Ong Ah Kuai, a former worker at the Jurong Industrial Park, shares her fond memories of Boon Lay. Having stayed for 30 years at Boon Lay, she now resides at Jurong East and has stayed there ever since for the past 6 years. Mdm Ong, now a mother of 3 daughters and a grandmother of 6 grandsons, started working at the Jurong Industrial Park at 20 years old in 1968. Earning $2 per day, Mdm Ong has also made friends whom she has lost contact with until recent years. She met the old friends, who were already in their 60s and 70s, unexpectedly at the Jurong West market. She was, of course, delighted to see them again, and they even have a gathering at every 3rd month of the year.
Mdm Ong also shared stories of her Kampong days. One of the most memorable ones was about her neighbour who was the mother of 2 children – a boy and a girl who were barely the age of 5. Their mother often went out to gamble, leaving her children in despair. Mdm Ong said, “The children would sleep and wake up to cry when they find their mother gone. Then they would go back to sleep and wake up only to cry again. This cycle would repeat for days.” Many neighbours, like Mdm Ong herself, would head over to comfort and take care of the children for a short while. Till this day, Mdm Ong feels sorry for the pitiful children who had no one to depend on.
Fortunately, the children grew up well and are currently people with great achievements despite their past. For this, Mdm Ong feels pleased and happy that the children are able to perform well and be reputable people.
Mdm Ong also added that she met her husband through a blind date, and now has 3 daughters who are in their 30s. Not forgetting to meet up occasionally, Mdm Ong has a family dinner with her daughters and grandchildren every week at her house. When we expressed our envy, she jokingly replied, “I’m the one who has to cook!”
Even though she lives at Jurong East now, Mdm Ong still has fond memories of Boon Lay. Although her children are busy, they live near her and visit her every week, for which she is extremely grateful for. Mdm Ong’s reminiscence shows how much she still thinks of the past and her satisfaction towards life.
(Interviewed and written by Geraldine Chua and Liu Qiong Jing for Boon Lay YEC Memory Collection Drive)
