Man who lost family to fire copes by helping others

GEORGE TOWN: After losing his entire family in a fire on Nov 15, last year, Lim Swee Bok, 37, now keeps himself busy with various welfare and charitable programmes.
The Tanjong MCA Youth chief described himself as someone once busy juggling with servicing his constituency people to a person knowing to "appreciate life better".
"This will be the most painful time ushering in the Year of the Dog," Lim told theSun.
His mother Lau Sai Poh, 62, his China national wife Chen Yen, 35, son Lim Yin Chun and daughter Lim Jia Yiin, eight, were killed in the flames at his two-storey house along Cecil Street Ghaut.
To make matter worse, his father passed away from cancer on Nov 5.
Admitting it would be unbearable to celebrate New Year without his loved ones, Lim however said he will be busy with many events to attend.
Firstly, he will make a trip down to Kuala Lumpur for a function before joining his brother in Penang for the reunion dinner today.
The next day, Lim will fly to Fujian, China, to spend Chinese New Year with late wife's parents.
Lim said he had learnt to be more caring and practise life-balance.
"One regret I had was I never really took my family members anywhere during the CNY festival. We usually stayed at home most of the time," he recalled.
Lim said it took him some time to get back on track.
"It is not easy to pick up the pieces after such an incident but I looked forward. Also support from my brother, friends, MCA members and some good Samaritans helped me greatly," he told theSun.
He is now keen on sharing his experiences with others in need of advice.
"I am not a counsellor nor expert but I think I can help to provide morale support to someone who has gone through similar incidents as me, " he said, adding he was now spending his time with non-governmental organisations.