ALBA rubbish truck makes surprise visit to special needs boy, 8, in Choa Chu Kang

Rubbish trucks are a common sight in Singapore, something most people barely register, or in fact, even turn away from.

But for eight-year-old Aryan, rubbish trucks from ALBA, a recycling company, are more than just vehicles.

Interest in ALBA trucks

The blue sheen of their steel bodies, the low rumble of the engines as they pass, the sheer size of them moving through the HDB blocks — the trucks are a source of comfort, excitement, and joy for a boy living in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Aryan, who has autism, has had a deep interest in ALBA trucks since around 2021.

According to his parents, he was immediately drawn to their sound, movement, and mechanics and it has been a constant joy for him as long as they can remember.

“The noise, the movement, and the way the trucks operate immediately caught his attention and stayed with him,” his mother, Sarini, told Mothership.

At home, Aryan builds trucks out of cardboard, colours them carefully, and lines them up proudly.

Whenever he hears an ALBA truck nearby, he rushes downstairs with one of his parents by his side, following it from block to block, smiling and waving.

Hoping to bring a little piece of that joy home, Aryan’s parents decided to email ALBA to ask if they sold toy trucks bearing the ALBA logo.

The company replied to say they did not have any such toys available.

However, the story did not end there.

Soon after, an employee from the ALBA team contacted the family via WhatsApp to say they had “something else in mind”.

A special visit

The day began like any other.

As the family went about their morning, Aryan sat at home, carefully shaping cardboard into his beloved trucks.

Then came a familiar rumble from the estate below.

What the ALBA team had meant soon became clear — they had made a special visit, bringing the truck right to Aryan’s doorstep at Choa Chu Kang Drive just for him.

He was invited to climb into the truck, sit inside, and even role-play as part of the team.

While the company had initially said they did not have any toy trucks available, the team also arrived with a bag, hinting that it contained something Aryan “really wanted”.

Inside was a tote filled with ALBA-themed items, including a plush toy, a miniature rubbish bin, and even a small model of one of their rubbish trucks.

His parents recalled that what stayed with them was not just the experience itself, but the effort behind it.

“What touched us deeply was the effort they put in, despite manpower constraints, the holiday season, and lean staffing, they still made time for Aryan,” Sarini said.

For the family, the gesture carried a deeper meaning.

“As parents, we often feel that Aryan has very little space in the world,” she shared candidly.

“The public sometimes looks at him as a nuisance. He is often shooed away when he approaches people, and there are moments when parents scold him for touching their children’s things. These experiences can be very painful for us.”

That day, however, was different.

“The ALBA team gave something back which is acceptance, kindness, and space for Aryan to simply be himself.”

“Quiet heroes”

Sarini described the ALBA workers, Suhairie, Shariff, and Nettie, as “quiet heroes”.

“They adapted themselves to Aryan,” she said.

She described how they approached him carefully, letting him explore the truck at his own pace, gave him a ride, and showed him around patiently.

Aryan, who is unable to express himself verbally, responded in his own way.

He took everything in quietly and attentively, amazed that the trucks he had only ever seen from a distance were now right in front of him.

“He was speechless,” Sarini said. “Excited, shocked, and deeply happy all at once.”

The parents told Mothership how watching the experience unfold was emotional for them.

“It was emotional to see our child being accepted so naturally and treated with understanding.”

Living in a world that often misunderstands

Sarini shared that everyday life with a special needs child can be challenging in ways many people may not see.

“Aryan may make sounds or behave in ways that draw attention. The stares, remarks, and judgement can be very overwhelming.”

She added that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to parenting a child with special needs, and that it often requires constant learning and adaptation.

“There are days we cry, feel like we are breaking into pieces, and feel very alone in this journey,” she said. “Behind closed doors, we’re fighting battles nobody sees and celebrating victories nobody else understands.”

A message for the public

Through sharing Aryan’s story, Sarini hopes people can walk away with a little more understanding and compassion.

She urged:

“Don’t be afraid of children like Aryan. Don’t look at them as something strange or alien. Give them a little space when they are around you.”

She added that behaviours others may perceive as noise or a nuisance are often just their child’s way of communicating.

“They might disturb you for a few minutes, but they will move on. It is not bad parenting,” she emphasised. “These children are very special in their own way.”

For Aryan’s family, the ALBA team’s visit was a reminder that empathy still exists, that small acts of kindness can make the world feel a little bigger for a child who so often feels like there is no space for him in it.

It was also a reminder that even the everyday rumble of a rubbish truck, and the often unseen work behind it, can mean everything to a child who experiences the world differently.

Top photos courtesy of Sarini Robani