Page 125 - Stories from our Grandparents

Mdm Stella Koh Born 1976 y fondest memory are my

childhood memories. There
By Kieran Chan Mduring my childhood.
Pasir Ris Secondary School
were many ups and downs

I grew up in a family of 8 with 6 siblings. When I was about 3 years old, I was “I participated actively and frequented and represented
living in a one room HDB flat in Balam Road. It was very stuffy as we were my class for track and field and Cross Country Run. I
cramped together with almost no space to move around. I remembered remembered getting first place for track and field and this
having to shower with my siblings. It was very amusing as we would splash
water at each other and this would often irritate our mother. Although made my classmates very proud to be in the same class as me.
we lived in a very small house, we were very happy and contented with I could remember the scene when I crossed the finishing line
our lives. We had a small coloured TV and we would watch dramas and with everyone shouting my name and cheering for me.”
movies together. My father as the sole
breadwinner and our family were thrifty in The extraordinary moment was when was when I raised the trophy
our spending. As such we were still able to up in the sky proudly as if I won an Olympic Gold medal for my
lead a comfortable life. country. It was a fulfilling journey during secondary school life.
During my free time, I would meet up I did not have a lot of pocket money for recess so I did not spend a lot on
with my neighbours at the void deck food. I usually ate only a plate of rice with some gravy. I would sometimes
and we would play games such as order noodles soup. I usually drank plain water to save money. Having
Hide and Seek, Catching and Zero McDonalds meal was considered a luxury for me. This was the case for
Point. Sometimes, we would cycle around the park. We played games Singaporeans back then. These days, my children eat a lot more than me
that required physical energy. I also enjoyed helping out at and meat is their staple food.
my neighbour’s Soya Bean Milk Store. It was an enriching
experience as I was taught how to make soya bean milk There was also a time in the 90s when I wanted to get a job after
manually. I also managed to earn some pocket money by my O levels so as to purchase a very trendy sports shoes called “LA
helping out in their store. Gear”. I worked as a garment operator for 10 hours per day which
was not easy. After saving some money, I was able to buy the shoes
However, I enjoyed going to school the most. School was after saving my salary.
fun and enriching as I could meet many friends and learn a lot of
useful skills like sewing and cooking during Home Economics classes. I went through a lot of struggles during my childhood but they were all good
Apart from academic subjects, we were able to engage in sports and CCA. memories to me. It was a fruitful period of time for me as I made a lot of
My CCA was basketball. Playing in the open-air basketball ball court made friends which I still contact till today. I also learnt to cherish what I have and
me very tanned. I also exercised more and became fitter. work hard for my future. I hope the future generation would also be thrifty
and know that diligence is the key to success.

66 Grandma Stories Grandma Stories 67