Pursuing A Fulfilling Life After Retirement

From lifelong learning to volunteering and even writing her autobiography, life after retirement has never been more exciting for Ang Siew Mui, 74! 

 

The grandmother of two is an active learner and volunteer at YAH! (Young at Heart), a flagship programme of Montfort Care Singapore. She started her journey with them by attending their signature course Happy 50! (快乐50!), which motivates seniors to adopt a positive outlook on ageing and recognise their own capabilities. She then continued on as a volunteer facilitator for that very same course upon completion.

 

“Volunteering allows me to grow and learn, and that makes me happy. My journey of giving back has taught me to be appreciative and satisfied with the things I have. I also get to meet new people, many of whom have become my close friends,” Siew Mui recounted fondly. 

 

Her journey as a volunteer did not stop there. She also became an E-Senior ambassador, teaching seniors how to use their smartphones, and engaged seniors living alone in Toa Payoh through YAH! Digital Befriending Programme. Through these volunteering opportunities, she broke through her shy and quiet shell, and found confidence to venture out to experience a more fulfilling life in her silver years.

 

With the spirit of continuous learning from YAH!, Siew Mui has also signed up for other National Silver Academy (NSA) courses, such as the autobiography writing course (长者如何撰写自传) at Life Point. Course participants are given 2 months to write their autobiography, which will be compiled into a book of autobiography stories. 

 

“I’ve never imagined that one day, I would be able to publish a book. I can’t wait for it to be launched at the National Library in March next year,” the grandmother of two shared with excitement.  

 
As she is familiar with IT platforms such as Zoom, she looks forward to taking up more advanced IT courses in future to learn more about relevant IT skills that will benefit her in daily life.

 

Source: I Feel Young SG. Reproduced with permission.

**Special thanks to Mdm Ang Siew Mui who accepted the interview, we wish her all the very best in her active ageing journey.