Ah Meng

A true story...kisah sebenar.

Sometimes when you hear of testimonies you may tend to assume that some are mere fairy tales. But this tale I am telling you is real life story. Strange, of late I have been encountering situations that I never knew I would bump into.

Last Sunday evening at the persuasion of a cell group member, dad and I took effort to invite a young friend out for dinner. He is only 16. Our friend told us that Ah Meng is 'homeless' as he is not residing with his single mother and puts up with family friends for periods of time. He goes to school but is weak in some subjects. So as a gesture of Christian love, the cell group members have decided to put aside a certain sum to support him in tuition classes. Being financially challenged, Ah Meng has to resort to part time jobs at restaurants during weekends and holidays to help support himself. Besides wanting to earn some pocket money, we thought it good that he should have a role model to emulate. As usual, the whole group decided that dad will be the perfect one; providing him chores at sites and at the same time nuturing him.

I was apprehensive before meeting him as I remember the defiant ones in school. Will he be like one of them ? Do we have to unleash him from wrong habits and attitudes? Will he respond to us? Where do we begin? Oh it is as if I am going to have those enduring moments in school.

But, I was so very mistaken. Ah Meng has a clean set of teeth, bright eyes, neat and best of all; a smiley face. Oh there is much hope with this child. Our hearts went out to him as he related his daily activities and his tuition classes. He speaks Mandarin and good enough English and like a teacher and mother, I kept telling him that he must try and master the languages and mathematics. He readily agreed.

At dinner, he ate like a man. That was good as he had a healthy appetite and I kept topping up rice for him. He is a growing child and needs lots of carbohydrates. We asked how he has his meals each day and he said he eats out everyday. At times he skips meals to save money.

The evening ended well and dad invited him to join him at work sites if he was interested. I kept telling dad he is good material to nurture. The appointment came 2 days ago as he called dad for a job. Our friend was elated. So was dad. Dad promised to pick him at a certain site the next day.

Last night after a hectic day, I casually asked dad how was the day. Dad says he likes the boy. He is attentive and obeys instructions. As he had to get up very early from his abode to reach the LRT station , dad said that in between the rides to sites, he nodded off in tiredness. Poor thing; after all he is only a child. Ah Meng told dad he has 2 other siblings staying in homes and a sister is studying in a tertiary instituition. His ma only keeps the girl. The rest of the boys are brought up in a home. He left the home to be on his own a couple of years ago. He further shared that at the home, they had to wash their own clothes and were assigned daily duties. The caretakers were strict and would take no nonsense. That could account for his good manners and his deep sense of respect for others ? Sometimes we fail as biological parents to our children when we forget to train them.

Dad shared that Ah Meng was well mannered during lunch. Dad guiltily shared that he uttered a short prayer before his meal whereas Ah Meng clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and said a long prayer before he ate. Dad was really impressed with him.

Later in the afternoon before leaving him on site, dad took him around CyberJaya, Damansara and places where he has never been. "Does your mama bring you anywhere for holidays?"... Only Melaka about 2 years ago ; we have never been anywhere else since ; Ah Meng said. Even dad was most compasisonate towards him. Could dad be thinking of training him up and be his apprentice? I think dad would if given a chance.

Dad wondered at Ah Meng's fine disposition and was really fond of him. How can we help him further? At site, he worked hard at the odd job. Poor thing. All for some pocket money but more importantly, we want to see him grow up well watching a male model. A lorry picked him up at site as dad was away at a meeting and dropped him at the LRT station in the evening.That would mean reaching home at 7pm...

A message came in...Uncle, thank you for the job. But my mother said the job may be too dangerous for me and she doesn't want me to work there. Uncle, God bless you and all your family members. Uncle thank you...

We reckon it would be more convenient for him to work at restaurants nearer his place of stay. The one day of adventure may just be too much for him. Poor thing, he is only a child. Some get it good in life, others go through life accepting their plights and still go through them.

Ah Meng ...we may just cross each other's path one day in the future when he is trained in accounts; a subject close to his heart. But Ah Meng has definitely opened up our old eyes even more. It was a pleasure meeting him.

A true story that stays in my heart for many more days to come.

I know in school there may just be some Ah Mengs too.

Who are they?