OUR STORY
Starfish Batch of 2016
HOW WE STARTED
The idea of Project Starfish came about when three ex-colleagues, Andy, Siti and Ritu reconnected. Through their experience in the private education sector, they recognised that there was a lack of support for out-of-school youths who wanted to gain entry into the ITE.
Siti in particular, was working in a private school that was catered for local private candidates re-taking their O levels. Most of her students were youths who struggled with school because they had to support their families financially. Some of them were former convicts. Siti noticed that despite the various labels pinned on them by society, they had goals and aspirations like every other youth.
Project Starfish began in 2015 with the aim of empowering these youths and ensuring that they realise their full potential. With Ritu’s earnest networking efforts, Project Starfish was set up with the support of various private schools that were willing to sponsor different aspects of the programme (eg. venue). Andy took an active initiative to ensure that the 2016 batch stayed throughout the programme and sat for their N-levels.
Despite the various labels pinned on them by society, they had goals and aspirations like every other youth.
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OUR NAME
“THE STAR THROWER”
Inspired by Loren Eiseley’s “The Star Thrower”, Society of Starfish Singapore was built on the virtue of patience and hope.
Just as the boy in “The Star Thrower” patiently throws each starfish back into the water, SSS hopes to help every youth who joins Project Starfish get back to achieving their dreams.
HOW WE HAVE GROWN
Project Starfish began in 2015 with three students who had to meet the volunteer tutors at fast-food outlets to learn. Due to the resourceful nature of the founders, Project Starfish secured AEC College as a venue sponsor within the next year. Following this, the programme has conducted classes in Malvern International Academy, FRCS Chinatown Point and FRCS Peninsula Plaza from 2017 to 2023, with an intake that has risen from three to sixty-one in 2023. Till today, Project Starfish has been entirely volunteer-run and empowering the youths we serve always stands at the center of our work.