Merdeka Generation Senior Embarks on a New Chapter after Retirement

As a member of the Merdeka Generation who grew up before the country's economy took off, Goh Lam Kia experienced many significant changes in his love life, education, and career. At the height of his professional success, he made a decision that not only inspired himself but also had a profound impact on others.


Through words, photos and video recordings, Goh Lam Kia (second from left) documents the charity efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers in Lumbini. (Photo by Ramesh karki) 

Goh Lam Kia was born into a middle-income family and grew up during the period of British colonization and early independence. His father worked as a school bus driver, and his mother was a housewife. As the eldest son, Lam Kia took on the responsibility of looking after his three younger siblings. After graduating from secondary school, he chose to study electrical engineering to acquire a valuable skill.

In the 1970s, Lam Kia became a service engineer in the prime of his youth. His diligence and efforts eventually led to a promotion to junior supervisor. During these formative years of his career, he met his wife, Shoon Poh Hui. Lam Kia laughed coyly, "She was an attractive woman with many good qualities and many suitors, but she still chose me!"

Lam Kia said that although the relationship process was not smooth sailing, they were destined to be together, which made him cherish their relationship even more.

The couple was blessed with two daughters after getting married. Hearing the cry of his youngest daughter, Lam Kia was deeply moved and said emotionally, "At that moment, I truly felt the responsibility of being a father."

As time passed, Lam Kia realised his lack of formal education and discussed with his wife the idea of attending university. With Poh Hui's financial support and understanding, he was able to juggle both work and study successfully.

Through unremitting efforts, Lam Kia eventually earned his bachelor's degree and was promoted to department head for his outstanding work performance. Together, the couple's joint efforts led to a stable and happy family life.

However, Poh Hui, who held a key position in a bank at the time, was often sleep-deprived due to work stress. After three years of persuasion, she finally quit her job to become a housewife, while Lam Kia took on the role of sole breadwinner to shoulder the family's financial burden.

Whether it's a weekend break or a weekday after work, you can always find Lam Kia participating in various events or meetings. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng) 

When a workaholic meets Tzu Chi

Supervisors are often burdened with operational pressures and must always consider maximising the company's interests. This constant pressure gradually made Lam Kia wary of people.

Speaking about Lam Kia’s work attitude, Poh Hui said bluntly, "He is a workaholic." Once deeply involved in his work, he would often neglect his family. In 2010, after a friend introduced her to Tzu Chi, she believed that Tzu Chi could change her husband and make him more attentive to his family.

At that time, the couple were both atheists, and their daughters had grown up. Freed from the duties of parenting, Poh Hui brought Lam Kia to Tzu Chi's 46th Anniversary and Buddha Day Celebration event, and they participated as volunteers in the group formation. Since then, they have been actively involved in various community activities, including charity home visits and environmental protection. Lam Kia recalled his first visit to a Tzu Chi eco-point, where he was deeply moved by the joyful atmosphere and smiling faces.

When Lam Kia first came to know Tzu Chi, he was deeply moved by the stories told by the volunteers and the actions they took. (Photo by Wong Twee Hee)

In 2011, Mr and Mrs Goh travelled to Taiwan to attend the Entrepreneurs Retreat Camp. Over there, Lam Kia was deeply moved by Tzu Chi's spirit and particularly admired the virtues of Master Cheng Yen. Since then, he has been actively involved in Tzu Chi's activities, consistently participating in events and meetings, whether on weekends, holidays, or after work on weekdays.

Lam Kia fondly recalled that in 2012, during the Year-End Blessing Ceremony, he was "spotted" by the Tzu Chi media team. From that moment on, his connection with Tzu Chi became inseparable. Lam Kia, who had never liked writing, joined the team as a volunteer writer, a fact he finds quite unbelievable. Lam Kia clearly remembers that the first time he wrote a book club report of over 300 words, it took him three hours to complete, as he was learning to type using phonetic symbols and was typing very slowly.

Lam Kia made up his mind to learn Hanyu Pinyin. He bought a Hanyu Pinyin exercise book and started learning from scratch. Now, he is very proficient in it. He encourages everyone not to underestimate their abilities; with persistence and perseverance, everyone has unlimited potential.

Lam Kia (right), who has never been a fan of writing, joined the media team as a writer, much to his own disbelief. (Photo by Ong Chwee Huat)

Maintaining a family requires communication, companionship, and love

Initially, Poh Hui hoped that Lam Kia would spend more time with their family. However, his commitments increased and became even busier after joining Tzu Chi, which once upset Poh Hui.

As Lam Kia took on more responsibilities, he expressed a desire to become a Faith Corps member. Poh Hui was initially opposed to this, as it meant even greater commitment. In response to his wife's concerns, Lam Kia practised patience he learned from Buddha Dharma and adjusted his pace to better respect her feelings.

Whenever Lam Kia saw other volunteers going overseas, he was eager to join. Yet, he often faced rejection when seeking Poh Hui's permission. He ruefully noted, "Nine out of ten times, my requests were denied, and I was grateful when she agreed even once."

Initially, Lam Kia would get frustrated when his requests were rejected, but he reminded himself to be patient. At times, he would secretly weep from the repeated rejections but always encouraged himself to persevere, viewing these challenges as opportunities to cultivate positive karma.

In 2018, Poh Hui finally gave Lam Kia the green light to participate in an overseas medical mission in Cambodia. The joy he felt, which he still vividly remembers, led him to reflect, "Sometimes it's not just about having the money and time but also about having your family's support."

Lam Kia recalls that during his certification process, Master Cheng Yen gently encouraged him to take on more responsibilities. This advice deeply moved him, and he vowed never to turn down any opportunity to contribute to Tzu Chi activities. This philosophy continues to guide him, and despite being busy and tired, he remains committed to serving whenever there is a need.

Over time, Poh Hui came to understand her husband's dedication to Tzu Chi and recognised that his efforts were for the greater good. She began to openly accept and support his commitment to what he loves.

Lam Kia (left) interacting with the volunteers to motivate each other during the Dharma as Water sutra adaptation practice in 2013. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong) 

A well-paying career pales in comparison to the peace of mind found in pursuing a passion for volunteering

In the blink of an eye, Lam Kia reached the retirement age. Though the company had hoped that he would continue working for a few more years, he chose to leave his well-paying job to join Tzu Chi as a full-time volunteer. Transitioning from a "part-time" to a full-time role, Lam Kia realised that the staff are the backbone of the organisation, and their daily, often unseen, contributions are crucial for its smooth operation.

In 2022, Mr. Low Swee Seh, CEO of the Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), invited Lam Kia to take on a greater mission at the Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini, which he accepted without hesitation. He felt a deep karmic connection in this arrangement and believed that since it was Master Cheng Yen's wish, as a Tzu Chi disciple, he was determined to fulfil it. Surprisingly, this time Lam Kia received full support from his wife. His long-term sincerity and patience had won her over.

To convince her, he frequently shared his experiences with Tzu Chi and his perspective on life to her. He believes that the ages between 60 and 75 are ideal for pursuing his passion because he remains healthy and financially secure. He said, "Sincerity can move people. By showing care for my family and fulfilling my commitments, I provide my wife with a sense of security and responsibility. Ultimately, home is where we will grow old."

Lam Kia (second from the left) is also fulfilling one of his major karmic endeavours by going to Lumbini. (Photo by Ramesh karki)

The major karmic affinity of living in another country for a long time

Life in Lumbini is simple and austere. Confronted with the poverty and illness in Nepal, Lam Kia dedicated himself to documenting his experiences by taking photos and maintaining daily journals, which he sent back to Taiwan every day. True journalism, he believes, requires both words and images as evidence.

Lam Kia confessed that being a humanistic culture volunteer can be stressful. During the day, he and his team conducted home visits, often not finishing until evening. After dinner, he started writing his journal, though fatigue sometimes made this challenging. At times, he needed to reflect and settle down before he could begin writing. Despite these difficulties, Lam Kia knew that his documentation was crucial, not just as a record but as a means to help Tzu Chi Taiwan grasp the real situation in Nepal.

Today, Lam Kia's sincere smile and humble attitude are his defining traits. He explains with a beaming smile that while his past smiles were professional necessities, his current smiles, after serving with Tzu Chi, are genuine expressions of his heart.

The three wishes Poh Hui made for Lam Kia have gradually and quietly come to fruition in his life.

When Poh Hui married Lam Kiat, her first silent wish was to support her husband's career without surpassing him in career. Later, after having two daughters, she made her second wish: to assist her husband in completing his studies while taking on more family and financial responsibilities herself. After Lam Kiat retired, observing his passion for Tzu Chi, Poh Hui made her third wish: to support him in fulfilling his Bodhisattva Path of spiritual cultivation.

As Lam Kiat approaches old age, he reflects on his life with a deep sense of gratitude. He is convinced that all his past efforts and preparations were leading up to this significant cause. He reflects, "Life is short; if you don’t seize the moment now, when will you? To truly give, we must appreciate the achievements of others and approach everything with the utmost sincerity and honesty."