The Ice-cream Uncle | Singapore's Elderly Poor
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- Опубліковано 6 тра 2017
- For more than 10 years, 85-year-old Ng Teak Boon has made a living selling ice-cream -- but his life hasn’t been quite as sweet. Recently, his housemate has disappeared, and he’s run into problems paying his bills.
WATCH MORE: Our series on #elderlypoverty in South Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore: • Elderly Poverty in Asia
READ: The plight of Singapore's elderly poor: cna.asia/2P31riV
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" i will sell ice cream until i die "
idk why, it touch me
His passion is to serve others. He doesn't want to be a burden to society therefore he doesn't want to stay at home and laze around as it would cause him to 'fall sick'. I'm pretty sure no one likes to be lonely, hence we see many elderly folks still working in their 70s to 80s. They were the ones who helped build Singapore together, turning her from a mudflat to a metropolis. They don't deserve to be forgotten at all. Look at them, enjoying the final years of their lives by serving people. I wonder if our generation would be like them in future.
@@CptGqM i hope so
This is a touching story, i used to remember back in my highschool school me and my late sister rides a kalesa, it is a horse with a cart at his back and there's this old man in his 80s who moves it with the help of the horse. My sister and I would always stay in the parking and wait till this old man arrives to take us home, we pay him the usual amount then we increase it until nothing is left on our pocket because we saved something and gave it to him on a week before Christmas. He was so thankful and we said please take care grandpa. And the next year we didn't see him again. We don't know if he got sick or just stop riding horse anymore. It is an overwhelming feeling to help a stranger who is doing his best just to live each day at an old age.
He craves company of other people. Activity bring sense to his existence and motivates him to keep going...
5 children yet not even one took care of him. This is sad.
Some of them might be death, if not old too. He is 85 and the old generation usually have kid pretty early in their life
I think the children are pretty much around 55-65 already. We also don't know their economic condition, but still, it is disheartening to see that situation. With Singapore's work ethic, to live paycheck to paycheck, I don't think the children have time even to think about their dad.
But he also declined help
@@noblesse4728 not an excuse. Family should be there for each other.
WH WH his children can’t die at age 40 or 30 unless they were in an accident, I believe that even if his 5 children were about 30-50 they can still care for him, it is 100% impossible that his children are dead
It's sad to be poor in such a wealthy country
He is not poor he is wealthy by heart
Divya Gulwani he is just “to be wealthy”
@@divyagulwani2710 I mean, he's barely getting by. He's a great guy it seems, and is very kind and friendly. At the end of the day, being poor/broke is not ideal, and he's scraping by.
Singapore is not all wealthy like how to you expect it
Pat Terson I hope you’re joking
I just saw Uncle just now! He’s still outside Sim Lim Tower at Jalan Besar selling ice cream on a hot 35 degree celcius day. He only sold cornetto, solero, and a few other types of stick ice cream (not the traditional ice cream truck kind). Slightly expensive, I bought a cornetto for $2 but please do support him! Uncle looked tired in this hot weather. It’s so difficult to make a living nowadays ;( Send love to our hardworking elders around Singapore!
oh he is still around? saw this video and was 6 years ago , hope he is doing fine will support his ice cream if im there
In Thailand, when elderly people selling things I love to buy from them at least they have money for living every day, somethings I brought food and drink and sometimes just give them extra money for their hardwork. Everyone can support poor and elderly people.
I'm happy to hear him still fine
I want to go to Singapore to meet this guy and buy ice cream from him too!!
World of Lewis - Man Utd Vlogs Where are you from? Btw, I'm a United supporter too.
DBoy 37 - I’m from England and I am a massive Man U fan!!
World of Lewis - Man Utd Vlogs Same 😂😭😭
Don’t worry I’m in Singapore
Same
This sure is a hard working man
Alex Voxel ikr
Now this is your first time 1k likes
Your welcome
eh.. it's just a way of life for him now. Not so much on the hard working side, working != hardworking
I used to buy from him every weekend cus I had tuition nearby there lol. He was the reason I got fat😂
are you lying?
Fly Pigeon , You very funny., but for the love of this man & his Ice Cream.
🤣
Lolll
Sunavabeach.. how dare him! I will teach that old man some lessons.. with this fist! Making someone's kid fat, he must pay dearly!
He may be poor to humans eyes, but he is wealthy in God's eyes.
@Abrilla 2 M How is he foolish? The old man is making the best of his situation.
@Abrilla 2 M please use ur brain.. saying that old man foolish? i feel pity for u since u didn't use ur brain so wisely😥
@Abrilla 2 M He ain't foolish you idiot. He is struggling so he can live. Imagine you are the old man. Do you want to be called "Foolish" like what you said?
trust me there is no god in any situation man made themself
@@lovrenren653 I don't remember making myself
can we start a GoFundMe for him??
nice idea!
And the other 5473 ppl like him in singapore tooo..
He’d be too proud to accept it. Just get as many Singaporeans as possible to go and buy an ice cream off him.
He wouldn't accept any donations or help from others. Best thing would be to buy an ice cream from him.
He's not alone. So if you start a GoFundMe for him then you'd have to do it for others who have the same plight as him.
"...I'll sell ice cream until I die,"
That's was so heartbreaking
Fakhri Badlisham why is it heartbreaking? He has a purpose in life. Just because his purpose is selling ice cream doesn't mean it's worth less
@@iii-ei5cvIdiot. We retire over 65 cos our body does not work like in 20s to 50s.
@@alexashmead6800 65 isn't a magic number where the body suddenly stops working you mouth-breather
I think he loves selling ice cream.
Ikr 😭😭
The hawker centre lady is generous, honest, and kind. May she also be blessed with her kindness. I hope this man will have a family reunion soon.
Come back to this after hearing Coronavirus case in Singapore, praying that this poor uncle and all Singaporeans are protected from these highly contagious viruses. 🥺❤️
Hopefully we get and update soon
I knew about this uncle cause I live in Singapore. So one day I was coming back from my school with my friends and then I saw this uncle selling ice cream. I bout about 6 to 10 ice creams for my family and friends. I paid a little over the budget. I did it on purpose cause I felt bad. He told me to take it back, but I didn't and told him to keep it. He was very happy, so was I and then I went back home with the yummy ice cream!
Be you
Be bright
Be magical
-Claire
*_EDIT_* PLS READ
Hi guys, its been almost 2 yrs since this happened and i actually hesitated on writing this edit but im going for it anyways.
First of all; For those who feel this story is kinda unreal, im sorry. Maybe coincidences happen amirite? Wat can we do, i was just tryna spread love and faith almost 2 yrs ago. Im sorry if you find this unreal....
Second of all; For those who feel this is real, i hope you feel inspired enough to do something faithful and hopeful. I hope it made your day and you feel happier.
Either way, i wish anyone who sees this comment a spectacular day/night. Hope you have a great life and become successful. You are _amazing_
CLAIRE VLOGS - and the ice-cream didn’t melt by the time you went home. Wonder ice-cream.
@@Sminsky yes the ice cream did not melt b'cause the uncle was selling ice cream near where i live😊.
Do u know which place or road he will be
@@ralblooshi998 Honestly idk b'cause i think he moves the place he sells ice cream quite often so if you ever see him, just buy ice cream from him!😊
CLAIRE VLOGS 👍👍😍😍
I'm going to Singapore next month. Hopefully I will get to see him, buy ice cream and "accidentally" forget my change. He probably won't accept more help than that but I hope it will at least brighten his day some.
dnahubs ur a kind soul
dnahubs aw you're so kind
KIND SOUL BLESS YOU I WILL DO THE SAME
I actually went today, and lo and behold he was still there!!! I was so happy to see him. I bought an ice cream and as promised I left behind my change from a $10 bill. It was DELICIOUS! I enjoyed every bite. I took photos, but I don't do youtube videos. Please, please please if you're in the area, drop by and buy a delicious ice cream sandwich. You don't have to leave change like me, but every purchase would be helpful.
dnahubs u r a great person.
A old roommate disappear two months ago and his power been off for about two months 🤔
hmmmmm...*VeRy SUspiCiOus*
Those stupid roommates.. who knows maybe they hated each other.
This man is still young in spirit! There's still some stupidity in him, very prideful and din't want help because it's embarrassing.. lol. I hope he lives til he's 106 yo
Probably die in some hitches ... That's very unfortunate
@@linnen_elm hoi hoi. Pog u
I'm crying 😭😭😭I really admire him but yet feel bad. He's working so hard at the age of 85 and doesn't have a proper living environment 😣❣I really want to help him
Poor him, he don't have his wife and his children anymore 😥😢😥😢😥😢
Hoàng Yến Trần
Poor you
At least he has ice cream.
Life seems so difficult when you have no one waiting for you at home :(
Some parents raise their kids from young only for their kids to abandon them when they have grown. Sad society is sad.
Iibjih
Sometimes happiness comes from simple thing.
Muhammad Ilham
He's not happy you Trumptard!
Muhammad Ilham s
Muhammad Ilham true.....and theres nothing wrong with him doing what hes doing......he seems happy and wants to and still able to....so its fine.... .its normal and common in most asian countries........besides it keep them busy.......alert and they get to meet people and make friends....tq
digitalXmage he looks happy
Frickin dumbos man, he should be retired not selling ice creams. You people have zero heart if you think he is happy.
Madam Chia is such a kind and whole-hearted woman. She is the definition of love, kindness, respect and compassion.
Lovely❤ it warms my heart
"I will sell ice cream until I die". This granpa has no self-pity and refuses to be a victim. Is pretty uncommon to see this kind of toughness in younger people. Respect.
He's an uncommon man in any time or place. I hope I'll have his strength of character as I age.
If i was in Singapore I'll buy the ice cream everyday
Me too
Same
Ya got diabetes
Lets be real we cant bcs we get sick later
Just buy someone ice cream la .. then won’t get diabetes alr
Just buy for ppl random on street
My dad will like this kind of business better then walking around the street sell treacle toffee poor dad doing this because I.m in. U, K if. I.m at home he don,t have to suffer with all this hard work. I love my dad very much God be with him now. Bless you dad and mum.
Anne Corey wait u're his daughter?
iXii000 no she said that her dad sells toffee for a living and he would like to sell ice cream better
Anne Corey I hope you guys are ok...
Think positive and everything will turn out well for you. Study hard and support your parents
Why are you in the UK? Just asking .
This man has a real dignity within himself. Ashamed to beg help from others is such a honor
mehd m; humility has no shame but pride does
Ya allah I was very touched, how the old man could live alone, I can not imagine if my parents who experienced it I hope that old man can remain happy
😭😭
hey i saw him 2 week ago when i went there. Bought an ice cream from him
Please buy one from my side too. 🤗
Please keep doing that. Small thing helps. Even you hate ice cream. Still do lol
No you didn't.
Good for you if you did 👍
Where is it?? I want to go too
Aw I hope that woman is trustable with his money
She is a hardworking woman too so yes she is trustworthy in my opinion.
you will be surprised how honest ppl in Singapore are
B&G 4 trump...honesty is in us...cheers
Singaporean chinese mostly known as a honest person, but dont expect more if they are an immigrant from china
lol yea. old school Chinese immigrants worked their butts off. The new ones are a totally different breed. Its like they aren't even from the same country!
omg one of my friends told me this story where she bought a $1.50 ice cream but she gave the man $5 instead and when the man gave her change back she ran away and when she looked back the man was smiling while saying “thank you” and honestly, it touched me 🥺
he truly looks so happy in what he does and i pray for him to have the greatest life and infinite health.
and bless the hawker lady
He's healthy & alive because he's working. Most importantly he has a purpose even after retiring. Hope, he stays like this forever. Please don't let him stop his work. Good wishes Sir.
@ㅁㅊ He just wants to live. I understand that sometimes it better to die but you also need to understand that he might just wants to carry on with the work till his last breath.
@ㅁㅊ he is strong hardworking man and he enjoy his life, it's probably looks like suffering to you because you are weak, sorry to say.
Yes, elderly people who still working, make their self-esteem and pride. At least they still have purpose of living, this is why he want to sell till die. Working like this make him stay healthy and cheerful, so he can talk to others and his customer. If he stay home alone, life is boring and no one to talk and will cause him mental and physical sickness. You can see most of elderly people in Japan, they have still been working with joy and happiness and this give them longivity.
What a heartwarming video. Please let me know if i can assist in anyway. Kind regards from India. Roby.
Please start helping people who are near your vicinity first. Regards
Dude, Please help making a public toilet in india first, And ppl wont shit on beach ever again.
@@4n4Queen there are. You're just too racist to see them
@@mayahusn5171 How dare you?
Atleast he offered help in some way that he could, i don't see you doing anything nearly as considerate as him.
Anyone can easily pass off trying to judge people from behind a screen, it takes real courage to appreciate a good deed
@@thomasjain3250 are you idiot??? Charity begins from home!!! He shouldn't be foolish enough to go to Singapore and help when he can help more than one people who are near him!!!! Being kind is beautiful but what's wrong starting from home. Here people are much pathetic situation. Shouldn't you first do something for them and in addition to that if he can the help old man that will be great!!! Some people for the sake of name and fame would want to help then that is bad okay!!! Don't be daft and twist my good intention!!!
I admire his determination, he has gone through many hardships,i hope that he reaches his goals of reaching 106 years old, also becoming wealthy
He is SG's national treasure. He deserves more appreciation, especially from his family. So sad they left him 😢
Please help a lot of people like this...
and other people too. and animals.♥♥♥
I think he refuse to be helped
how about you help first man.
@@mrrebel4163 agree
Pray God will bless him with good health.
Its 2020 now, does anyone have an update on him, is he still doing well? Is he still healthy?
@@Jessica-vw5wg where? Is it a new video
He's in a concentration camp now..... Working as a guard.
He won the toto and became millionare
@@dereksmallsuk f off
prettilicious he is still selling ice-cream and will visit mdm Chia stall Everyday around 3 - 4 pm. Still healthy with a few sickness now and than.
*Awwwwwwhhhhh this twos special friendship warms my heart.*
Here I was expecting an old man with absolutely no one, but at least that woman looks out for him, and makes sure he has eaten and is okay.❤️
*Also - I DIDNT EXPECT LESS FROM SINGAPORE helping this man sort things out!*
Why isn’t his family taking care of him? This breaks my heart 💔
AA A yeah i wonder that too
@angusyip123 the video only stated that he lost contact with them. the fact that he lives separately may a clue. i hope his family watch this video.
Poor him
AA A his son offered to help but he refused
AA A he lost his family years ago
He’s such a nice person i literally feel the urge to hug him right now
God bless him, may god always shower his love upon him.
I lived in Indonesia, so older people like this usually chose to sit around asking for money. When I go to other countries, it's always refreshing to see old people still try to make a living. Can't help but admire them
It's rare to find people like him....very hardworking
I bought ice cream from this guy once, its rlly good
I’m glad they were able to help him. Many times reporters do these stories but can’t or (most of the time) won’t help the person they are filming.
He deserved more than just a friend. With such a good heart, he should had a lot of them.
God please protect him from any harm that exist, Bless him holy damn.....
i’m so glad he has friends around who take care of him, he’s living a long, simple yet happy life. I hope more people from their government will help him
Oh my god when he smile he looks so happy :,) he's so precious
This breaks my heart, i hope his children takes care of him, god bless him more and good health. And to those who helped him
May God bless the mother who take care of him....love from Samoa
I remember buying from his always when I needed a treat, gosh those memories were so good.
After watching this I feel lucky to have so many amazing people that surrounds me. My best wishes to this amazing man!!
Wow, that's so inspirational. Salute to this wise old man.
Still working at 87 years old! And he lived for TWO MONTHS without electricity!!! I’m never complaining about my problems again. This grandfather doesn’t even have a mattress or pillow to sleep on. I’m glad to know he is doing well now though.
this man is another example of hard work and a true human
That is so heartwarming. I cried because I am so grateful for what I have. God bless this man and his friend!
Such a happy man. How strong he is
Hats off . My eyes got filled with tears by his hardwork and dedication . Really i repect him . May god bless him ♥️♥️ LOVE FROM INDIA .
Lived in Singapore for 6 years and this is truly heartbreaking to see. Singapore’s Elders are left to fed for themselves. Seeing them work difficult jobs like this or working in hawker centers carrying heavy loads of dishes to clean, tables to wipe etc. It’s a tragedy cuz the younger generation doesn’t really care for them. The elders should be taken care of better by Singapore as a whole.
The same thing in South Korea. In Korea its even worse.
Wow! I was under the impression that Asians took care of their elders.
This is an eye opener. Do they get government assistance? Singapore is a rich country.
@@gizellelewis9866 he should have gotten some government assistance, we have the silver support scheme also, hes probably eligible for 900/quarter
I felt sad when I saw elderly people still work hard, they have less mobility but had to carry the heavy load of dishes. It is uncommon to see it in Thailand for elderly to work like servant, Thai elderly would stay home. Government also subsidise their medical expenses and give aging fund per month after 60 yrs old.
He's so precious, I hope to find a hard working honest man like this. 💙
Not ashamed to admit..tears in my eyes... Watching this. Singapore has so many wealthy individuals..why doesn't some philanthropic person help out ? Thanks for sharing... God bless and protect this lovely gentleman..
On his age, he’s hardworking.
We should learn this from him. Respect ✊
“ALL THE PEOPLE WHO DISLIKED, YOU HAVE NO HEART. AND NEVER WILL YOU HAVE ONE!’
i am currantly here at Singapore🇸🇬, i am visiting him on Saturday (April 21, 2018) i hope i see him😪😢
plus i agree with ‘tae bae’ can we please start a GoFundMe for this Man.❤️♥️
little cupcake cute did u meet him
little cupcake cute hmph.. Does who dislike they still have hearts.. You can just judge people too quickly,read the contents first boi
Handouts are for liberals, blacks, Hispanics, and Muslims. The guy would take a hand up just to push him over the edge.
he reminds me so much of my grandfather..a kind and humble soul, gentle and innocent. so happy and cheerful no matter the circumstances he’s in.
Wow that woman is such a kind soul!
"I will sell ice cream until I die"
😭 God bless this man
Seriously, enlightend by this man. I want to go fund me him
His smile, his words touched my heart and cried. Wish you live long, grandpa. ( From Vietnam )
oh my gosh. This breaks my heart. Seeing this kind if situation makes me appreciate everything around me more.
Respect to you Mr Ng. I hope I am as active as you when I am 85.
While most of us aspire to retire so early in life and just do nothing, this man wants to live to 106 and still work. Total inspiration.
The idea of early retirement is from the young generation which contrast those elderly people.
Bless you Grandpa and that kind woman who became your friend
The sweet gesture of lady melted my heart
The last a saw him maybe 10years ago, I hope he is fine, God bless him
@@ericcartman1328 howw did you know, please can you give me about any news about him dead
Ive seen him before at bedok!! We were familiar together because he used to sell ice cream outside my school and students buy his ice cream after school..unfortunately he had to move somewhere else and we never got ice cream after school..this happend when i was in primary 2 but now im in p6 :(
Quin RBLX Gud luck in PSLE MY DUDE
Btw he moved near holland village just to let you know okay but STUDY FOR PSLE SO LATER ON WHEN YOU GROW UP YOU CAN HELP THE POOR OKAY
The place he's selling at looks like Sim Lim Tower near Jalan Besar!
ayy good luck for psle dude
Hope you did ok for psle -3- iTs mY tUrN nOw
Gosh hes a gem of a person and such a hardworking soul
Beautiful, caring woman. God bless them both
Me and my family will go to singapore on july hope to see him there. I would love to buy some of his ice creams.
People of Singapore please look after this precious old diamond of Singapore
This puts life in a different perspective. I wish him the best.
Huge respect to this uncle. We all have lot of things to learn from this gentleman.
I hope he's okay during this virus and lockdown. 😔
Severine Labonté yes.
so sad i appreciate his hard work
Uncle with a good heart. God bless him always 👐
What a wholesome and pure man. I hope he reaches his goal to keep working until 106 years old, and I hope more good comes his way. I hope he can find those he lost in his life, specifically his children, through this video. Best of luck to him, he has my blessing.
Edit: As through my worry and curiosity seeing that this video was 3 years ago, I searched up this man online and saw that he is still operating the ice cream spot since May 2020. It has been rough but I really do hope this guy gets the most out of life.
God bless this man
God bless you too
:( praying for you...
You are fucked up in the head
Amazing touching story. I went many times for business in Singapore, studied an executive course at NUS, then i worked there. I realized a different perspective, when i was living there. Thanks CNA for a real life documentary.
Very touching. Honest. Independent. Hard worker. Diligent. 👍👍
If I came across him, I’ll buy loads of his ice-cream and pay him all my savings.
I once try singaporean street ice cream and I m in love with it.
Itu tastes so yummy.
Thank U ,CNA Insider, I am not Singaporean but enjoyed and appreciated your UA-cam clips, these are the people we somehow forgot, as we all busy with our own's life. Every corner there is a story to tell or to learn. look at him, he is 85 but yet he is so optimistic, he know what he needs and what he wants. A pair of hands make Life going. Well done Uncle.! well done!
At the end it made me cry. I don't know how but in an instant my eyes were full of tears. 😢
I feel...... ashamed being singaporeon......
I have never heard of him, nothing at all, only hearing about how good and "Rich" Singapore is......
I know man i am also like you we live in riches and blinded from the outside world SO NOW WE MUST HELP THEM USE YOUR ADVANTAGE TO HELP THE DISADVANTAGE THAT IS YOUR DUTY AS A SINGAPOREAN
Also he's from a region I can't help much
Lol I feel bad for you guys saying that you live in richest when its HDB flats lol
As if rich countries no poor people?...
@@avijeet1670 ?? How do uk they live in HDB flats lol
Respect!
peopl like these give you the courage to live your life with a smile....i've been suffering with depression but these videos help me heal myself...😪
I met him once i was in singapore. Very kind guy
i just remember 2 years ago me and my family went to singapore(bedok to be exact),and we bought his ice cream.he’s not that skinny 2 years ago😭😭😭
Let’s start a gofundme for him!
And I tried looking for him and a week later, I found him. I bought ice cream, paid $50 and told him he should keep the change.
i scare he use all the money to buy cigarettes and tota
@@wave9303 nah shut up 1 month old comment or whatever.
He said that's embarrassing... If his hardwork gives him pride n happiness, who r we?
@@wave9303 No. He uses it for his needs so that he lives.
Gate what is tota
I went to Singapore at new year and i saw him and many people buy his ice cream am so happy to see that
What a spirit this man has towards work. I hope he is safe in these Covid times.