向先輩致敬
先輩下南洋，千辛萬苦。歷史照片，告訴我們，這個民族堅韌不拔精神。面對逆境，面對欺壓，堅強活下去。有些人，闖出藍天。
通過這組照片，讓我們回顧先輩的艱辛，向他們致敬。沒有他們堅持奮鬥，就沒有我們的今天。
（一）過番史照：下南洋，碼頭送別
先輩下南洋，親人送別，依依不捨。
"He left home for Nanyang, She rushed to Shatou to stop him. Nanyang was a good place To earn good money.
My dear wife, Do not worry, Once I make enough money, I shall return."
阿哥出門去過番，妹子趕到汕头攬。
賢妻不用多掛慮，赚到銀紙轉唐山。
（二）過番史照：沙丁魚船
1900年，先輩過番。
帶著淘金梦，一船沙丁魚，抵達新加坡。
"We were fleeing our war-torn and impoverished land so that we could work and send money home to our families. We boarded coolie ships, filled with hope and trepidation. Conditions on board the ships were appalling."
新客檢疫中心，棋璋山，圣约翰岛（St John’s Island）。Quarantine Station Singapore, 1920
1920年，先輩登島隔離，檢疫後，才能入境。
苦力到達陌生港口，開始以體力幹活，換取食宿。
为生话，炎陽下， 先辈赤足奔跑。英國人賣鴉片賺錢，苦力抽鴉片變排骨仙。
海峡时报3-12-1903的麻坡報導：
約20輛黃包車招徠客人，車雖陳舊，深受歡迎。
但下雨天， 客人召喚，苦力不出车。
About a score of rikishas ply for hire. These dilapidated ricks are welcome.
The coolies are rather independent and
refuse to come out in rainy weather.
--- The Straits Times 3-12-1903
（五）過番史照：小販售貨郎
初到南洋，過番客什麼都幹，只求生活。
發達前，早年麻坡富豪鄭文炳，肩挑貨物，走路做生意，從馬六甲步行至麻坡。他成為麻坡同盟會領袖，麻坡抗日籌賑運動領袖。
"To succeed in life, learn to eat bitterness". Although
thousands had started out as poor coolies, many did not remain so for ever. 吃得苦中苦，方為人上人。
先輩當苦力，以體力換三餐。“ 只要有手有腳，我們就餓不死。有耐性，就能活下去”。
" Most of us ate bitterness with a smiling face and wiped our tears upon our knees. We were called 'coolie' by others, meaning 'bitter strength'.
11-1-1942年日本战機炸麻坡，第一顆炸彈炸沉大鐘樓旁貨輪〈武林〉号，十多名碼頭苦力冤死麻河。Coolies died in Muar River under the bombing of the Japanese war planes.
