Page 40 - Stories from our Grandparents

n 9 August 1965, Singapore gained independence from
Malaysia, and at that time, I was only five years old.
Over the years, Singapore gained significant progress
Ofrom a third world country to a modern city.
Every weekend, my father would bring my whole family
to catch a movie at the Capitol theatre. After our weekly
movie, we would definitely go to our favourite street
hawker for a bowl of authentic ‘Bak Chor Mee’. Often,
we would also go to Chinatown to shop for clothes
and dried goods like mushrooms and melon seeds.
Last time there weren’t any skyscrapers at all,
instead we had shophouses and kampongs.
These areas were wide, spacious and peaceful. Families
Courtesy of National could co-exist harmoniously with a deep sense of trust.
Archives of Singapore
Residents helped each other in times of need and there
was a strong bond among us all.
Technology wasn’t as advanced as how it was now.
In the past, it was very troublesome to
make a call or to send a letter. Most of
us were illiterate; we had to pay letter
writers to draft a letter for us. Letters
took very long to be mailed. Often, we
will have to wait at least a week to receive
our letters. The days felt like years. These
days, we can easily send a text message and
a reply can be received within seconds.
Families were poor and many may not be able to afford toys for their
children. Instead, children like my siblings and I learnt to be creative by
making our own toys and interactive games. We sewed pieces of small scrap
cloth and stuffed green bean seeds inside them. This was how our game of
‘Five Stones’ came about. We also played ‘Zero Point’ by tying rubber bands
together and jumping over them like skipping ropes. These days, children
play games using their computers and smart phones.
Mr Simon Poh BORN 1960
40 Grandpa Stories
By Joycelyn Poh
Pasir Ris Secondary School
As years passed, new and bulky
devices called television sets were
a trend. We were only able to
watch shows in ‘black and white’.
My mother spoke about the new
television sets every day.
My aunt living in the next street often called to boast about her
television. She would also talk about how expensive they were
and how hard it was to learn how to use it. After a whole month of
nagging to my father, my father finally gave in to her and bought a
television set. Many people in our kampong were curious about the
television shows. Every afternoon, they would crowd outside and
peep into our house. My mother eventually invited them into our
house to chit-chat and watch the show together.
As time passed, everybody bought their own television and there was no
longer a crowd in our house. Years passed and one day, the government
sent letters to each and every household to inform them that they have to
move into flats because the land will be used for other purposes.
Many people were shocked and they did not want to move. My
family was one of them. After all, we have already stayed in the
kampong for more than twenty years. It was our home. We felt upset
that we had to move into new flats. Many complained and protested
against the government. However, we did not have a choice. When
we first moved into the HDB flats, everything was new to us. In
kampongs, we did not have toilet bowls and rubbish chutes. I was
amazed by the toilet bowls because we were able to flush water
down. It was more hygienic as in kampongs, we used potties and
spittoons. Eventually, I appreciated the HDB flats.
Now, we can only reminisce about the past. I feel that despite our progress
as a nation, one thing we should never change is our kampong spirit. I also
hope that the younger generation will learn to appreciate one another and
be bonded as one nation.
Grandpa Stories 41