The Book, the Man
Father Kelvin Christilius “Hue Ping” Tam’s autobiography, Tam Hue Ping: From China to Colombia—A Journey in Faith, Vocation and Service, is now published. Not only is Father Tam’s life story striking in its richness and its scope, it also reveals the depth of his personal, spiritual and professional engagement in the service to others. His autobiography clearly demonstrates that his deep respect for the people with whom he has established relationships over his long life is at the core of his being and of his vocation. His life story is punctuated with his concern for the well-being of others and their successes in life. He assumed many roles in his priestly mission including that of a pastor, educator, motivator, “parent,” social worker, mentor, friend, and even zoo keeper.
Father Tam’s vocational engagement is contagious in its power to inspire. I never met him in person and have only been in contact with him virtually for the last four years. Although I knew of him as a school friend of my dad, I did not know much else about his life. After Dad died in 2020, my sister gave me a letter from Father Tam dated 2008 which she found among dad’s belongings. That letter spoke about some genealogical research indicating how, via his mother’s family line, he and Dad had a common ancestor from Guangdong Province in China. There was an email address in the letter, and since I am already invested in my own family tree research, I seized the opportunity to connect with him. We have since maintained a regular correspondence. Two years ago he shared with me the unpublished manuscript of his autobiography. On reading it, I was consumed by a desire to share his life story. I discussed my impressions with him and he offered me the editing and publishing rights. Without batting an eyelash, I accepted, and the rest is now history. I knew nothing about the book publishing business, but here I am, inspired, determined and trusting in the mysterious workings of the universe. Strangely, I have a subtle lingering sentiment that Father Tam knew all along that he could trust me with his autobiography. I even promised him that God willing, I will one day have it translated into Chinese. His response, tinged with nostalgia, was—Andrew, I always wanted to visit my family’s homeland, perhaps, at my age now, that is how I will do it.
The book covers his life, from his childhood on his grandparent’s cocoa estate in Manzanilla on Trinidad’s East coast; his primary and secondary education in Port of Spain; his noviciate in Quebec; his seminary and university life, and ordination in Dublin, Ireland; his first educative mission in 1960 in Nigeria, and his desperate participation in a coordinated international effort to feed millions of starving civilians in the Nigerian-Biafran civil war of 1967-1970; his return to a post-colonial era Trinidad where he served, among other tasks, as principal of St. Joseph’s College, St. Joseph. He also founded a home there for children with intellectual disabilities. Then following the desire of his missionary heart to return to social work, he has served since the 1980s as an errant priest in the mountains around Cali, Colombia. Here he eventually founded three homes for girls living in dire circumstances, offering them at the same time a family life and a full education. Father Tam tenderly refers to them as his “children.” They too respond in kind: on hearing one of his “children” who he eventually brought over from Trinidad call him “Daddy,” they all started to call him “Padre Daddy.”
This autobiography of Padre Daddy is not only about the amazing life journey of one man, but that of the people he knew throughout his life. Through humility and reverence, Father Tam has clearly brought them all to centre stage, allowing his own underlying quest for excellence to become a key to their own successes. True success is shared achievements, and Father Tam made his life by motivating and inspiring excellence and success in others. Such is his loving nature. His Chinese name, Hue Ping implies promise of peace, and peace is clearly the cornerstone of his life—he understands profoundly that real peace blossoms out of the love of God and of neighbour. His life journey is his message. Hopefully, his autobiography will inspire you also to contemplate the meaning of success in your own life.
Here are two excerpts from Tam Hue Ping: From China to Colombia.
- From his recollection about a dear friend from Ireland.
Note: his friends call him KC.
It’s my privilege now to pass on to someone most appreciated, Paddy Lewis. Paddy, ex-Blackrock College rugby player, was of an athletic family. His dad, Colonel Lewis, was captain of the Irish Olympic equestrian team. One morning, Paddy’s legs just gave way. Doctors diagnosed acute poliomyelitis. He was at death’s door, paralysed with a bare head movement, breathing possibly due to a repulsive-looking iron lung. Finally, back in the ward, he had to face the fact that his physical life was indefinite. Every morning, his pillow was soaked in tears. Two years later, a miracle occurred. By God’s grace, Paddy was reconciled to his situation—and happiness re-entered his life.
—Look, KC, look, I can move my arms, he said, lifting them with great effort, two inches up, and the same with his legs later. When suspended between two bars, he dragged his legs almost imperceptibly forward. Well, he did recover arm movement sufficient to drive a car but had to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Continuing his studies, he was ordained a priest, worked first in Ireland and later was transferred to the US, where he was appointed director of Invalids in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
It was there I saw him last. He said, —KC, lately, I’ve not been well. I have to retire to Ireland. Please hear my confession, and I want to thank God for a very happy life. A very happy life—words that brought tears to my eyes—a life spent, when I saw him last, from eighteen to sixty in a wheelchair, a nurse constantly at his side to assist in all his needs. Bless you, Paddy, for such tremendous faith. So, he retired to Ireland and passed away. So long, Paddy, and may I meet you again one day.
- From his missionary work at the Paternoster Secondary School in the town of Kwerazu, Nigeria
When I came to Paternoster, a lad of eleven, Peter Anyandu offered his services as a houseboy. —I accept you, Peter, but I don’t pay. His face fell. The custom was one shilling a day for work from early dawn to 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.; a meal for a foreigner in the city would cost six shillings. —But, I continued, —someone who works for me, I take him in as a son and will give him an education, etc. Of course, Peter accepted, and I ended up not with two houseboys but with fifteen. The surprising result was that all fifteen finished with university degrees, including six doctorates.
Tam Hue Ping: From China to Colombia is published by FriesenPress.
For more information and on where to purchase the book online:
The author’s website
My compilation of online store links
If this story has touched you or sparked your curiosity, please leave a comment below, and/or share this article. If you wish to have more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
You may also visit our Tam Hue Ping Fan Club page on Facebook.
Pax Lux et Amor 
Je souhaite que ce géant du don de soi, Father Tam, inspire le plus grand nombre à se dépasser pour le bien-être des plus démunis.
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Thank you so very much for being exactly what was needed to allow Fr. Tam’s autobiography to be published! Having my own connections to dear Fr. Tam, I am eagery looking forward to reading this book!
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Thank you so much for doing this monumental task. The Spiritan Fathers were my mentors when I was a student at Fatima College in Trinidad. I await the publication of this book with gratitude. (Rev. Ron Yee-Mon, S.T.L)
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Le chemin de vie de Tam Hue Ping, celui de ton père, celui d’un lointain ancêtre commun vous ont réunis tous les deux, même si loin des yeux. On ne sait jamais quand commence une histoire. Quel magnifique cadeau la vie vous fait là! Et qu’elle est belle et touchante et gratifiante, malgré la nostalgie ou à cause d’elle, la réaction de Tam Hue Ping. Peu importe le chemin, peu importe si c’est demain ou dans cent ans, et parce qu’on sait que les histoires ne finissent jamais, on se dit que celle-ci saura bien trouver la Chine.
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Merci Diana pour ces commentaires si touchants. Ceci est aussi un cadeau.
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I am very delighted with this Information. Thank you very sincerely for publishing the autobiography of my revered teacher, formator and God’s Angel in my life journey. Please I will appreciate it so very much if I can get a copy of the publication. I certainly pray that I can contact Fr. KC Tam, please!
Fr. Gerard Mary Anyanwu.
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Hello Fr. Gerard Mary Anyanwu,
Thank you for your comment on my blog article Tam Hue Ping: From China to Colombia. Fr. Tam gave me your email address to which I sent you earlier information about the publication, including our online book launch in June to which Fr. Tam was present. I will inform him of your message. There are links to the online stores at the end of this blog. I will send you some links directly via your email.
Andrew
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