Chapter 28: Struggle to Have an Education

Recently, in the Facebook private group called "Lok Yuk Secondary School KK Old Photos", a former schoolmate recounted her story after she completed her Form 3 in 1964 in Jesselton then (Now called Kota Kinabalu). She was told by her father to discontinue her study and instead  to look for a job. Even though it was not what she had hoped for, she obeyed and found a job as a Receptionist in a newly built hotel. But fortunately, the school where she studied had a very kind principal who took the trouble and went to look for her at the hotel and convinced her to resume her study. That gesture emboldened her and she then pleaded with her father (in tears) and her father finally consented. She then resumed her Form 4 four months late!

In those days, it was rather common for parents to stop the older children from continuing schooling and to start working to supplement the family income. Families were comparatively large and 5-kid families were not uncommon in those days. 

I too had a similar experience liked this schoolmate of mine. Even before I took the Form 5 government examination in 1969, I was told by my parents not to continue to Form 6 but to look for a job. Much against my liking, I too consented, But privately without my parents' knowledge, I applied to do Form 6 in Sabah College. I also applied for jobs and I managed to secure a job as a laboratory technician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I was successful in my Form 6 application and Sabah College offered me a place in the Lower Six Science Class. I told my parents about this offer and at the same time also reported for work at QE Hospital. 

Somehow, my parents could sense my deep disappointment for not being able to continue my study. Just two days after reporting for work at QE Hospital, they told me to stop work and instead to report to Sabah College. That decision turned out to be one of the major turning points in my life. 

Of course, that was not the end of the story. After I passed my Form 6 government examination (HSC) in 1971, I could not afford to do a tertiary education and had no choice but to get a job. I managed to secure a job as a Draftsman in the Structural Engineering Design Office of JKR Hqs. 

Still, my desire to continue further study did not end after securing a job at JKR. I applied to a few Universities in UK to do a civil engineering degree course. Among them, University of Southampton made an offer to me. However, a letter of support from someone who was financially sound and had a bank account was required. A kind friend managed to convince her mother who ran a sundry shop to get her bank to write a letter of financial support which was sent to the University. By then, even with an offer from a university in UK, the idea of taking up such offer was still a monumental challenge because of the lack of and uncertainty in finance.

Just when I was caught in two minds about whether to pursue the offer, I saw an advertisement in a local newspaper of an offer of scholarship to do an engineering degree course in a local university. I applied and I was successful and secured a place in the University of Malaya. Finally, my dream to pursue a tertiary education in civil engineering became a reality in 1973.

Upon my graduation, I had my father to accompany me to witness my convocation where I was conferred the Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering in June 1978 at the University Auditorium. It was the only trip that I had travelled with my father alone. He was indeed a proud man and though I had never asked him about the past, I am sure that my dad must have been happy that the decision he made to allow me to continue my Form 6 was the right one.

Looking back, the pursuit of an education particularly the tertiary education had almost been an impossibility. Yet, in the end, it turned out well. Best of all, it was in the University where I studied that I met my wife! 

Life would have been monotonous if it is smooth sailing all the way. It is the twists and turns and the unpredictability that enliven the journey. True to Roman 8:28 - In all things God works together with those who love Him to bring out what is good.

Left: Photo taken in a studio with my father after the convocation in June 1978.

Right: Photo taken with my future wife immediately after convocation at Dewan Tunku Chancellor.

Life would have been totally different if this offer had been
pursued. But then, this was not a path I was destined to.

Family Get-Together

2020 is an unprecedented year. Because of Covid-19 pandemic, borders of countries are shut and even within country, visits to neighbours are restricted.

This year, our annual plans to visit our children's family in Australia and Singapore were pulverized. With the latest news of the mutation of a more lethal strain of the Covid-19 virus, the hope for overseas  trips and tours may be further delayed.

A new norm nevertheless has emerged. Friends, family members and even unrelated individuals found new way to connect. Zoom and many similar video communication platforms have gained instant fame to link people all over the world virtually together.

In the absence of an actual physical get-together, there are no shortage of ingenious ideas to connect family members together. Our grandchildren in Perth are really good at coming up with games to keep the rest of the family especially the younger ones entertained.

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Our latest granddaughter was born in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Until today, we have yet to cuddle and hug her. Yet through online get-together, we are glad to see her growing up fast day by day.

As in some cases of sibling rivalry, older kids normally take a bit of time to adjust to the perceived "rival" from the new addition to the family and a sense of loss of attention time from parents and grandparents. In one of the online chats, Livvie introduced her grandparents as "uncle and aunty" to her new sister :)

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Unlike previous years, the traditional annual Winter Solstice family reunion dinner could not be held this year. Instead, an online virtual reunion was organized. It brought together the extended family members from West Malaysia, London and Perth Australia. Unfortunately, the Australian signal was poor and the participation from Australia was rather minimal. It nevertheless allowed the rest of the family to get to know a new member to the extended family - Dan Partington, the hubby of Erika who now reside in London.

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This year, the whole big family from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia celebrated our grandson, Nathan's 10th birthday online! While, we could not actually taste the birthday cake, it was compensated by creative fun time contributed by all!

Diego Maradona - Gone but not Forgotten!

The passing of Diego Maradona was reported almost in all major newspapers in the morning of 26 November 2020.

Diego Maradona, recognized by many as the greatest footballer ever lived in the universe barely aged 60 has passed away the day before on 25 November 2020.

Unlike another football great, Pele of Brazil, Maradona was a complex figure. His life was marred by controversies and he was at one time banned from football because of drug problem. Yet, his contribution to football is undisputable. He helped Argentine to win the World Cup in 1986 and was revered as god by many of his fans and countrymen. 

Some of the group members who joined the recent tour to South America did share a sense of loss after learning about the news of his passing. This is understandable because we had spent an afternoon in Buenos Aires touring the stadium he once played and the neighborhood where he spent much of his youth (Read here).

As the headline flashes over the TV non-stop for days after his death, the football fraternity knows that Maradona is gone but he will not be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Maradona!

Taken at the Club Atletico Boca Junior or simply CABJ.

In life and in death.

The Power of Love

Osho, the Indian public speaker once said, "When you love a person, all fear disappears. And when you are afraid all love disappears". 

The three pairs of young lovers who signed up for the Marriage Preparation Course is testament of the assertion that love conquers fear. In the midst of the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the Government to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, the Marriage Preparation Course scheduled to be held in June/July proceeded as planned. The couples diligently attended the six lessons. Of course, equally commendable are the married-couple facilitators who ventured out and were physically present to lead the sessions.

In the end, the plans of these couples to have church weddings were thwarted by the never ending MCO. For the parents who had plans to hold banquets to celebrate with relatives and friends for this once-in-a-lifetime event, that too was dashed. 

Covid pandemic or no Covid pandemic, the desire to tie the node could not be deterred. The process to legalize their marriage would go on, and for the time being minus the church wedding and banquet! 

Stephanie and Bryan.

Presentation of certificates to confirm 

they have completed the Marriage 

Preparation Course.

Chapter 27: The Old Chapel at Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu

The Covid-19 pandemic has irreversibly changed our perception of what a church is. For ages. we have been used to "going to Church every Sunday morning or evening for some". But since the lockdown in early 2020, congregations throughout the world could no longer meet inside a church building. The only alternative is to meet in virtual gathering online.

Recently, we talked about how church gatherings and liturgy have changed and evolved over the years. Many found it hard to believe that BCCM KK during her initial years in the 1950's and early 1960's, men and women were seated separately - the ladies at the right side of the aisle while the men were at the left. Male and female elders always sat at the front pew of the church hall. As a young lad, the duties of the elders were observed to be basically confined to two: as bell-ringer (male) and collectors of offerings! Over the years slowly and steadily, I observed that some gutsy couples decided to sit together. When there was no opposition, more and more joined in and by the time BCCM KK moved to its present premise at Dah Yeh Villa, the segregation has become a thing of the past!

BCCM KK started as a Hakka speaking Congregation and the English Congregation was only started in November 1962 (Read here). I had all along been with the Chinese speaking Congregation and moved to BCCM KK (English) only in 1979. Somehow, since BCCM KK(E) was started by an American pastor, "segregation" was not part of its past practice!

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The last major renovation carried out to the old chapel was done just over ten years ago. It involved the shifting of the main entrance which used to face east to the opposite western end. The hall once cooled by multiple ceiling fans has been fitted with wall-mounted air-conditioners. Its exterior has been retained thus keeping its original aesthetic appearance. This old building together with the Atkinson Clock Tower and the Australia Place are some of the remnant heritage buildings left from those bygone years. In 1988, the old church building became the STS Chapel when the compound was taken over by the Sabah Theological Seminary. 

The very last major event held at this old chapel which I attended was the wedding of my nephew, Calvin and Stephanie back in June 2018.

The Chapel was well decorated for the wedding occasion.

Current 2020 Vs 1960's

The open space which used to be at the back of the Chapel is now at its front. This little flat compound was once the favourite place of young boys and girls of the Chinese Primary School during the school recess in those bygone years. Little boys and girls spread out in groups played hopscotch, rope skipping, glass marbles ........ Now, in the quietness and tranquility, jovial burst of shout and intermittent laughter of the carefree kids seem to still reverberate in the air. 

Current 2020 Vs 1960's

When Lok Yuk Schools (Chinese Primary, English Primary and English Secondary) were operating around the Chapel premise, the Chapel had multiple uses. Besides hosting the weekly Sunday service, it was used for conferences, youths retreats, musicals and dramas. During certain weekday, the Chapel was used as venue for school assembly. Students of the English Primary and Secondary grouped by classes walked the long concrete stairs to assemble at the Chapel. In those days, teachers and students of all faiths met under one roof without fear of offending others or being offended. Sadly, Malaysia has since regressed tremendously in religious tolerance and acceptance!

Current 2020 Vs 1960's

Current 2020 Vs 1965

Current View.

While the open space fronting the Chapel was favourite playground for young boys and girls, the church veranda and patio were favourite hang-out of the senior boys!

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The Sanctuary

Presentation of Hymn by Church Choir before Evangelistic Drama.

Evangelistic Drama (1970)

Choir practice after usual Sunday worship service.

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Old entrance archway

Today, the old chapel, once called the "Borneo Basel Self-Established Church, Jesselton" and tucked in thick forest atop the ridge of Signal Hill still exudes its historicity and elegance albeit its presence is forgotten sometimes. As in the case of some of the historical buildings in KK, it survived the ravages of the Japanese Occupation of Borneo from 1941 - 1945. Since the opening of the Chapel, scores of worshipers, teachers, students, rich and poor who had entered through its doors had indeed been blessed!

A Teacher who Loves Photography: Ed Greenawald

In November 2017, I received a parcel sent all the way from Greenboro, North Carolina in USA. The parcel contained 155 pieces of black and while photos. These photos taken during the 1960's were sent to me by a former teacher of mine, an American who was sent by the Lutheran Church of America (LCA) to teach in Lok Yuk Secondary School, Jesselton back in the 60's.

After more than half a century, Mr. Edward Greenawald, still a bachelor and in advancing age, has decided to pass these old photos to someone who may have some use of them. Indeed, they prove to be. Some of these old historical photos have since been selected by the School Management Board and put up on display along the "History Walk" of SM Lok Yuk in Likas. 

Lok Yuk Secondary School is fortunate to have a teacher likes Mr. Edward Greenawald who loves photography and  had spent hours capturing many moments of his life spent in that school back in the 60's.

Almost all his students remember him as a teacher always cladded in his signature Khaki short. He is easy going, friendly and approachable and is one of the most liked teachers in  the school. It's no wonder that after more than fifty years, his ex-students, many in their late sixties and seventies are still enthusiastic to get connected with him. He did make a difference to the lives of students he came across in those days long faded into history!

Edward posed with another LCA teacher at their residence at Kampong Basel. Kampong Basel is now where Wisma BCCM, the headquarters of Basel Christian Church of Malaysia is situated.

I remember him more as my Maths teacher and to a lesser extent my special English teacher. As my first Maths teacher in my secondary school, I did well under his tutoring. He had his unique way of motivating students to love Mathematics. I remember in one of the Maths exam, he set "bonus" questions in addition to the normal set of exam questions. The idea was that if a student could not answer some of the normal questions, he/she could attempt the bonus questions. Marks scored for the correct answers in the bonus questions would come in handy for those students who did not do so well in the normal questions. I answered correctly all the normal questions as well as bonus questions. Of course, the full mark is still 100!

When we transitioned from our Chinese Primary School to the English medium secondary school, our English, both spoken and written was horrendous. The school management recognized this and set up special English class to improve our command of English. Mr. Greensward was assigned as our class special English teacher. Each lesson lasted one hour every afternoon from 2pm to 3pm for all Form 1 students. These lessons were meant to improve our pronunciation and grammar. The teaching/learning session was conducted similar to the liturgical response between the leader and his congregation. It went something likes this.....

Teacher: I go to school.

Students in unison: I go to school.

Teacher: We.

Students in unison: We go to school.

Teacher: He.

Students in unison: He goes to school.

Teacher: Now.

Students in unison: He is going to school now.

Teacher: Yesterday.

Students in unison: He went to school yesterday.

........................................

My ex-classmates still grin whenever they recall this chanting type of language lesson, sometimes even therapeutic!

Left: Edward Greenawald in the 1960's and Right: Current.

Year 1965

Mr. Greenawald was relaxing with a group of Form 1 students during the morning break by the old Chapel. He was indeed easy going and students could hang around with him like buddies. Blogger is at left.

Teaching staff of 1965  (taken in Dec 1965)
posed in front of the old staff room at the
old school premise at Signal Hill, KK.
Ed is at back row 4th from right.

Amazingly, after more than half a century, the old school block where the staff room was housed is still around. The building has become the married couples students quarters of the Sabah Theological Seminary.

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A number of these photographs have since been selected for display in the "Historical Corridor" of the current school premise in Likas - a corridor within the school compound dedicated to displaying historical photos of the early years of the school.