For the love of music, one youth gave up the chance to study at a top university abroad. Another turned her budding interest in environmentalism into a research career focusing on the conservation of giant clams. A third did the unimaginable: Leaving school to devote himself to helping others find a brighter future.
What makes these individuals — and four other winners of this year’s Singapore Youth Award — truly remarkable is their desire to multiply their experiences and share their causes so that they can inspire future generations of Singaporeans. This year, seven extraordinary Singaporeans are conferred the awards — the highest number of awardees since the SYA was introduced more than four decades ago.
Mr Cho also took an unusual route to follow his heart. He left university to work full-time for two years at a social service agency that helps young probationers reintegrate into society. His experience helping a junior college schoolmate through a major depressive disorder and volunteering at the Institute of Mental Health led him to discover his calling. He started a mental health organisation for youth in 2016.
The platform strives to build the next generation of youth advocates through partnerships with local marine community stakeholders.