In a heartwarming celebration of National Day, 20 senior citizens from Project SMILE have etched their names into the Singapore Book of Records by hand-crafting a massive Singapore national flag entirely out of pipe cleaner wires.
Spanning 10 to 12 weeks, the initiative was specifically designed to enhance the fine motor skills and cognitive health of elderly participants through structured, collaborative art.
The record-breaking flag measures an impressive 12 metres in length and 8 metres in width, composed of 14,000 individually handcrafted pipe cleaner flowers.
A Labour of Community Spirit and Learning
“First, we made all the flowers separately, the red ones first, followed by the white ones. Only after that did each of us take a section and assemble the flowers onto the board to build the complete flag,” shared 82-year-old participant Parvatham Thambusamy.
Mdm Parvatham noted that working on the project served as physical exercise focusing on motor skills. Gathering every Monday felt like a refreshing, mind-clearing experience rather than a routine chore, guided by patient and encouraging volunteers.
Retro Carnival Brings Seniors Together
Held at the PGP Hall within the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple premises, the event also featured a nostalgic retro-themed carnival filled with colourful activity booths. Nearly 300 seniors representing Project SMILE’s four activity centres gathered to enjoy the festivities.
“My wife and her female friends put in immense effort to create this flag. This is living proof that regardless of age, with determination, one can achieve anything. Participating in community activities like this brings an active boost of energy and positive change, remarked 89-year-old Mr Thiyagarajan, who is also a participant in classes organised by Project SMILE.
Fostering Community and Active Ageing
Project SMILE was founded in 2010 by Mrs Uma Balji. Mrs Rani Agnihotri, 53, who started as a volunteer in 2014, has been leading its Active Ageing Programmes as head since 2019.
“Social isolation often leads to depression and dementia, so our Project SMILE initiatives serve as a vital preventive measure. Even if the majority of participants are Indians, we also have Malay and Chinese seniors who actively participate in our sessions,” highlighted Mrs Rani.
She added that nearly 350 active seniors attend the weekly classes by Project SMILE, including Chair Yoga, Zumba, and Tai Chi, to build new friendships and maintain meaningful social connections.
Project SMILE currently operates active ageing sessions across four key centres, including the PGP Hall, Sri Mariamman Temple, Sri Siva Krishna Temple, and Kolam Ayer Community Centre.
