Kevin: A Portrait of Statelessness, Part 4

A side profile of a Kevin. He is standing against a cerulean blue wall, in a blue and white striped shirt. He is smiling.

“I would say that my strength is endurance, because I endure in any kind of situation, this is what I’m doing. This is my strength, going to work tired and after that just going on, but I managed to do, even coming back to do cleaning and all. Sometimes I really envy my strength. I thank God for giving me the strength, every single day. Without strength, you really can’t do anything, especially the mentality, wah. 

It can be mentally challenging what I have to go through, but I always put good words on myself, I know that out there, there are a lot of people who are much worse off than me. Must always think that when you’re good there’s always someone better also. When you’re bad there’s someone who’s in a worse situation. That’s when you will appreciate every moment. Like even food, even if it’s just fried egg and white rice, there’s someone who doesn’t have food at all or some have to skip meals. 

Cherish every moment.

You need to remember where you come from, and how you managed to be here, you know what I mean. Without Beyond helping me, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t know I would be come what lah, to be honest. You need to appreciate all who have helped you around.

I hope that my wife will get better one day, and that my children will grow up well and not follow my bad example, and always healthy. And my friends and those who have helped me, may god bless them lah.

For me, my dream is actually to be a bodyguard, that’s my dream job. And more importantly, I hope to be a Singaporean some day soon”.

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[Part 4 of 4.]

Contribute to our work in giving the gift of hope: bit.ly/hopeactually2022

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Photo: Juliana Tan


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