It was a 'never-say-die' attitude that paid off for 75 underprivileged children.
The children, who included those from broken families and refugees, managed to complete their basic educational classes conducted online the past two years. Among them was a Myanmar refugee named Rokiya, 18.
They celebrated their achievements at the 'Class of 2021' graduation ceremony at the Dignity for Children Foundation's premises in Sentul Boulevard.
Rokiya is a product of Dignity's 'Empower-A-Child' programme that has benefitted many of them.
Recounting her predicament, Rokiya said the students struggled to obtain an internship at Dignity since 2020, as it was disrupted for months by several Covid-19 lockdowns (since March 18, 2020, and economic downturn).
"Our journey began on a difficult note, as 2020 hit all of us real hard. Despite the odds, we did not give up to start our online classes (during the Covid-19 lockdown).
"Many of us struggled to attend classes and follow the online lessons, while having to deal with a myriad problems.
"These included our family's financial issues, the loss of jobs and income, loss of family members, fear of apprehension of contracting the virus, fear of the uncertainty and so on.
"Many of us lost our motivation to study online.
"Nevertheless, our teachers have been really patient in encouraging us, and checking on us and our families from time to time."
The youngest among them, she said, was a pair of twins from Dignity's pre-school programme.
She added that she was honoured to be at the ceremony because it marked the most significant day in their lives as students.
"Just like all of you, I am proud to be among the 75 who have gone this far to graduate from Dignity.
She thanked her teachers for their dedication and hard work in getting them to where they are today.
"Their unassuming ways of caring for us was their way of empowering us, so that we could in the future, be elevated from the current dismal state," said Rokiya.
Rokiya also paid tribute to all the students' parents, who although were not able to join them at the graduation, but were equally proud of their children's achievement.
"It has been an incredible journey which as taught us to be equally kind to other less fortunate ones.
"We pledge to strive to do our best in our undertakings and endeavours," she said.