How would you describe me in 3 words or less?
Bright bloke.
Thank you.
We play good chess and you listen to me a very good thing.
Can you describe me in 3 words?
Very wise, patient and very open minded and funny.
Funny.
Each Saturday for the past year, Sandeep volunteers by paying regular
visits to some.
Hi, Saul.
Hi.
How are you?
Not bad.
Not bad.
It's bad.
They have built a close bond spending their time playing chess and talking
about life together.
Do you think you're going to win this time?
Well, I hope so.
Oh, well, it's too early.
Too early.
Too early to decide.
Yeah.
He's the only person I play chess with these days.
And you've beaten me twice, which is amazing because very few people actually beat me.
Do you know why I started to visit people like you?
It's been three years that I'm living in Australia and I felt like how difficult it can be to live away from the family.
The first time I entered your room, you were watching some Indian debate.
As soon as I saw that, I felt like, oh, you are someone from the same culture.
So it was a good connection right away.
See, you and I come from different parts and I come from Fiji and you come from India, although we are both Indians, if you like.
Also the fact that we can both speak Hindi, it can be difficult for older people to stay connected with their community.
Volunteer visitors offer a vital lifeline to culture and family in Fiji.
What is the culture people like to look after the elderly people?
Oh yes, yes.
Generally speaking, yeah, the kids tend to look after themselves.
Whereas in Fiji they tend to stay with the with the parents.
Is it very tough?
Tough move.
You sort of attend to things as I come.
That's how it works in life, right?
Yeah, yeah.
I see a grandfather in you who is advising me about life.
I have talked to you about your girlfriend and I have got a lot of experience with women and I have been a married man twice married in fact.
And I have advised you about not worrying too much.
You just accept everything as they come.
I really value those advice because you are based on your life experience.
You are very wise.
Yeah, I think we get on very well and I look forward to our Saturdays.
He's a bloody good blog.
Exactly.
We are good mates.
We're looking for aged care volunteer visitors in your area.
Go online & up today.