The power of transformation

Feb 18, 2022

My transition from a naïve/ inexperienced person to a confident and competent one took place in 2012. As a 17-year-old teenage girl who was preparing for her SPM, I did not have many experiences outside of school. I most certainly did not expect to have wonderful experiences and beautiful memories with the Women’s Ministry of the Archdiocesan Office of Human Development (AOHD), until I stepped into the real working world.

I used to be a person with very low selfconfidence and sometimes, I was clueless about my future, especially my career and, as an individual as well. However, journeying with the Women’s Ministry gave me a very positive impact in my life. I’ve had great support ranging from companionship and guardianship from various people, coming from different vocations.

While I was volunteering with the Women’s Ministry, I was exposed to many programmes and volunteer services such as the Soup Kitchen where I met people from diverse backgrounds. Listening to their stories made me feel like I was serving Jesus Christ as said in the Bible: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” Matthew 25: 35-40

Throughout the journey, I enjoyed beautiful companionship, counselling and guardianship from a wonderful and wise group of people. Listening to their experiences and participating in programmes with them made me feel fortunate and opened my mind to endless possibilities for the future.

I also had the opportunity to meet and have private conversations with the then Archbishop, Murphy Pakiam, and the current Archbishop, Julian Leow. I was thrilled to have met them in person – it was even better than meeting any celebrities for sure.

Besides that, I also received empowering educational and career guidance from a jovial and amazing person who inspired me to join the nursing services. Initially, I had my doubts, wondering whether I could ever be a competent nurse, but as I eventually joined one of the nursing intuitions, I managed to prove myself wrong, with God’s grace, and the guidance of my mentor. After all the exposure, it stirred in my heart that I wanted a serving profession as a career.

Participating in some of the programmes conducted by the Women’s Ministry also helped me improve my interpersonal skills, for example, giving health education about the disadvantages of using polystyrene in 2014.

On a personal note, as I was finishing school, I learned about etiquette, housekeeping, survival skills and financial planning via the Catholic Women’s League. This helped build my self-confidence and, with their assistance, I was also able to empower other young women who were stepping into the real world.

I thank God that I received sponsorship for my higher education while pursuing my STPM in 2014/2015 and continued to receive career guidance until I joined the nursing field.

I am currently working as a nurse in a hospital and I’m grateful for the experiences and unforgettable memories, and for the plans that God had for me all along. The power of transformation can be summed up in these words, “If nothing ever changed, there would be no such things as butterflies.” — Lepidoptera Girl