Goh Sooi Seong (83 years old)
I was 15 when I contracted leprosy. I was first sent to Pulau Jerejak in Penang for treatment. After recovering and returning home, the disease relapsed, and I went back to the island. It wasn’t until 1969, when the island hospital closed, that I moved to the Valley of Hope to settle down. My husband, Lim Kang Bok, and I are both Buddhists, though he’s not as devout as I am. In the early days, I would visit the temple in our settlement every 1st and 15th of the lunar month to worship. But since I only studied up to standard three in primary school, I don’t know how to recite sutras. On Wesak Day, I simply go to bathe the Buddha statue and make offerings.
One of my most unforgettable memories is when patients from Pulau Jerejak came to Valley of Hope to join the Wesak parade. They carried tall flags, showcasing the "chingay”(妆艺） tradition—it was such a grand and lively scene! It’s a pity that such cultural practices have faded away.
I love pastel painting the most. Every time I go to the Medical & Health Station for Nagomi art classes, I look forward to it and feel so happy to see the teachers and volunteers. I'm always curious—what will the teacher teach us to draw today? For this Wesak Day, the teacher taught us to draw bodhi leaves and little monks. I was very satisfied with my drawing and felt especially joyful. I love the soft colors of pastels—they feel warm and soothing.
