P Asogan and Claire Megan Teo
Service to Mankind is Service to God
P. Asogan:
Being born in Singapore in January 1964 in a family of 7 children, growing up was a challenge especially coming from a poor family but I successfully completed my ‘O’ Levels in 1981. In my school days, I was always a helpful student. My leadership started in school as a Head Prefect.
My parents taught me to help people in need and to be punctual always, whether in school or at work. If help cannot be offered, do let the other party know. I started my National Service in 1982.
Losing both my parents on the same day in July 1982 when I was 18 years and serving National Service was a huge blow to me till now, and they are forever in my heart. The loss had changed my outlook in life where I gained positive energy, remembering what my parents had taught me and that’s how I started my career in Civil Service as a Customs Officer from 1984 to 1991.
To make my life more meaningful to others and myself and to help people in need, I requested to be transferred to Singapore Prison Service as a Prison Officer from 1991 to 2019, giving me a purpose in life and to make a difference in the life and to make a difference in the life of inmates. While in service, I also learnt many aspects of Prison work, growing in strength, in leadership, operations management, staff deployment and management in the Ministry of Home Affairs Audit Team.
My stint in the Prison Service allowed me to guide inmates by giving them an opportunity to reflect and reform and integrate back into our society as a responsible and better citizen. I was also a Prison Trained Care Officer, giving emotional support to both staff and inmates in difficult times. I was very satisfied in my colourful career and felt good to help others. This is my way of giving to and serving the Nation. Proud to be a loyal Singaporean.
Claire Megan Teo:
The lines between the past and present blurred as I closed my eyes and relished in the memories of yesteryears. It all began back in Primary One… As a wide-eyed 6 year old child, I looked forward to my first day of Primary School with great anticipation. It was an exciting experience for me. My grandfather would often pick me up after school under the sweltering heat and harsh weather, rain or shine. He would travel an hour by bus, limping unsteadily as he crossed the tall, concrete bridge linking the bus stop, where he alighted, to my school. Despite the long and arduous journey to and fro, he had never once complained. The sweet tang of durian ice cream wrapped in colourful bread brings back many fond memories. After school, children would line up eagerly to purchase different flavours of ice cream from the ice cream man.
Sometimes, my grandfather would offer to buy me the nostalgic durian ice cream. We often talked about my day at school and laughed about everything under the sun as I savoured my ice cream, enroute home. On days when I had Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) sessions after school, he would even painstakingly carry a packet of char siew rice to the canteen to ensure that I was well-fed before attending the CCA sessions. Looking back, I am extremely grateful for the love and care that my grandfather had showered me with and for the fact that he never grew tired of my childish conversations, always entertaining them with so much gusto.
The years passed and my grandfather has dementia now. He is slowly beginning to forget things and will soon forget who I am. I will be extremely sad when it happens but I will never forget him and the times we shared. My experience with my grandfather has made me more acutely aware of geriatric issues and has encouraged me to want to do more for the elderly.
One Christmas Eve, my mum and I spent it with lonely elderly folk. It was one of the most memorable and eye-opening Christmas Eves I have ever had… The experience has given me a chance to empathise with and reach out to those who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. It has also given me a new perspective on the struggles that the elderly may face in society and has helped me to better put myself in their shoes.
I hope that more youths can join me in my journey to make rapidly-ageing Singapore a warmer and more compassionate place to live in. Let's not ask about the meaning of life. We are here to give it meaning!
