Some journeys to success begin with opportunities, encouragement, and stability. Others begin in circumstances where simply finding a sense of safety and belonging can be a challenge. For young people who grow up facing profound difficulties, achievement may not always take the conventional form of awards, prestigious careers, or public recognition. Sometimes, it is reflected in the courage to rebuild one’s life and then use that experience to help others. Shirlene Ng Shan Yu is one such young person. A 2025 President’s Challenge Springboard Fellow, Ng’s story is shaped by childhood loss and instability, but also by education, resilience, and her decision to support other young people who have experienced trauma.
Ng’s childhood was marked by a series of deeply difficult experiences. She lost her mother to suicide when she was only 13 years old, an event that profoundly changed her life at an early age. Following this loss, she spent time living with foster families and in children’s homes. Moving through different care environments during her formative years meant that stability and a sense of permanence were not easily guaranteed. Yet, despite these circumstances, Ng continued to pursue her education and work towards building a future for herself.
Her educational journey eventually led her to Temasek Polytechnic, where she completed a diploma in psychology. Choosing psychology is particularly significant in the context of her own experiences. The subject provides an understanding of human behaviour, emotions, relationships, and mental well-being, areas that can be especially meaningful to someone who has witnessed the effects of trauma and loss. Rather than allowing difficult experiences to close off her educational aspirations, Ng continued moving forward and is now pursuing a degree in psychology.
Her progress also led to her involvement with Owena, an alumni group that supports young female survivors of trauma. Through the organisation, Ng has become involved in mentoring and activities designed to support young women as they navigate their own challenges. The group also organises career workshops and community activities, providing opportunities for members to develop practical skills, build confidence, and connect with others who may have faced similar experiences.
Ng’s involvement with other survivors gives her story another important dimension. She is not simply rebuilding her own life; she is also using her experiences to create support for others. Having personally experienced instability during childhood, she can approach mentoring from a perspective that is different from that of someone who has only studied trauma academically. Her participation demonstrates how lived experience can become a source of empathy and connection when combined with appropriate support and a willingness to help others.
Her selection as one of the 2025 President’s Challenge Springboard Fellows is also significant in this context. The Springboard programme is intended for individuals who have experienced significant setbacks and are rebuilding their lives. Ng’s inclusion reflects the importance of recognising forms of achievement that may not fit traditional definitions of success. Her journey is not simply about overcoming difficult circumstances; it is also about continuing her education, developing a professional direction, and contributing to the lives of others.
What makes Ng’s story particularly compelling is the contrast between the instability of her early life and the purpose she has developed as a young adult. Losing her mother at 13 and subsequently experiencing life in foster families and children’s homes could have shaped her future in many different ways. Instead, she continued her education, pursued psychology, and became involved in supporting other young women with similar experiences. Her journey demonstrates that rebuilding one’s life can itself be a significant form of achievement.
Shirlene Ng Shan Yu’s story therefore offers a different understanding of what success can look like. It is a story of a young person who experienced profound instability but continued to pursue education and eventually began helping others facing trauma. From a childhood marked by loss and uncertainty to becoming a psychology student and peer mentor, her journey illustrates the value of resilience, community, and the willingness to turn personal experiences into support for others. Most importantly, her story shows why achievements should not always be measured by conventional milestones alone: sometimes, creating a more stable future for oneself and extending a helping hand to someone facing similar struggles can be just as meaningful.