by Nicholas Lee
Fighting On With Responsibility
She is definitely not one who is spoilt or pampered despite being the only child. In fact, 24-year-old Quek Lee Hui behaves much like a matured and responsible child. As her parents are currently not working, she helps to support her family by working in a fashion boutique.
“I think for my age, I should be achieving something. So that is why I’m looking forward to starting my diploma to upgrade myself and have better job prospects next time,” said Lee Hui. The independent and filial child shares that her father is unable to work because of health reasons and is unable to take up a full-time job.
Growing up, Lee Hui came from a low-income family. Fortunately, her primary and secondary school provided some form of financial support and aid to help with her cost of education. At the age of 14, she started to work in a fast food restaurant. “I am the only child in the family, so I feel that I have to bear some responsibility to provide for the family,” she added.
The NTUC member joined the Labour Movement three years ago by signing up at a nearby FairPrice outlet in her neighbourhood. She chanced upon the joint-scholarship as she was looking to further her studies and decided to jump on it. “I searched online to look for any funding for any Diploma programmes and I found that MDIS had a tie-up with NTUC and I decided to apply for it,” shared Lee Hui.
Although she had wanted to do a Diploma in Mass Communications, she was offered a place in the Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. “I am very thankful that I received the scholarship and a place to study in the school, despite not getting the course I really wanted,” said an elated Lee Hui.
Positive Mindset Makes A Difference
37-year-old Rachel Chung is a fighter. A single mother of two, Rachel only has her `O’ Levels as her highest qualification. But she does not let that be a stumbling block to her dream of getting a job in the communications industry. She shared that she doesn’t easily take ‘no’ for an answer and will always request to know the reason for a rejection. But even then, the ‘fighter’ in her will always go all out to try her best.
In fact, she has been doing training for school students and writing for magazines. “I’m teaching creative writing and media literacy programmes in primary and secondary school and I help out in marketing communications for agencies too,” said Rachel. “I just want to be an example to my children, that whatever you want you should try to achieve it on your own.”
Being a single mother, Rachel picked herself up after her failed marriage and moved on stronger. “It has definitely helped me learn a lot of things and it has toughened me up,” shared Rachel. Her positive mindset has allowed her to volunteer in a women’s advocacy group where she helps to encourage women from abusive marriages.
With this scholarship, Rachel is able to fulfil her goal of pursuing a Diploma in Mass Communications in MDIS which will be more in line with what she is currently doing.
