Page 31 - Stories from our Grandparents

Unlike the years in Sri Lanka where there was curfew and
I know that Singapore struggled as well to get to this place.
civil war, Singapore was more stable and safe - though I
migrated from Sri Lanka as a
young adult to Singapore with
Many hands had helped to build Singapore up. I decided
Mr Don Kingsley BORN 1947 my wife and children, and I to make Singapore my home and successfully applied for
have been living here for 35
citizenship. My youngest child was born in Singapore, my
By Christopher Lee Jian Fu years. I came to Singapore to children transferred to local schools, and my son (who was
escape turbulent years in Sri
born Singaporean) completed his National Service here.
NCC Land St Patrick’s School Lanka, and to create a better Singapore has indeed become our home.
life for myself and my family.
Today I see Singapore enjoying the fruits of its labour
My childhood in Sri Lanka was carefree and but times are hard for young people. They are
schooldays were spent with my friends, playing educated but well-paying jobs are not easy to come
Cricket, the country's national sport. Times were by. I feel that tough times are ahead for Singaporeans
tough in Sri Lanka for a young man like me with a and would advise them to stay strong and resilient,
family, so when I got the first opportunity to work and to keep themselves updated on what is
abroad, I did. My job took me to Kuwait and then happening around them, locally and globally. I feel
to Singapore. that young people need to give back in any way
they can to Singapore and be invested in taking it
As an expatriate, I enjoyed many benefits through the next 50 years.
and stayed in beautiful neighbourhoods
in the heart of Orchard Road. My children
went to an international school and school
fees and housing were paid for by my
employer.

I remember Singapore in the
early 1980s as a period of growth
and prosperity for the country
and its people. If you were
willing to work hard, there were
a lot of opportunities. Singapore Tourism Board Collection,
courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
30 Grandpa Stories Grandpa Stories 31