November 8, 2016
Long-term care resident Karen Kirk, left, enjoys a visit from volunteer Poonam (Pam) Singh at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre. Singh often brings in Indian cuisine to share with the residents
Story by: Sarah Megran
Through the generous spirit of volunteer Poonam (Pam) Singh, staff and patients at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre are getting a taste of India without having to pack a single suitcase.
Since April 2015, Singh has been volunteering at the hospital as a companion volunteer, making regular visits to long-term care residents with whom she shares not only her time but her Indian culture.
“I love looking at photos and seeing all the different landscapes in India, and learning about the Indian culture. I just find it so fascinating and beautiful,” says Karen Kirk, 79, a long-term care resident at the facility.
Kirk is one of the residents at the centre who receives a weekly visit from Singh. Residents such as Kirk enjoy the cultural diversity Singh is able to share through her visits.
“I always look forward to when Pam brings in home-cooked Indian food. It’s very tasty and I love trying new foods,” says Kirk.
In 2002, Singh moved from India to Edmonton with her husband in search of a change and a new adventure. After moving to Rimbey last year, Singh says she has found enjoyment by volunteering in the community.
“I wanted and I needed to get out and discover Rimbey — the people and the town,” says Singh, 55. “So I started volunteering at the local library and found people were quite interested in learning about my Indian culture, just as much as I was interested in hearing more about theirs.”
Singh decided to join the hospital volunteer team to continue to share her time and her culture with more community members. Currently, she lends her time visiting with the long-term care residents at the centre, as well as occasionally portering patients.
“Pam is such a delight to visit with,” says Laine Dahms, the Volunteer Resources co-ordinator for the communities of Rimbey and Bentley. “It is very kind of her to be so willing to share her culture with the residents. I know they appreciate their visits with Pam.”
Singh is proud of her home country but is also grateful and appreciative for the multiculturalism that Canadians value — it made her feel welcome before she even arrived.
“Not only are we fortunate enough to learn about other cultures but we are also able to share our own,” says Singh.
“Our cultures are so different — there is so much to learn.”
