Life here easy to adjust

SINGAPORE- Reflexologist Wong Yoke Leng, who is from Penang, said adjusting to life here was easy enough as it is a lot like Malaysia.

"The laws there and here are pretty much the same as the two countries are very close to each other," said Madam Wong, who has been working here since 1999 and is determined to continue.

"I like working in Singapore because I can earn more money here and I have lots of friends.

"I go back to Penang to visit my family about four times a year.

"Of course, I feel sad when the time comes for me to return to Singapore. But my girls know that their mummy is working hard for them."

Madam Wong, who is married and has three daughters aged between five and 14, worked as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant when she first arrived.

When the business folded last year, she moved to Xing Yun Foot Reflexology and Body at People's Park Centre in Chinatown.

She declined to reveal her salary, but said she makes enough to pay her rent here and send about RM1,000 (S$380) back to her family in Malaysia.

"My husband is a cook, earning RM2,000 a month. He makes enough for the family, but it's always good to earn more money," she said.

"My daughters are growing up and we need a tidy sum for their education."

NERVOUS

Madam Wong said she was nervous before coming here to work, when one of her hometown friends first persuaded her to come over.

One thing they told her stuck: Do not get distracted and do not get in trouble.

She said she just focuses on her job because the strong Singapore dollar means she has been able to save a lot for her children's future.

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