Page 77 - Stories from our Grandparents

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Mdm Mutamimah Binte
Mustafa Born 1949 When I was in my 20s, I worked as a housekeeper for a Chinese

By Darwish Syazwan Bin Imran family. I did not earn much and I was paid about $40 a month. After
I left that job, I then worked at a factory in Jurong. My pay for that
ITE College West
job was $200 a month. Our life was not easy after marriage, but
whenever I faced any difficulty, I would always pray and stay positive,
which helped me to relieve my stress.
y name is Mutamimah Binte Mustafa and I was born at
home in Kampung Dunearn Road on 20 September 1949. “Right now, I am adapting to the modern generation. My
My parents are Mustafa Bin Haji Fadah & Sainab Binte favourite thing to do now is going out with my children to
MAdnan. I am the oldest among my siblings. As our family eat. When there is nothing to do, I would usually rest at
is not well to do, the only activity we could afford then was to go for
picnics & hikes at Changi. My school back then was “Bustanul Ariffin” home and watch Bollywood movies. I also love going to
and my favourite teachers were Ustaz Said & Ustazah Zainab. Both the market to buy groceries for the family as shopping
of them always gave the class life advice, which helped me a lot. is much more convenient now compared to when I was
I met my husband as we lived in the same kampong and his living in the kampong.”
house was very close to mine back then. He would always Sometimes I would go jogging with my closest friend, Cik Haji Timah. Once
pick me up from my house to go watch movies & stroll every fortnight, we would also take the bus to go visit the nearest Senior
around. I am sure the youth of this generation still do all Activity Centre to spend time with other elderly.
that. Eventually we got married in 1963, and I was only 19. I
then gave birth to three children, Roziah, Mahani & Imran. The only thing I hope for my children & grandchildren is that they will
I named my first-born “Roziah” as I liked a singer with the always love me and spend time with me. I also want my grandchildren
same name, and I have always loved roses, so I came up to be hardworking so they can lead better lives.
with a similar name for her.

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