Tee Chuee Thye
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Title: Flowers At My Home
Title (Original Language): 我家的花
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “I planted a lot of flowers at home. There were many orchids, chrysanthemums and Lantana Camara (big-sage). I planted all these flowers to be sold to those friends in the settlement. Sometimes, there were also outsiders who came to buy from me in big bulk. They then sold out to others. I have no choice because people dare not come into the settlement. I could only sell to people who were living in the settlement. I couldn’t earn much, right? ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tee Chuee Thye
Copyright: Tee Chuee Thye
Title: Ixeris
Title (Original Language):苦麦菜
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “I planted Ixeris in front of my house. Last time, I stayed at chalet no. 127 at East Section. It was very near to Rehabilitation Club. Previously there was a market in front of the club. There was staff who distributed vegetables to us every day. Besides cooking those vegetables, I also cooked my home-grown Ixeris frequently. This is because I love to eat Ixeris. ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tee Chuee Thye
Copyright: Tee Chuee Thye
Title: Chinese New Year
Title (Original Language):新年
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “Last time, during Chinese New Year, there was a lorry which came over to the settlement to sell mandarin oranges. We usually bought some mandarin oranges for Chinese New Year. During Chinese New Year, our friends came to visit us and we usually gave them some oranges. It was very busy and fun during Chinese New Year previously. There were more than two thousand residents here. Now there are less than two hundred people staying here. All the old friends have passed away. I was admitted to the settlement at the age of 12. The doctor arranged me to stay with other patients in a chalet of 8 persons at East Section. I was too young that time and didn’t know anything. Sister Nam Heong cooked for us. Time flies and I am more than 80 years old now.”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tee Chuee Thye
Copyright: Tee Chuee Thye
Title: Coconut Tree
Title (Original Language):椰子树
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “This was my old house. There was a coconut tree beside my house. When the coconuts were fully ripe, we usually picked and ate the fresh coconuts. However, the coconut shells were hard and we couldn’t open them. So we had no choice but to wait for those gentlemen to pass our house. Then we asked them for a favour. When I was 27 years old, I worked as a cleaner at Lock Up at East Section. I worked from 6am till 12 noon. Previously there were 4 rooms at Lock Up and these rooms were specially catered to lock up those patients with mental illness. Each room could accommodate three patients. I saw them every day when I was cleaning the drain. I had no idea whether they were too depressed and became insane. Those patients were not able to run away because the rooms were gated. Hence, I am not afraid of them. ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tee Chuee Thye
Copyright: Tee Chuee Thye
Title: Planting Vegetables
Title (Original Language): 种菜
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “Last time, I did my house chores and managed my farm after work every day. I planted flowers and vegetables. Lettuce was one of the vegetables I planted. Its leaves were long. When I removed the leaves, there would be new leaves growing from the stems. Lettuce can be used to boil soup. First, the anchovies are added to the soup. Then add on the lettuce. After boiling them for a while, the soup will become very delicious. My husband, Ho Lee Koo was a Section Attendant. His task was to weigh the vegetables and record the distribution of food. He was also responsible for delivering vegetables to those residents who were staying at the chalet. After he passed away, I have moved into the ward and I am not able to plant vegetables and flowers anymore.”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tee Chuee Thye
Copyright: Tee Chuee Thye
Title: Well
Title (Original Language): 井
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “There was a well behind my house previously. I took shower with well water. One day, I accidentally fell into the well. There was one Hokkien lady, Auntie K noticed that and she called some gentlemen to rescue me immediately. They threw a rope to me and I held that ‘rescue rope’ tight so that they could pull and save me. When I was being saved, I was shocked and stood still. I couldn’t talk for a long time. ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tee Chuee Thye
Copyright: Tee Chuee Thye