Meet up with the 86-calendar year-previous male who repairs umbrellas out of a small shop in Geylang East

This gives a clue as to why Mr Ng is nevertheless operating a company into his twilight many years.

It is not for the money, he said, pointing out that he does not actually make a gain. A great working day, normally in the course of the rainier months of August to December, sees him promote about S$100 of umbrellas. Inspite of the intermittent showers these times, small business is slower now, he lamented.

Rent for the shop is S$800 a month, so he handles it with regardless of what product sales he will get and tops it up with his cost savings if he has to. Mr Ng mentioned he will get economical help from his children and the Govt, on top rated of Central Provident Fund (CPF) payouts.

“It’s not really a way to make,” he claimed. “It’s just to go time and continue to keep energetic.”

FROM PROVISION Retailers TO UMBRELLAS

Mr Ng has had some thing to do for most of his daily life. When he was a youthful boy, he had to hide from Japanese troopers throughout the occupation. Mr Ng was eager to pepper the job interview with a person war story or two.

He was 14 when he started out looking for a work. He worked in a provision store in Tiong Bahru marketing a mish-mash of dry products. When it rained, drinking water made use of to appear into the store, he recalled. His job then took him to a variety of retailers advertising matters from garments dye to auto spare pieces.

“All those times, I attained S$20 a thirty day period. I made use of S$2 to cut my hair,” he reported with a chuckle.

Mr Ng spent five to 6 many years – the longest position stint he had at the time – at a woodcraft and home furnishings shop, probably outlining his helpful capabilities. He claimed he can deal with a large amount of points: “It’s the identical for bicycles much too.”