ACTIVE AGERS OF THE YEAR 2007

Lee Kim Eng, 71 Desire to teach what she has learned

"My mum is a very hardworking lady who loves her family and is devoted to whatever she does. She is a strong believer in self improvement and in giving back to the community and for these reasons, I am sure she will be a source of inspiration to the other seniors out there."- Ms Chua May May

Mdm Lee Kim Eng's work in community service has spanned over 20 years. Depressed over the passing of her husband in 1985, helping others gave her a new focus and sense of purpose. Since then, she has won numerous accolades for her dedicated community involvement.

With a firm desire to help others and spread cheer, she joined the Kampong Kapor Family Service Centre in 1999 to conduct singing classes for senior citizens. She now has 20 students under her care. She is also a volunteer with Love Cope, an organisation which provides free transportation to elderly folks, and puts her cooking skills to use whipping up meals for the old and needy at Kallang CC.

Of course, Mdm Lee's children and grandchildren are also the beneficiaries of her excellent cooking – Tuesday nights are reserved for the customary family dinner. And despite her relative lack of formal education, Mdm Lee personifies lifelong learning. She joined a Mandarin toastmasters' club to improve her public speaking skills, and has taken classes in IT, Hanyu Pinyin, English, singing and dancing.

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