Koh Teo Boon and Gowtham

The Journey Ahead

Koh Teo Boon: 

BAH SOON PAH RD 华顺吧路黄梨山村，我的出生地，也是成长的地方。我生活在一个大家庭，六个姐姐，三个哥哥，两个弟弟共十二人。当时受到英国殖民政府鼓励来到这里；父亲和几位乡村父老来开吧，要快有生产，一把火烧掉杂草，就种上黄梨。树杆砍来建屋子，鸡疗猪疗。我1944年出生，日军入侵新加坡的时间点，我在母亲肚子里。听到警报声带着我进出防空洞。住的屋子从吧内烧不去的树杆来建。屋顶是亚苔盖的，地是泥土地，墙壁也是泥土建成，屋子盖的亚苔，从海边采来，自己作成一片一片盖上去，亚苔目前小食店有的买。这些故事是母亲和兄长讲述的。

在我略微懂事时，父亲就去世了，存了很多香蕉日本币钞票。日本投降后，香蕉日本币变成废纸。华南小学是我当时读的小学，读到三年就不读，转去读夜校，乡联会在我家庙台开夜班，白天帮兄长母亲养养鸭，种菜，养鱼。早上踏车载菜上巴刹卖，巴刹在西山前军港大门口前路边排档。下午和三哥划小木船去“邦海”边捉贝壳类一串一串，比印度大米大一点，从住家是目前（NTUC高球办事处），伐邦是目前欠贝拉MRT站处来养鸭。父亲的死是日本军入侵新加坡有关，一时想不开，无法面对母亲哥哥精神崩溃，自己了断性命。存三大桶日本币不可用造成的。

河水山大火，改变我的生活。政府大规模建设组屋。我和当时的建筑工（红头巾婆）当起建筑工。还没有作建筑工之前，先去哥哥养鱼捉鱼公司上班，淡水鱼池都在乡下村内，都会听乡村父老们谈起建国总理李光耀先生的好，李先生还请他们去总统府吃晚宴等。新加坡政府安排总理下乡访河热，我村也在建国总理访问内。民众要求总理修理村内泥路。李总理答应，政府供应材料机械，村民每家每户都帮忙。路修完后，就通电、水、电话都来了。513种族暴动时，民众很团结，安排轮流守夜，怕暴民入侵村内，从那时起，我改变了我的生活，买莫西考牌照，驾起莫西卡车。

新马合并。和朋友去jB哥打丁宜三英里美乐花园做建筑工。五点回家带哥哥开发电机。24岁结婚，一女二男，大女儿读旺华小学，在村内。二男孩包校车在军港内欠贝拉小学。两男都完成大学，在国内工作。政府当时正大力开发工业区，建设政府组屋。我也开始变成包工头，机械出租到城里建筑公司，投标政府工程，提升到有限公司，可以投标土木工程到一千万元工程。从乡村搬迁到组屋，我有去会见当时国会议员高立人博士，朋友的安排，加入PAP党支部工作，帮忙接见民众工作等等。选择组屋，当时一个头疼问题。后来选4房S在义顺新镇大牌750，住政府组屋对比相两世介，两个不同，组屋期帐，水电费电话
费，杂费，每个月都给，还有停车费等等。还好我们政府很会管理，每个都有工可作。住义顺新村二十多年。孩子长大了，后来搬来兀兰五房住到现在，孩子都结婚自己成家立业。有三个孙，两男一女。加入社区工作义工三十多年。高立人，K尚穆根，吴博韬，王雅兴，召尔副教授，五位国会议员。义顺是旺地（旺旺）旺梨山住一位总统，旺梨山村有九位受总统封赐。75岁退休，当建筑公司工程少了，公司也慢慢收小；后来也驾小巴载学生到退休。以上所言都是实话，我读书不多，文化水准不高，希望看得懂。谢谢:

Gowtham:

My generation was one of the fortunate ones to have experienced life before technology took over. I grew up in Yishun estate from a young age where my childhood began. Life was very simple back then. My day goes by with some chit-chatting with neighbours and playing hide and seek in my neighbourhood playground. I often played soccer with a group of friends at my void deck. This was my childhood before I entered Primary School.

I started my education journey in Jiemin Primary School. I excelled well in both education and co-curricular activities with the help of my teacher, parents, and peers. Reading books was a hobby that I cultivated in my Primary School days. My parents brought me to visit the national library at Yishun every weekend to borrow storybooks. My teachers used to give me stickers in my notebooks for the books I have read in the month. That was one of my prized possessions back then.

Sometimes, we have to leave our comfort zone in order to explore new things. New opportunities make you discover the hidden side of yourself. During my secondary school days, I was a timid and introverted student. It took me some time to adapt to the culture and to open up to my friends. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to represent my school for volunteer work as part of the Community Involvement Programme (CIP). I had the privilege to help the Willing Hearts organisation where I was involved in preparing the food for the seniors. I had the biggest challenge of interacting with my peers. As a 12 year old boy, I had to step out of my comfort zone and render my help.

I had several opportunities to lead during my secondary school days. I have been the class monitor for 2 years and was able to work together with my peers. In these 2 years, I also learned that I am a great team player. This made me trustworthy and a confident leader. I took the lead to organise school events such as the Teachers Day Celebration and take initiative to have class outings and learning journeys.

Since I was young, I had the ambition to be a computer engineer and to learn about Computer Programming. During my holidays after my N level exams, I researched more about Computer Programme development. I attended a course to understand the concept of coding and networking. It helped to grow my passion in technology and gave me a boost to follow my interest.

I pursued Electronic Engineering in ITE and further focused on Electronics System in Polytechnic. It was a very challenging phase and gave my fullest potential to graduate with a Diploma. My dream is to acquire the necessary knowledge in Computer Programming. I believe I can achieve my dream in the near future.