Serving Humanity Bursary Fund- Who we are...

I come from a family of 5, where both my parents were street hawkers who worked tirelessly each day just to provide the basics. We lived with constant financial uncertainty, and poverty was not an abstract concept, it was our daily reality. There were sacrifices made quietly and often, and many dreams that felt too expensive to hold onto.

After matriculating, I had the desire and ability to further my studies, but the cost made it seem impossible. Watching my parents struggle made it difficult to even consider adding that burden to their shoulders. The challenges surrounding our circumstances deepened an already fragile situation, leaving us emotionally and financially strained.

Receiving support from the Serving Humanity Bursary Fund was life-changing. It lifted a weight from my family and gave me hope when I needed it most. I am deeply grateful to Suraya for her generosity, her contribution did not just fund my education; it restored my belief that despite poverty and hardship, a different future was possible.

 I come from extremely humble beginnings, from a place where dreams often felt like luxuries and survival was the priority. I lost my father at an early age, and this profoundly altered the course of my life. As the sole breadwinner of our household, his passing not only brought emotional devastation, but also significant financial hardship. The stability we once knew was replaced with uncertainty. My mother demonstrated extraordinary resilience and determination. She took on various odd jobs, including working as a Street vendor, to provide for our family. We lived with only the bare necessities, most of what we owned were hand-me-downs, and we adopted a simple principle: if we could survive without something, then it was not essential. As long as we had a roof over our heads and food on our plates, we remained thankful. 

I was always passionate about furthering my studies, however the idea of attending a Tertiary institution was not even a possibility. University was something I only heard about, but financially, it was not possible. A family member handed me a newspaper clipping for the Serving Humanity Bursary Fund. I took a leap of faith and applied.  Beyond my belief, I was a successful recipient. This bursary allowed me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Human Resource Management.

Receiving a Bursary was not just financial support, it was the foundation upon which I built my future. It gave me the confidence to believe that my background did not define my destiny. It gave me the strength to persevere through challenges, knowing that someone had invested in me. That opportunity did not just change my circumstances, it changed the entire direction of my life.

Today, I am an HR Specialist at Brambles, working with divisions around the world. Every meeting I attend, every decision I contribute to, every milestone I reach, they all trace back to the moment the Serving Humanity Bursary Fund chose to invest in a young individual from a difficult background who simply needed a chance.

My life has changed in ways I once thought were unimaginable. I have been able to provide a better life for my family, to create stability where there was uncertainty, and to offer opportunities that once felt out of reach. The impact of the fund did not stop with me, it transformed my family’s future as well.

The Serving Humanity Bursary Fund deserves so much recognition for the Incredible work it does. It does not merely fund Education, it turns dreams into reality. It takes young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and gives them the opportunity to Rise, to Lead, and to make a Difference in the world.

I am living proof of what happens when someone believes in You.