Keep My Memory Safe: Fook Soo Am, The Pagoda | A Memoir by Stephanie Chitpin

Stephanie Chitpin was born in Hong Kong to unwed parents. A few days later, an infant girl in a woven straw basket was transported illegally to the island of Mauritius off the coast of Africa by Ah Pak, the head nun of a Buddhist temple with the help of Mr. Chui, a benevolent Chinese businessman. Ah Pak raised Chitpin as an orphan ward of the temple Fook Soo Am, known as the Pagoda. The government of Mauritius never knew she existed until many years later. Stephanie Chiptin was determined to get an education. Despite classmates’ name calling—bastard and more—, the shame of being an orphan raised in a temple, tragic deaths, and other obstacles, she persevered. Although Ah Pak had other plans for her, Mr. Chui stood by her with diplomacy and tact as she pursued her education, first in Mauritius and then at the University of Guelph in Canada.

_________________

Stephanie Chitpin “exposes the fragility of our lives and shows how for many children from disadvantaged backgrounds, there is no easy path to success.” 

-Richard Barwell, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa

____________________