Your S’pore Story: ‘As I helped others, something in me also healed’

By the time he was a teenager, Mr Daren Kwang had already endured a lot of challenges. A victim of childhood abuse and a troubled family life, he bounced around multiple juvenile institutions, dropped out of formal education and turned to petty crime during his formative years. 

Watch his video here.

Rather than let his early years define the rest of his life, Mr Kwang, who is now 30, found his calling in social work. Turning his life around was not easy, but it began with someone who believed in him. 

Inspired by his social worker, Mr Ong Teck Chye – a steady presence in his life since he was 10 – he pursued a Nitec in community care and social services at the Institute of Technical Education. 

Today, Mr Kwang is a medical social worker at Changi General Hospital, where he helps patients navigate the emotional and psychological challenges that come with illness and recovery. Here, he shares how his life experiences have shaped the way he approaches social work and his hopes for other troubled youths.

“I often describe my life as having three phases. The first 10 years were a difficult period, as I was a victim of abuse. My next 10 years were spent in and out of juvenile institutions. Finally, over the past 10 years, I have pursued social work. 

The turning point at the start of the last decade came when Mr Ong bailed me out. I was waiting to be transferred to Changi Prison, and I had 48 hours to find someone to post bail for me. In the end, it was Mr Ong who came. That was when I told myself I needed to turn over a new leaf. 

This change wasn’t always easy. Because I spent almost 10 years in juvenile institutions, I didn’t know how to socialise with people. But the most difficult part was probably seeing how others didn’t have to work as hard as I did to get through life.  

I often doubted whether I was really cut out for this path, but I knew I wanted to find meaning in making ends meet. What kept me going was the guidance I received from mentors and the sense of purpose I felt when taking care of my clients. I realised that as I help others, something in me also healed.

In many ways, Mr Ong’s support helped shape how I approach social work – when a person is in a dire situation, sometimes we have to extend a helping hand in our personal capacity. I believe in leaving my door open to my clients so that I am always available to support them.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of having a community to support you. Home, to me, is not a physical space – rather, it’s a feeling of warmth surrounded by loved ones, and knowing that you will be comforted. Home can be anywhere.

I’ve already planned out what I want to do over the next 10 years. I intend to pursue my Master’s in therapy work, and once my finances are more stable, to be more involved in community work. People who require support often don’t know where to go, so I hope to be the catalyst for them.

To youths who may be facing the same troubles as I once did, I say: Please reach out for help. Many people do not because of pride or bad experiences, but even if you don’t get the support the first time, someday, someone will go all out for you, as they have done so for me.”

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