Feature Story: Mr Kho - A Living Example of an Active Ager

Rajendra Gour

Mr Kho is on his own feet after retirement. He is connecting the past to present with his picture postcards that he has been collecting since childhood as a hobby. He enlarges these postcards to a size that our eyes cannot miss. The older generation can relate and reminisce while the younger generation can catch a glimpse of the bygone era. And no one can possibly miss noticing Mr Kho too. Although small in stature, the sprightly retired banker stands tall, proudly displaying his vast collection of photos to anyone entering the shopping complex atrium where his stall is located.

He is happy with what he is doing. “There is not a dull moment,” he says. As people enter the building, the scene that immediately meets their eyes is his pictures of old Singapore . “I welcome the visitors and show them my collection, engage them and respond to their queries. Among my customers are collectors, teachers, students and passers-by. The pictures are priced low, many below ten dollars, so everyone can afford. My hobby of collecting post cards is paying off now.”

Born in 1937, Mr Kho has witnessed history in the making too: from the Japanese occupation in 1942 to the present day thriving, independent Singapore . “I come from a big family of eleven children comprising eight boys and three girls. We were fortunate to have received a good education.” Mr Kho studied at Anglo Chinese School . He recalls, “I studied English, Mathematics and Chinese. There was no science subject in those days.” He then went on to graduate with an Accountancy Degree from the University of Melbourne in 1960. He took up his first job as a journalist in Kuala Lumpur but he had to come back to Singapore after the racial riots in 1969. He retired as a branch manager with Lee Wah Bank in Singapore . After his retirement, he worked as a property manager for a year. However, he soon realized that it was not what he wanted to do. He paused for a moment and said, “I decided to follow my passion. I looked at the numerous post cards I had collected since I was young and decided to put these to good use in a meaningful activity that would bridge the past to the present. Otherwise, these cards will decay as the years go by and perhaps be thrown away after I am gone. Now I love what I am doing. I enjoy greeting and conversing with my customers. I also do a lot of walking to keep fit.”

Mr Kho has found new meaning in life after retirement, together with his wife who works alongside him - knitting and stitching. Together, they have rediscovered a deeper significance in life by following their passion. Mr Kho is a real life example of someone who has the courage to pursue his passion and live life optimistically, even in the twilight years of one's life. Like Mr Kho, we too can try to search deep within our hearts to uncover our passion and launch out on a new chapter in our lives. If Mr Kho can do it, we can too!

Rajendra Gour is a Freelance Writer, Author, Speaker and Film Maker
(Singapore 's Pioneer Independent Film maker). The views expressed by the author represent the opinions of the author and not those of the staff and management of the Centre For Seniors