Santa arriving on a bullock cart to the Christmas party organised by the Cerebral Palsy (Spastic) Children’s Association in Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
WHAT began as a shared mission to teach children with special needs, blossomed into a lifelong partnership for Koh Yin Tsang and her husband Chew Teck Seng.
The couple met 14 years ago while working as teachers at the Cerebral Palsy (Spastic) Children’s Association of Penang in Jalan Masjid Negeri.
Chew, 44, said he started dating Koh about a year after joining the centre.
“We dated for five years before getting married nine years ago.
Koh (left) and Chew met on the job while teaching special children at the association.
“Our shared workplace has allowed us to better understand each other’s dedication and challenges,” he said.
A former school basketball player, Chew said his left-side paralysis was due to a basketball-related injury sustained when he was 15.
“Despite my paralysis, I completed my studies at Chung Ling High School.
“I was a basketball player representing the school back then before my injury,” he said.
Koh, 49, teaches computer studies to 11 students aged between five and 11.
Having worked at the centre for the past 19 years, Koh said her job was deeply meaningful.
“I am very happy to be teaching here,” said Koh who has cerebral palsy.
“I was a former student at the centre until I was 18, so, I like to think of it as giving back to my alma mater by teaching here.
“One of the joys of working at the centre is being able to see my husband every day.
“I’m very happy that I get to teach students computer skills on a one-to-one basis, while my husband teaches higher-functioning students between seven and 18 years old,” she said.
Party games at the special event.
The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary on Dec 17.
On Sunday, Koh and Chew were among the more than 200 staff, students and invited guests at the centre’s Christmas party.
Breaking from tradition, Santa Claus arrived on a bullock cart to distribute gifts, escorted by seven superbikers.
Besides being treated to a buffet spread, guests were entertained by a line dance performance.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s wife Tan Lean Kee, and the centre’s president Ng Fook On.
Ng said the management decided to organise the Christmas party to give the students and their parents an opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves.
“We have 75 students ranging in age up to 18 years, and I’m happy to see that almost all of them made it to the party,” he added.
For Koh and Chew, the celebration was meaningful as it gave them the opportunity to spend Christmas with their colleagues and the children.
