Mr Wong: A Second Beginning

Mr Wong came to House of Joy in 2020 looking for steady ground. He had just moved into a rental flat in Tampines, where things with a co-tenant were proving difficult, and the Silver Generation Office pointed him toward HOJ as a place to find his footing again. What he did not yet know was that HOJ had more in store for him.

He started with Nagomi art, then calligraphy. Both suited him. As the weeks turned into months, even his Chinese improved and his mind sharpened. Learning new skills later in life brought him a sense of satisfaction and grounded him.

The turning point came in 2024. Divorced for 18 years and not really looking, Mr Wong met someone at the centre. She was a widow, at a similar stage of life, and what began as conversation grew into companionship. He describes it as reminiscent of youthful courtship: the warmth, the joy, and the small daily noticing of another person. The two of them now go exploring together, and yet, of all the places they could be, HOJ remains a favourite.

Beyond finding his partner, Mr Wong has built friendships at the centre that he holds close. Chair yoga has kept his body strong, and his outlook has shifted too. He meets each day now with more calm, more balance, and a little more room for the unexpected.

For Mr Wong, House of Joy is no longer a programme he attends. It is a community that has given him friendship, a partner, a steadier body, and a steadier mind.