SINGAPORE – Growing up in a troubled family, Ms Shirlene Ng was 13 when she witnessed her mother take her own life. Her mental health took a hit.
“I had my own suicidal attempts, and when I turned 14, I was admitted into IMH,” said Ms Ng, referring to the Institute of Mental Health.
Ms Ng, who is now 21, switched between foster families and children’s homes eight times over the years.
She had her share of dark days. But on days when she could hold herself together, she told herself to “grit your teeth and woman up”, and that eventually got her through private school and Temasek Polytechnic, where she studied psychology.
Ms Ng is among 12 recipients of the inaugural President’s Challenge Fellowship, which was formed to provide opportunities for three groups of people: those who are bouncing back from major adversities like her, professionals in the social sector, and outstanding graduates from the Institute of Technical Education.
Besides Ms Ng, recipients of the Springboard Fellowship are F&B employee Nur Shahirah Omar, 39, who hopes to get a psychology degree; medical technologist Selva Raju Arumugam, 33, who was orphaned in his teens; and ex-offender Barry Yeow, 58, who is now director of art studio 5seventeen.
Five of the fellows are outstanding ITE graduates who will now serve as mentors to current students, while running new programmes for them.
The 12 individuals were revealed during the televised President’s Challenge Night fund-raiser on Nov 2. The President’s Challenge, established in 2000 to raise money for and support various social causes, raised nearly $15 million which will support 60 programmes.
The fellowships, which cover the three tracks, were launched in May.
Ms Ng’s aftercare manager of the alumni group from HCSA Dayspring – a residential home she stayed the longest at – urged her to apply for the Springboard Fellowship.
In this category, recipients will be given support to embark on new pathways, such as through education or entrepreneurship training.
The fellowship will enable Ms Ng to pursue a psychology degree and pair her with a mentor to guide her. Through her childhood ordeal, and having done an internship at the Singapore Girls’ Home, Ms Ng wants to help individuals with challenging pasts and trauma.
“I (want to) have the necessary qualifications to give back to the community that helped to raise me. It’s so important to have safe adults around you when you’re growing up,” said Ms Ng, who is currently applying for university courses.
