As my great great grandfather (Wei) grew older and began to work as a coolie, he became aware of the racism that permeated the society in Singapore. The British colonisers considered themselves superior to the indigenous population, this sense of racial superiority resulted in discrimination and mistreatment. 

Some of the hardships Wei went through are barely being able to sustain themselves or take care of their family because of their meagers wages, even though they worked hard. Being treated unfairly and having to live in harsh conditions.

Despite the harsh circumstances, Wei found peace around his fellow coolies. They shared stories of their homelands, cultures and dreams for a brighter future. These moments of unity provided hope amidst the struggles they faced.