered around the table and tossed the ingredients within the bowl as they shouted auspicious Chinese words and phrases, wishing one another prosperity, good luck and wealth.
As the event drew to a close, Advisor Mr Henry Kwek and Project Starfish volunteers made their rounds around the hall to distribute goodie bags, mandarin oranges and red packets to the elderly residents.
The elderly residents expressed their gratitude through their smiles and words of gratefulness and appreciation. The team of Project Starfish volunteers has once again successfully organised a festive celebration for the elderly residents of Kebun Bahru GRC.