Finding a Place to Belong

My name is Sarah*, and I am 15 years old.

For as long as I can remember, life has felt confusing and lonely. My parents divorced when I was very young. As the years went by, both of them remarried and started new families. While they moved on with their lives, I often felt like I did not belong anywhere.

When I visited my mother's home, I felt like a guest. When I stayed with my father's family, I felt the exact same way. Everyone seemed to have their place in the family except me. I watched them enjoy family dinners, celebrations, and simple moments together, but I always felt invisible and forgotten.

The feeling of being unwanted followed me everywhere. Even as a young child, I struggled with deep sadness. At just seven years old, I started having thoughts that life was unfair and that maybe it would be easier if I were no longer around. I did not know how to express these feelings, so I kept them all inside.

As I grew older, the pain became harder to manage. I started harming myself because it felt like the only way to release the hurt, anger, and loneliness I carried every day. On the outside, I tried to act normal, but inside, I was fighting battles that nobody could see.

By Secondary Two, things had become overwhelming. I felt hopeless and exhausted from carrying so much emotional pain. One day, I overdosed on Panadol because I could no longer see a way forward. I believed that nobody would ever understand what I was going through. At that moment, I felt completely alone.

After that incident, I continued to struggle with my emotions and my sense of identity. I questioned why life seemed so unfair. I wondered why other people had families they could rely on, while I felt rejected by the people who were supposed to love me most.

Everything started to change when I met the staff from YGOS.

For the first time in a long while, I met people who genuinely listened without judging me. They did not dismiss my feelings or tell me to simply "move on." Instead, they created a safe space where I could talk openly about my experiences, fears, and struggles.

One person who made a significant impact on my life was Stephanie, my mentor from YGOS. Stephanie took the time to get to know me beyond my problems. She saw strengths in me that I could not see in myself. She checked in on me constantly, encouraged me, and reminded me that my story was not over.

There were many days when I felt like giving up, but Stephanie continued to walk alongside me. Through her mentorship and support, I slowly began to believe that I mattered. She helped me understand that my past did not define my future. At YGOS, I found something I had been searching for all my life—a sense of belonging.

The centre became more than just a place to attend a programme. It became a sanctuary where I could be myself without fear of rejection. The staff and mentors became people I could truly trust. They celebrated my progress, supported me through setbacks, and reminded me that I was never alone.

Today, my journey is still ongoing. I continue to face challenges, and there are days when life is difficult. However, I no longer face these struggles by myself. I have people who care about me, believe in me, and encourage me to keep moving forward. For many years, I thought my story would end in pain and hopelessness. Instead, I am learning that my story can be one of healing, resilience, and hope.

Because of YGOS and the people who stood by me, I have discovered that family is not only defined by blood. Sometimes, family is made up of the people who choose to stay, listen, and walk with you through life's darkest moments.

For the first time, I can see a future worth living for.

*Name changed to protect privacy