Mrs Tsui, Resident of Kwun Tong Garden Estate
Mrs Tsui has lived in Kwun Tong Garden Estate since the 1970s and holds a deep affection for it. “If I could choose again, I’d still choose Garden Estate!”
As Mrs Tsui strolls from Hung Cheuk Lau onto the streets in Kwun Tong Garden Estate, neighbours always greet her warmly, stopping every few steps to chat. “Mrs Tsui, are you free to accompany me to my doctor’s appointment tomorrow?”, “Mrs Tsui, could you contact the government department for me?” She is the neighbourhood’s go-to person always willing to help, taking things large and small to their heart with equal care.
Nearly half a century ago, when Mrs Tsui first moved to Garden Estate, she also benefited from the kindness of her neighbours, which inspired her to give back. “Help as much as you can” has become her motto: “We must be kind and do good!”
In 1972, after getting married, Mrs Tsui moved into a unit of Peony House workers’ quarters, part of the first phase of the Garden Estate, where she lived with her husband and parents-in-law. She shared that her father-in-law worked in a factory in the early 1960s, and the factory owner applied for him to live in workers’ quarters. “So, you could say we’re descendants of the first generation of workers’ quarters!” Mrs Tsui recalled that single applicants had to share units with other workers at the time, but since her father-in-law applied as a family, they had their own space. “When I lived in Peony House, I planted many flowers and kept many birds.” Eventually, the family moved to Hung Cheuk Lau of the second phase, where they still live today.
As her husband was a sailor and worked overseas for many years, Mrs Tsui shouldered the responsibility of caring for her family single-handedly. In addition to raising three children, she also looked after her elderly mother-in-law. When she spoke of her mother-in-law, the deep affection in her eyes revealed how much she missed her. In those days, Mrs Tsui meticulously took care of her daily life. Despite her busy schedule, she never complained, “We had a wonderful relationship and were very close. I really cherish her.”
Back then, she was deeply touched by the sense of community among the residents of Garden Estate. Knowing how busy she was with work and family every day; her neighbours were always eager to help. “They would help look after my children, and sometimes they would call out from outside my metal gate asking, ‘Has your mother done the grocery shopping? I’ll buy them for you.’” Besides daily necessities, her neighbours even tutor her children. “It was heartwarming to me. It wasn’t just the practical support, but the emotional encouragement that meant so much!”
Compared with the private housing she has lived in before, Mrs Tsui believes that the design of the public housing estates fosters the spirit of mutual help among neighbours. “There are no barriers or secrets among us. I even know what they are having for dinner. This transparency really brings us closer together.” Besides the sense of community in Garden Estate, she also likes the environment here. The spacious, comfortable, well-ventilated surroundings, as well as the convenience of the location, enable her to live in a peaceful environment surrounded by busyness and tranquility at the same time. “This is a real transportation hub!”
As her children grew up, Mrs Tsui has become more passionate about serving the community. She enjoys assisting the elderly who struggle with reading letters, filling out applications and attending medical appointments. Always willing to help, she never turns down a request. At home she even maintains a directory of important public service telephone numbers on her wall, enabling her to answer her neighbours’ enqueries at any time.
“I believe I should do my best to help others while I’m still able.” she said. Every smiling face and positive response she encounters on the streets serves as a reward for her years of community service. Mrs Tsui candidly shared that if she had not lived in Garden Estate, she might not have developed such enthusiasm for helping others. Kwun Tong Garden Estate has changed the course of her life. “If I could choose again, I would still choose to live in Garden Estate!”
Kwun Tong Garden Estate
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