Uplifting A Grieving Heart

Name in this story has been changed for privacy.

The quiet in Florence’s three-room flat was noticeable. She stood by the door, a small figure, as the volunteers arrived. Her husband and son had both passed on, and she now lives alone.

The main bedrooms were a challenge - Bed bugs had infested bulk of the furniture, and there were many personal items of which belonged to her late husband and son. By the main door, a shoe rack held her son's sneakers and sports gear. The wardrobe and hanging racks in the main bedroom were filled with her husband’s clothing, and various religious items that once belonged to him lay around the home. Florence avoided them all, sleeping instead on a thin mat and towel in a small utility room at the back of the kitchen.

As youth volunteers worked around the home that morning, the atmosphere in the flat shifted. The bedrooms were scraped down before received a fresh coat of sealant and paint, erasing years of wear and the stains of previous bed bug infestation. A new bed frame and mattress were set up in the main bedroom, along with a set of drawers for her clothes and belongings.

Florence offered her heartfelt thanks. "Truly, thank you," she said with a warm smile. "I could not have done any of this by myself – lifting heavy furniture, scrubbing those tiles – I simply do not have the physical strength to do so. Thank you again for all the help. When will you be coming back again to continue the works?" There was a lightness and a hint of anticipation in her voice, as she gave each volunteer a gentle high-five on their way out.

What volunteers didn’t fully realise was the depth of Florence’s story – her circumstances, her grief, or just how much impact their presence had. They came with willing hearts and hands, brought energy, kindness, laughter and upbeat music while they worked. In those few hours, they supported her in her journey of acceptance and letting go, clearing up her home and lifting away part of the grief that weighs on her.

Your kind donations and hands-on volunteer support are vital in helping us make a tangible difference for vulnerable individuals like Florence through our home rehabilitation programme, Project HomeWorks. Come be part of meaningful and transformative change with us!