During the Oil & Gas industry crisis, both of their businesses in Singapore and Batam were hit hard and are heavily in debt with no new projects until now.  Her parents have exhausted all the family's savings and resources to pay the the workers' salaries then and the on-going business bank loan. The Covid-19 pandemic made it worse as her mother's small online business selling Islamic prayer clothes which she ordered from Indonesia came to a halt.

When they first started facing financial difficulties, her biological father helped with a small allowance each month. However, since he lost his job a year ago and had difficulty finding a job, he is no longer able to give any allowance.

Nur Suhaila takes up a part-time administrative job every semester break and has some savings for her daily school expenses. She worries about having enough money for daily needs including food, transport and phone bills.

She is relieved to be awarded the ISCA Cares Bursary Award, as it can be used to pay for daily expenses, especially when school reopens. She can worry less, and can better focus on her studies during her critical last semester at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Overcoming challenges, goals & aspirations 

Her goal is to obtain a degree. Secondly, of course, she wants to make her parents proud of her, thus able to contribute to the family in the future. In the longer term, her future goal is to be financially stable. To do so, she wants to become a chartered accountant, starting off by pursuing a degree in accounting in a local university. With this, she looks forward to support her family in the future.

To cope with the challenges, she reassures herself that the storm will definitely pass and to stay optimistic as well as to work harder to achieve her goals. To other youths facing similar challenges, she would encourage them to hang on a little more and never give up on their ambitions. It is hard, but things will get easier. She also wants to advise them that they are not alone and hope that they can be motivated to turn their circumstances around by working hard in pursuing their dreams. 

The Covid-19 situation especially the lockdown period hit her family hard. Her mother lost her job as the Japanese restaurant she was working at was shut down permanently. During those few months, the family had no income. The family was stressed and concern on how they are going to tide over the tough period. Together with some financial reliefs offered by the government, Yu Ying took on a temporary full-time job to assist the financial difficulties that my family faced.

Although her mother has since managed to find a job upon her friend’s recommendation, she is unable to work the full shift as the Covid-19 situation persists and her pay is still reduced.

Amid the difficulties, it was also challenging for her family to cope with her father’s passing. It changed their lifestyles and their mental health was affected. Despite this, my mother still takes the time to care for her and my sister’s mental well-being. 

Overcoming challenges, goals & aspirations 

Yu Ying came across a quote, which had inspired her and remains fresh in her mind to this day, “A lot of times you don’t choose to hold on because there is hope, you held on, and so there is hope”. There were times when she was her my lowest point, but this phrase serves as a strong reminder to spur her on to persevere. “Do not give up whenever you face any difficulties because not giving up is a battle half won.” She hopes that this phrase will inspire others to overcome the challenges that they face in your daily lives head on. “Simply escaping from the problems you face will only make the matters worse. It is only when you embrace the challenges you face with grace, then can you emerge stronger and grow as an individual.”

She is currently working part- time to cover her own expenses and pay for her university tuition fees. Taking on various types of part-time jobs allows her to gain exposure, experience and perspective in different fields such as F&B, hospitality, trading and reselling industry and corporate working world.

Upon deciding in pursuing accountancy, she hopes to land a job in one of the big four accounting firms. She believes working in one of the Big 4 firms enables her to gain the exposure, experience, and knowledge that is required. She thinks that would be a great place for her to develop and hone the skills required in workforce. However, for now she is still unsure of which sector she should dive into. Thus, her plan for now is to learn as much as she can on the different sectors in accounting industry and make the decision in a later stage.

Yu Ying is beyond grateful to have been awarded the ISCA Cares Bursary Award as it will support her family to tide over this tough financial period. Since her mother has been the sole breadwinner of the family, she hopes this award can be used for family expenses such as paying for groceries and monthly electricity bills and help lighten her mother’s burden. “It is an honour to be an ISCA Cares Ambassador. I do look forward in participating the mentorship programme which I believe it can enable me to improve myself further to achieve greater heights in the future.”

Although her mother has since managed to find a job upon her friend’s recommendation, she is unable to work the full shift as the Covid-19 situation persists and her pay is still reduced.

Amid the difficulties, it was also challenging for her family to cope with her father’s passing. It changed their lifestyles and their mental health was affected. Despite this, my mother still takes the time to care for her and my sister’s mental well-being.