Generation Grit

Generation Grit: She braves a family crisis to emerge stronger

After Miss Angel Ng’s father walked out on her family, she worked part-time as a waitress to put herself through polytechnic. Denying herself leisure time or a treat became routine. In this new series, The Straits Times talks to millennials like Angel, 21, who have had more than their fair share of adversity, but every day, disprove the stereotype of the soft and selfish strawberry generation. This is her story.

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Angel Ng, 21, put herself through school after her dad walked out on the family. The polytechnic student graduated with flying colours despite juggling her studies and part-time work.

SINGAPORE - My parents became bankrupt when I was very young.

My dad is rather entrepreneurial but his businesses failed often. From a young age, I was always told by my parents that they had no money, so I learnt not to ask for things.

I was in Secondary 2 when I got my first job during the school holidays, selling shoes to earn $7 an hour. I made $200 to $300 during that short stint and I treated my family to a zi-char meal that cost $50.

That was a big sum to me, but my dad said I had to give my family a treat with my earnings. I saved the rest. I'm the second of four children.

After that, I would work during the school holidays to earn some cash.

In my first year at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), my dad left us. I thought he wouldn't do this to us, but he cut off all connections with us.

I felt anxious and lost and we didn't know what to do. My mum wasn't working then and she became depressed. Later, she found a job as a promoter at supermarkets, to pay the household bills.

After Miss Angel Ng's father walked out on her family, the 21-year-old worked part-time as a waitress to put herself through polytechnic. To keep herself going, she finds motivational quotes to encourage herself. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

It was the most difficult time of my life. I thought my dad would always be there for us but I learnt we cannot depend on others.

I worried about how to pay my school fees, which cost about $1,300 a year. I was studying Hospitality and Tourism Management.

I told myself there was no use crying, so I started working as a waitress. In my first year at NYP, I worked 20 hours a week and I used my salary to pay my school fees.

I had no time to go out with friends. No time for TV or computer games. My only leisure activity was sleep.

I didn't feel I was missing out on a lot but I felt envious when I saw my friends go on holidays every year. To them $2 was nothing, but it was a lot to me. Some people think I'm money-minded but they don't understand what I have been through.

But at least I still had a roof over my head. And I was building my own foundation to get ahead in life.

My only indulgence was a cup of bubble tea that cost $1.80 once a week. Having something good to eat makes me happy.

To keep myself going, I would google motivational quotes like "determination wouldn't fail you" and "don't let your problems limit you".

Shortly after my dad left, I thought of quitting school to work and help my mum with household expenses. But I knew that if I didn't have a diploma, I couldn't get a better job.

So I finally asked my course manager at NYP for help. I was afraid that I would burn out and not be able to keep up with my studies if I had to work as much as I did.

Just asking opened so many doors.

I received bursaries from the Government and NTUC Income Orange Aid. I was also awarded a scholarship from Mainly I Love Kids (Milk), a charity. The bursaries and scholarship took a huge weight off my shoulders and covered my school fees and expenses.

In fact, I haven't asked my mum for an allowance since I was 17 years old. Now I can give her some money to help cover the household expenses too.

Once I didn't have to work and worry about money so much, I started to volunteer as a tutor to children from poor families under the Chinese Development Assistance Council. I wanted to give back. After all, all the bursaries had helped me.

Last year, I graduated second in my cohort of 167 students.

I also won a bond-free scholarship from ARA Asset Management to study Business Management at the Singapore Management University (SMU). I started my degree at SMU in August last year and it has been stressful but enriching at the same time.

I'm also working as a part-time private tutor to earn some money to cover my expenses and to contribute to my family.

I don't want to have any excuses not to do my best. When I look back, I'm very proud that I braved the storm.

Generation Grit: Know of a Singaporean age 35 or below who has shown grit amid life adversities? E-mail us at stnewsdesk@sph.com.sg

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