On 14 April 2022, a woman was slashed about 40 times by her estranged husband in broad daylight in Singapore. Both are Chinese nationals. Videos of the attack quickly went viral as many were shocked by the act of brutality which took place in one of the safest countries in the world.
Much has been since written about the attack, and the painful recovery process the woman, Han Hongli, has been going through over the past year. Unfortunately, she is now blind in her left eye and lost part of a finger in her right hand. Her left arm and hand suffered serious injuries and after multiple surgeries, she is regaining use of the arm.
Not only were her injuries physical, her traumatic close shave with death also scarred her mentally and emotionally. For months following the incident, Hongli isolated herself and refused to let any of the well-meaning visitors into her home. And even today, a year on, she still feels frightened whenever she sees someone wearing a mask with sunglasses and a cap as she recalls her estranged husband viciously slashing her while wearing the attire.
Photo credit: Sojourn
In accounts of her recovery process, she often mentioned The Salvation Army and its volunteer manager, Eric Lee.
Eric first met Hongli when he visited her in hospital on 14 May, following a referral from crowdfunding charity Ray Of Hope, exactly a month after the incident. “She was crying a lot as she recounted the incident and told us about the extent of her injuries. She also shared her worries about her immediate future, namely her upcoming surgeries, medical bills and accommodation. We told her we will help her but she kept her distance and did not believe us,” he recounted.
Determined to help Hongli, Eric and other volunteers from The Salvation Army began to visit Hongli at the hospital regularly to pray for her.
“Gradually, we earned her trust and she began to see a glimmer of hope in her darkness,” said Eric.
Hongli spent a month in a rented accommodation provided by her previous employer after her discharge. Volunteers at The Salvation Army took turns to bring lunch and dinner for her everyday, cared for her basic necessities and arranged for physiotherapy sessions to help her gradually regain use of her arms. Its volunteers would also take turns to accompany her for her medical appointments which take place at least thrice weekly.
When I was enveloped by hopelessness and despair, they were the helping hands, my light in the darkness. The volunteers journeyed with me all these months, and made me feel loved. They were strangers less than a year ago and now they’re like my family in Singapore.
Photo credit: CJ goh
“Eric and the other volunteers of The Salvation Army were angels from God to pull me out of the lowest period of my life.”
They also brought me closer to God. I may not be the old Hongli physically anymore, but I am happy now and I like the new me,” shared Hongli.
She elaborated that she used to be very self-centred and her focus was on earning money, but the Hongli now is someone who finds joy in helping others. “I am happy whenever I am able to help make dumplings and even sweep or mop the floor in the shelter!”
From being helped, I want to help others too.
Hongli is presently waiting for the court proceedings to be completed before returning to China to be with her two children. In her free time, she helps out at The Salvation Army’s Sojourn Cafe and this helps to train her motor skills, get her used to meeting people again and gradually recover her self-confidence.