Descriptor:
This feature article is a graded assignment written for the module M314 - Editorial and Feature Writing Graded Assignment.
The topic is about ‘foreign workers living in Singapore’ and I had the honour to interview Ms Karsyiem and Mdm Choo.
It was graded an A.
Between the citizenship articles that speak about abusive maids or abused maids, there haven’t been any articles that speak solely about the hardships and bonds a domestic worker is facing in Singapore. The article “Daughter From Another Mother” will feature a domestic worker integrate into Singapore’s community – and how an elderly found companionship from a member of the domestic worker community.
This feature article is a graded assignment written for the module M314 - Editorial and Feature Writing Graded Assignment.
The topic is about ‘foreign workers living in Singapore’ and I had the honour to interview Ms Karsyiem and Mdm Choo.
It was graded an A.
Between the citizenship articles that speak about abusive maids or abused maids, there haven’t been any articles that speak solely about the hardships and bonds a domestic worker is facing in Singapore. The article “Daughter From Another Mother” will feature a domestic worker integrate into Singapore’s community – and how an elderly found companionship from a member of the domestic worker community.
Daughter from Another Mother
By Sylvester Wong | 29 July 2014
A dynamic domestic worker who shows authentic family love for her melancholic aged old employer.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and the sun was determined to show its prominence.
The incandescent orb that hung high above the clouds was not about to let anyone out on the streets escape its fiery fury. The sweltering heat that it unleashed bounces off the gritted black road, making sure that anyone standing out in the open feel the spell of a hot weather.
In weather this unforgiving, most families have unanimously decided to take advantage of the day off by staying somewhere sheltered, and others that have to be out were moving as quickly as possible to stay hidden from the sun. In spite of such sultry swelter, a woman dried her palms on her trousers, her brows on her hands, and her neck with a handkerchief, before she continued pushing her “Ah Ma” on a wheelchair without hastening.
“Karsyiem,” muttered the silver haired old lady in mandarin, “where are we going?”
“The mall,” answered Karsyiem in mandarin for the fourth time patiently, “we are going to the mall, Ah Ma.”
If Karsyiem was Chinese, anyone would have mistook her as the granny’s daughter – and it will not be for simplistic reason such as the way Karsyiem addresses her, but rather, the way Karsyiem treats her.
However, Karsyiem and the granny are not related, not with blood at least.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and the sun was determined to show its prominence.
The incandescent orb that hung high above the clouds was not about to let anyone out on the streets escape its fiery fury. The sweltering heat that it unleashed bounces off the gritted black road, making sure that anyone standing out in the open feel the spell of a hot weather.
In weather this unforgiving, most families have unanimously decided to take advantage of the day off by staying somewhere sheltered, and others that have to be out were moving as quickly as possible to stay hidden from the sun. In spite of such sultry swelter, a woman dried her palms on her trousers, her brows on her hands, and her neck with a handkerchief, before she continued pushing her “Ah Ma” on a wheelchair without hastening.
“Karsyiem,” muttered the silver haired old lady in mandarin, “where are we going?”
“The mall,” answered Karsyiem in mandarin for the fourth time patiently, “we are going to the mall, Ah Ma.”
If Karsyiem was Chinese, anyone would have mistook her as the granny’s daughter – and it will not be for simplistic reason such as the way Karsyiem addresses her, but rather, the way Karsyiem treats her.
However, Karsyiem and the granny are not related, not with blood at least.
THE FOREIGN DAUGHTER: Karsyiem Sujadi, an Indonesian domestic helper, and her employer Madam Choo Sin Lan, a dementia patient, going out for a trip. Karsyiem took her job a step further than simply taking care of Madam Choo by talking to her, accompanying her, and bringing her to several places of interest. (Photo By: Sylvester Wong)
Madam Karsiyem Sujadi is many things. She is a dark skinned, black haired, middle build, 34 year old woman from Indonesia, Jakarta, who is also a wife of a contractor, a mother of a five year old, and the caretaker of Madam Choo Sin Lan, the widowed 84 year old granny suffering from progressive dementia in the wheelchair.
Before Madam Choo, Karsiyem had taken care of two other elderly employers, the first who passed away at a ripe age after four years of her care, and the second whom she had to leave after five years when her spouse proposed to her.
After her marriage, Karsiyem lived a contented life in Indonesia with her husband for a year. However, with hopes of increasing their family revenue, she returned to Singapore despite some disapproval from her husband.
“My husband doesn’t like the idea of me working in Singapore, but I want to earn more for the family, for my daughter, I want to give her a very good life,” said the 34 year old.
Needless to say, Karisyem’s decision was a tough one, for returning to Singapore alone after building a home with her husband were both painful and riddled with quiet nights of solitude and the missing of her family back in Indonesia.
It was then when Karisyem was employed by the daughter of Madam Choo to look after the elderly and to be around her at all times, for Madam Choo had fell when she was using the restroom when the daughter was out at work.
Yet after a week of caretaking Madam Choo, Karisyem realized that Madam Choo, while being very forgetful from her dementia, was not senile. Madam Choo tends to confide in Karisyem about her loneliness at home, and how she wishes to go out a little more often.
“There were many times when Ah Ma cried when talking to me,” recalled Karisyem, “I know deep inside she must be very lonely as well. She wanted the company of family and so do I.”
Karisyem took the request of Madam Choo very seriously. In a flash, she readied the wheelchair of Madam Choo and took her out to various places. She was fueled with the determination to do more than just be a caretaker; she was going to bring her places like Madam Choo’s daughter would have done so if she had the time.
From simple strolls to the mall, to signing up for trips at the community center, to bringing Madam Choo to a church for the first time, and finally to being there when Madam Choo was baptized, Karisyem filled Madam Choo’s daily schedule with lots of varieties and fun.
Before Madam Choo, Karsiyem had taken care of two other elderly employers, the first who passed away at a ripe age after four years of her care, and the second whom she had to leave after five years when her spouse proposed to her.
After her marriage, Karsiyem lived a contented life in Indonesia with her husband for a year. However, with hopes of increasing their family revenue, she returned to Singapore despite some disapproval from her husband.
“My husband doesn’t like the idea of me working in Singapore, but I want to earn more for the family, for my daughter, I want to give her a very good life,” said the 34 year old.
Needless to say, Karisyem’s decision was a tough one, for returning to Singapore alone after building a home with her husband were both painful and riddled with quiet nights of solitude and the missing of her family back in Indonesia.
It was then when Karisyem was employed by the daughter of Madam Choo to look after the elderly and to be around her at all times, for Madam Choo had fell when she was using the restroom when the daughter was out at work.
Yet after a week of caretaking Madam Choo, Karisyem realized that Madam Choo, while being very forgetful from her dementia, was not senile. Madam Choo tends to confide in Karisyem about her loneliness at home, and how she wishes to go out a little more often.
“There were many times when Ah Ma cried when talking to me,” recalled Karisyem, “I know deep inside she must be very lonely as well. She wanted the company of family and so do I.”
Karisyem took the request of Madam Choo very seriously. In a flash, she readied the wheelchair of Madam Choo and took her out to various places. She was fueled with the determination to do more than just be a caretaker; she was going to bring her places like Madam Choo’s daughter would have done so if she had the time.
From simple strolls to the mall, to signing up for trips at the community center, to bringing Madam Choo to a church for the first time, and finally to being there when Madam Choo was baptized, Karisyem filled Madam Choo’s daily schedule with lots of varieties and fun.
A WALK TO REMEMBER: Karsyiem bringing Madam Choo to meet her friends at a mall on her day off after they visited the church that Madam Choo has already forgotten about. To Karysiem, it does not matter whether Madam Choo remembers it or not, for she will remember it for both of them. (Photo by: Sylvester Wong)
“I treat Ah Ma like my own mum; she is like my family. Everywhere I go, I bring her with me. Even on my off-days, I won’t leave her alone. I will bring her out to meet my friends; I will take photos with her.”
Unfortunately, Madam Choo, while always conscious of her actions and surroundings, cannot actually remember simplistic things even for a short period of time. Yet, what she does remember was how Karisyem had made her feel.
“Karisyem brings me out. I simply follow her,” said Madam Choo with a grin, “I don’t remember where we go, but I remember we both laugh a lot. If she is happy, I am happy too.”
For Karisyem, it does not matter whether Madam Choo remembers it or not, for she will make sure Madam Choo lives in the moment rather than being forlorn. In fact, Karisyem believes her love for Madam Choo is not just one sided, for whenever they dine out, Madam Choo would offer Karisyem part of her food, and asking Karisyem to always eat more.
At the end of the day, to Karisyem, Madam Choo gave her the love of her a family and the warmth of a home out here in a foreign land, and to Madam Choo, Karisyem is her daughter from another mother.
It was a Sunday evening, and the sun was just beginning to set.
The orange globe that hung high above the clouds provided a nice ambience to anyone out on the streets. The cool evening breeze was a pleasant treat to everyone who has decided to take a stroll now that the sun has decided to call it a day.
In weather this comforting, people dotted around the neighborhood, looking to find a place for dinner. In light of the chill, a woman stopped to ask her “Ah Ma” if she needed her shawl before she continued pushing her on the wheelchair without hastening.
“Karsyiem,” muttered the silver haired old lady in mandarin, “where are we going?”
“Home,” answered Karsyiem in mandarin patiently, “we are going home, Ah Ma.”
Unfortunately, Madam Choo, while always conscious of her actions and surroundings, cannot actually remember simplistic things even for a short period of time. Yet, what she does remember was how Karisyem had made her feel.
“Karisyem brings me out. I simply follow her,” said Madam Choo with a grin, “I don’t remember where we go, but I remember we both laugh a lot. If she is happy, I am happy too.”
For Karisyem, it does not matter whether Madam Choo remembers it or not, for she will make sure Madam Choo lives in the moment rather than being forlorn. In fact, Karisyem believes her love for Madam Choo is not just one sided, for whenever they dine out, Madam Choo would offer Karisyem part of her food, and asking Karisyem to always eat more.
At the end of the day, to Karisyem, Madam Choo gave her the love of her a family and the warmth of a home out here in a foreign land, and to Madam Choo, Karisyem is her daughter from another mother.
It was a Sunday evening, and the sun was just beginning to set.
The orange globe that hung high above the clouds provided a nice ambience to anyone out on the streets. The cool evening breeze was a pleasant treat to everyone who has decided to take a stroll now that the sun has decided to call it a day.
In weather this comforting, people dotted around the neighborhood, looking to find a place for dinner. In light of the chill, a woman stopped to ask her “Ah Ma” if she needed her shawl before she continued pushing her on the wheelchair without hastening.
“Karsyiem,” muttered the silver haired old lady in mandarin, “where are we going?”
“Home,” answered Karsyiem in mandarin patiently, “we are going home, Ah Ma.”
Afterthoughts:
I often try to empathize with the everyday people around me – yet, despite that, I realized I have never put myself into the shoes of a common sight in Singapore; a foreign domestic worker living here. Fortunately, after the interview with Ms Karsyiem and Mdm Choo, I get to educate myself on their hardships, joy, perspectives, and how to be more understanding of people’s plight.
I often try to empathize with the everyday people around me – yet, despite that, I realized I have never put myself into the shoes of a common sight in Singapore; a foreign domestic worker living here. Fortunately, after the interview with Ms Karsyiem and Mdm Choo, I get to educate myself on their hardships, joy, perspectives, and how to be more understanding of people’s plight.
© 2014 by Sylvester Wong. All rights reserved.