A Childhood of Uncertainty

I’m the eldest of five siblings. We were all undocumented, which meant no access to school. For as long as I can remember, I believed education was not something meant for people like us.

“I used to watch kids my age walking to school and I’d wonder… will I ever get to be like them?”

When I was 10, my mother left our family. My father worked long hours to support us. I wanted to help, but there were limited options for a child my age. So I began working at a mamak. That became my daily life for the next four years.

I thought it would never change—until one day, a neighbour told my father about a school called Dignity for Children Foundation. A school that might accept children like us.
We had no documents and no money. But not only did Dignity accept me, they enrolled all five of my siblings.

Ting San and his siblings

I was 15 years old when I entered school for the first time. I could not speak English. I could not read or write. I worried I was too far behind and that my teachers might give up on me.
But they never did.

All my teachers and classmates supported me. No one laughed. No one told me I was too slow. Slowly, I began to catch up. And for the first time, I began to believe in myself.
Even when I had to repeat a year, I kept going. I worked part-time to help my family and pushed myself to do better. Over time, I became a role model, not only to my siblings, but to my peers as well.

"Honestly, I could not be more proud to see how much he has grown," said one of my teachers.

Why Education Matters

At Dignity, I learned more than Math, Science, or English. I discovered myself.
Before this, I never imagined I’d enjoy things like cooking or budgeting. But through skills training, I found out I could do so much more.

I realised that I didn’t just enjoy cooking — I loved it. I loved the energy of preparing food, serving people, and seeing their faces light up. I loved creating something that made others happy. And for the first time in my life, I dared to dream.

Education gave me more than knowledge. It taught me that no dream is too small.

Finding His Passion

At Dignity, I received more than an academic education. Through the Skills Training and Employability Program (STEP), I was introduced to practical experiences such as cooking, budgeting, and teamwork.
During the annual Dignity College Bazaar, my team and I managed a small food stall. We were the first to sell out. That day sparked something in me. I realised I truly enjoyed preparing food and serving people.

I was 15 years old when I entered school for the first time. I could not speak English. I could not read or write. I worried I was too far behind and that my teachers might give up on me.
But they never did.

All my teachers and classmates supported me. No one laughed. No one told me I was too slow. Slowly, I began to catch up. And for the first time, I began to believe in myself.
Even when I had to repeat a year, I kept going. I worked part-time to help my family and pushed myself to do better. Over time, I became a role model, not only to my siblings, but to my peers as well.

"Honestly, I could not be more proud to see how much he has grown," said one of my teachers.

Why Education Matters

At Dignity, I learned more than Math, Science, or English. I discovered myself.
Before this, I never imagined I’d enjoy things like cooking or budgeting. But through skills training, I found out I could do so much more.

I realised that I didn’t just enjoy cooking — I loved it. I loved the energy of preparing food, serving people, and seeing their faces light up. I loved creating something that made others happy. And for the first time in my life, I dared to dream.

Education gave me more than knowledge. It taught me that no dream is too small.

Finding His Passion

At Dignity, I received more than an academic education. Through the Skills Training and Employability Program (STEP), I was introduced to practical experiences such as cooking, budgeting, and teamwork.
During the annual Dignity College Bazaar, my team and I managed a small food stall. We were the first to sell out. That day sparked something in me. I realised I truly enjoyed preparing food and serving people.

I interned with PichaEats, a social enterprise that empowers refugee communities through food. There, I learned about running a food business and working in a professional kitchen.

Now, I operate my own Western food stall. And I have a dream—to open my own restaurant one day.

At Dignity for Children Foundation, we believe every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream regardless of their background or documentation status. Join us in nurturing future world changers.

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Ting San and his siblings

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