From Homeless Teenager, to Creative Director and Befriender

Andrea and another Befriender at a social outing.

Going through struggles that were beyond her control

At 18, Andrea was kicked out of her home due to relationship complications with her stepfather.

In the middle of a full-time degree programme, the only income she had was from a part-time job at Sentosa. From the difficulties of her circumstances, her mental health deteriorated quickly, and Andrea eventually dropped out of university.

Feeling abandoned and isolated, Andrea was close to giving up, but her determination to turn an unfortunate situation around trumped all the difficulties that she faced. Within 5 years, she managed to find a full-time job, and went back to university part-time and graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

Today, she has founded her own creative agency ‘17.35mm’, serving as its creative director, and managing a team of 20.

Realising that there must be plenty of women that are going through similar situations, Andrea decided to become the pillar of support that she didn’t have.

Being a Befriender felt like a calling 

After chancing upon the Daughters Of Tomorrow Instagram page, Andrea scrolled onto a post about the Befriender Support programme. After realising that women from all walks of life are struggling to rejoin the workforce, she realised that this might be her calling.

“I felt alone for many years - the only person I had was myself. Even though I’m proud of how far I’ve come, I wish I had a good support system. Being a Befriender allows me to offer the support that I lacked to other women.”

Within minutes, Andrea landed on the sign-up page on the Befriender Support website, and within a couple of months, she officially became a Befriender.

The importance of uplifting other women

Now, Andrea has been a Befriender for over 2 years, attending social events with other Befrienders, and forging lasting friendships with her beneficiaries. She’s become a key member of the Daughters Of Tomorrow community and has even had the team from her creative agency participate in volunteering events, with some even signing up as Befrienders themselves.

Andrea (far right) and her members of her team.

“We all have a personal responsibility to ourselves, but more importantly, we need to understand the responsibility we all have towards our community.”

With many women struggling to rejoin the workforce in Singapore, the importance of supporting and uplifting other women is an important mission that all women should not only be aware of, but participate in. Making the difficult yet noble choice of being a mother should not stop us from achieving our dreams.

Why you should be a Befriender

Every woman should have a right to a sense of independence. Sometimes, all we need is a little push, a listening ear, or advice.

Just like Andrea, you can harness the power of uplifting Singaporean women.

Sign up to be a Befriender here.