Healing the Body and Engaging the Mind in the Heartlands
2017
Kang Yu Chinese Medical Hall in Woodlands, the setting of this story.
A common sight one might see while passing by Kang Yu Medical Hall in Woodlands Mart, a heartland mall, is that of a dignified-looking gentleman standing outside with a watchful gaze.
Mr. Lee Han Ji has been serving the residents of Woodlands at this medical hall for 23 years. His customers are diverse, from typical Chinese mothers buying for their families to Sri Lankan workers looking to relieve back pain. Kang Yu Medical Hall was started as Lee’s foray into business, after training under a teacher at Chinatown for 6 years.
“I cannot describe why I am interested in TCM, except that I enjoy seeing my customers get better.”
Lee Han Ji, towkay (‘boss’ in Hokkien) of Kang Yu Medical Hall.
“I went into this business because my mother asked me to… Just kidding! I am still interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),” jokes the affable man in Mandarin. “I cannot describe why I am interested in TCM, except that I enjoy seeing my customers get better.”
“I do not aspire for my brand to be anything great like (Prominent TCM chain) Eu Yuan Sang. Serving the neighbourhood and passers-by is sufficient.”
Kang Yu is now a family business, with Lee’s wife and daughter running an outlet in Woodlands North Plaza, and another under the name of Yuan Ann Zhan by one of his sons. The next generation has already taken over, and thus Lee does not need to worry about his trade vanishing.
However, he still feels somewhat uncertain about the future.
“The economic outlook of Singapore is diminishing, and the government is introducing new regulations on some TCM products, making profits a little more troublesome to earn.”
In May this year, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) announced that they would be introducing a slew of changes, such as possibly licensing for the sale of food like herbal tea and eggs, as reported by the Straits Times. Lianhe Zaobao reported that a license would cost $195.
Lee Han Ji and employee in service
Lee’s kind disposition and expertise is evident when he serves. Consult him about an ailment and he would pick and choose the medicine for the customer, patiently explaining its usage until one gets it. He jokes frequently and does not mind some light-hearted ribbing from his staff. “You want to take a picture? Go on, he’s been waiting for you to ask that.” Patrons also linger at the counter for a chat and can stay for 15 minutes longer than they need.
Jaya, an Indian Woodlands resident for 15 years, remarked, “The old man’s pretty friendly. My 25-year-old daughter likes him a lot and she enjoys his presence whenever she drops by his store.”
“I think that’s what makes me like this store. When you visit other medical halls, they maintain their business mode. It’s professional, but it also lacks the heart which would have made them more appealing.” Ang Siew Hua, a housewife in her 40s, commented.
A passer-by stops to talk to Mr. Lee. “Support me!” he says, complete with gestures. It appears that with the effort that he put into serving customers with warmth and fun, he would not need to persuade much. He is already contributing to the spirit of neighbourliness in the heartlands.
The above story was submitted for the "What's in My Neighbourhood" workshop and challenge organised by Ngee and Poly's School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Yahoo. It won "Best Text Story".