Page 18 - Stories from our Grandparents

Mr Lee Hong Ngon BORN 1942 & 1946
Mdm Lim Ah Hong
By Goh Xin Yan Nicole
ITE College West
oth of my grandparents from my mother’s side are
born in Singapore. My grandfather’s most memorable
experience was when he only had to pay 5 cents to
Btake the public transport, and 10 cents to buy a bowl
of noodles. He explained that economic growth also led to
food and public transport becoming more expensive now.
My grandmother’s most memorable experience was
back then during Chinese New Year, where there are
festivals organized for adults and children to enjoy.
They are able to play games such as five stones, pick-up
sticks, marbles, kuti-kuti, tikam tikam (a guessing game)
& chapteh. My grandmother also recalled that those
festivals were bustling and very lively as compared to
today’s society whereby such festivals and games are
rarely seen or played.
18 Grandpa Stories
My grandparents both lived in Attap Houses back in post-war
Singapore. They both mentioned that they were very poor and
they barely had anything to eat. Life did not become better after
they married each other as soon after, they had children and my
grandfather’s job as a bus driver was very unstable. My grandfather
explained that the economy back then was unstable, and there
were days when he didn’t have to work. If he does not work, he
will not get paid and he had to resort to borrowing money from his
friends and neighbors.
During Singapore’s early years of independence, both my grandparents
explained that food and public transport cost around 5 cents to 15 cents.
They added that 50 cents was considered “expensive”.
My grandfather shared that since he had a driving licence,
he applied to be a bus driver. Both my grandparents shared
that life in Singapore currently is much better as compared
to back in their days. For example, children are able to get a
better education, and when they grow up they’re able to get
a better job and salary.
My grandparents hope that the next generation of Singaporeans will
become more mature, independent and filial towards their parents.
They reiterated that being filial is extremely important as we have
to be appreciative and grateful towards our parents for all that they
have sacrificed for us.