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Keep My Memory Safe: Fook Soo Am, The Pagoda
Born in Hong Kong to unwed parents, Stephanie Chitpin was transported illegally to the Island of Mauritius by Ah Pak, the head nun of a Buddhist temple with the help of Mr. Chui, a benevolent Chinese businessman. Ah Pak raised her as an orphan ward of the temple, Fook Soo Am, known as the Pagoda. Encouraged by Mr. Chui and in spite of Ah Pak’s opposition, she did very well at school. The scars incurred by classmates’ name calling—bastard, and more—the shame of being an orphan raised in a temple, tragic deaths, and other obstacles did not prevent her from pursuing her education and finishing high school at the age of 16. Although Ah Pak had other plans for her, Mr. Chui stood by her with diplomacy and tact throughout her school years and onto university in Canada on a scholarship. Keep My Memory Safe poetically chronicles life in the temple and in Mauritius, and the move to Canada. This immigration story is totally unique as no other orphaned temple nuns are known to have gone on to acquire a topnotch education and become academics.
220 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 6, 2024
Very good book, and author Dr. Chitpin told us her extraordinary story with love and emotions, what a life! Thank you Dr. Chitpin let us share her memory.
October 22, 2023
Stephanie Chitpin gives us an honest, intimate look into her childhood and adolescence in her memoir Keep My Memory Safe: Fook Soo Am, The Pagoda. This inspiring story of courage and determination chronicles Stephanie’s quest for a better education and a better life in the face of adversity.
Stephanie begins her story at the time of her birth in Hong Kong to parents who were not in a situation to provide for another child. Her mother gave Stephanie her birth name, Oi-Chu Shiu Fook Sien, before handing her over to Ah Pak, a Buddhist nun, to be transported out of the country in a woven straw basket and taken to the small island of Mauritius off the coast of Africa. With the help of a respected businessman, Mr. Chui, Ah Pak was able to get baby Stephanie into Africa safely. Ah Pak and Mr. Chui would then serve as Stephanie’s guardians, teaching her and guiding her through the ups and downs of her life.
Within the walls of Fook Soo Am, the pagoda which was founded by her guardian Ah Pak, Stephanie was trained in the ways of a Buddhist nun. She paints a vivid picture of what life was like at the pagoda, describing the others she lived with and their day-to-day duties. Although she learned many important lessons while living at the pagoda, Stephanie always wanted more. Mr. Chui recognized early on that Stephanie was a bright and intelligent child, and it was he who encouraged Ah Pak to send her to school. Having great faith in her intelligence and capabilities, Mr. Chui ensured that Stephanie received a proper education.
As she began her schooling, Stephanie soon felt that she was different and was often reminded of all the things she did not have, including a family. She felt ashamed that she was an orphan and suffered through the bullying that came her way because of it. It was this feeling of shame that would propel her to work harder and overcome her unfortunate circumstances. Stephanie takes us through her years in various schools chronicling the achievements, failures, friendships, and tragic incidents that shaped her life up to and including her first year of university in Canada.
I truly enjoyed reading this memoir and getting to see life through Stephanie’s eyes. Her descriptions of the people and places in her life were vivid and moving. What really stands out in my mind after reading this book is how grateful she was to everyone who helped her get where she is today. Mr. Chui and his eternal kindness really pulls at my heart because he was very much a loving grandfather figure to her, and she credits him for the person that she has become. He saw the light in her from the very beginning and she always had him to fall back on when the going got tough. The scenes in his tea shop will always be my favorite parts of this book because that is where Stephanie truly found herself and her confidence.
Instability, tragedy, sadness, and regret were common in Stephanie’s life. Although she suffered much heartache, she managed to carry on to create a wonderful life for herself. Stephanie mentions many times throughout her book that she made a choice to be happy and it was that positive attitude which allowed her to see the silver lining of her darkest moments. I am amazed at her unbreakable spirit and her drive to accomplish what many born into her situation would deem impossible. She has become a leader and an amazing role model who has made it her life’s purpose to help others from disadvantaged backgrounds. This honest, heartfelt account of Stephanie’s quest is truly inspiring, one you will not soon forget.
Thanks to The Miramichi Reader for the opportunity to review this amazing novel.
To read my other reviews for TMR click the link below:
my link text
Stephanie begins her story at the time of her birth in Hong Kong to parents who were not in a situation to provide for another child. Her mother gave Stephanie her birth name, Oi-Chu Shiu Fook Sien, before handing her over to Ah Pak, a Buddhist nun, to be transported out of the country in a woven straw basket and taken to the small island of Mauritius off the coast of Africa. With the help of a respected businessman, Mr. Chui, Ah Pak was able to get baby Stephanie into Africa safely. Ah Pak and Mr. Chui would then serve as Stephanie’s guardians, teaching her and guiding her through the ups and downs of her life.
Within the walls of Fook Soo Am, the pagoda which was founded by her guardian Ah Pak, Stephanie was trained in the ways of a Buddhist nun. She paints a vivid picture of what life was like at the pagoda, describing the others she lived with and their day-to-day duties. Although she learned many important lessons while living at the pagoda, Stephanie always wanted more. Mr. Chui recognized early on that Stephanie was a bright and intelligent child, and it was he who encouraged Ah Pak to send her to school. Having great faith in her intelligence and capabilities, Mr. Chui ensured that Stephanie received a proper education.
As she began her schooling, Stephanie soon felt that she was different and was often reminded of all the things she did not have, including a family. She felt ashamed that she was an orphan and suffered through the bullying that came her way because of it. It was this feeling of shame that would propel her to work harder and overcome her unfortunate circumstances. Stephanie takes us through her years in various schools chronicling the achievements, failures, friendships, and tragic incidents that shaped her life up to and including her first year of university in Canada.
I truly enjoyed reading this memoir and getting to see life through Stephanie’s eyes. Her descriptions of the people and places in her life were vivid and moving. What really stands out in my mind after reading this book is how grateful she was to everyone who helped her get where she is today. Mr. Chui and his eternal kindness really pulls at my heart because he was very much a loving grandfather figure to her, and she credits him for the person that she has become. He saw the light in her from the very beginning and she always had him to fall back on when the going got tough. The scenes in his tea shop will always be my favorite parts of this book because that is where Stephanie truly found herself and her confidence.
Instability, tragedy, sadness, and regret were common in Stephanie’s life. Although she suffered much heartache, she managed to carry on to create a wonderful life for herself. Stephanie mentions many times throughout her book that she made a choice to be happy and it was that positive attitude which allowed her to see the silver lining of her darkest moments. I am amazed at her unbreakable spirit and her drive to accomplish what many born into her situation would deem impossible. She has become a leader and an amazing role model who has made it her life’s purpose to help others from disadvantaged backgrounds. This honest, heartfelt account of Stephanie’s quest is truly inspiring, one you will not soon forget.
Thanks to The Miramichi Reader for the opportunity to review this amazing novel.
To read my other reviews for TMR click the link below:
my link text
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews