Our very own Young Brave Warriors!

Dearest Ashley,

When I first read this article, Mummy could feel my goose bumps. I was very touched by the boys' inspiring stories.

Overcoming Handicap

Samuel Chong has only one arm, but he scored 5 As to be the school's top student. His left arm was amputated when he was diagnosed with bone cancer at age seven. He also plays the trumpet in his award-winning school band!

Overcoming Grief

Alvin was aware that the A levels were his last chance to achieve something for his ailing mother, so he gave it everything he had, while making time to be with her. His mother passed away in January from cancer. He was so inspired by his Mum's chief Oncologist that he is considering Medicine degree.

Overcoming Pain

After a bicycle accident, Chuan Kai took his papers with both arms bandaged and his body dosed on painkillers, he scored all As except the one he sat through with elbows unbroken. He could barely write a word and the pain was killing him but he pressed on.

We can learn so much for these three determined and courageous young men. The stress and pain they had gone through is beyond our imagination.

I wish to quote RI Principal Lim Lai Cheng,"It is not the parents' academic qualifications that matter but the values they pass on and whether the student wants to make full use of the opportunities in school."

My Mum is illiterate and my Dad stopped school at Sec 2. Dad's Mum stopped school at Sec 4 and Ah Gong stopped school at Pri 3. In those days, they were so poor that they had no choice but to start working at a young age to bring home the beacon. Yeye and Neinei started as construction workers before Yeye started his own construction firm. Ah Gong started his door-to-door bread selling when he was 9 years old before he opened a wholeseller shop. They were busy working to feed the family. The moment they stopped working, the family went hungry.

So, do you think we get help from our parents and tutors in our study? No. We have no money to engage any tutors and our parents have no time and knowledge to help us in our study. We self studied all the way to University. All our siblings including ourselves got into University.

How did it happen? Our parents instilled the values of good education to us since young. Their famous words,"If you don't study hard, you will become gabbage collector." So, all of us studied very hard since young.

Hardwork is our Middle name. There is no shortcut in life. Hardwork keeps our feet on the ground and fills our heart with love and gratitude.

Aren't you very lucky to have your parents and tutors to help you in your studies? It is now your turn to decide your own future. Cheers!

Love you all,

Mummy and Daddy Dearest