Contribution Name: Siew Shi / Tzu Chi Singapore
Pseudonym: Mdm Lim Kim Kiau
Year of Author: 1956
Mdm Lim Kim Kiau, a 68-year-old woman, has lived a life rich in experiences filled with hard work, dedication, and a strong sense of family values. Growing up in a kampung in Bukit Panjang, Mdm Lim was part of a large family of 14, with six younger sisters, three older brothers, and one younger brother. Her childhood was marked by a strong sense of responsibility, as she helped her family with various chores, including growing chickens, pigs, and ducks. This large family dynamic meant that her childhood was filled with companionship. Despite the challenges of living in a rural area, where it took an hour to travel to the nearest town, Mdm Lim’s family made do with what they had. The travelling time also limited her opportunities for social interaction outside her immediate environment.
Mdm Lim’s parents, though not highly educated themselves, valued education and encouraged their children to study. However, Mdm Lim’s own educational journey was cut short when she dropped out of school at the age of 14, after completing only Secondary 2. Her fear of mathematics led her to seek employment in a factory instead. Her parents, overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for 14 children, did not object to her decision.
After getting married at the age of 21, Mdm Lim had three sons, born in 1978, 1979, and 1988. The youngest son was born 10 years after the second, as both Mdm Lim and her mother-in-law had hoped for a daughter. Despite not having a daughter, Mdm Lim embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, dedicating herself to raising her boys. Mdm Lim’s mother-in-law played a significant role in caring for the children, allowing Mdm Lim to continue working at the factory. However, after her mother-in-law’s passing, Mdm Lim took on the responsibility of caring for her children while working part-time at McDonald’s.
Despite the demands of work and family, Mdm Lim has always been content with her simple life. Despite her busy life, Mdm Lim has chosen to live simply without modern conveniences like a mobile phone or even a watch. She prefers to tell time by observing the sky—a testament to her connection with nature and traditional ways of living.
In her later years, Mdm Lim has found a new sense of purpose at the Active Ageing Center (AAC). She comes to the center to make friends, participate in gym tonic exercises, and break the monotony of her daily routine at home. She also enjoys playing Rummy-O with her friends in the AAC. With a maid to care for her 2-year-old grandson and manage the household chores, Mdm Lim has the luxury of taking naps and enjoying some time to herself. She now lives with her youngest son, who provides her with love and support.
Mdm Lim’s life story is one of resilience shaped by familial bonds and societal expectations. Her journey reflects the values of hard work, dedication to family, and the importance of community connections. As she navigates this new chapter of life in her golden years, she continues to embrace opportunities for friendship and personal growth while cherishing the memories of her vibrant past in the kampung.
林金娇女士的人生历程：坚韧与家庭纽带的故事
林金娇女士，现年68岁，经历了丰富多彩的一生，充满了辛勤劳动、奉献精神以及对家庭价值观的坚守。她在武吉班让的一个甘榜中长大，是一个由14口人组成的大家庭的一员，有六个妹妹、三个哥哥和一个弟弟。她的童年充满了责任感，帮家里做各种杂活，包括养鸡、养猪和养鸭。这个大家庭的生活使她的童年充满了陪伴感。尽管生活在农村，去最近的小镇需要一小时的路程，林女士一家还是尽力适应现状。路途的遥远也限制了她在家庭以外的社交机会。
尽管林女士的父母学历不高，但他们非常重视教育，鼓励孩子们学习。然而，林女士的学业在她14岁时中断，她只完成了中学二年级就辍学了。对数学的恐惧促使她选择了在工厂就业。她的父母因要照顾14个孩子而倍感压力，因此并未反对她的决定。
在21岁时结婚后，林女士育有三个儿子，分别出生于1978年、1979年和1988年。最小的儿子比次子晚了十年出生，因为林女士和她的婆婆都希望生一个女儿。虽然最终没有女儿，但林女士依然全心全意投入到母亲的角色中，致力于抚养三个儿子。她的婆婆在照顾孩子们方面发挥了重要作用，使得林女士能够继续在工厂工作。然而，在婆婆去世后，林女士便一边兼职在麦当劳工作，一边承担起照顾孩子的责任。
尽管工作和家庭的双重压力，林女士对自己简单的生活一直感到满足。她过着朴素的生活，甚至没有使用手机或手表。她习惯通过观察天空来判断时间，这也体现了她与自然的紧密联系和对传统生活方式的坚持。
在晚年，林女士在活跃乐龄中心（AAC）找到了新的生活意义。她经常来中心结交朋友，参加健身训练，并打破在家日复一日的单调生活。她还喜欢在中心和朋友们一起玩Rummy-O。如今，家里有一位帮佣负责照顾两岁的孙子和家务，林女士有更多的时间可以小憩，享受属于自己的时光。她与最小的儿子同住，儿子给了她无微不至的关怀和支持。
林女士的生活故事是由家庭纽带和社会期望塑造出的坚韧历程。她的一生体现了勤奋工作、对家庭的奉献以及社区联系的重要性。如今进入晚年，她仍然积极寻求友谊和个人成长的机会，同时珍惜在甘榜中度过的那段充实而多彩的岁月。
This work includes translation generated by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
此作品包含由OpenAI开发的AI语言模型ChatGPT生成的翻译内容