The Lives They Live

Retired odd job worker now helps seniors in his estate

While the pioneer leaders were the original architects of Singapore, everyday heroes helped build society here. This is another story about such people in the series The Lives They Live.

Mr Li (left) with retirees Sim Lan Hian, 79 (centre) and Daisy Ee, 71. He says he often responds when a resident rings his block's emergency bell to call for help. Retired odd job worker Li De Yan, 78, delivers food twice a day to seniors who live al
Retired odd job worker Li De Yan, 78, delivers food twice a day to seniors who live alone in the Kembangan-Chai Chee neighbourhood. ST PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI
Mr Li (left) with retirees Sim Lan Hian, 79 (centre) and Daisy Ee, 71. He says he often responds when a resident rings his block's emergency bell to call for help. Retired odd job worker Li De Yan, 78, delivers food twice a day to seniors who live al
Mr Li (in white) and other volunteers at the Kembangan-Chai Chee Seniors Activity Centre pack hampers to be delivered to elderly residents. He is one of the oldest volunteers there. ST PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI
Mr Li (in white) and other volunteers at the Kembangan-Chai Chee Seniors Activity Centre pack hampers to be delivered to elderly residents. He is one of the oldest volunteers there.
Mr Li (left) with retirees Sim Lan Hian, 79 (centre) and Daisy Ee, 71. He says he often responds when a resident rings his block’s emergency bell to call for help. ST PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI
Rahimah Rashith
Updated
Jul 25, 2018, 05:00 AM
Published
Jul 25, 2018, 05:00 AM
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For more than 20 years, Li De Yan helped to build Singapore with his bare hands.

During the growing years of Singapore's construction sector in the 1970s and 80s, he mixed cement, laid bricks and built houses across the country.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 25, 2018, with the headline Retired odd job worker now helps seniors in his estate. Subscribe

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