About

Founding

In 2005, Dr Lee from the Patient Care Centre (PCC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital appealed to the Buddhist community in Singapore to form a group that would allow HIV+ patients at the wards to receive the services of Buddhist volunteers.
In response, Maitripals was formed. Our name combines “Maitri” – A Sanskrit word meaning “friendship of universal love and compassion” – with “pals”: we befriend the patients in a spirit of universal love and compassion.
About our Volunteers

Although nominally a Buddhist organisation, our membership is open to volunteers of all religions and faiths. All volunteers working at PCC must attend a training course organised by the centre which provides education on HIV/AIDS, palliative care, and provides a platform for speakers from different religions to share their different perspectives on HIV/AIDS related issues.

Activities

Maitripals’ primary activity is ward visits to PCC where we bring snacks, company, and a listening ear to the patients. We also provide simple massage to patients to relieve them of physical aches and pains they may experience. Initially we conducted one session a week on Fridays; in July 2008, we also began additional ward visits on wednesdays.

In addition to visiting patients in the ward, Maitripals has also begun an After-care service where we continue to visit and provide support to patients who have already been discharged and returned home, or to their respective nursing homes. Furthermore, we also organise excursions for the patients and their family, the first being a trip to Snow City in June 2008.

Currently Maitripals is providing assitance to outreach programmes raising awareness about HIV/AIDS among the Buddhist community in Singapore.

This page is under construction and will be updated soon…