Irene Koh and Tan Yi Zi

Irene Koh:

I was born in 1958 and was enrolled into Primary One class in 1966. I was then 8 years old as I had missed my Primary One enrolment when I was 7 years old. My parents were both illiterate and had the mentality to just send me to a neighbourhood school where all my other neighbours’ kids were attending. My parents missed the Registration date and I did not get a place. My parents told me that it was ok and to just go another year.

The following year, I managed to get into CHIJ Punggol Convent. Being overaged, I was always the tallest and biggest-sized student in my class. After completing my Primary education, I was posted to a government Secondary school. Being overaged has always given people the impression that I have retained classes. I joined the NPCC uniform group. I was always the right marker in the marching contingent as I was the tallest.

I sat for my GCE ‘O’ Level in 1975. During those days, anyone can easily get a job completing GCE ‘O’ Level. There was not any intention to further my studies as my father was the sole breadwinner for my family, supporting 3 schooling kids. He only earned $10 a day as a daily paid painter. I was given $1 a day for my pocket money daily for food and bus fare.

There was no electricity supply or tap water supply in my house. At night, we used a kerosene pressure lamp and we got our water supply from the ‘well’ (man-made dug-up hole that allows the underground spring water to well-up to provide us with water for washing, cooking, and bathing).

After ‘O’ Level, I decided to join the Police Force as I was in NPCC before. My father objected saying Police job is just standing at the roadside controlling traffic. After which I wanted to take up Nursing and again my father said that Nursing is a dirty job looking after the sick. So at last, I decided to join the Armed Forces (SAF). I was serving in the Singapore Armed Forces (MINDEF) from 1976 to 1992. 16 years without switching jobs.

I got married in 1979. Had my eldest daughter in 1980. My husband was a Driving Instructor for a few years and was urged by his mother to take over her hawker business. Being a Hawker, life was hard and tiring. I did swear that the last thing I wanted to do was to be a Hawker.

But fate took a complete turn in 1992 when my husband had many problems getting Hawker Assistants. During that time, I already had 3 children (2 girls and 1 boy). I had no choice but to leave my SAF job to help him at the hawker stall and also to get domestic help to take care of my 3 children.

Life was hard back then. Both my husband and I could hardly have time with my 3 kids as we usually leave the house when they are still sleeping and got home when they are already in bed. Thank God that all my 3 children have grown up properly with good education and well-paid jobs.

Now that my children are grown up, both my husband and I had decided to get to know more people and to contribute back to the community. We both joined the Grassroot organisation as Grassroot Leaders. We participated in activities and events that were outside our working hours and during weekends. Ever since, our life is never boring as the Grassroots activities keep us going.

Being semi-retired now, we just work at the stall, 5 days a week. My children are all married and living their own life. I am grateful to be born a ‘Merdeka Generation’. It is only during this era that I am able to see and experience the transformation of Singapore from my kampong life with no electricity supply, no water supply, no handphone, no computers, no MRT, etc.

I am also fortunate to be in this digital age and also able to see a world pandemic (Covid-19). A virus that can affect the whole world, never before!

Tan Yi Zi:

I was born in 1995. Primary and secondary school time was one of the best times of my life. I was also from a CHIJ girls’ school for 10 years of my life. Being in a girl's school made my school years truly one of my best moments. 

I remember very fondly when I was in Primary 1, I painted a tile artwork that was being hung in school, it is still there in CHIJ Kellock Convent till this day! I was in the Tennis school team in both my primary and secondary school in CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent. I enjoyed going for training and taking part in interschool competitions.

Education For Life (EFL) in my secondary school that happens yearly where every level goes for camp during the same period but headed to different places/country was also another memorable memory.

After my GCE ‘O” Level in 2011, I went on to tertiary education. I always knew what I wanted to do growing up! I knew that I love fashion and design so I had my eyes set on Apparel Design and Merchandising (ADM) in Temasek Polytechnic.

I went into the course wanting to be a fashion designer but decided to major in Merchandising instead as I felt like as long as I know my basics in drafting, sewing, and designing, the rest can be explored on my own.

I had a great 3 years in TP, our third year ended with a design show of our final year project. It was one of my proudest moments, especially after 3 years of late nights, no sleep, and endless submissions, one after another. Not forgetting the endless printing and materials we spent on. Whenever I had time, especially during the holidays, I will work part-time to save up for printing and material costs.

Upon graduating from Temasek Polytechnic, I wanted to pursue my university in a local university but no local uni offered the course that I was interested in.

I ended up going for my portfolio interview at Lasalle College of the Arts and pursued Fashion Media and Industries. It was one of the 2 universities that offered a fashion-related degree in Singapore.

I enjoyed my lectures and project works in Lasalle a lot. My works also had the opportunity to be displayed at the National Gallery opening night. The theme we worked on was Myths and Beliefs. My group decided to focus on the Lyssa Zampa Moth as we wanted to let people see moths as the beautiful creatures that they are. People often say that butterflies are beautiful but we wanted people to learn about how beautiful moths can be too.

Being someone who always enjoys with my hands, I always handmade things and crafts since young. When I was in university, I started a small hobby page where I handmade crafts of mixed medium in hopes to spread my joy in making with the people around. With the encouragement of my peers and family, I continue crafting whenever I have pockets of time. It is also a destressing outlet for me and a quiet space I go to whenever I needed time for myself.

Upon graduating from university, I freelanced as a creative and also worked for a bit as a graphic designer. I love design and art, my passion for fashion is still burning but I know that I am not ready to start my own label yet.

When I was freelancing, I also worked part-time as an art teacher at a private studio and as a trainer that goes into school to teach design-related and entrepreneurship programmes.

I always knew I enjoyed working with kids and teaching was the second job after design that I wanted to pursue. So, I went ahead and pursue teaching and it has been an amazing and fruitful journey so far.