Chinese Tin Miner Of Chendrong (1971)

Over [Music] 20 years ago, a vicious guerilla war was fought in British Malaya and in its tinrich Kinta Valley. The war was to last 10 years. To protect the Chinese of this multi-racial land from the war's violence, new villages were built. >> In the hope also that they would become towns of the future. >> Chend new village was established in 1954. [Music] Peace eventually came in 1958 and the independent nation of Malaysia composed of Chinese, Indian and Malay people was born. Chendrong survived. Its Chinese wanted it to live and prosper. Today, almost 20 years later, there are many changes and many more people. Most of its Chinese regard Malaysia as their country and Chundrang their home. This is the story of one Chundrang family, Achao and his oldest son, Afo. [Music] studying late into the night is 16-year-old Afo. His teacher calls him a perfect student. He is first in his high school class, certain to succeed in his ambition to be a medical doctor. He won't be the first from Chendron to become a doctor. A few years ago, one of its students became a doctor and now practices medicine in the United States. A Chinese family is a corporate affair. Work is their philosophy. Work produces material comfort. And this is the Chinese goal. Everyone works. Acha the father cycles 8 miles from Chendron to the iron ship as the tin dredges are called. He has worked 15 years on the dredge doing semi-technical work. He works 7 days a week earning the equivalent of 55 American dollars a month. As the new shift begins, a siren warns that the machinery is about to start. [Music] The European-owned dredge is gradually becoming Malayanized, operated by Malays, Chinese and Indians. Kinta Valley has been producing tin for over a century and is now being dredged for the third time. How much tinor remains in the valley floor isn't known. It is estimated by some experts that there will be tin from this valley for many decades to come. [Music] >> Luong is an affectionate mother, particularly to her youngest son. She would like to have more time with him, but she knows she must work and contribute her earnings to the family plan. [Music] >> Leaving a crying child behind isn't easy for a mother, but she knows the boy must learn to curb his crying and do his part. [Music] Lu Fong is strong in character and also strong physically. She works in an open-faced tin mine in temperatures of 100° and high humidity. [Music] Like her husband, Liu Fong works 7 days a week, earning the equivalent of one American dollar a day. Before mining can be started, the jungle must be cleared. [Music] Luong's employer is a Chinese company which operates another mine nearby where she works occasionally. The tin bearing soil is mined hydraulically. The mud and water are pumped through huge pipes and slooes and over washboards that catch the heavy tin ore. Achow plans the family's future with savings accumulate. ated over the years. He bought 7 acres of rubber lands. This brings a monthly income of the equivalent of 65 American dollars. Government provides Malay language education. But Acha feels that English medium schooling gives his children better opportunities. He sends his children to English language schools. This is expensive. It takes all the earnings of his rubber lands. 15-year-old Yukin didn't want to continue school, so she was given the responsibility and the authority to run the household. [Music] She directs and bosses the younger children in the family. [Music] >> Yukin also does the marketing. In the evening, Yukin will cook the family meal. I'm going [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] AFO returns from school in Batu Gaja in the afternoon. [Music] >> His responsibility to the family is to succeed in his education. >> He works hard at this. [Music] Like other outgoing and happy boys, Afo enjoys sports. >> Basketball is his favorite sport, as it is for most Chinese. A foe is a good player. [Music] [Music] After dinner, Afo studies until almost midnight. His ambition is to be a doctor because he wants to help people and to repay his parents for their hard work and sacrifice. Even though he is of a Chinese family, Malaysia is his country. He hopes to find equal opportunity in this land of many races. [Music]