SOTY 2023/24: Community Contributor second runner-up called to help the elderly
Naphat Chanpongsang, a student at Singapore International School (Hong Kong), created a special apron to help seniors with dementia and anxiety.
Naphat Chanpongsang, an 18-year-old student from Singapore International School (Hong Kong), won second runner-up in the Community Contributor category at the latest Student of the Year awards. Photo: HandoutNaphat Chanpongsang, an 18-year-old student from Singapore International School (Hong Kong), found her calling in community service when her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia and anxiety in 2022.
“I wanted to help her feel better, and I learned that many elderly people struggle with similar issues,” Naphat explained. She would go on to found a non-profit organisation called CARElderly in 2023.
Drawing from her own experience with generalised anxiety disorder, Naphat designed a special fidget apron for her grandmother. This wearable apron incorporates tactile elements like clips, buckles, shoelaces, and other materials, and it is designed to keep the wearer’s hands busy and provide mental stimulation.
When her grandmother found comfort in the apron, Naphat created 50 more and donated them to a public elderly home in Bangkok. The feedback she received was overwhelmingly positive.
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“I asked the first group of 30 elderly people how they felt after using the aprons. I found that 89 per cent slept better, 62 per cent felt less anxious, and 72 per cent could concentrate more after one month,” she said.
One 80-year-old recipient of the apron found it helpful for focusing during prayer, and a 98-year-old user appreciated the soft, bumpy blue material for its calming effect.
So far, CARElderly has given out more than 400 fidget aprons to elderly communities in Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Singapore, and the United States.
“I feel proud to have helped more than 400 seniors with their anxiety and to let them know they are not alone,” she said.
Naphat’s dedication earned her recognition at the Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards last year, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. She was named the second runner-up for the Community Contributor Award.
Naphat is also the president of her school’s Green Club, where she organises sustainability-focused events.
“Working with my classmates and teachers helps me learn important skills like teamwork and leadership,” she said.
She also tutors underprivileged children with cognitive disorders. She believes in responding to their challenges with “compassion, patience, and kindness,” particularly when working with individuals with ADHD.
Naphat also collaborates with groups like Shanghai’s Adream Foundation, where she connects with elderly people through engaging activities. “One of my best experiences was with the Adream Foundation at the Yangjing Community Activity Center in Shanghai,” she shared. “It taught me a lot about patience and the value of community.”
Looking to the future, Naphat wants to study psychology in the United States to help children facing mental health challenges. “I want to create a safe space for those who need support,” she said.
She plans to keep growing CARElderly and continue her community work through another project called Little Library, which collects and distributes children’s books to public hospital paediatric wards.
“I noticed that families in hospital waiting rooms often had to wait for a long time, so I started Little Library to give kids something to read and help ease their anxiety,” she explained.
To other young people thinking about starting their own community projects, Naphat advised, “Start early! It will help you figure out what you care about and how you want to make a difference.”
“Every little effort counts,” she said. “Together, we can make a big impact!”