Thursday, February 17, 2022

Elderly man, 79, lived in S'pore forest alone for past 33 years

By Belmont Lay, mothership, 03 February 2022 at 04:56 pm


Discovered only recently, he was homeless for more than three decades.
PHOTO: Discovered only recently, he was homeless for more than three decades.
Picture posted by Belmont Lay, mothership on 03 February 2022 at 04:56 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCUXM9t6sYn22EaSCSdXB3MTKQSwSSsVgEu0fd6PJkuV3gl7YcW-3MxMQs5qQpYb8eQAnJznieq2MHUdcPlHsAT8K50grqcZSpKD6LcksBZYQQBch13vwSboBBfoWu4QTTC83WtWijYTY31dXm0iz0gn3o-bPEPWD6veal6CIeOiVXmOhu2gd5Ic_7=s1200
https://static.mothership.sg/1/2022/02/man-singapore-live-sungei-tengah-forest.jpg
https://mothership.sg/2022/02/man-live-singapore-forest-33-years/


A 79-year-old elderly man was living in the Sungei Tengah forest in Singapore all by himself for 33 years before being discovered recently.

His homeless status was only detected by the authorities after he was caught illegally hawking vegetables in Teck Whye Lane in Choa Chu Kang on Dec. 25, 2021.



Posted by Vivian Pan on 25 December 2021
https://www.facebook.com/vivianpjy/videos/687446192270991/?t=7


His homeless status was only detected by the authorities after he was caught illegally hawking vegetables in Teck Whye Lane in Choa Chu Kang on Dec. 25, 2021.
PHOTO: His homeless status was only detected by the authorities after he was caught illegally hawking vegetables in Teck Whye Lane in Choa Chu Kang on Dec. 25, 2021.
Picture posted by Belmont Lay, mothership on 03 February 2022 at 04:56 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglGb_AU8M1Au3p8bqFM4AxlDYi5ipr7yraDWjmzeL0Yyb_MWl1MVDuTo98rN1cF_aBWZINT5T4b_MXdAbhR7jlGL2Lku6bYP8DXIgHQDKi38WrXpMrp8At2iTxxVE7aJaJc_v9WmF3IkkUk-82zjz5VT44s91v9hoLvZ2midHC7LIG1tf77PNDm5pR=s812
https://static.mothership.sg/1/2022/02/elderly-man-sell-vegetable-caught.jpg
https://mothership.sg/2022/02/man-live-singapore-forest-33-years/


The vegetables, which were confiscated, were believed to have been grown by him.

Lived by pond, tended to own garden
The sensational story about a man having resided in the wild over so many years was originally published by Shin Min Daily News

A follow-up piece in English about the man moving to a one-room rental flat was subsequently published by The Straits Times on Jan. 28, and makes for a mind-boggling read.

The articles essentially highlighted how it is possible for a person in Singapore to be a rough sleeper for more than three decades by making do with very little and just a makeshift tent in the forest.

Lived in Sungei Tengah forest
According to ST, Oh Go Seng was living in the forest in the northwestern part of the island, but the exact location was not disclosed.

He had remained in the area after his kampung home was cleared.

He is understood to have been shuttling between his forest residence and the wider nearby housing estate to be acquainted with the rest of society to earn money by selling vegetables there and finding work as a hard labourer.

As he was living in the forest, he grew his own vegetables, such as chilli padi and pandan leaves.


As he was living in the forest, he grew his own vegetables, such as chilli padi and pandan leaves.


He would cook with an open fire and ate mostly porridge with preserved vegetables.
PHOTO: His tent was made out of plastic canvas and propped up with wooden sticks.
Picture posted by China Press on 17 January 2022
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlyT3urzufgHLsEC9XT1XqxacuFFkRfW7CtfupknlU2g2u9fMJLM9m6IG2VlmkUoLUHNKZy4sXGZ_LpWDH63Xkf_7SQIpv7Ds4JpzzKsczGSfRjQ18Oy3Gi0NSWGD1k2OsrcBX1bMAfW3lmwGr3yQ_7O8m-OmsTwknSDYQ3FRSJ9NNfj3QFxiN-JhE=s513
https://www.chinapress.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/220118CMKfb65b-220117sm8-Atuk-Tinggal-Di-Hutan.jpg
https://www.chinapress.com.my/20220117/疫下求存！-卖菜伯-住树林-亲人好心痛/


Photographs of his dwelling showed the barebones state of his accommodation in the midst of lush and haphazard greenery, with the barefoot man wearing filthy and torn clothing, while sitting on the ground strewn with rubbish, such as plastic packaging, soiled containers, and empty cardboard egg holders.

To catch a glimpse of how dense the Sungei Tengah forest is, you can check out a runner's vlog that also showed how deserted it can be.



Posted by TENGAH on 25 April 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0B8LFvg26k


Claims to have family in Indonesia
Speaking in Hokkien, Oh was quoted by ST as saying that he never saw snakes in the forest, and that mosquitoes were his friend.

He also claimed to have a wife in her 50s and a daughter, 19, who is studying medicine, and that they both live in Batam.

He also said he sends them S＄500 monthly -- money he saved up working as a labourer.

But his wife and daughter are unaware of his well-being, according to Oh.

Over the past two years after the pandemic struck, his savings started to run out when he could no longer work as a labourer at the pasar malam (night markets)

Relocated to rental flat
After he was caught illegally selling vegetables and given a warning, his situation became known to Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa.



Posted by Liang Eng Hwa on 29 January 2022 at 3:53 pm ·
https://www.facebook.com/liangenghwa/posts/10220080083209137


The authorities checked and found that Oh has a relative who lives in Bukit Panjang, Shin Min reported in a follow-up article on Jan. 18.

The relative is the daughter-in-law of Oh's late brother.

She was asked if she could give him shelter temporarily.

Oh then moved in with her and her family for about a week as a one-room rental flat in Choa Chu Kang was arranged for him.

Oh has since been relocated to the rental flat.


The authorities checked and found that Oh has a relative who lives in Bukit Panjang, Shin Min reported in a follow-up article on Jan. 18.
PHOTO: The authorities checked and found that Oh has a relative who lives in Bukit Panjang, Shin Min reported in a follow-up article on Jan. 18. The relative is the daughter-in-law of Oh's late brother. She was asked if she could give him shelter temporarily. Oh then moved in with her and her family for about a week as a one-room rental flat in Choa Chu Kang was arranged for him. Oh has since been relocated to the rental flat.
林女士（左）说，小叔胡链成住在她家虽不习惯，但总好过住在树林里。（吴伟国摄）- Ms. Lin (left) said that although uncle 胡链成 (Hú liàn chéng, Oh Go Seng) was not used to living in her house, it was better than living in the woods. Photo by 吴伟国 (Wú wěi guó)
Picture posted by zaobao on 20 January 2022 at 2:28 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-vKIXq-zrLr9dZVUk0K_1biNxFFbebZw5YRs_T6E-Gl_wpfGZ3Ml8ZbQ1mMbTebfeJfh5g6D9no7VRG3kLY0LzuI47T1GNEI3DfZoTRWhWjQ3tPbVPdJARHMF5YWuctmjoNNBP49jav9YwcaP7w0AIiVCLaaKB-CTIadcHLTllnKHiXCuGccylbeB=s798
https://static.zaobao.com/s3fs-public/styles/article_large_full/public/2022-01/img_7041.jpg?VersionId=6DLKhaYqy8GxuscMRxCswFEvBqVHNvma&h=2d725412&itok=pJSyXRJj
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20220120-1234850


Still has to work at age 79
ST reported that volunteers will work with the grassroots in his new community to find him spaces to continue to grow his vegetables.

Besides a new dwelling, it was also reported that Oh has since found a job as a gardener at a horticulture company and earns S＄1,200 monthly, but has to pay rent for his flat.

It was not mentioned how much rent he now has to pay.

People in community knew about his existence in the forest
Chatter online after Oh's story broke suggested that people in the Choa Chu Kang area were aware of Oh's existence sleeping rough.

This was so as they gave him food for sustenance and clothing over the years, and people in the Teck Whye estate do buy his vegetables.

Hikers and runners have also said on social media they have come across Oh and his dwelling in the Sungei Tengah forest, and were also aware that he was living there.

The sentiment expressed by those who claimed to have seen the elderly man in the forest said they chose to let him be.

Not everyone processed this news the same way though.

Over on the ST forum, one letter writer understood the story somewhat differently from the rest of the population, as he praised the elderly man for showing resilience to overcome adversity.


Learn resilience from senior who lived in forest
PHOTO: Learn resilience from senior who lived in forest
We read with admiration how a 79-year-old man lived in the forest in Sungei Tengah for the past 33 years (His 1st CNY in a warm house after 33 years, Jan 30).
The lesson we can learn from this Pioneer Generation senior is how to overcome adversity by practising resilience.
In the present situation, it is crucial that we emulate Mr Oh Go Seng (胡链成 Hú liàn chéng) by living through this raging pandemic and coming out stronger. [2]
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
 

In prayer, ask God to surround people experiencing homelessness with His protection.
PHOTO: In prayer, ask God to surround people experiencing homelessness with His protection.
"Dear Lord, Your Word often talks about people in need finding safety. We pray today for homeless people, that children and families in need with no place to call home will be guided to places of peace and security.

Please, put your arms around children and families in extreme poverty so they feel comfort and hope; meet their needs both physically and spiritually. And, Lord, guide me so I can be your hands and feet pursuing justice for the poor and upholding the cause of the needy.

Words can't express the ache in our heart. We feel pain every day. We pray to you as we are desperate for help. We need to know that you care, that you love us, be our refuge from pain, replacing our distress with peace, and be our strength when we feel weak and find it hard to carry on.

Through Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!"

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 19:17)
 
By Belmont Lay, mothership, 03 February 2022 at 04:56 pm


Other story

Retiree, 75, ordered to clear his secret garden in forest, posted on Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Retiree, 75, ordered to clear his secret garden in forest, posted on Wednesday, 31 March 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/03/retiree-75-ordered-to-clear-his-secret.html
Reference
[1] Belmont Lay, mothership, Elderly man, 79, lived in S'pore forest alone for past 33 years, posted on 03 February 2022 at 04:56 pm, https://mothership.sg/2022/02/man-live-singapore-forest-33-years/

[2] The Straits Times Forum, Learn resilience from senior who lived in forest, posted on  01 February 2022 at 12:00 am SGT, https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-learn-resilience-from-senior-who-lived-in-forest


Links
caught - https://www.facebook.com/vivianpjy/videos/687446192270991/

Shin Min Daily News - https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20220117-1233800

Photographs of his dwelling - https://www.chinapress.com.my/20220117/疫下求存！-卖菜伯-住树林-亲人好心痛/

The Straits Times - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/out-of-the-woods-elderly-man-to-enjoy-first-cny-reunion-in-a-home-after-over-30-years

reported - https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20220120-1234850

one letter writer - https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-learn-resilience-from-senior-who-lived-in-forest

Shin Min Daily News - https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20220117-1233800

RunUncleRun Kok Chin Teow YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0B8LFvg26k


Busan ​​International Film Festival (BIFF) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/busan-international-film-festival-biff.html

Japanese Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/japanese-samba-carnival-links.html
 
Asakusa Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/asakusa-samba-carnival.html

Brazilian Samba Carnival - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/brazilian-samba-carnival-links.html

Scandinavian Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/scandinavian-samba-carnival-links.html

Other stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/05/other-stories.html

Nursing stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/nursing-stories.html

Healthcare stories (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/01/healthcare-stories-links.html

Movie (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/11/movie-links.html


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