Return to Hometown

I first returned to my ancestral hometown in Hainan Island, China in December of 1998. Almost 10 years later, I returned for what was only my second visit from 12 -15 June 2008. My grandfather came to Singapore from Hainan when he was 13 year old and set up family here, his younger brother remained at home in the village in Hainan and set up his family there. More than half a century later, descendants of both have reached the third generation.

The fact that I have only returned to Hainan twice in my entire life thus far belies the fact that I really love returning back and I wish I could have and will go back far more times in the future. The main reason why I love it however, has much to do with my relatives, especially my cousins there. I take pride in my cousins. The conditions in which they grew up or are growing up in are far more difficult than mine. Be it in terms of hygiene, space, privacy, or comfort, there really is no comparison. However, that has not prevented them from growing up with a certain pride and appreciation of their family and lives. It is easy for me to assume that I will still be the character I am today even if my environment growing up had been more difficult than it was, but I can never be too sure about that. Yet, for my cousins, I am proud that they have done and shown it.
I know there are many overseas Chinese who get disheartened and disillusioned when they try very hard to keep their links with their relatives back home in China only to realise that these relatives of theirs are primarily only after their money. While my family has always supported our relatives in China financially ever since my grandfather came over, I am proud that this has not resulted in any form of reliance on their part. There is no doubt that my Chinese relatives accept that they have had to enjoy much more of the little joys of life because of the financial support from us over the years, however, underlying that has been a self-pride that they will strive hard and one day be able to reciprocate. Therefore, I am delighted for both sides of our family that the help we have been giving them has opened up more opportunities for them that they have taken with both hands to create a more promising future for everyone. Perhaps, this determination and pride runs within the family.