STAR-ring Northlight School

On Saturday, I went on a charity event with SGMerc to Northlight School. The students are made up of children in their teens who have difficulties in one way or another, passing their PSLE. Some of them have learning difficulties and in fact, I spoke to one of the boys who is autistic. Others may just have terrible family background that deters them from spending more time in their studies. More often than not, they belong to the category of students we classify as the needy students in terms of their learning or financial ability.

These students are at the age of their lives that if not given proper guidance and hope, they will easily be led astray. If we're able to help them get on with life the right way, bearing the proper values, they will one day be a good contributor to the society. The Principal explained during one of their powerpoint presentations that these children are taught to remember that they are a star. Quoted from her, "The darker the environment, the brighter you shine." And instead of giving them dreams and hopes, she makes them work hard and beating the fact in reality back to them. If they think life is unfair, that's because life really is unfair so they'd have to accept it and move on, making the better out of things. Even for the rest of us being more fortunate to be able to receive the kind of education we did, we should also not blame anyone but to work towards our goal.

This charity event is particularly meaningful because it reminds me of how fortunate I am in my given environment. And on hearing those aspirational stories by the SGMerc members who shared, I know the last I know be doing is to rest on my laurels. The only way for thigns to get better is to make it happen.