The Tissue Sellers

The Tissue Seller

I want to start by saying that I am a very fortunate person. I live with my parents and little brother, and I have a safe, comfortable home in a country that promises me a long and successful future. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else or be anyone else. And for that I am thankful every day.

Singapore is one of the richest countries in the world, and I have been blessed with a first-class education and many opportunities, even at my young age.

I was blessed to take part in the patriotic celebrations of SG50, where I experienced the strong community spirit that commemorated our 50th year as an independent state. I commiserated with thousands when we paid our respects at the funeral of our founding father, Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

So blessed am I that discovering the cruelty and suffering in this world confounds me.

Recently, I saw a frail tissue seller in the bustling streets. I couldn’t help but notice the desperation in his clouded, milky eyes. I couldn’t ignore his arthritic hands, which were clamped around the crumpled multicolor tissue packets that would determine the chances of his next meal.

The throng of people marching like ants into the shopping mall did not see him. At least, not how I did.

Looking over at my parents as they browsed at the newsstand, I realized that this man was someone’s son… probably someone’s father or even grandfather. How could this happen?

Laden with groceries – luscious fruit, cereals, and sodas – a bead of sweat pooled on my nose. Reaching into my pocket, I took the last of my pocket money and bought some tissues. I wiped my perspiration and offered the tissue seller a large red apple and a cold soda. By the look on this dear man’s face, I don’t think he had ever received any gesture of kindness.

In a sea of riches, suffering still prevails.

This opened my eyes to what is happening around me. Discovering the underprivileged in our society disturbed me greatly. I want to make a difference, especially to those who are less fortunate.

Visiting the beautiful 360º dome at the Future of Us exhibition, I wrote about my aspirations for those in need. The wishes were electronically projected into a virtual starry sky – a poignant experience symbolizing my desire to rid the world of hardship and poverty.

My efforts began in Singapore through volunteering at retirement homes and supporting tissue sellers and buskers. Beyond the border, I donate used books and stationery to children in poor countries.

The proceeds from my books go towards helping orphans in Bali while I strive to build my own orphanage – a legacy to the moment a poor soul changed my life forever.

I want to set the cogs in motion to change the world. My teachers teach me academics, my family showers me with love, but a tissue seller awakened me to the pain and suffering in this world.