Y K C U L
WG NO N CODI
NO
Y K C LU
Suitable for vegetarians
dreamers
“I want to be the owner of the best handmade noodles stall in Singapore.” Huang Jiyao, 43-year-old noodle shop owner
After getting married, Jiaoyao went to South Korea alone to work in a restaurant, living a frugal and lonely life. His dream to open his own noodle shop kept Jiyao working hard. In 2006, his family moved to Singapore. His wife had to give up her job to look after their children. Working in someone else’s restaurant was not Jiyao’s dream, but he had no choice at the moment. After years, he had enough savings to open a noodle stall in a university canteen. He is so happy that students love Jiyao’s noodles very much. His dream has come true.
“I want to Taijiquan be passed down to surviving generations.” Yang Weiwen, 68-year-old taiji master
Master Yang started picking up martial arts in his 40s, and he did not expect that he would get hooked on it. He harboured the dream of bringing the martial arts scene in Singapore to prominence despite the small martial arts scene here. Ironically, martial arts are seemingly on the decline in its birthplace. He travelled around China, searching for a martial arts teacher to train under. Despite the challenges, Master Yang was not discouraged, and attempts to pick up martial arts skills to the best of his abilities. His efforts were recognized by taiji legend, Master Jin Renlin, who took him in as a disciple. Now, Master Yang runs a taiji school in Singapore and has recruited many enthusiastic disciples of taijiquan. While the hustle and bustle of everyday life cannot be avoided, Master Yang believes that taiji can cultivate the heart and mind for as long as people put in the effort to preserve and develop this martial art.
“I want to have a home of my own.” Shuping, 42 years old, drink-stall hawker
Shuping has always dreamed of having her own home. Married to a gambler husband, life was unstable, and starting a family was difficult. She soon got a divorce, and moved from one residence to another. When she got into a new relationship, she saw a glimmer of hope, but it ended because of opposition from her boyfriend’s family. With only basic qualifications, Shuping could only work as a nanny to save up to buy a house—taking care of others’ children instead of her own. She worked in Japan for a while but got cheated of her earnings, but things got better when she started selling drinks. With business picking up, she could finally rent an apartment which she now occupies with her daughter, who previously lived with someone else. This marked the beginning of a new home; although the house does not yet belong to them and they would have to move out eventually, and although housing prices are rapidly rising, Shuping and her daughter are both working hard towards the dream of owning a home.
“I want to live longer than my grandmother – 103 years old!” Chen Qiaoyue, 66-year-old housewife
When Qiaoyue was 44 years old, her husband passed away due to hypertension and heart disease, leaving her and their three children behind. Qiaoyue became the sole breadwinner of the family, working intense hours. She was harshly reminded of her husband’s ailments when her health deteriorated. Realising the importance of health, Qiaoyue wants to be like her grandmother, living to a ripe old age of 102. She began learning qigong and her symptoms were relieved. Qiaoyue decided to quit her job and concentrate on this practice, inspiring other seniors to do so. Every morning at six, at a park in Woodlands, Qiaoyue is always ready to lead 50 seniors in their qigong session.
SPECIAL
“I want to see again, and become a chef.”
Fang Fuhua, 56-year-old massage masseur
Fuhua dreamed to become a chef when he was young. But he became a school bus driver instead to earn higher salaries. It was only after 20 years that Fuhua realised he still wanted to be a chef. He served an apprenticeship and rented a small stall to sell fried carrot cake which attracted many customers. However, Fuhua’s eyesight gradually deteriorated. Multiple surgeries brought him little improvement. He was then unable to continue his business. Today, his left eye is completely blind, while his right eye only possesses 15% vision. He has to pay attention to his diet and medication to improve his vision for his chef-dream.
“I want anyone who needs help to be able to receive help.” Liao Xinghua, 51-year-old nursing volunteer
Xinghua opened his own successful business, but that did not make him happy – until he discovered volunteer work. He found joy in the smiles of others he helped, and that has been his dream for many years: offering help to anyone who needs it. In addition to his usual work, he sacrificed most of his leisure time volunteering for the needy. Xinghua gave his all without expecting anything in return, yet sometimes, a voice inside his head would ask, “Can’t I give more?” Because of this, he became discouraged and almost gave up. But eventually, he chose to believe in the strength of human kindness, rallying more people to join his cause. Inspired by Xinghua, many youths are now becoming volunteers. To keep physically fit for volunteer work, the 51-year-old runs 5 to 15 kilometres a week. He says that as long as the effort to volunteer is sustained, the day will come when his dream is fulfilled.
“I want Singaporeans to appreciate the beauty of pottery art.” Lin Hua Jun, 50, potter
Lin Hua Jun always considered pottery a beautiful and enriching art. Sadly, it used to be a rich man’s hobby, and he had no access to it. When he finally had the chance to learn pottery, interest had dwindled in the face of plastic products. He attempted to promote ceramics in schools, but parents were reluctant to cooperate as they found it quite useless. Fearing that no one would preserve the art form, he travelled to Jingdezhen in China to gain experience and expertise. Unfortunately, he had no one else to share this joy with as many of his peers switched careers midlife. He persevered in his endeavours, however, finally winning the support of the National Arts Council (NAC). With the help of the NAC, he organized an exhibition which publicized the art of ceramics. Although the interest in ceramic arts is far from “rejuvenated,” he feels that there is hope for its future.
“I want to see my grandson grow up.”
Ye Jin, 56, housewife
Jin loves children. When she was younger, she would look after her neighour’s ill baby, as though she were his elder sister. Sadly, the baby eventually passed away, which devastated Jin. As a result, she began to donate to orphanages, even if it meant that she had to go hungry herself. To her, seeing the orphans happy made up for her own discomforts. Unfortunately, Jin’s daughter went missing at 6 months. Although she was found a few years later, they never became close, leaving her feeling helpless. They grew further apart as her daughter became an adult. When Jin’s daughter gave birth, Jin was too busy working to help care for her grandson. As a result, her dream is very simple: Jin wishes to see him grow up.
Welcome to
.
FREE Hearing Test Q
Q
Q
Latest diagnostic equipment in state-of-the-art testing rooms Highly qualified audiologists from Germany Latest hearing aids at LOWEST price guaranteed!
Call 6235 2425 for more details. Orchard Centre 260 Orchard Road The Heeren #12-09 Novena Centre 10 Sinaran Drive Novena Square 2 #B1-135
www.kind.com
TRY Before Buying
KIND. Together for better hearing.