Stories

Watch Mdm Han in action here.

“Mdm Han was one of the first beneficiaries I worked with at Yong-en Care Centre; I had been tasked to interview her and create a feature video of her – she had offered her classic red rice lees (hong zao) recipe to fundraise for Yong-en. Fun fact: Hong zao is an ingredient known to have numerous health benefits such as promoting blood circulation, improving digestion, and is often used to make dishes for post-natal confinement recovery.

During a home visit by our Home Care Nurse, she had heard about our fundraising campaign “Shoot for The Moon” in August 2022 and expressed her interest to participate, to show love and gratitude for Yong-en and her Home Care Nurse.

Jovial, welcoming, and purposeful were the impressions I had of Mdm Han in our encounters. Each time I popped into her home, she would exclaim, “Come in, come in sit!”.  In our casual conversations while filming the preparation of red rice lees, I could feel her passion for cooking and contributing through her skills.

Neither the age of 82 nor her struggle with osteoarthritis prevented her from being a channel of blessing; Mdm Han would also often prepare dishes and baked goods for her loved ones. In her effort to fundraise, she had single-handedly prepared over 3kgs of red rice lees, and overseen a 2-month production process to deliver 16 premium bottles of hong zao – which Yong-en had entitled ‘Bottled Gratitude’.

“I will make more hong zao to fundraise for Yong-en as long as I’m healthy!” said Mdm Han when asked if she hoped to continue this initiative. Despite Mdm Han’s frailty, she hoped very much to give back.  Her willingness and enthusiasm is something I admire a lot and will remember.

I received sad news of Mdm Han’s sudden passing, the knowledge filled me with terrible guilt as I had missed the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate her for campaigning alongside Yong-en – she raised $6,000. Though Mdm Han is no longer with us today, I will carry the spirit of her kindness with me and share it with whom I cross paths with.”

– Rachel Lim, Community Relations, Yong-en Care Centre