"After getting married, my passion for garment design and sewing died due to the changed in priorities. But now, it has rekindled along with the hope that I can be seamstress!"
Mdm Begam, a single parent with HCSA Dayspring SPIN, once said that she had "no hope, no dream". She was a masterful seamstress whose passion for garment design and sewing dwindled after building a family at 20 years old.
Raising five kids on her own is no easy feat. It was hard for Mdm Begam to find a suitable job as she had to stay home to look after her family, especially one of her sons who has autism.
Through the befriender support, Mdm Begam received mentorship in home-based sewing business. During the launched of the Celebrating Dreams Project before the pandemic, Mdm Begam sold kids' aprons that were sewn by her!
"I seized the opportunity to join the academy as I never had the chance to learn the proper techniques of cooking. My hope is to change in my life while pursuing my long-standing interest in the culinary arts."
Kenneth had been in and out of prison thrice and in his last year of incarceration he had learnt of HCSA Culinary Academy. For the first time, he gained insights into the inner workings of a professional kitchen and this prepared him for work in the industry upon his graduation.
He found the six-week course challenging, but the sense of accomplishment he felt made it all worthwhile. Today, he is working hard to achieve his goal of opening a food business in Vietnam. But his end goal is to open one in Europe!
"I'm grateful for my mentors from HCSA Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre (DRTC) who were always there to keep me grounded when I was dissociating. Now I have become more matured in dealing with my emotions. My hope is to one day work as an advanced practice nurse to care for others with the care I had received."
When Kat* was 16 years old, she was referred to HCSA DRTC by a child protection officer as her turbulent home situation was deemed unsafe for her. During her time at HCSA DRTC, Kat learnt how to articulate her feelings in a more positive manner instead of acting out and making impulsive decisions.
Throughout her entire journey at HCSA DRTC, Kat appreciated how encouraging her mentors were. Today, Kat is working as a healthcare professional, and aspires to advance her studies with in the goal of becoming an advanced practice nurse.
"My hope is to be able to treasure my family and to spend time to correct all the wrong, hurts and disappointments I had caused in the past. The last time when they visited me in prison, I told them to give me some time and witness my road to recovery."
Kim Sun was incarcerated multiple times over the last two decades. He joined unlawful societies at the age of 17 years old that resulted in him becoming a serial offender.
When he was in the prison, his mother’s health was deteriorating and he was scared that he won’t get to bid goodbye, which was what happened when his wife passed on.
With the support of HCSA Highpoint, Kim Sun managed to rebuild his relationship with them over a six years period. Seeing his change for the better, his mother was “happier than winning the lottery” and his son was impressed!
“The events and activities by HCSA Dayspring SPIN do allow me to de-stress because volunteers are around to take care of the boys. While they play, I can learn. My hope is take care of myself so I can be strong to for my children."
Suhaini is a single parent to two sons, and a guardian to her young nephew. Strained familial relations meant taking on both roles as a mother and father without family support.
Since joining SPIN, Suhaini has been an avid member and attendee of several events and workshops. She also credits the support and encouragement from the staff team for her to continue being positive and staying strong for her children.
“My hope is to gain more experience in order to have my own shop in the future. I signed up for the six-week culinary course to equip myself and have not regretted my decision. Graduation day is probably one of my best memories in my life!"
Indra, a single dad to a 16-year-old son, didn’t have the certifications required to advance his career in the F&B industry. When he heard about the Academy, he grabbed this opportunity to learn new cooking methods and techniques from our chefs.
Now placed in a job in the F&B sector by the academy, he is thankful for the encouragement from HCSA and for the new friends he made during the course!
"Drawing and doodling helps me to express myself. My hope is that I can use my creativity to spread love, peace, hope and harmony!"
Amy* is a 16-year old talented young artist behind our limited edition coaster set! Like the others girls at HCSA Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre, Amy is on a journey of recovery from trauma. But drawing and doodling has given her a healthy avenue to express herself, which has also helped in her progress.
The cute animal impressions on each coaster have been created and designed by Amy. The words written also express the wishes of all our beneficiaries - Love, Peace, Hope and Harmony.
“My hope is just to stay 'clean' from drugs, have a roof over my head and a steady job, come home and have quiet nights. These may not sound like big dreams, but doing these makes my mum happy. Because of Highpoint, I have stability in my life now. I’m grateful for that.”
Ramesh’s teenage years were a turbulent mix of smoking and rebellion, which eventually led him down the path of substance abuse and drug trafficking. After being in and out of prison for more than a decade, his turning point came after his last release. He decided to approach HCSA Highpoint in 2019 after unsuccessful attempts to secure his own housing, and was determined to turn his life around, once and for all.
Ramesh attributes to HCSA Highpoint’s community-style living and strong support which had been pivotal in his recovery journey. At present, he has been 'clean' for seven years (and counting) and emphatically declares that he will never go back to his previous ways!
“I used to reside in family shelters and was struggling to make ends meets. It was difficult to spend time with my children while working hard to earn an income. My only hope is to improve the lives of my children – one step at a time.”
Yeni is a single mother with four children. To her, her children are most important, and she wants the best for them. However, she was unable to send them for tuition or take them out as much as she would like to due to her financial difficulties.
With the help of HCSA Dayspring SPIN, she now is able to spend time with her children through multiple workshops, and had secured a rental flat for her family.
“I wanted to learn as much as I can as my hope and dream is to own a shop one day. Academy’s culinary course widened my knowledge about the food industry, and it was a great opportunity to learn more about the dishes from my own culture."
Sulastri is a single mum who comes from a long line of cooks and bakers from her family. Having already attained a WSQ Higher Certificate in pastry and baking, she was excited to receive a sponsorship to attend HCSA Culinary Academy to explore the difference between pastry and culinary arts!
She is grateful for the shared happiness and sadness with her classmates, the chefs, and mentors in her six weeks with the academy. It was a good experience that provided her a glimpse of how working in the real culinary world is like!
“My hope is to be a head chef one day so I signed up for the culinary academy course. The course allowed me to apply the practical skills and industrial knowledge. It has definitely helped me prepare better for my future!"
Melrose Aly was determined to walk away from her past life and embark in a new journey in life. With no experience in the F&B industry, she joined the HCSA Culinary Academy to attain more knowledge and experience.
During the 6-week course, Melrose learnt and cooked new dishes everyday. And she attributed her successful learning stint to the staff of the academy for their endless support!
“Families are meant to be together, and I’m thankful to be reunited with mine after being pulled apart for so long. Now my hope is that I can use my changed life to change the lives of others who are like my younger self”.
Feroz recalled when he and his wife got divorced, he could only see his children when they visited him in the prison. He was determined to show them that he was a changed person, so he took the chance to study and win back their trust.
With the help from the staff of HCSA Highpoint, not only did Feroz reunite with his family, but is now an an active volunteer. He now volunteers his time by using his past to helps others, especially youths to move forward and upward in society, and away from a life of addiction and criminality.