For years, 78-year-old Lim has filled his Bedok Reservoir flat with collected items, refusing to part with them despite the clutter. Now, he worries a charity’s efforts to tidy his home might leave him with "nothing."
Living alone in a space packed to the brim, Lim relies on selling these collected goods for income. When volunteers from Helping Joy stepped in to declutter his home, he expressed deep concern that they might discard everything he depends on.
"If everything is thrown away, I’ll have nothing left," Lim told Shin Min Daily News. "I don’t want that—I’m afraid I won’t even find what I need."
The charity described his living conditions as dangerously cluttered, posing health and fire hazards not only for him but also for neighbors. In a Facebook post on June 2, Helping Joy shared their mission: "We hope to help Uncle Lim declutter, paint and clean his house while providing new furniture and appliances."
After a grueling 12-hour cleanup battling cockroaches and piles of belongings last Sunday (June 9), the team made progress—but challenges remain. The organization is now seeking donations for essentials like a bed, mattress, shoe rack, and fan.
A Life Among the Piles
A Shin Min reporter who visited noted that entering Lim's home was nearly impossible—the door couldn't fully open due to stacked items inside.
Lim explained that during COVID-19 lockdowns when jobs were scarce, he turned to collecting things as both income and comfort. Over time though,the accumulation became overwhelming.
"Things just kept piling up," he admitted sadly before adding some possessions held sentimental value too hard let go of easily.
Tensions rose between him & neighbors because overflow spilled into common areas outside leading authorities previously removing several large buckets worth belongings prior this latest intervention by Helping Joy.
The Struggle Beyond Clutter
A neighbor surnamed Peng revealed heartbreaking details about daily struggles faced including having no functional bathroom forcing use nearby coffee shop showers instead.
Despite having children grandchildren who visit during holidays they reportedly only greet from doorway unable enter due state inside.
The situation calls long-term support according Helping Joy which continues working towards safer healthier environment while respecting emotional attachment many objects represent elderly man.
