It Changed My Life: Once a homeless teen, now a youth leader

Feisty fighter emerged from the worst of times to help others in need

After her parents separated, Ms Siti Noor Mastura had to cope with her family's financial difficulties and her mother suffering from depression, while living in interim housing. Today, she is the founder of two non-profit organisations.

Miss Mastura also started the Interfaith Youth Circle to build bridges between people from different faiths. With her earlier hardships behind her, Miss Siti Noor Mastura became a flight attendant and started seeing the world. But she never forgot th — With her earlier hardships behind her, Miss Siti Noor Mastura became a flight attendant and started seeing the world. But she never forgot the poverty which once shackled her, so she started two initiatives - a food distribution programme called Back2Basics and an interfaith programme. Over time, Back2Basics grew organically and now helps more than 50 families. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Wong Kim Hoh

Deputy Life Editor

Updated

Published

Dec 16, 2018, 05:00 AM

Siti Noor Mastura's voice starts quavering as tears well up in her eyes. She stops talking, blinking furiously as she swallows the lump in her throat.

The tears drop; her right hand reaches out for a piece of tissue paper on the table.

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