Her kind act moved him to tears
Woman gives $150 to father of boy who was knocked down by van
When she heard about Mohamed Imraan's accident, her first thought was to give some money to his father.
It was Madam Tan Mei Huan's way of doing something for the seven-year-old boy.
The 52-year-old's small gesture touched Imraan's father, Mr Shaik Abdul Kader Ibrahim, 49, so much that he burst into tears on the spot.
The security officer, a single parent, told The New Paper yesterday: "I said no, but she forced me to accept the $150 to buy nice food for Imraan.
"She told me to look for her when I need help and that the door is always open. I was so touched."
Imraan was cycling near Block 134, Jalan Bukit Merah, on Oct 23 when he was knocked down by a van.
He was taken to National University Hospital after suffering a fractured arm and a deep gash at the ankle.
Madam Tan, who runs Xing Zhi Language Centre, found out when Mr Shaik mentioned it in passing.
"When I sent a text to Imraan's father reminding him of a Halloween event I had organised, he replied that his son had been hospitalised. I felt so bad when I heard about it.
"I still remember how happy he looked during the Children's Day event. I wanted Imraan to eat well despite his injuries," she said.
The mother of two said she got to know Imraan and his three siblings - aged nine, 11 and 12 - about two years ago, after she relocated her language centre to Jalan Bukit Merah.
The four children would knock on the centre's door and run away, Madam Tan recalled. Instead of chiding them, she decided to "make friends".
"Children at that age can be a little pesky. If I scold them or am too fierce, they will not take it well.
She started offering Mr Shaik's children biscuits, sweets and water in exchange for their obedience. She would ask them to go along to free-of-charge children's events.
Mr Shaik's children became so comfortable with her that they started using the language centre's toilet freely.
"The children come here at least three times a week. I always ask them how they are doing," she said.
Their single parent background compelled Madam Tan to help.
"Their father works in the day and the children need some care and concern. I thought I could play that role. It's not a big thing at all," she said.
Her little gestures mean a lot to Mr Shaik, who became the sole breadwinner after separating from his wife over a year ago.
"She is very kind-hearted. People like her are rare in Singapore. She has an open heart and an open mind.
"She told me not to worry and that she will take care of my children (when I'm at work). I'm very grateful for her help," said Mr Shaik.
Imraan was discharged yesterday. It will be at least two to three months before he can run around again, his father said. A police spokesman said that investigations are ongoing.
"I said no, but she forced me to accept the $150 to buy nice food for Imraan. She told me to look for her when I need help and that the door is always open. I was so touched."
- Imraan's father, Mr Shaik Abdul Kader Ibrahim
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