Deprecated: Joomla\Input\Input implements the Serializable interface, which is deprecated. Implement __serialize() and __unserialize() instead (or in addition, if support for old PHP versions is necessary) in /home/iwtstudy/public_html/historicalsourceidentifier/libraries/vendor/joomla/input/src/Input.php on line 41

Deprecated: Return type of Joomla\Input\Input::count() should either be compatible with Countable::count(): int, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/iwtstudy/public_html/historicalsourceidentifier/libraries/vendor/joomla/input/src/Input.php on line 170

Deprecated: Joomla\CMS\Input\Input implements the Serializable interface, which is deprecated. Implement __serialize() and __unserialize() instead (or in addition, if support for old PHP versions is necessary) in /home/iwtstudy/public_html/historicalsourceidentifier/libraries/src/Input/Input.php on line 31

Deprecated: Joomla\CMS\Input\Cookie implements the Serializable interface, which is deprecated. Implement __serialize() and __unserialize() instead (or in addition, if support for old PHP versions is necessary) in /home/iwtstudy/public_html/historicalsourceidentifier/libraries/src/Input/Cookie.php on line 21

Deprecated: str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated in /home/iwtstudy/public_html/historicalsourceidentifier/libraries/src/Uri/Uri.php on line 141
A Samsui woman's account of her life in colonial Singapore

A Samsui woman's account of her life in colonial Singapore

Print
Details
Category: Chapter 4: How was life different for the various people in colonial Singapore before World War Two?
Hits: 589

Source 18: A Samsui woman's account of her life in colonial Singapore.

Back in China, I was out planting, ploughing and harvesting rice in the paddy field. More often than not, bad weather and natural disasters destroyed our harvests and we were left to starve. I was then attracted by the promises of a better life by my cousin who 'made it big' in Singapore. In Singapore, life was tough with long hours of heavy work and hard labour. Our meals were sparse* and I lived in cramped lodging houses in Chinatown with up to 200 other people. My dreams of building a comfortable life with my family have clashed with the reality of low-paying jobs that offer little chance for advancement and security. I'm glad to be able to return home.

*sparse: small in amount.

 

Source Origin: Kelvin E Y Low. (2014). Remembering the Samsui Women: Migration and Social Memory in Singapore and China. Vancouver,                       British Columbia: UBC Press.

Use Record: Holy Innocents' High School, 2015.