Daily Lesson from Life 21 September 2008

"Sun, Sep 21, 2008 The New Paper She cares for orphans like they're her own

WHEN two teenagers suddenly found themselves orphaned, the first person they turned to was a neighbour.
They'd found their father, a 44-year-old storeman, dead in his bed one day in February. He had died of a heart attack in his sleep.

Six years ago, siblings Victor, 15, and Gerine Yap, 13, lost their mother to cancer. In stepped their Boon Lay neighbour Sandy Lim.

Said Madam Lim, 42, who is a factory assistant manager: 'My heart sank when I heard their frantic voices over the phone. My first thought was, what's going to happen to these two children now?' The children had called her when they realised that their father was dead.

For the past six months, Madam Lim, who has an 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter herself, has been like a mother to the siblings - taking care of their financial needs, watching over their school work and providing emotional support.


She has also been in touch with the family's relatives and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), to see if a permanent arrangement can be made for the teens.


She said: 'It's tragic what these children have gone through. I want to make sure they get proper guidance and do not go down the wrong path.'

For her efforts, Madam Lim was given the Good Neighbour Award last month. She was nominated by Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC Madam Ho Geok Choo.

When The New Paper visited the siblings last Thursday afternoon, Victor had skipped school without informing Madam Lim. He claimed he had overslept.


Said Victor: 'We sometimes gets irritated with her nagging, but we're grateful that she makes the effort to visit us every evening after work. Although she's not even a relative, she cares for us like we're her own.'

Madam Lim informed MCYS of the siblings' situation and arrangements are being made among various relatives to appoint a suitable guardian for the pair.


An uncle, grandparent and aunt, who have not been in touch with the Yaps for several years, are now getting re-acquainted with the siblings by visiting them regularly.

Said Victor: 'We have not seen our uncle and aunt for a long time. They were like strangers to us at the start, but now, I can sense they genuinely care for us. Hopefully, we can have a family again soon.'


On why she goes the extra mile for her neighbours, Madam Lim said: 'When you come across people who need help, how can you not help?'"

A rather long quote this time. I thought it is easier to let the professional journalist's words described the situation and what Madam Lim has done!

It is indeed remarkable what Madam Lim has done. I salute her. It is never easy to open our hearts and purses even for some of our family members or relatives let alone neighbours who are barely acquaintances! Of course the fact that she is the Resident Committee shows that she cares and is a volunteer with a heart!

Lessons for me:

1. good deeds will get recognized eventually. Even though I am sure she will still do it even if she did not get recognized for it as it comes from the heart. It is volunteerism at work;

2. we all need role model and such deeds must not go unnoticed. There need to be some publicity that communicate the genuine intention of Madam Lim. Role model will inspire others to emulate and spread the good deeds through words of mouth. Hopefully more people will become just as brave and generous!;

3. in money-not-enough Singapore, and for that matter, anywhere in the world, there will always be some people who will do the RIGHT THINGS no matter what the situations may be. We must look at the positive side of human nature instead of just focusing on the negative side of human nature!

I salute Madam Lim and congratulate her on her achievement. I also hope that Victor and his sister will turn the tragic situation into a positive one. What is past cannot be righted. What is in the future is totally in their hands to shape and mold!