An eye-opening experience
“I’m a husband and a father of two young children. My dream has always been to set up my own catering company – one that offers the best service to my customers. Now that I have Higher Certificate in Culinary…
ex-offender
Drug-free till the day I die
“Two years ago, I was released from my last sentence. The months following my release was the true test for me as I had to resist the temptation of drugs. Whenever I saw friends from my past, I would quickly…
A better person – in and out of the kitchen
Being in and out of prison several times since 23, I was determined to make a better life for myself – away from my previous life as a musician. The task seemed like an uphill battle, but I made up…
A second chance to achieve my dreams
“Cooking was always a passion of mine. Unfortunately, my incarceration got in the way and I was unable to pursue it for some time. So, when my halfway house officer told me about HCSA Academy, I knew I had to…
I am keen to learn whatever they teach me
“Despite working in hawker centres for a long time, I still lacked certifications that many employers were looking for. So would I be working in the restaurant I’m in now without HCSA Academy? Probably not. It really helps when employers…
I didn’t want my family to worry anymore
“I spent half my age in and out of prison for drug-related offences. It was after NS that I had my first taste of drugs out of curiosity, but things started to collapse when I got introduced to heroin. I…
I caused a lot of hurt to those I love
“It all started when I had my first taste of drugs at the age of 16 – just out of curiosity. This was the start of many years going in and out of DRC and prison. Twice, I even landed…
If only I did not do drugs…
“After being kicked out, I was homeless – no money, no place to sleep, and I even had to ask others to help me get food. You can’t imagine how lousy and down I felt. Soon after, I went back…
Rediscovering the beauty in life
“I spent 20 years going in and out of prison. During my term, I did a lot of in-depth reflection and realised that I was enslaved by anger, deceitfulness, fear and greed. I started using all these bad feelings as…