Yvonne Lim and Ella Lim
Cherished Memories
Yvonne Lim:
An Unforgettable Incident (1953)
Long ago, my family of eight used to live in two rented rooms of a two-storey shophouse along Tanjong Pagar Road. My mother would draw water from a well on the ground floor to wash the floors.
A trishaw Uncle who lived in a tiny room on the ground floor would take my sister and I to and from school in his trishaw every day.
One evening while playing in a tiny roundabout at the back alleys of the shophouses, I saw our trishaw uncle and his friends squatting in a circle. Beside them was a basin with some moving pinkish things in it. Trishaw uncle wrapped one of the pink things with a piece of slated vegetable. He then held it by its tail. Then to my horror, he popped it into his mouth and swallowed it!
Later my mother explained that the trishaw uncles were poor and eating the newborn pink baby mouse would give them the energy to ride their trishaws. That night, I made a vow, when I grow up I must not be poor or I may have to eat newborn baby mice, Eeks!!!
My Beloved Family And The Person I Love Most
I am blessed with three lovely children, a wonderful son-in-law and a very adorable grandson, Robert, the person I Love Most. I want him to learn moral values, especially compassion and empathy from young. I would want him to grow up to be sensitive to the needs of other people, especially the needy and elderly. Whenever I can, I will have him with me when I do Community work with the elderly. I got him involved in activities like giving our rice to the needy and taking some wheel-chair bound elders shopping at NTUC. Robert was very happy to be assigned to look after a wheel-chair bound elderly lady. He carried out his assignment with lots of love and concern for the Senior.
I am very happy and grateful for my lovely family. I have had many very happy holidays with my family to places like Australia, Japan, Italy, and Barcelona. I count my blessings every day.
Forty-one Years Of Dedication To The Education Service
At eighteen I joined the Education Service and later was promoted to be the principal of Ngee Ann Primary School. The school and our Chinese Orchestra became well-known in Marine Parade.
As principal, I emphasized not only in pupils’ academic achievements but also in their emotional and mental wellbeing. With the support of Ngee Ann Kongsi, we provided our pupils from low-income families with free meals, uniforms, books and shoes. We participated in the Community Centre’s “We Care” projects and the Prime Minister, would present to the needy residents ‘Hong Bao’ and groceries. Mr Goh Chok Tong, the PM would carry out these activities at our school. I was close to many of our pupils.
I had counselled and emotionally supported several of my pupils. Recently, one of the them got married and at her wedding, she gave me the greatest honour and joy by offering me ‘Tea’ during her traditional “Wedding Tea” ceremony meant only for respected elders of her family. I felt so Honoured and at the same time ‘Humbled’ by her act.
Twenty-five Years Of Voluntary Community Service
I had begun my voluntary community service in Marine Parade since my Principal years at Ngee Ann Primary. Then in 2015 I volunteered to be a Pioneer Generation Ambassador in order to reach out to the elderly in Marine Parade and Mountbatten. I had enjoyed visiting the pioneers and explaining to them the various government policies and schemes related to life issues like healthcare and the various government retirement schemes. As PGAs, we had helped to ensure that Seniors keep their bodies and minds active as they age. I had also participated in the organisation of Bingo games for the wheel-chair bound Seniors, Celebrating Chinese New Year with the Seniors, Qigong exercises and even pick up litter in the various RCs.
My involvement in voluntary Community Services had spanned over more than twenty-five years. I had also received my Twenty-Five Years Long Service Award from Marine Parade CC. I am currently a petition writer at the Mountbatten ‘Meet the People Sessions’ and would continue to do so hopefully for more years to come.
Service The Community With Love And Compassion
I am now the Chairman of Mountbatten Senior Citizens Executive Committee (SCEC). Serving the needy and the elderly have been my passion. I am constantly exploring with my Committee to plan meaningful activities for the many Senior residents in Mountbatten. For most of our Seniors, many living alone, the need to have friends to talk with, to laugh with, is very important. Our SCEC Committee under my encouragement had organised many activities for our Seniors. Before Covid-19 days we had excursions, outings and Bingo sessions. Later because of the Pandemic rules, we had small group Handicraft sessions making towel roses, snowmen, Easter bunnies, and colouring Chinese New Year cards.
Lately, because of social distancing and restrictions, I had launched our Contact and Connect support programme whereby our Committee members call up our Seniors and establish connections through conversations over the phone to express our Care and Concern for the Seniors.
I am getting older and with a weak backbone, I don’t know how long I can do this Community work which I love. But I will not quite unless I have to!
Ella Lim:
My Fondest Memory Of Grandma
“Ring…Ring…” went the school bell. The time I was looking forward to finally came. I hurried to the school gates, eager for the arrival of Grandma. I frantically scanned the crowd for Grandma. My eyes eventually met hers and I immediately ran into her arms. “Let’s go home, Ah Girl” she said, as she held onto my hand.
Our first stop was the big, open field opposite the school. Grandma and I would always stop there to play the Mimosa Game we invented. When touched, these plants would fold their leaves to protect itself. The field was filled with these mimosa plants, so we would compete to see who could step on more of these plants. After a few minutes of us going around the vast open field, Grandma would always declare that I was the winner with a gentle smile on her face. This time was no different.
With much glee on my face, I continued on the journey home with Grandma. Then round the corner came Uncle Tan, a friend of Grandma, riding his trishaw in our direction. “Grandma…” I began, tugging at Grandma’s hand. “Uncle Tan will take us home today” Grandma continued (as if she read my mind). I was ecstatic. So there I was, sitting on Grandma’s lap, enjoying my first trishaw ride home. Grandma started to sing.
Lose To Win, Learning To Lose
“Again, again! Let’s go one more round!” I would ask of my Dad. He first introduced me to soccer when I was five. We would go to the large field opposite our block, set up the “goal posts” with our shoes and play barefoot. We took turns playing attacker and goalie.
I would usually be able to beat Dad at his own game - and was really happy about that. However, there came a time when I kept losing, round after round… “This game is no fun, I don’t want to play with you anymore!” I cried in frustration, upset that I lost. In these moments, Dad would always encourage me, saying “Girls, it’s not winning that matters, but Pa wants you to pick yourself up every time you fail!” I later found out that every time I “won”, it was because he let the goal in. Dad just simply wanted to see me smile and be happy.
We eventually moved houses, Dad’s job demands grew and I got busier with school and extracurricular activities. I ended up playing other sports and developing other interests, but I will always remember how Dad would use every opportunity to teach me some of life’s greatest lessons on resilience, perseverance, excellence, honesty, and respect for others. Thank you, Dad!
A Coffee, A Friend
Bryan and I met at a company CSR event at Marina Barrage. We worked in the same company for a while but had never met. Since the event, we would make an effort to say “Hi” when we bumped into each other at the lift lobby of our office building. “Let’s grab coffee sometime!” we would always say to each other in those fleeting moments. After countless similar encounters, Bryan and I finally connected with each other via the office message communicator and exchanged phone numbers there.
We finally met for coffee around the corner from the office. Although it was our first time meeting, there was no awkwardness at all and the conversation went so smoothly, I felt I was speaking to an old friend. We spoke freely about our hobbies, struggles at work and how we would spend our weekends. It was immediately apparent that we shared many common hobbies and interests, including our love for open water diving, travelling and Star Wars.
Little did I know that this would be the first of many more coffee dates to come, and each time a good, uplifting conversation over a fragrant cup of coffee/tea. What a blessing indeed to have a good friend in Bryan.
A Childhood Dream
“What would you like to be when you grow up?” was a question I got asked many times as a child. I remember wanting to become a police officer as a young child. This idea was probably formed due to the shows and movies I enjoy watching in my growing up years. I recall watching epic fight scenes and scenes where the detective would make logical analysis and deductions based on forensic evidence. Deep in my heart, I had already formed an impression that Police officers had an exciting and intriguing role, fighting for justice and victims of crime.
This initial interest and passion eventually led me to volunteer with the Singapore Police Force as a volunteer Special Constabulary. This provided me with the opportunity to work alongside our regular officers and PNSF counterparts, allowing me to contribute to maintaining law and order in Singapore.
Through this experience, I was able to better appreciate the work of fellow officers, step out of my comfort zone and broaden my understanding and perspectives on the society and community of which I am very much a part of.
No Other Place Like Home
Dakota… A place I am proud to call “my hood” and my home. Although I have lived (and studied) within the boundaries of this community for two decades now, there is still much more to see in this ever-changing landscape. I fondly recall the time when I would go to the KFC on Stadium Blvd with my classmates after school/CCA sessions. I loved it there and could stay for hours with my friends because KFC offered free refills for my favourite Mountain Dew drink. Whenever I craved for my favourite hokkien mee or char kway teow, I could always count on going to Old Airport Road Food Centre to satisfy any of these food cravings. Not to mention, my favourite rainbow cake served at a cafe within the now demolished Dakota Crescent blocks. This motivated me to volunteer as a petition writer at the Mountbatten “Meet The People Sessions” and participate in various community projects (including the Dakota relocation project, community befrienders, tuition programs, etc.). I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute in my own small way while engaging and understanding the needs of others around me, learning to put them first.
Of course, there’s much more work to do as volunteers, but I am reminded that I am never alone in this journey as there are many others who share the same passion as I, who similarly want to bless the community that has first blessed us with so much. It is truly a privilege to serve.
